Literacy changes the way people think about themselves. It gives new value to their language and culture, and by implication, to their own person as well. Literacy also opens the door for education and growth. Readers can learn how to improve their family’s health, run a business, defend themselves from fraud, seek justice and, above all, grow closer to God by reading the Scriptures.
Literacy is a key to fulfilling the Great Commission. Jesus instructed His disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations…teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you” (Matthew 28:19–20, NLT). When people can read, or know someone who can read to them, the written Word of God becomes invaluable to their spiritual growth as individuals and churches.
Wycliffe field personnel work with local community members, teaching people to read and write, and endeavoring to establish literacy as a community value. In many language programs, literacy work goes on side-by-side with Bible translation.
Literacy fulfills the promise of Bible translation by making Gods Word accessible to all people in a language that speaks to their heart. Not only is literacy key to accessing Gods Word, it also offers communities and individuals many other advantages they may not currently enjoy. Literacy is opportunity: spiritually, emotionally, financially, politically and economically. For more information go to www.wycliffe.org
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