In a landmark event for Bible translation and language development, the Bible and Literature Translation Association (BiLTA) and SIL Global officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This partnership is not merely a contractual agreement but a celebration of the collective calling to ensure that the Word of God reaches every community, in every heart language, across Zambia and beyond.
Gathered for this historic occasion were distinguished guests, church leaders, BiLTA and SIL representatives, government officials, and members of the media, united by a profound mission. The event was marked by speeches emphasizing the spiritual significance and social impact of this collaboration. The Guest of Honor, representing the Permanent Secretary of Parliamentary Business and National Guidance, expressed gratitude for the commitment of both organizations to serve communities through God’s Word.
BiLTA and SIL share a common vision rooted in Scripture and transformative service. SIL’s mission statement captures this essence: “Inspired by God’s love, we advocate, build capacity, and work with local communities to see people flourishing in community, using the languages they value most.” This aligns seamlessly with BiLTA’s objectives to make the Bible accessible to every language group, fostering engagement with Scripture for societal transformation.
The event emphasized key transformational statements, highlighting the significance of Scripture engagement, capacity building, and the power of partnerships. As the SIL representative stated, “God values all languages and reveals Himself to people through them. We are committed to growing, adapting, and applying our expertise in language development and Bible translation for the good of all.”
The strategic vision of SIL encompasses a commitment to partnerships, trust in God for the impossible, and service without discrimination. SIL’s core values reinforce the belief in the power of God’s Word to change lives for eternity. Their global plan focuses on three operational priorities that this MOU exemplifies: promoting sustainable language development, fostering community engagement, and applying scholarly expertise in language work.
The SIL representative noted, “Partnership with BiLTA is part of our ongoing strategy to remain relevant and responsive in a changing world. Today’s agreement represents our shared passion for the Word of God and our vision to see language communities flourish.”
Church Mother Bodies, including the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), the Independent Churches of Zambia (ICOZ), and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), commended the partnership as a divine calling to bring hope and light. “In a world increasingly divided, partnerships like these stand as beacons of hope,” one church leader remarked, citing Ecclesiastes 4:9: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.”
Representatives from SIL Global echoed sentiments of collaboration inspired by the biblical story of Peter and Cornelius, where God’s revelation affirmed that “God does not show favoritism.” This story resonates with the commitment of both organizations to serve all people with dignity and respect.
The MOU is a significant step in empowering local communities to access the Bible in their own languages. SIL’s representative articulated the importance of local and national churches using their languages to engage with Scripture and strengthen their identities. “We long to see people flourishing in community, using the languages they value most,” he added.
