A Bible translation course that has inspired and mobilised pastors, churches and entire denominations is now becoming available for the next generation.
The course, Language and Translation in the Mission of God, has ignited excitement for missions and particularly for Bible translation in Latin America and beyond, as people see that translation is not just a work for the ‘experts’, but for the entire Body of Christ.
In 2023, five people who work with children from five different Wycliffe Global Alliance or partner organisations in Latin America began talking together about their experiences with the course—and about adapting it for children.
Mónica López of DINAMIS in Colombia took the idea to course creator Bryan Harmelink, the Alliance’s Director for Collaboration, and to Doug Baughman, Associate Director for the Americas Area. Both were enthusiastic, and included the children’s curriculum in the overall project being funded through the Alliance.
‘They said, “We’ve never thought of that!” Mónica says. ‘It was a novel idea because it had always been done for adults, right?’
The small team, along with a designer, created the material. The result, published in Spanish in March 2026, is a teachers’ manual: Los Idiomas en la Misión de Dios (Languages in the Mission of God). Portuguese and English translations are coming soon, with many more languages envisioned.
The material is aimed at kids ages 3-13, and is divided into age-appropriate sets of lessons. The Spanish PDF is linked here.
Ruth Quispe serves with AIDIA in Peru.
‘If we work with children from an early age’, Ruth says, ‘we can help them rediscover their own roots, their culture and their identity in everything that constitutes their future, a future that is often slipping away, that is in danger of being lost. So, Bible translation is also for children, so they may come to know the value of God’s Word in their own language.’
Danilo Zuhul of MOVIDA Latin America is another of the five project originators.
‘We want it to be accessible to everyone’, Danilo says. ‘We want this to be rolled out across the whole of Latin America so that this new generation that is emerging can have it within their reach—so they can have these beautiful experiences, get to know the material and carry on with everything the Lord has commanded us.’
Vanessa Rodríguez of AEL in Peru adds that children need to know the significance of language, interculturality and diversity in God’s mission. This carries forth the adult course’s overall theme: God created us in his image, he gifted us with language and he invites us into his work of telling his story to the rest of the world through our unique languages and cultures.
LETRA Argentina is the fifth Alliance organisation involved in creating the material, thanks to Betiana ‘Betu’ Moncada, who also serves with the Alliance’s Americas Areas team.
‘When children can understand from an early age that God loves every language and every culture, and that he wants everyone to be able to know his Word in their own language, this can profoundly shape their view of missions and Christian service,’ Betu says. ‘I was deeply impressed to see how such a profound topic could be transformed into something accessible, dynamic and understandable for children.’
The children’s workbook was presented at the Bible Translation Congress in Latin America (CLATUB), 14-16 April 2026 in Guatemala, said David Cardenas, Wycliffe Global Alliance Americas Area Director. On 14 May, it will be presented again during a Zoom call for all Spanish-speaking Alliance organisations and Bible translation roundtables (mesas).
Download the workbook (in Spanish) at Wycliffe.net.
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From the manual’s introduction
Que este material inspire a los niños a reconocer el valor de su lengua, la belleza de la diversidad cultural y la grandeza de un Dios que sigue hablándonos en cada idioma del corazón. Que esta experiencia los motive a ser parte activa del movimiento de traducción de la Biblia y a celebrar juntos que Dios se comunica con todos los pueblos y seguirá haciéndolo hasta que toda lengua confiese que Jesucristo es el Señor.
May this material inspire children to know the value of their language, the beauty of cultural diversity and the greatness of a God who speaks to each of us in the language of our hearts. May this experience motivate them to be an active part of the Bible translation movement and celebrate together that God has communicated with all people groups and continues to do that until every language confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord.
More
Spreading Like Wildfire: An in-depth report about the impact of the course, Language and Translation in the Mission of God.
