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Translation and Literacy

SIM is dedicated to helping people understand the message of the Bible through linguistics, Bible translation, and literacy programmes.

An Indian BibleHow important is it to you to be able to read the Bible in your own language? Imagine if you wanted to speak to God, but you didn’t think God spoke your language.

How isolated and forgotten you would feel! Then imagine how amazed and excited you would feel to discover that God does speak your language!

SIM’s vision is to see people from every language group reading the Bible in their own language. It is not enough to evangelise people. It is not enough to plant new churches.

SIM is committed to providing every church that we have helped to plant with access to its primary resource, the Bible, in its own language. SIM is in this for the long haul. Many of our personnel live for years among a people, learning their language orally, creating a writing system, and finally translating the Bible.

Literacy programmes

But still the job is not done if no one in that group can read or write their language. Therefore, where literacy programmes are non-existent or inadequate, SIM produces literacy materials and organises instruction for adults and children.

SIM personnel always work in teams, empowering local believers to become qualified translators and literacy specialists.

SIM is prepared to initiate such projects where other missions are not available to do the work, and also to work regularly in partnership with other groups such as Wycliffe Bible Translators and the International Bible Society.

Why not join a team working with local Christians seeking to offer people the joy and freedom of being able to read and study the Bible in their mother tongue?