Esther 4:14
Visit my Wycliffe page: https://wycliffe.org/partner/liz-kim
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Stephanie de Oliveira, one of my supervisors and the director of Church Relations, gave me permission to share this testimony. Back in October last year, Wycliffe Global Alliance hosted their annual Global Gathering in South Africa. Shortly before attending this conference, Stephanie presented to a church in Florida, Casa de Bendición (meaning "House of Blessing" in Spanish), about an opportunity to host an Adopt-A-Verse project. This church committed to translate 268 verses of the book of Mark by the end of the year for the Wiwa community in Columbia. When Stephanie arrived in South Africa, she interacted with one of the attendees who happened to serve as the director of a non-profit in Columbia and was directly involved in the Adopt-A-Verse project with Casa de Bendición. The connection brought so much excitement about a Hispanic church in the U.S. investing in an indigenous community in Colombia that needs access to His Word. This testimony motivated Casa de Bendición to strengthen their prayers and resources for the Wiwa. They ended up committing to the translation of 323 verses! From an indigenous community in Columbia to a church in Florida, the work of Bible translation is one of partnership and a ministry of the Church. With your prayers, giving, and advocacy, you are helping me move my personal ministry goals as well as advancing connections such as these. Check out more from this story below
150 Days Before the End of this Year
Over 2500 languages are currently engaged by Wycliffe USA in Bible translation projects impacting nearly 2 billion people around the world. We have a longstanding vision by the end of this year, 2025, to start a Bible translation project in 686 remaining languages for the first time. That's only 150 days left and it's only the beginning with translating Scripture. Will you PRAY for these languages? Click on the right photo to track the progress of God's work in the global Church. Consider joining our Prayer Community below.
What is Church Relations doing?
My team exists to build partnerships to connect missions-minded local churches among different geographic locations, generations, ethnicities, denominations for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission in making disciples of all nations. This is done through learning, resourcing, advocacy, prayer, mobilizing, encouraging workers and funding the work together. The Lord shows up and shows off in longstanding partnerships between a church and a translation team. For 50 years, Virginia Beach Community Chapel (VBCC) consistently prayed and sent out longstanding missionaries that translated the whole Bible for the Isnag people of the Philippines just as the Isnag translation team prayed for VBCC. On behalf of the church, Pastor Robb Esperat said, “Our love for the Isnag has grown through long-term, personal relationships. The church in Dibagat is not a project we invest in but a sister church we are privileged to serve and grow with." Pastor Robb in the photo below attended the dedication ceremony of the fully translated Isnag Bible and baptized 34 Isnag believers. Check out more from this story below.
What's Next For Me?
Shortly after my trip in East Asia, I was invited to apply and eventually accepted into Wycliffe's Bridge pilot program, which seeks to advance greater opportunities for diverse member staff and churches to engage in Bible translation.I collaborate with 14 other diverse member staff to cultivate effective marketing strategies with our donor network, expand our current engagements within minority communities, and develop recruitment resources from a fundraising perspective. We are all actively engaged in personal partnership development and committed to this 3-year program to serve as a relational ambassador for Bridge. Church Relations is the driving department for this program so I'm grateful to work with my supervisors in this capacity before I am fully launched into my role as a Church Relationship Facilitator. If your church or you know of a diverse church that is interested in serving in missions but has little experience, please feel free to reach out and learn more from our Bridge program.
Financial and Prayer Partnership Update:
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14). After enjoying a holiday weekend in just two days, two families and my first official financial church partner increased my Wycliffe promised monthly partnership by over 14%. PRAISE God for his provision and thank you so much for obeying his prompting to faithfully give.
I send regular praise reports and prayer requests to my prayer team through a secure messaging platform called Signal so you can stay updated about my ministry. Please "Join my Prayer Team" by clicking below. I thank God every day for prayer warriors, encouraging leaders, and supporting teachers that build me up and sharpen me as iron sharpens iron.
I have financial partners that make recurring donations to my Wycliffe account. I am currently at 37% promised monthly giving. If you would like to give, please click the button "Become a Financial Partner" below. I am inspired by Paul's words to the Church of Philippi: "Not that I seek the gift, but I see the fruit that increases to your credit" (Philippians 2:17).
Praise God For:
The Church Relations team guiding local churches to take initiative in translating Scripture through different programs, like Adopt-A-Verse, reaching the ends of the earth.
The opportunity to join Bridge's Pilot Program and collaborate with other diverse supported member staff of Wycliffe. I want to advocate and innovate ways for Deaf churches to be actively engaged in the Bible translation movement.
An accepted position to work as an administrative assistant for Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child from September to December. This will equip me with greater administrative, networking, and partnership development skills as I continue to build partnerships for my Wycliffe ministry.
Please Pray For:
Local churches to take the lead in the ministry of Bible translation especially in the 686 languages that still need a single verse of Scripture to be translated so that all may hear, understand, and be transformed by the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10).
My security in Christ alone, trusting in the power of prayer, and being wise in heavy investments regardless of financial hardships and other circumstances.
My search for a home church that is eagerly supportive of Wycliffe missions and has plenty of opportunities to serve and disciple. I am hoping to plug into resources for mentorship and potentially Deaf ministry through the church as well.
Give Online: Press the button “Become a Financial Partner” above and in “Give now,” you have the option of giving once or monthly. Please write the amount you would like to generously donate and it will take you to a secure payment and billing page to complete the transaction.
Give by Phone: You may also call Wycliffe’s number at (1-800-992-5433) as they are open on Mondays to Fridays, 8A.M. to 5P.M. ET.
Give by Mail: Send a check to Wycliffe Bible Translators, and include a separate note stating, "Preference for the Wycliffe ministry of Liz Kim - account #202285." Please mail to Wycliffe Bible Translators, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200.
Give by Electronic Transfer: Your bank will automatically transfer the amount you specify, and you’ll still receive a tax-deductible receipt from Wycliffe as well as a monthly record of your gift in your bank statement. Call 1-800-992-5433 or email [email protected] for more information.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
