Wycliffe Bible Translation releases report on the progress of the 2025 Vision project, showing a tremendous need of talented workers in order to fulfill the goal.
According to the report posted on the Wycliffe International website, out of the 6,912 languages spoken in the world, 2,529 languages still need 2,529 Bible translation work to begin. While there are 2,377 languages with some or all of the Bible, the number of programs in progress in languages without adequate Scripture reaches 1,640.
For Wycliffe’s translation work across the world, there are 6,643 Wycliffe members worldwide including 708 awaiting/preparing for new assignment. Wycliffe personnel work in partnership with approximately 12,000 expatriate and national workers from more than 60 countries on behalf of Bible translation.
Wycliffe celebrates that 5 Bibles, 31 New Testaments, 32 JESUS videos, 7 Luke videos, and 3 Genesis videos were completed in 2005. Yet, in order to fulfill the goal Vision 2025, greater acceleration is needed.
Vision 2025 proposes that by the year 2025 a translation project can be started in every language that needs one. It does not claim that all translation projects will be completed by 2025. But it aims to see such projects begun by that year.
In the latest report in 2005, John Watters, Executive Director of Wycliffe International stated, "At the current rate, Bible translation will be in progress in every language group that needs it by 2038. Greater acceleration is needed to reach the goal of Vision 2025, but we rejoice in the progress being made."
"In the six years since adopting Vision 2025, more than 110 years have been cut from the task! This calculation is based on the 1999 estimate that, following traditional strategies, it would take until 2150 to begin work in every language group. God is providing the open doors, people, partnerships, technology and new strategies to make the vision a reality," Watters continued.
There are ongoing needs for linguist/translators, literacy specialists, trainers, project managers, computer specialists, accountants, administrators and other support roles. Currently, around 2,978 job openings are available for the Vision 2025 project across the world.
Wycliffe International includes 49 Wycliffe Member Organizations and 15 official partner organizations.
