Cameron Townsend, a young American, was selling Spanish Bibles in a market place in Guatemala, when a native Guatemalan, for whom Spanish was only used for trade, came up to him and challenged him:

“If your God is so mighty, why doesn’t He speak my language?”

Cameron and his wife subsequently settled among the Caqchiquel Indians, learned their language and translated the New Testament.

After that he trained a small group of students, and out of these small beginnings grew the twin organisations, the Summer institute of Linguistics (SIL) and Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT).

Tony and Mary Williams come over from Wycliffe Australia to spread the word about Bible translation. Surely South Africans will become involved if only they know!

John Bendor-Samuel of Wycliffe UK initiates a course in South Africa. Interested candidates can taste the technical side of Bible translation through a two week course in basic phonetics and language learning principles. This becomes an annual two week course, held at Rosebank Bible College.

By the time Tony and Mary Williams return to Australia, 14 individuals have signed up with Wycliffe to work in Bible translation assignments.

How Great is Our God!

From the 80’s to the present day, South Africans begin to fill many strategic positions in the work of Bible Translation overseas: as project leaders in Bible translation projects, teachers, directors, literacy workers, Scripture engagement and community development specialists, and many other roles.

All Wycliffe divisions become independent. Wycliffe SA becomes a registered non-profit organisation in South Africa, and is no longer a division of Wycliffe USA.

Read more about Wycliffe SA here: wycliffe.org.za/who-we-are

In 1994, the borders open and South Africans are free to go abroad with SA passports.

During the 90’s huge shifts are taking place across the globe that will soon impact Wycliffe South Africa… 

It is a time for re-thinking basic assumptions and core values in our mission as Bible translators. Led by the new Director Stephen Coertze and the Board, a time of deep reflection prepares the ground for new strategies for Wycliffe SA to contribute to the fulfilment of Vision 2025.

“One of the tasks of the Board is to sense the times and take appropriate action.”

(Derek Fivaz, Board Chair, based on Ecc. 1:3)

There is an increase in awareness that up to 80% of the world prefer or are limited to oral communication.

SIL and Wycliffe Africa Area support and endorse the concept of the Southern Africa Initiative as a Wycliffe responsibility, with a focus on addressing the issue of orality in Bible translation.

Read more here: wycliffe.org.za/what-we-do/oral-bible-translation

Wycliffe SA continues sending and supporting South Africans to work in translation-related roles overseas.

In the spirit of serving the Bible Translation movement, and in response to the call from Bible-less peoples in the region, Wycliffe SA starts to provide administrative support to new local and regional Bible translation partners.

Regional Translation Services is formed, under the umbrella of the Board of Wycliffe SA, with a mandate to pursue regional Bible translation partnerships.

Wycliffe SA holds the first of what has become an annual retreat, called Connect. The purpose is to connect the wider ‘Wycliffe family’ in South Africa, working together towards the common goal of fulfilling Vision 2025.

For Karen Floor, a private sense of God’s leading to climb Mount Kilimanjaro as a personal statement of faith becomes an official Prayer Climb involving over a thousand prayer partners interceding for the people of southern Africa and beyond who have never had God’s Word in their own language.

(Psalm 97:5)

Read more here: wycliffe.org.za/stories-and-news/event-stories/83-mount-kilimanjaro-prayer-climb-2013

Grant Easton creates Bible Man, who will cycle with the Wycliffe Cycle Team and become an ambassador for Bible translation in years to come.  

Wycliffe SA celebrates 40 years of service. Over four decades God has faithfully provided for South Africans to participate in the ministry of Bible Translation. 

Derek Fivaz, having served as Board Chairman for 25 years, gave his farewell message, sharing many stories about the amazing ways God has blessed the organisation over the years.

The first Bible Storytelling workshop is held in South Africa and facilitated by Wycliffe Australia.

For people who do not usually get involved in ministry, Bible Storytelling becomes a popular and effective tool for confidently sharing the Gospel in a non-confrontational way and for reading or hearing God's Word in a new and interesting way.

Read more here: wycliffe.org.za/what-we-do/bible-storytelling

Read more here: wycliffe.org.za/who-we-are/our-vision

This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, when Martin Luther translated the whole Bible into standardised German. From this, a movement of translating and printing Bibles was fuelled, made possible by the invention of the printing press.

Wycliffe SA celebrates this momentous occasion by holding a Word Alive Benefit Concert, featuring the Soweto Gospel Choir.

Stephen Coertze is named the new Executive Director of the Wycliffe Global Alliance. 

Read more here: wycliffe.net/about-us/leaders/

Alan Webster is appointed the new Executive Director of Wycliffe South Africa.  

Read more here: www.wycliffe.org.za/stories-and-news/impact-stories/168-alans-story

Wycliffe Links is born, with the vision to see God transforming lives through the creative development of different elements of Bible translation, to build local capacity and partnerships, and to mobilise for mission. 

Read more here: www.wycliffe.org.za/wycliffe-links

The first Oral Bible Translation & Transcription (OBT&T) workshop is held, as this approach gains more traction. Alongside OBT&T, Scripture Engagement and Language Development come into sharper focus.