Poland
This article was originally published in the March 2018 edition of ITMI Monthly.
Six thousand people gathered in the Civic Auditorium in Grand Rapids, Michigan in September of 1947.
Those six thousand witnessed the beginning of something huge as the 28-year-old evangelist took the stage. They saw the beginning of Billy Graham’s crusade ministry.
It had never been done like he did it. It is estimated that Billy Graham shared the gospel with over 210 million people in his 58 years of crusades. Billy Graham’s crusades and organization dreamed and believed big. God wanted people to grasp John 3:16’s message.
The Lord wants that same message to reach the people of Poland.
Our own Dr. Piotr Zaremba has been in the U.S. for a good portion of February. I’m truly sorry that many of you don’t get to spend the time with him that I do. One of my joys is to hear Piotr share his understanding of God’s truth during his speaking engagements.
Someone that has devoured scores and scores of the ancient original transcripts reveals fresh perspectives. It is amazing how the richness of some difficult passages shines through when we discover the setting and culture they were originally embedded in.
If you haven’t heard Piotr share what is happening in Poland and in the world of Bible translation, you’re missing a real blessing.
Piotr says that there are 40 million Polish speaking humans in the world. His Bible translation has now been shared with a little over 1 million of them. He quickly adds, “…we only have 39 million to go.”
To produce a quality study Bible today is an expensive proposition. If translating were the only challenge, it would be almost a breeze in comparison to all the other disciplines needed to get the final physical Bible ready to be handed to a pastor or a new believer.
ITMI's Piotr Zaremba with a copy of his Polish Bible Translation.
Over 30 years ago, the Polish Bible League set out to give Poland a quality, modern, understandable translation. They have yet to get close.
Piotr and his team have already translated a literal and literary version from the most up to date ancient manuscripts. He now has an electronic version of a literal study Bible that will be most useful for pastors and Bible teachers.
Imagine a quality translation with over 20,000 notes and about 100,000 cross-references. We in America cannot truly understand the marvel, since we have so many resources for scripture study. For Poles, this is a first.
Imagine the daunting task of proofreading a 4,000 page Bible, verifying all the verses, cross-references and notes. While it is being proofread by multiple bi-lingual experts, typesetters will make this wonderful life-giving truth fit inside leather-bound covers.
Piotr and his team are praying God will use each of us to provide the $17,000 remaining to complete this step in the 20-year process.
Timothy Keller is approaching his 20th anniversary in Africa.
Tim is under 40 years old. That means he has now spent more time in Africa than in the States. Those that know Tim can see that he really is more African than American.
His 20 years of service reminds us of his commitment to Christ. Tim loves the Africans from South Sudan to South Africa, and he knows that God wants him there for specific reasons. He wants them all to know Jesus and His redeeming gift that releases eternal freedom.
ITMI's Timothy Keller sharing freedom with children in a village in Zambia.
Tim teaches the Bible to children in South Sudan, 2002.
God is at work and fulfilling His promises. We ask that you jump in - maybe as never before - and experience the joys of God blessing and empowering us beyond our capacities.
Thank you, blessings to you and...charge!!
In HIS Service,
About the Author
Steve Evers
has advocated for and served the ITMI partners as ITMI Director since 2001. Approximately once a year, Steve visits with ITMI partners in their countries and brings stories back to encourage supporters. Steve enjoys photography and mechanics, (both hobbies that have greatly benefited ITMI partners!) Prior to becoming ITMI's Director, Steve served on the Board of Directors for 4 years. Steve lives in Arizona with his wife, Darlene.
