The mission of All-Nations Bible Translation can be stated as follows:
“That God may be glorified among the nations,
What Does This Mean to You?
7,360
languages in the world
683
languages with the entire Bible
2,160
languages with no published Scripture!
ABT exists to assist the church
by providing a platform
to mobilize, train, and equip missionary teams
to evangelize unreached people groups,
translate the Scriptures,
and plant indigenous churches
that follow the teachings of Jesus
and the principles of His Kingdom.”
Several points in this mission statement help to clarify ABT’s purpose.
1. God’s glory among the nations
In Malachi 1:11, the Lord says, “From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering; for my name shall be great among the heathen.” From the east to the west—throughout the whole earth—God’s holy name is to be declared, and God is to be worshiped.
All-Nations Bible Translation exists so God may be increasingly glorified among all nations of the earth. He is worthy!
2. Indigenous New Testament churches
“Thou art worthy . . . for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9). Jesus, the Lamb of God, shed his blood for the people of every nation. And it was He who instructed His disciples, “Go . . . and teach all nations . . . teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19, 20).
ABT missionary teams will bring the message of redemption and discipleship to those who have not heard. Those who respond in faith to this message will become the local church. As they learn to follow and depend on Jesus Himself rather than missionaries, their church becomes truly indigenous. ABT intends to partner with sending churches that share this vision and can work with the missionaries in this kind of church planting.
3. Bible translation
Romans 1:20 tells us that the invisible realities of God can be “understood by the things that are made . . . so that they are without excuse.” So if people can know about God through the creation, do they really need the Bible?
But creation doesn’t tell the rest of the story. It doesn’t explain man’s sinful condition and God’s redemption. The mountains, trees, sky, and water do not explain that the Creator became a man, died for our sins, and now lives as our High Priest and King. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1), but they don’t proclaim the Gospel of Jesus.
The witness of creation leaves mankind condemned before God and lost in sin. Romans 10:17 explains that the message of the Gospel comes through the Word of God. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” This is why it is important that every person have access to the written Word in his own language—it leads to Jesus, who alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.