A Providential Invitation
It began as an innocent invitation from a Baptist Mid-Missions/Bibles International (BMM/BI) missionary in Chad: “Would you like to join my father and me on Saturday? I want to show him one of our African villages.”
I was in Chad with a colleague to help teach two courses—Principles of Spiritual Growth and Effective Christian Leadership—to over 150 pastors. The missionary’s father was visiting for the first time and would assist in the teaching. With a free Saturday ahead, I agreed to join them, unaware that God was about to redirect my life.
Two weeks earlier, the president of BMM had called, asking me to pray about becoming the next director of Bibles International, the Bible Society of BMM. I had pastored, planted churches, and trained leaders, but—Bible translation? I responded, half‑joking, “I’ve never been a Bible translator, nor the son of a Bible translator.” He wasn’t looking for a translator, though. He wanted a shepherd. Still, I felt sure this wasn’t God’s will for me. I gave every excuse in the book.
Nevertheless, his words wouldn’t leave my thoughts. Even after arriving in Chad to teach, I found myself praying fervently for wisdom and direction. God would have to change my heart.
Then Saturday came.
As we prepared to leave, to my surprise, the missionary invited three Chadian students—members of the Sara Kaba Dem Bible translation team—to join us. Suddenly, the dots started to connect. During the long drive to Banda Canton, I peppered them with questions: What is the process of Bible translation? What struggles have you faced? How has God provided?
When we reached the village, I entered their two-room translation hut, visited their homes, met their families, and saw their passion. They had no idea what God was stirring in me, but through them, He opened my eyes to this incredible work.
The next day, I contracted malaria. Flat on my back for three days, I couldn’t stop thinking about Saturday. While recovering, I read Exodus 3–4. Moses offered God every reason he was unqualified. His excuses sounded painfully familiar. God wasn’t impressed with Moses’ objections, just as the BMM president wasn’t impressed with mine. God began redirecting my heart.
More than eight years have passed since that week in Chad. Because of what God did in Banda Canton, I accepted the role of director of Bibles International. God used the Sara Kaba Dem translation team to capture my heart for this vital ministry in a way nothing else could—and it all began with a providential invitation.
Recently, that same team celebrated the completion of the entire Sara Kaba Dem Bible in a dedication service held in the very village I visited in 2017. Rejoice with us! There is no people group whose completed Bible brings me greater joy than this one God used so powerfully in my own life. Pray that God will use His translated Word to transform their families, villages, and churches for His glory.