What would have to happen to translation projects in order to start in every language by 2025? That was the question we faced at the Wycliffe and SIL International Conference in 1999. Eventually we adopted Vision 2025...

Why ask the question in the first  place? In the 1990s, all the Bible agencies were experiencing great success. More projects were in place than at any time in the history of the church. Yet when we reviewed the pace at which all agencies were starting new projects, it became clear that some language groups might have to wait until 2150, provided that all conditions remained the same.                                                                                                                                               But conditions would not stay the same! We were not recruiting the same number of young people from Europe and North America as we had done in the 1980s. The rate at which personnel would be available would likely decrease, not increase. Also, the majority of our personnel 1999 would no longer be in service by 2025. Most importantly, the church had been undergoing one of the greatest shifts in the past 2000 years: the majority church was no longer in Europe and North America, but in the remainder of the world. The new global church needed to be engaged in a new way to meet the future needs of people without Scriptures.

What about the 2025 date? The reflection of urgency - of prayer, and of engaging the next generation. It also reflected the new reality of the majority church that had developed Africa, Asia, South and Central America, and the Pacific Islands. The next generation would have to include the worldwide church in Bible translation. Now was the time for the worldwide workforce to begin benefitting from the experience of those currently involved.                    Recognising that Bible translation may be needed in 2700-3300 languages, the challenge was certainly greater than our resources could meet. So early on we prioritised several implications of Vision 2025 - the urgency; multiplying and extending partnerships; using all our resources of personnel, information and technology to develop new strategies; training local people in all aspects of the work; and making all projects sustainable. This all had to be surrounded by prayer, a conscious dependence on God, and greater vision-sharing with churches worldwide.

So, ten years later, what have we seen? God has met us in ways we should have expected, but perhaps our faith was too small. Our best data suggests that 20-25 projects were started each year in the 1990s, which means that the last project might not begin until 2150. Yet from 1999 to 2009, the number of projects started by all agencies is 700 - three times the pace of the 1990s!                                                                                                                                             That is unexpected!                                                                                                                            We have seen partnerships multiply many times over, so that churches in Africa, Asia, South and Central America and the Pacific are increasingly engaged. A significant and growing number of leaders of new translation projects come from new churches. Often these are individuals from the very language community where translation is needed.                                                                                                                We have also seen greater training opportunities, with some 25 institutions around the world now providing university-level courses relevant to Bible translation                                                                                  The number of leaders in technical and administrative roles from the majority church has also grown significantly. Many Christian leaders around the world share our sense of urgency. New ways of working with multiple languages simultaneously and with new computer programs have accelerated the pace. All this has been supported by the dedicated and generous investment of prayer and funds from churches and individuals around the world.                                                                                                                              The world has changed. So has the church, and so has the church's ministry. The church of the 21st century is global. It will not simply be a matter of "the West to the rest," but instead an effort by the global church from the very continent and every nation.                                                                                             Today Wycliffe is involved in over 1400 projects worldwide, with personnel from over 100 nations. You can have a privilege of being part of something new that is only now taking shape, and serve the Scripture needs of the church in the 21st century.                                                                                                        To God be all the glory!

Dr. John Watters, SIL International President, Chairman of the International Forum of Bible Agencies.