Riza Bible & Literacy

• Location: Asia
• Pseudonym: Riza
• New Testament Completion Target Date: 2026
• Bible Completion Target Date: 2036

The Riza number approximately 450,000 and predominantly practice animism. Although early 18th-century European missionaries planted churches in the region, many past attempts to evangelize the Riza people met with significant persecution because foreigners presented the gospel without cultural sensitivity. Despite these challenges, the Riza believers number an estimated 2,000 with 52 worshipping centers.

The Riza people originally had only the four Gospels translated into their language by the Roman Catholic Church. The lack of translated Scriptures and Bible resources has limited the Riza believers not only in their walk with God, but also in reaching those who have never heard the good news of salvation. Although the children and adults speak Riza, most of their churches conduct their services in another language. Undoubtedly, God’s Word in their heart language will strengthen the Riza churches immensely.

A national church planter who works among the Riza people has obtained an extensive list of linguistic degrees up to the doctorate level. His wife has also earned multiple degrees, including education qualifications. With their language learning, they have laid an excellent foundation for the translation process. In addition to creating literacy materials, they have composed songs, translated Bible verses in Riza, and conducted Scripture memorization programs. When these strategies generated excitement and raised awareness of the need for Scripture in their mother tongue, they approached Bibles International for help in translating the New Testament into the Riza language. BI adopted the Riza New Testament project in April 2014.

The Gospel of Mark was translated first and audio recordings were made to reach village homes. Then portions of Acts, Colossians, and James were put into booklet form. As a supplement to the translated Word, the Riza people have been learning to compose music based on Scripture. In September 2025, the Bible project team reported finishing a read-through review of the translated New Testament and plans to finish the New Testament in early 2026. In late 2025, the full Bible was adopted for translation. The Riza Bible project was the focus of the Bibles International 2025 Harvest Dinner held in Grand Rapids.

Riza believers know the importance of having the entire Bible in their mother tongue. One believer spoke of it by saying, “It is good to make the Old Testament too in our language. We can understand God and all of His words from the beginning, from the time of creation.” He knows that without the Old Testament, there is no foundation for the New Testament. The Riza need the whole plan of God, the whole redemption story. It will take years of dedicated work, but the Riza project team is committed to moving forward with translating the entire Bible.