Lausanne World Pulse – WORLD EVANGELISM & MISSIONS REPORTS – Forum for Bible Agencies International and Partnership in God’s Word

Drawing the world to Christ will take unity in the global Church.

God’s word offers hope, light and life to people of all cultures, languages and nations. But what will it take to give the whole world access to God’s word? What about the people who have access but who have not had the opportunity to witness the life-changing power of the word?

Jesus provided the strategy more than two thousand years ago. As he prayed for the disciples and for future generations of believers, he prayed that they would be of one heart and one mind, in unity, so that the world would believe the good news (John 17).

So what will it take? It will take God’s people, his Church, in this generation, coming together, serving alongside each other, bringing their abilities, gifts and resources, so the world will know him and grow in him through his word. This is the hope of the Forum of Bible Agencies International (the Forum) as it works in partnership with churches around the world.

The goal is to work together to maximize worldwide access and impact of God’s Word. This is the vision that unites twenty-five leading Bible agencies around the world in a mutual work. This goal is coupled with the belief that the speed and scope of accomplishing this vision will be significantly increased through collaboration and cooperation.

What Does the Forum Do?
As an alliance of Bible agencies, the Forum promotes and pursues collaboration by:

  • Strengthening inter-agency understanding and relationships
  • Undertaking strategic global initiatives
  • Advocating the centrality of God’s Word in life and mission
  • Fostering professional excellence of its members through training
  • Providing support for the development of regional and national forums

This has resulted in partnership and strategic involvement throughout member agencies. Perhaps most notable is the development of a translation development group. Chaired by Freddie Boswell of Wycliffe International, this group has been responsible for setting standards for all member agency translation consultants as well as developing a database of ongoing and needed translation work. The result has been coordination and collaboration across member agencies which has led to a decreased duplication of efforts and an increase in skill and knowledge. There is also a long-term aim of more efficient and timely provision of new Bible translations.