Mentoring & Training

We like to Mentor Pastor-Translators

If you are considering a vocation in Bible translation, we can help. We want to particularly help those who are committed integrating Bible translation work with church planting and church strengthening (including theological education).

This is why we are especially keen to recruit pastor-translators and theologians to serve in the field of Bible translation. While there are many gifts and skills needed for the various roles that contribute to translating, publishing, distributing, and ministering God's Word, the missions and translation community especially needs those qualified as pastors and teachers to serve in this space.

Did you ever think about teaching Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, hermeneutics and exegesis, or theology in another country? Why not also serve on a local translation team to help train mother-tongue translators in these areas?

When considering a vocation in the field of Bible translation, there are many factors to consider:

1. Where do I go to school?

2. What kind of training do I need?

3. What kinds of gifts and skills are needed?

4. What agency should I choose, and when should I contact them?

5. What if I’m not good at language learning?

6. What if I’m more gifted in teaching and want to serve as a pastor or professor, is there still something I can do to help Bible translation teams?

We’d be happy to schedule video call and help you navigate these questions. Please fill out the contact form and we’ll be in touch.

We Mentor with your local church

Our philosophy of recruiting puts the local church and its leaders at the center of our efforts. When we help folks navigate the various issues listed above, we’ll always do so by pointing you back to your church, its leadership, and others who know you best.

Also, we’re not as interested in recruiting people to join BTF as much as we just want to help folks navigate the best way forward to get involved in translation needs. We are praying and laboring so that God would raise up more laborers for missions and Bible translation (Matt 9.38), regardless of what agency you join.

Sometimes we attend conferences in order to speak with people interested in Bible translation. These conversations often involve talking about schools, agencies, and the various roles within the current landscape of Bible translation needs. Still, we see our assistance as a means of coming alongside the pastors and leaders God has already given individuals in their local churches.

If we can help you or your church to engage more with Bible translation, please contact us.

Training

We also provide training for Bible translation teams. We are especially keen on training translation teams in a biblical and theological approach to Bible translation. We aim to help teams develop their “philosophy of translation” by being considering Bible translation theory and practice from Scripture itself, along with a consideration of where biblical, historical, systematic, and practical theology contribute to Bible translation theory and practice, including Scripture “use” or “engagement.”