Shema Bible Translation leads the translation work, contributing the methodology, translation teams, and AI support.
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What is a Bible Translation Project?
From Kansas City to the Nations
Bible Translation Projectnoun
A residential program in Kansas City that brings mother-tongue translators, trained facilitators, consultants, and practical support together in one focused community.
This shared environment creates sustained attention for listening, translation, community review, consultant checking, and life together. Each project follows an agreed translation plan for a focused journey of 3+ years toward completing the Bible.
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
Habakkuk 2:14
Does God speak my language?
For oral communities, Scripture must be heard.
Many communities receive knowledge through listening, memory, story, and shared speech; some of their languages have no writing system at all. They need Scripture they can hear, understand, remember, and carry together.
A growing global movement.
Each light represents a Bible translation project supported by Shema Bible Translation. Together, these projects reveal a global movement carried by local voices, trusted relationships, partners, and community ownership.
126 translation projects represented across 27 countries.Portfolio snapshot, March 2026
28 projects
Papua New Guinea
Amako (Korak), Awar: Nubia, Beopour, Bonkiman, Brem, Forak, Gangalu, Garus, Gavak, Gedaged / Bel, Guya, Kowaki, Lemio, Lilau, Mala, Medebur, Melpa: Central, Moere, Monumbo, Mosimo, Mur Pano, Musar, Sepa, Tok Pisin, Waube, Yoidik
Drag the globe to turn it. Select a light or a country to see its languages and the route from Kansas City.
How a Bible Translation Project moves forward.
A mother-tongue translation team lives and works in a focused environment for 3+ years. Facilitators, consultants, technology, and practical support are available throughout the project, so the team can concentrate on translating the Bible with care. Through annual internship trips, the team remains closely connected to its home community and involves the community throughout the translation process.
One focused project, 3+ years.
The same cycle of drafting, listening, checking, revising, and approving is repeated passage by passage and book by book until the translation is complete.
Form the team
Mother-tongue translators are joined by trained facilitators, experienced mentors, and practical support personnel.
Train and plan
The team learns the translation process, agrees on goals and safeguards, and prepares the tools needed for the language.
Draft the translation
Translators study and internalize each passage, express it naturally in their mother tongue, and record a first oral draft.
Check and revise
The draft is reviewed by the team, tested with community listeners, checked by consultants, and revised for accuracy and clarity.
Approve and share
After final approval, Scripture is prepared in accessible audio formats for the community to hear, use, and share.
Repeated passage by passage, book by book
The people around the translation
No one carries this work alone.
A project brings distinct callings into one community so translators can focus deeply on Scripture.
Mother-tongue translators
Community voices and final language authority
They shape Scripture in their own language and decide how it communicates, sounds, and belongs.
Facilitators
Trained process guides
They guide the oral-first workflow and help the team use translation tools with wisdom and care.
Mentors
Experienced translators, consultants, and linguists
They bring training, checking, problem-solving, and steady accompaniment to the project.
Support personnel
People called to practical service
AI technologists, developers, cooks, nurses, administrators, logistics workers, and others serve through their skills so the translation team can focus.
Key partners
Carried in partnership.
Leading partners
Call2All mobilizes the Body of Christ, championing the project among churches, ministries, and donors worldwide.
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YWAM Kansas City provides the ministry home: the campus, communal life, and daily community that carry the translators.
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College of Applied Linguistics & Languages (University of the Nations) provides the academic structure: training, linguistic expertise, and formation for facilitators and mentors.
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Adopt a translation project.
A church, ministry, family, foundation, or group of friends can adopt a specific language project. Adoption combines prayer, relationship, and committed financial support. The partnership connects each adopting group with a real team and provides clear information about the project and its needs.
Option 1
Adopt a full project
One partner commits to the project’s agreed support plan, providing stable funding across the translation process.
Option 2
Share a project
Several partners support the same project through a defined percentage, recurring commitment, or agreed area of need.
The first step
Request a project profile.
Tell us who you represent and whether you are considering full or shared adoption. We will reply with current projects and arrange a conversation. There is no commitment required.
Gifts are received and receipted by Call2All, a 501(c)(3) organization accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). EIN: 41‑1719055.
Give and select “Bible Translation Project”