Imagine a group of children and their church school teacher in class with no
books. Imagine your own congregation with no hymnal, Doctrine and Covenants or
priesthood training resources. These situations are a reality for significant
numbers of our sisters and brothers who do not speak English. But that can
change-and you can help! Contributors can now donate funds specifically to help
publish culturally relevant materials that inspire, educate, and give voice to
members in the many nations where the church is present.
The World Church Leadership Council has announced a new program that offers
opportunities for designated giving. The first designated-giving campaign, “Words
for the World! Publishing the Gospel in the Languages of God's People,” is a
way for members and friends to contribute directly to the printing and
publication of materials in more than fourteen languages for people in multiple
countries. Director of International Resources Larry Tyree said, “Literally,
this will change their world.”
Tyree went to French Polynesia, Haiti, six nations in Africa, and several
countries in Latin America, where resources are either lacking or non-existent,
and asked congregational members and leaders at all levels about their needs.
International Resource Centers will focus on translating and writing materials
that serve the greatest needs first, with some of the translations already
completed or well underway. What is needed now are dollars for printing, a
process that will be overseen and completed by International Resource Center
coordinators. Those funds will be provided through the Words for the World
designated-giving initiative.
“Ever since 1830 we have been publishing books, magazines, and other
resources in the English language, and very little in the rest of the world,”
said Tyree. “We actually have a greater number of members in other places, and
the church is finally at a point where it can provide personnel to create
appropriate resources for everyone from nursery school to adulthood,” he
continued.
Because of the economic situation in most of the countries that will benefit
from these resources, dollars are desperately needed to subsidize printing and
production. Tyree explained, “In the places I visited, there was an average of
about two Bibles per congregation.” In most cases hymnals, children’s
materials, and other items such as Worship Resources were out of the
question. One to two Bibles were all that were available to share for families
and leaders.
The vibrant life of the church in the countries that will be served by
International Resource Centers is evidence of how the church has grown in these
places with basically no published resources. Imagine the possibilities when
people have Community of Christ materials to read and to share. “To become a
committed disciple, one needs to understand what discipleship is. To know Jesus
Christ, one must have ways to identify with his story,” said Tyree.
To embrace the mission of the Community of Christ, members and friends
require materials that expand their understanding of being part of a church that
proclaims Jesus Christ and promotes communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.
“Without the proper tools, you are always limited in what you can do and what
you can become,” said Tyree. “This will open up the world to our brothers
and sisters.”
By giving to Words for the World, “we will truly be sharing ourselves with
members around the world,” said Tyree. Telling people about the church and
about Christ is a great thing, and the church has grown based on sharing strong
testimonies and witness. Sharing the tangible resources that encourage people to
learn more, explore more deeply, and grow in new ways takes the testimony and
witness to the next level. Tyree concluded, “It’s about time.”
International Resource Centers incorporate translators, writers, and
coordinators who are spread out geographically among the places they serve. Each
center is managed by a coordinator. Mary Ooko coordinates the Africa Resource
Center from Johannesburg, South Africa. Translators include Chola Daudet (Chibemba),
Ritha Bitota (Lingala), Sunday Ukpong (Efik), Esther Wanga (Kiswahili), and
Geophen Gausi (Chichewa).
The French Resource Center is coordinated by Jean-Marc Clement in Tahiti.
Ervelyne Bernard is responsible for French translations. Tahitian and Creole
translations are completed by self-sustaining translators. The Spanish Resource
Center is coordinated by Nefi Hernandez in Mexico City, Mexico. Darrell Mink is
responsible for Spanish translations. Quechua and Portuguese translations are
completed by self-sustaining translators.
Larry Tyree is currently coordinating the Asia center from World Church
headquarters. Translators are Suneeta Divakar (Telegu) and Birsuna Mandal (Oriya
and Soura). Plans include hiring indigenous writers to create resources that
will address different societies and the diversity therein. Tyree said, “When
you write directly into a cultural context, you can better serve the needs of
the people.”
For the first time in the history of the church, there can be church school
materials, worship helps, and eventually hymnals and much more to help deepen
the discipleship of seekers and members who speak a multitude of languages.
Tyree noted, “It is a mark of the level of maturity of the church that we are
at this point.” The Words for the World designated-giving initiative will
launch the process of printing and producing international resources.
In the United States, look for designated-giving envelopes benefiting “Words
for the World!” in the December and January Mission Tithes offering envelope
packets. In other countries, write “Words for the World!” on the World
Ministries portion of the offering envelope. See www.CofChrist.org/designatedgiving
for more information.
-Kendra Friend reporting
