African American Recruiting Update
Recruiting more African Americans and other ethnic minorities to do Bible translation has always been a desire of Wycliffe USA leadership and it has been my privilege to serve not only as a recruiter but as a facilitator between Wycliffe and African American pastors, churches and organizations. Our purpose five years ago was to communicate the Wycliffe vision to African American churches. We wanted to see more African Americans involved in the Bible translation movement--giving funds, praying for Bibleless peoples and sending missionaries.
A question arose as we produced the video entitled "The Time is Now: A Call to African American Christians." How would we distribute relevant media to African Americans? God's answer to the question was a partnership with Urban Ministries, Incorporated (UMI). UMI is the largest African American Christian publisher in the USA that reaches over 10,000 African American Churches and individuals with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School literature each year.
In 2003, Wycliffe and UMI began a strategic partnership that helps us keep Bible translation on the minds of pastors, churches and individuals. Our partnership continues to promise ongoing communication with African American churches through TV and literature. Dozens of African American inquirers have contacted Wycliffe about involvement; and we can praise God that each year a few more African Americans become career members with Wycliffe.
As Wycliffe USA embarked upon the mission to see Bible translation started in every language that needs it by the year 2025 (Vision 2025), a major change took place in the way we do recruitment. As key resources shifted to realize our mission, management of the partnership with UMI shifted to Wycliffe Communications and Media Department. On the one hand, this shift freed me to meet and mentor more individuals interested in ministry with Wycliffe. The number of career missionaries has grown from six to fourteen and continues to grow. On the other hand the shift of resources has highlighted a critical need for more African American recruiters. Pray with us for more missionary recruiters as well as more missionary workers for overseas ministry.
Created on ... June 3, 2007..................................Last edited June 6, 2007