How can we ensure that everyone has access to God’s Word in the language that speaks to their heart—as soon as possible? This is the question that Bible translation organizations were asking in the late 1990s. Teams were working on Bible translations in languages all over the world, but at a pace that would have taken 150 years to complete.1 Years of fervent prayer led Wycliffe and its primary partner, SIL Global, to a bold answer: Vision 2025.
This vision, first proclaimed in 1999, was a dream to see Bible translation underway in every language that still needs Scripture by the end of the year 2025. It was incredibly ambitious—the pace of translation would need to increase dramatically. It also meant more of everything: more translators, more co-ordination between translation organizations, more funding, more local ownership and, especially, more prayer.
Vision 2025’s bold reliance on God set off intense momentum in Bible translation.
Between 1999 and the beginning of 2025, we saw:
- Increased speed of language engagements. Before Vision 2025, the highest number of new language engagements per year was 25. Today, on average, a new language is engaged every 14 hours.2
- More collaboration with like-minded organizations. Currently, the 100+ organizations represented by Wycliffe Global Alliance are working in at least 3,146 languages in 146 countries.
- Greater capacity among minority language speakers to carry out the translation work. More than ever, local churches around the world are asking for— even starting—Bible translation themselves. This shift is leading to greater Scripture engagement and local ownership.
- Innovation and technology leveraged for Bible translation ministry. Work now often incorporates translation software, cloud-based collaboration, artificial intelligence and digital Scripture formats.
- The power of prayer and generosity. Fervent prayer gave birth to Vision 2025, and fervent prayer is still what sustains translation work. Generous gifts of funds and time have supported the exponential growth of translation projects.
Fast-forward to the beginning of 2025, and we can see that Vision 2025 has produced incredible fruit. There are now fewer than 900 languages waiting for their first Scriptures.3
Will a language project actually begin in every one of these remaining languages by the end of 2025? Because more languages and translation needs have been identified since the original vision was articulated, this is unlikely. But this doesn’t mean that Vision 2025 failed. Rather, “it’s safe to say that the heart of Vision 2025 was a success,” says Jon ImBeau, Wycliffe Canada’s president.
“Yes, Wycliffe Canada is a Bible translation organization, but we exist to see Christ transform lives through translated Scripture,” says Jon. “The Bible helps bring that about, but a translated Bible is not the [end] goal. The end goal is life transformation through access to Scripture.”
“. . . a translated Bible is not the [end] goal. The end goal is life transformation through access to Scripture.” Jon ImBeau
“Picking a date helped us focus our energies for a number of years,” Jon continues. That focus is critical, because even in the near future when a translation project has actually begun in every language, the work won’t be finished.
Wycliffe continues to support this transformation by building the capacity of the local church, by providing literacy training, and by helping people to truly engage with Scripture. The demand for these resources will keep increasing as more people gain access to Scripture in their own language.
The work of Wycliffe—and the need that propelled Vision 2025—is not just about completing Bible translations: it’s about witnessing the Living Word of God transform lives.
- Word Alive magazine, Spring 2001, Wycliffe Canada ↩︎
- Wycliffe Global Alliance ttps://www.wycliffe.net/what-we-do/philosophy-and-principle-papers/vision-2025/
↩︎ - Wycliffe USA https://www.wycliffe.org/vision-2025 ↩︎