"God's wisdom is on display! And spiritual beings and authorities marvel at Him, as they see members of every sector of the human race coming together in one body in Christ." Last Friday evening, God inspired us with this message from Ephesians 3:10. The occasion was ABT's annual Board and Advisors Meeting. Our prayer was—and is—that the magnificent display of God's wisdom increase through our efforts in cooperation with Him.
For us, that means faithfully tackling the big questions that come up about ABT's place in serving the church's mission and how to best do that. It includes giving direction to various projects, mostly notably partnering with churches who send church-planting team members. Through our discussions last weekend, we sought to identify again our "laser focus;" that is, our first priority is those language groups in need of both Bible translation and church planting.
An encouraging exercise was reviewing God's faithfulness through the past year, and then taking a look at 2019 plans. These include spring Orientation and Camp Week, during a week of activities which culminates on May 24 and 25 with EXPLORE ABT (an event to which YOU are invited!). We are working to schedule up to six Sending Church Encounters with partnering churches during the year. Also, Lord willing, we will break ground this year for the new building. Will we have offices there by the end of the year? Already, we have received a number of specified donations and the building project fund is increasing.
During Saturday's meeting, the Board reviewed our developing Translation Policy. The first part, Translation Philosophy, is approved and available to the public. The second part, Translation Principles, provides a guide for our Bible translation teams but is considered a work in progress which will improve as we gain experience together. A third section, Translation Procedures, is yet to be developed. You are invited to pray for the brothers spearheading the development of the Translation Policy.
Other highlights from the weekend:
—Committee sessions all Friday afternoon
—Friday evening's meal, complete with donated beef, catered by local brothers and sisters in the Lord
—Presentations from the Executive Committee members about things like Bible translation methods and a theology of literacy
—Coming before our Lord together in prayer and worship
—The willingness of all Advisory Council members to serve another year
—Discussing our support of resource development projects, such as a Hebrew learning app for mother tongue translators in development by an ABT member
—One Board member participating in discussion via phone since he was sick at home
We thank God for guiding us with His wisdom and ask for prayer that we may be faithful through another year.
To learn more about ABT's Board, Executive Committee, and Advisory Council, visit our updated "Who we are" page.
