TRANSLATING THE WORD
“After this, I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb”... (Revelation 7:9).
JESUS FILM IN BIHARI HEART LANGUAGES
(Angika, Surjapuri, and Panchpargania)
The JESUS Film Project is an evangelistic initiative founded in 1981 by ‘Campus Crusade for Christ’ - Founder Dr. Bill Bright, with the stated goal of reaching every nation, tribe, people and tongue and helping them see and hear the story of Jesus in a language they can understand. This project seeks to give everyone in the world at least one chance to hear the gospel in their own language. The Jesus Film has been serving as an effective tool in reaching the illiterate masses of India for several years.But how can any single film reach so many people and touch so many lives?
It is the power of the Word of God in their heart language.Once completed, this film will bring the Angika, Surjapuri, and Panchpargania language speaking communities of Bihar state an opportunity to hear and respond to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Bihar has a total literacy rate of 63%today while total rural literacy rate is as low as 43% - it remains the least literate state among the Indian states. The majority of the unreached people groups are illiterate and live within cultures that are oral in tradition.
In partnership with the JESUS Film project, NIEA is facilitating with a team of translators, recording and technical staff, and mother tongue native speakers. Recording is currently complete in each of these languages and the final audio and video files are being edited into Master files before being released. Once completed, thousands of unbelievers will have an opportunity to see these films and respond to God’s love.
It is likely that Bihar will see a revival soon as the message of the Cross is presented to the people from within their culture in the common language of the recipients. A renewal of the culture by transformation of the people of God for His glory is being attempted. Pray for David Acharya, Sunu Daniel, and Matt T as they provide strategic leadership to this partnership project. God is using this film in powerful ways to reach people and build His church worldwide. Of the 1 million churches planted in the last 10 years, 75% have begun using the JESUS film. And yet, so much of the world remains in spiritual darkness. Billions of people have never had the opportunity to hear God’s message of salvation and say "yes" to Christ.
ORIYA LEADERS RECORD ORAL BIBLE STORIES
As part of the ongoing service to reach language communities in Odisha state of Eastern India (42 million population), a team of four key leaders were recently at the NIEA recording facility in Bihar. Thirty-six Bible stories were recorded by a group of mother tongue translators who have been coached in this skill for the past two years.
This assumes great significance, since these stories will be used widely by the church, especially in areas where oral cultures exist (upwards of 30% of Odisha is illiterate) and where the state language, Odiya, is used to minister. Nayak, Maher, Digal, and Pranav are part of the team that has been working to bring oral Scriptures to their people. These Bible stories are edited and then placed on solar-powered listening devices for pastors, lay evangelists, and Christian folk to use.
Religion Percentages in Orissa
Hinduism - 94.35%
Christianity - 2.44%
Islam - 2.07%
Others - 1.14%
V.A.S.T.
Video Audio Strategy for Translation (V.A.S.T.) is a new method in Scripture translation that helps languages without a written script to have access to God’s Word at an accelerated pace. Using the same robust steps as in print translation, VAST uses audio and video files to assist in translation, especially so for oral cultures. There are many applications for the VAST technology including the translation and production of audio Scriptures, the translation and production of the Jesus film and the dubbing of video content of Scripture.
Operation Snap Dragon (OSD) represents a partnership between The JESUS Film Project and Contexture International and national mission organizations. It is based on words from Psalms 91:13, “Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.” Operation Snap Dragon is focused on accelerating script translation and production of The JESUS Film into the heart-languages of people who need it. Providing this powerful ministry empowers those who are sharing Jesus to plant vibrant churches.