What does it mean to go and make disciples of all the nations? Missions organizations have different practices, whether church planting or bible translation. Pioneer Bible Translators combines both.
The organization founded in 1976 mobilizes and trains missionaries to reach out to people groups who don’t have the Bible in their languages. It also partners with many Bible translation agencies, including Every Tribe, Every Nation (ETEN), which works to “eradicate biblical poverty.”
Katie Wiseman, recruiter and internship coordinator, has seen how the organization works since interning in 2017.
“I spent my summer internship in Papua New Guinea and came back with a clearer understanding of bible translation,” she said. “Then I spent six more years figuring out what my role would be at Pioneer Bible and prayed for more opportunities.”
She has helped the administrative team mobilize and send missionaries around the country and the world, “We have 35 summer interns that we’ll send all over the country and the world. I also recruit students at a local university by my home in Southwest, Ohio. I’ve been doing it for two years and I really enjoy it. I love meeting people in person and a lot of times I’m just asking about their story.”
Wiseman’s diverse experiences have been helpful in gaining professional skills and deepening her understanding of the Great Commission.
“We’re not just coming as Western saviors, we are learning the language and dwelling among the people we meet just as Jesus did. It’s not Jesus who gave us the gospel, and so we’re giving it to you. It’s that Jesus loves you and cares for you and He wants you to know His Word,” said Wiseman.
Working at Pioneer Bible has taught Wiseman that missions are not limited to just church planting and handing out bibles. There are other ways people can use their gifts.
“We started a campaign to recruit for roles managing the guest house in West Africa and Papua New Guinea, visa applications, inventory budgets, etc. It’s hard to identify the right person for the role. After a year and a half, we had two applicants for those roles, and people realized, ‘Oh, that’s me. I can use that for the gospel.’”
Challenges also come with working with an organization like Pioneer Bible.
“At Pioneer Bible we say prayer is our strategy. From that, God wants us to have an intimate relationship with Him in the things we ask. He may not give it to us exactly. Last year our goal was to mobilize 58 missionaries who were right for the work. We didn’t reach the goal but the ones we did reach were the right people,” she said. “There were many circumstances at play and it was a big request.”
Missionary work is all about reaching others with the gospel and building relationships. Pioneer Bible Translators recognizes that it’s not just about giving people the gospel but also about connecting with them and helping them understand the importance of following Christ.
