Back in 1999 “Vision 2025” was first presented, and became a focal point for the Bible Translation (BT) movement. The vision was to see a translation programme started in every language that still needs one by the year 2025 — though hitting a numerical goal by a certain date was never the sole intent. We are now in this much anticipated year: 2025. So, how is progress towards that vision going?

The Inception of Vision 2025

To answer this question, it’s important to understand where this vision came from and its broader context and purpose. The vision started with Dr. John Watters, former director of SIL and Wycliffe International (now Wycliffe Global Alliance). At the time, BT was a mostly western-led initiative, with trained experts spending years or decades with language communities to learn and analyse the language and begin written translations, which sometimes also had to be accompanied by literacy programs. It was estimated that 3000 languages still needed a translation, and on average about 25 languages were being engaged per year¹. At that rate the projected timeframe to begin translation in all of them was 120-150 years².

After reading the book "Built to Last" by Collins and Porras, Watters mulled over the question of what kind of goal it would take to catalyse new efforts to propel BT forward. The idea of getting translation started in every language within one generation started to form in his mind. This idea, which he thought would be met with resistance or hesitation, was, to his surprise, met with interest and excitement, taking on a life of its own as it sparked new conversations and gained traction in the leadership echelons of SIL and Wycliffe International. The time was ripe for such an idea as questions about different approaches to BT were already on people’s minds amidst a changing global and Church environment.

And so Vision 2025 was born. Its purpose was much more than being a numerical goal, in the sense of counting down the languages, but to be a focal point to drive action and a catalyst to generate new partnerships and creative ideas. It brought a sense of urgency, not to rush, but to overcome obstacles that slowed down and hindered translation rate and usage. This can be as simple as helping part time translators work full-time³.

“I tried hard early-on to let people know that yes, urgency is one of the key pillars here. But urgency doesn’t mean haste. It doesn’t mean speed. But it means how do you focus your strategies and your attention on what you’re doing?” - John Watters⁴

Impact

Since the inception of Vision 2025, many exciting changes have taken place. Among the most exciting is the incredible role the global Church has played in the Bible Translation movement, both in partnering with Bible translation and initiating it.

This change has taken place alongside a proliferation of collaborative efforts that has seen BT become far more decentralised, taking different shapes in different contexts. With diverse partnerships in diverse contexts, diverse ideas are also generated. Creative solutions from one domain trigger new trends elsewhere, and whole new approaches are born. An example is the emergence of Oral Bible Translation, which meets a different set of needs than written Scripture.

Advances in technology and increased access to education have helped facilitate these changes, as it is now easier to become trained and equipped in the work, and wide-spread collaboration is made possible through superior communication technology.

Statistics*

Although the numbers were not meant to be the sole focus of Vision 2025, we have indeed seen the rate of translation speed up dramatically. From 25 new languages being engaged per year in 1999, this number increased to 64 per year⁵ within a few years of Vision 2025 being cast. Today, it is estimated that a new language is engaged every 14 hours⁶!

*Numbers relating to Bible Translation are always estimates, and can fluctuate as new information comes to light.

Conclusion

“‘What if 2025 comes and we haven’t done it?’ Well, it never has been about ‘we’ve done it’. It’s supposed to be about what God is doing through us. And if we don’t hit it in 2025, if God allows us to see this in 2038, what’s our response going to be? It’s going to be hallelujah, praise God!” - John Watters⁷

All of this is a testament to the incredible way in which God works to achieve His purposes on earth. Bible Translation organisations did not, of their own accord, achieve these phenomenal strides forward, but in tandem with the Church and changing global context, a goal that once seemed like a far-off dream is now in reach.

There are still languages waiting for translation to start, but thanks to the acceleration of BT many of them will be engaged sooner rather than later. The heart of Vision 2025, which was about following God’s lead in the proliferation of partnerships, ideas, and solutions, has certainly come to fruition in all sorts of exciting and surprising ways.

What Next

Of course, the mission doesn’t stop there, and new areas to focus on are coming to the fore. One of these is the question of sustainability; for example, once a translation is started or even completed, is the language community sufficiently equipped to initiate work on further translation or revisions of Scripture?⁸

Another is the need to provide more precise and elaborate data about the languages out there and what work has been done. As the number of languages needing translation work decreases it is more and more common to find different BT organisations working within the same language community, sometimes without even realising it⁹. This can cause difficulties to arise or work to be duplicated, which might be avoided if it was known in advance what is happening where. Also, it is sometimes unclear which languages really need a translation and which do not (e.g. one that no longer has any mother-tongue speakers)¹⁰. This information can help to channel efforts where they are most needed.

At the end of the day, Scripture translation is not about the product - a book or an audio device. The work doesn’t end when there is a Bible on the shelf - it needs to be in the hands and hearts of the people, and that’s why the work of Scripture Engagement is also becoming a greater focal point. Because it’s about encountering the living God, knowing Him, and being forever changed by Him. It is this transformation that makes BT so important.

“I came into this with understanding that Vision 2025 was us starting all the remaining languages that don’t have Bible translation. I later learned that that was only a small component, a sliver of what Vision 2025 really was... But what all of us are going for is community impact and transformation and Scripture usage.” - Christy Liner¹¹

References and further reading
1,5 https://www.wycliffe.org/blog/posts/vision-2025-then-and-now
2,4 The Journey Podcast Episode 1, January 2024: John Watters and Vision 2025 - Part 1 transcript
7 The Journey Podcast Episode 2, February 2024: John Watters and Vision 2025 - Part 2 transcript
3,8 The Journey Podcast Episode 5, July 2024: Vision 2025's Impact
9,10,11 The Journey Podcast Episode 6, September 2024: ProgressBible and Vision 2025
6 https://wycliffe.org/vision-2025