A word from our Owner
Jon and Jen Quast’s recent visit to tribal villages underlined the significance of God’s Word in church planting.
Their glimpse into village life gave them opportunity to observe several Guarani-speaking churches in action.
The name for the Guarani Bible translation is Nandejara Ne’e, meaning “our owner’s words.”
“This is a term that they use for God. And I kind of like that term,” Jon writes. He says that every time someone calls God Nandejara, he is “reminded that God is in fact our Owner … and the Bible is our Owner’s words.”
Jon continues, “The Bible is not the missionary’s words. … It is important that the Bible is established as the ultimate authority for teaching. … The Word of God is powerful. … A missionary may achieve results, but there is one thing no human can produce: spiritual life. God is the Giver of life … and we can come to know Him and have a relationship with Him based on His Word.”
One of the imperatives for church planting is to make sure that people have access to the Bible in their heart language. Jon says that no church planting task is complete unless this is accomplished.
“No matter how good things seem to be going, we need our Owner’s Word for it to be a maturing church. … Praise God, more people are becoming able to access the Book of Life …
“Don’t take your Bible for granted,” Jon urges. “It is indeed a privilege that not all have. Pray that we can be a part of seeing all people … have access to God’s Word in their own language.”
Ask God to bless the translation of His Word into tribal languages. And then ask Him if He wants you to do more than pray. Your gift can help translate God’s Word.