Streams of Prayer for 5 May 2025
The Streams of Prayer for 5 May 2025 is a circular from the Wycliffe Global Alliance. Wycliffe Caribbean makes this available.
May 4, 2025 – May 10, 2025
Generosity, Funding and Specialty Services
As we serve together in community within global Bible translation movements, we seek to show each other love, respect and honour. Through recognising interdependence and interconnectedness, we seek an environment where all Alliance organisations (AOs) are free to give generously and receive graciously.
Giving takes many forms, such as providing time, staff, financial assistance, expertise or consulting. Through the Specialty Services Participation Stream, one AO may provide practical help or consultation services to another AO in areas such as finance, technology, administration, organisational development, partnerships or human resources.
We affirm each other for who we are and not for the type or quantity of the contribution. Our primary goal is to glorify God together in Bible translation.
In a spirit of inclusive generosity, “linguistic hospitality” was offered at the 2024 Global Gathering in Johannesburg, South Africa. Interpreting services
were provided in French, Spanish and Indonesian by Alliance staff and volunteers. Photo: Jennifer Pillinger
Necessary efforts to source Bible Translation, Ghana
For the past three years, the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy, and Bible Translation (GILLBT) has been contributing generously to communities, individuals and schools in diverse ways. For example, during GILLBT’s 60th anniversary, the Savelugu School for the Deaf received donations, and on 30 August 2024, bags of food, toiletries and other items were given to Yohoni children’s home in Tamale. GILLBT has been serving many institutions and organisations within Ghana and beyond that rely on GILLBT for translation, literacy, and media services. GILLBT stands as one of the trusted institutions that is normally called upon to translate educational materials for the government. Funding Bible translation work is a challenge. Over the years, however, GILLBT has been carrying out several activities to connect and seek partnerships within Ghana to source this work. Thank God for this and pray that these efforts will bear fruit.
Pray for ICON25 and SIL Global leadership transition: Global
ICON25, the international conference of SIL Global, a key Alliance partner, will take place 5-10 May in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing together around 300 participants from around the world to seek God’s direction. Pray that God’s Spirit will move powerfully throughout ICON25, renewing faith and uniting participants in a shared vision for his work. Ask that this gathering will be a time of deep spiritual refreshment, where each person is carried beyond their strength into the power and purposes of God. As SIL Global undergoes a leadership handover during ICON25, pray for wisdom, strength, and grace for outgoing Executive Director Dr Michel Kenmogne and his leadership team and for God’s blessings on their future endeavours. Lift up Dr Johnstone Ndunde as he steps into the role with his incoming Executive Director Team, along with area and domain Leaders. Ask for vision, humility and discernment to lead SIL forward. Pray for a smooth transition, unity, and support from the SIL Global community and partners for outgoing and incoming leaders.
Prayer for App Development Workshop in South Asia
A workshop for Scripture website development will be held from 29 April – 9 May. During the workshop, leaders plan to help participants build new websites to host Scriptures for nine minority language communities. They will also train eight additional website managers to maintain and promote Bible websites that already exist in their languages. Please pray:
- For the nine language communities that will send representatives. Pray that God would be at work in these communities, giving them a desire to read His Word.
- That these websites would have a lasting impact on speakers of each language.
- That the websites would be accessible, and many would download the Scripture Apps.
- For travel safety for those attending and for security during the workshop.
- For the trainers: protection over their presence at the workshop, minimal attention when entering and leaving the country, and the strength to lead well.
Building community and sharing tools in the digital era: Americas, Global
EMDC* promotes cutting-edge training and networking among Bible translators, Scripture promoters, literacy and cross-cultural workers, churches, communities and organisations for using various technologies, audiovisual media and digital strategies to promote interaction with Scripture. The next EMDC conference in English (which is held alternately in Asia and Europe) will take place in the Netherlands, 14-22 May. Organisers are expecting over 600 attendees. Over 400 have already registered.
The third edition of EMDC in Spanish will be held in Peru from 24-30 August. Registration is now open. The EMDC Spanish Coordinating Team is composed of people from Colombia, Peru, Mexico, the United States and Switzerland. In both gatherings, a range of cultures are called together by a spirit of collaboration and unity. For the Spanish EMDC, the theme is Ephesians 4:16: “And through Christ the whole body is fitted and knit together by the union of every part; and when every part is working well, the whole grows and builds itself up in love” (DHH, English translation). Pray for presenters as they prepare sessions and trainings, for those organising conference logistics and for all who plan to attend these conferences. Thank God for this opportunity to build community in the digital era, promoting training and networking among ministries and people who serve others around the world using various technologies, media and strategies to impact hearts with Scripture in culturally relevant ways.
*EMDC originated as Eurasia Media & Distribution Consultation and now has a global reach. In Spanish-speaking settings, it is known as Escrituras Medios Difusión Comunidad.
Generous hospitality: Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Asia-Pacific
Organised by Wycliffe Global Alliance leaders in the Asia-Pacific area in late February and early March, the Journey Concept workshop, conducted by Susan Van Wynen, was held in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Praise the Lord for the generous hospitality and servant hearts of the local hosts. Charles Ho and the Wycliffe Singapore team, Rence Law and the Wycliffe Hong Kong team, and Josh Matsumaru and the Wycliffe Japan team contributed to the success of the workshops. Each of these teams ensured that the venues, meals and transport for both local and overseas participants were well taken care of. Josh, the Executive Director of Wycliffe Japan, spent time and effort to translate Susan’s slides into Japanese to make sure his board members and staff were well served. Wycliffe Singapore and Wycliffe Hong Kong generously sponsored meals and accommodation for some of the participants so that these fellow workers could also come and join.
Commitment to be Generous: Indonesia
In a partnership between Kartidaya and GKST (the Central Sulawesi Christian Church), the Mahoro Cluster project was launched on 23 March in Central Sulawesi, to translate the New Testament for two languages and the Old Testament for four languages. Praise the Lord for the local church’s understanding that translation is their responsibility and that they are ready to provide accommodation, food and transportation costs for translation team members. They also signed a commitment to mobilise the congregation to generously support the translation team. Praise God for good cooperation between Kartidaya and the Central Sulawesi Christian Church and the commitment of local church leaders. Pray for:
- The translation team as they use a new tool called “Scripture Forge” to speed up the drafting process
- Unity of hearts among facilitators, team members, consultants and all involved
- God’s provision for this project.
Efforts in fundraising: Germany
Wycliff Germany is intensifying its efforts in terms of fundraising. Last autumn, Wycliffe Germany retained Antje Becker, an experienced fundraiser with a big heart for the Word of God. Pray for her that God would guide in her planning with Wycliffe leaders, who want to position Wycliffe as a fundraising organisation in Germany and professionalise communication with donors along the way. Various means are being employed to make this happen. Please pray for wisdom and fruitful contacts. Also, Wycliffe Germany has sent a large mailing to all donors from the last two years. The goal: 5,000 financial partners donating 100 euros each. Pray that God would move many to give toward this goal.
Streams of Prayer is the prayer bulletin of the Wycliffe Global Alliance.
Copyright © 2025 Wycliffe Global Alliance, All rights reserved
Valrie McCarthy
Language Development Officer
Wycliffe Caribbean
7A South Avenue
Kingston 5
JAMAICA, W. I.
876 754 9334, 908 2970, 582 6592
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