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Wycliffe helps underground churches translate Bible for millions living in oppression
Wycliffe Associates, an international organisation that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, aims to launch Bible translations for 600 new language groups in places of oppression and persecution for Christians. Hundreds of missionaries in these locations have been forced out. “These are places where religious militants operate like vigilantes, and governments are cracking down on Christians at the borders due to their hatred of Christianity,” says Bruce Smith, President of Wycliffe. “In some of these regions, the moment you set foot there, your life is at risk.” By training national Bible translation leaders in ‘closed’ countries, Wycliffe can send them to people groups that outsiders currently cannot reach. They will then start Bible translation workshops themselves—to launch Bible translation in, God willing, 600 new languages. “The key to their success is simple but crucial,” Smith says. “They are local. They blend in. They can move about freely. They know whom to trust. They know how to protect themselves. They have become experts at surviving in
