Think of the last time you experienced true joy. For some, it comes while serving at a Vacation Bible School (VBS) and watching kids’ eyes light up as they learn about God’s Word. For others, it’s a church community rallying together, a family opening their home, or business owners using their resources to further God’s mission. The feeling we experience in these moments is deeper than mere happiness. Happiness is dependent on our circumstances: a thoughtful gift, a walk on the beach, a good conversation with a friend. Joy, however, is rooted in God Himself. It’s a gift He gives to us when we trust Him and live in obedience to His call.
One of the clearest ways we receive joy is through partnering generously with God in seeing His Kingdom fulfilled here on earth as it is in heaven. And generosity isn’t limited to finances; it’s found in how we share our time, talents, hospitality and resources to bless others and advance God’s Kingdom.
Across the Bible translation movement, we see this joy multiplied again and again as people bring what they have — big or small — to be part of God’s work. Join us as we explore stories from around the world of how believers are living generously and discovering radical joy in the process.
The Power of Giving Circles: Friends Fueling Bible Translation
What if generosity wasn’t something practiced alone but shared with friends? That’s the vision behind a giving circle: believers joining together around a shared passion for God’s Word and giving collectively. What might feel like a small gift on its own is multiplied when combined with others, turning generosity into a shared joy that deepens relationships and strengthens faith.
For one group of friends, that journey began with a simple dinner invitation. They learned that millions around the world still wait for Scripture in a language they can clearly understand. Overwhelmed by the need but inspired by the possibilities, they decided to give together. Soon, their collective gifts began fueling Bible translation projects, including one in Nigeria, where the project team celebrated the completion of the New Testament in four different languages! The circle of friends accomplished together what they couldn’t accomplish alone.
See the power of giving in community and how this giving circle made a lasting impact.
The impact wasn’t just financial. Their friendships deepened as they encouraged each other in their faith, and their example sparked curiosity in others. As Sami explained, “We have a vibrant community of believers who love God and love each other … When people see that, they want to be part of it.” What started among a circle of friends became a ripple effect of generosity, drawing others into the mission of Bible translation.
Today, this giving circle has expanded its vision, helping support Bible translation for Deaf communities across the Americas. Along the way, they’ve discovered that giving circles are about far more than money — they’re about multiplying impact, strengthening friendships, sharing joy and creating a lasting legacy rooted in God’s Word.
Sushi for Scripture: How a Restaurant Fuels Bible Translation
For years, Rayza and Laura wondered if God was calling them to full-time missions. But God wasn’t opening doors to traditional ministry. Instead, He kept bringing them the vision and desire to open a restaurant.
From the beginning, they knew their restaurant needed to be more than a place to eat, and they wondered how they could use it to glorify God. Then the couple learned about Wycliffe and Bible translation.
That’s when they committed to give a percentage of all sales to support translation work. Rayza is from Indonesia, and part of his journey to faith was when he received a Bible in his own language. It seemed like a natural fit for the couple to give toward a translation project that was happening there, so they decided to partner with the Kola Bible translation team.
Today every roll of sushi from their restaurant helps contribute to Bible translation for the Kola people in Indonesia!
“We really believe that God’s Word can change people’s lives,” Laura shared. “There are so many areas in Indonesia that don’t have the Bible. That’s just a really important thing that we can help fund.”
Kids Leading the Way in Bible Translation
In a small church in West Virginia, kids wrapping up their VBS set out with a bold goal: raise $1,000 to support a Scripture translation project for the Deaf in Tanzania. Their pastor sweetened the challenge with a promise: If they hit the goal, he’d shave off his beloved beard.
To the delight of everyone, the children not only met the target but also got to watch the pastor’s daughter trim away his beard on stage in front of the whole congregation. More than just a fun moment, it was a celebration of how deeply these kids cared about helping people experience the love of Jesus.
At Chapel Pointe in Hudsonville, Michigan, another group of VBS kids rallied behind Bible translation efforts in the Philippines. Their original goal was $5,000. With just one day left, they decided to stretch it to $7,000 — this time with the added incentive of their pastor taking a pie to the face. The kids didn’t just meet the challenge. They exceeded it, raising an astounding $16,000!
These stories remind us that God is stirring passion in the next generation. Through creativity, generosity and a heart for others, kids are making a global impact. What a joy it is to see them catching the vision for Bible translation and stepping into God’s mission in such powerful ways!
A Church’s Gift to Bible Translation in Vanuatu
After years of prayer and preparation, the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu (PCV) is stepping boldly into the ministry of Bible translation by launching the Nafsanigir PCV Cluster project. With 26 languages in need of God’s Word, PCV has organized them into five clusters and plans to launch a new cluster every few months. To make this vision a reality, the church has established and staffed its own translation desk, appointed a field coordinator and begun conversations with local communities to lay the groundwork for lasting impact.
What makes this story extraordinary is not just the scale of the project but also the way the church itself is leading and investing in it. PCV isn’t waiting for outside organizations to do the work for them — they are giving generously of their own resources.
In fact, the church and local communities are contributing an astonishing $1.33 million of in-kind donations, covering more than half the project’s overall budget. From staff and facilities, to volunteer time and local leadership, this gift represents their deep commitment to see Scripture accessible in every language.
This approach, known as “Church- and Community-Based Bible Translation” or CBBT, places the ministry of translation directly in the hands of local believers. Within the first year, PCV leaders will have the capacity to organize and facilitate training with minimal outside help, while also inviting collaboration across the Pacific to strengthen skills and increase capacity. Rooted in community ownership, the project ensures that translation is not only done for the people but by the people — a model that will benefit generations to come.
In Vanuatu, generosity looks like a church giving what it has — people, places and passion — to bring God’s Word to life in 26 languages. Their gift in kind is more than numbers on a budget; it’s a powerful testimony of faith, sacrifice and vision for the Great Commission.
The Great Commission: A Joy-Filled Command for Us All
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave His disciples a command that we now refer to as the Great Commission: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20, NLT).
It wasn’t a suggestion; it was a call for every believer. For centuries, the global Church has been moving toward this goal of making disciples of all nations, and today we are closer than ever to seeing it fulfilled. Now is the time to respond with joyful obedience — to learn, to pray, to give and to engage.
The Great Commission isn’t reserved for a select few. No matter our stage of life, occupation or location, each of us is invited into God’s mission. Some will go, others will serve locally and many will support global efforts through prayer and financial partnership. At the heart of this call is the truth that the gospel is for every people group, every language and every culture. And with approximately 550 languages still waiting for even a single verse of Scripture, the need is urgent.
But this isn’t a burden to bear reluctantly — it’s a joy to embrace! We get to participate in introducing people to Jesus in a language and format they clearly understand. We get to join hands with the body of Christ all around the world and watch lives be transformed by God’s Word.
We get to be messengers of the gospel — messengers of this life-changing, radical joy that we experience in and through Christ — in all that we do and say. We get to show the world that God loves them and desires to fill them with joy too.
So what does it look like to respond? For some, it means praying faithfully for Bible translation projects and the communities they serve. For others, it may mean giving generously to fuel this work or even starting a giving circle with friends or family. You might choose to share the vision with your church, small group, neighbors or coworkers so more people can join in. However God leads you, your joyful “yes” helps advance the mission of seeing all people have access to all Scripture.
In the meantime, let’s imagine the indescribable joy that we will experience one day when we’re worshipping together before the throne! There, we will see people from all corners of the world, praising God in the languages that He uniquely gifted them and used to capture their hearts. What a glorious, joy-filled day that will be!
