Heart-touching worship songs, spirit-lifting testimonies, lots of beautiful memories of tears and laughter, and more challenges coming ahead – all of these filled the room as Wycliffe Bible Translators Japan celebrated its 50th anniversary on 10 November 2018.
Established in 1968, Wycliffe Japan is the oldest Wycliffe Global Alliance organization among the 25 in Asia and also the first non-western Alliance organization that stepped out to serve minority language communities.
The celebration was entitled “Go on an Unexpected Journey” and was held in Ochanomizu Christian Centre in Tokyo, Japan. Nearly 400 local and international guests gathered to rejoice with Wycliffe Japan’s staff in celebration of “The Last 50 Years” and looking ahead to “The Next 50 Years”.
Dr. Kirk Franklin, Executive Director of Wycliffe Global Alliance, and Simon Wan, Director of Wycliffe Asia Pacific Area, gave encouraging messages to celebrate this milestone of Wycliffe Japan.
In the afternoon sermon, with the theme “Wycliffe Japan – the next 50 Years”, Max Sahl, incoming CEO of Wycliffe Australia, challenged Japanese churches and Christians to take part in God’s mission.
Over the last half-century Wycliffe Japan has been actively participating in the Bible translation movement, sending out a total of 56 cross-cultural workers. With Wycliffe Japan’s contributions, one whole Bible (Khaling in South Asia) and 10 New Testaments (4 in Papua New Guinea, 3 in the Philippines and 3 in Indonesia) have been finished, and many lives transformed by the translated Word of God in these languages.
Article by Ling Lam
Source: wycliffe.net