Our History
In 1967, Bill Butler, Dale Kietzman, and Rudy Renfer—friends of Bible translators who were deeply concerned with the future of Bible translation — discovered that translators were spending an increasing amount of their time on tasks unrelated to translation, like accounting, building maintenance, and more. They also noticed that Christian business professionals with a heart for service and a wide variety of skills could volunteer and accelerate Bible translation, freeing up thousands of hours of translation time each year.
Knowing hundreds of millions of people were still waiting for God’s Word in their own language, they committed to giving these people access to the truth of the gospel, so they could know the God who loves them and desires a relationship with them.
That year, they founded Wycliffe Associates.
Since then, the generosity of Bible translation supporters has allowed us to expand our services to Bible translators to include advanced technology, efficient translation strategies, greater financial resources, and logistical and operational support. During his tenure as President, Dr. Bruce Smith encouraged us to follow God’s lead to support Church Owned Bible Translation. In 2021, the Board of Trustees of Wycliffe Associates appointed Mr. Simoun Ung as the President and CEO.
Wycliffe Associates empowers national Bible translators under the authority of the local church in each community. Together with our donors and prayer partners, we are following God’s call to accelerate Bible translation in the most remote, most antagonistic parts of the world.
In 2014, Wycliffe Associates developed and tested a streamlined Bible translation methodology, MAST—Mobilized Assistance Supporting Translation. MAST equips national translators to quickly and accurately translate the Bible under the guidance of the local church to bring God’s Word to their own people.
Despite these incredible strides, hundreds of millions of people still are waiting to read God’s Word in their heart language. With the dedicated support of Wycliffe Associates donors, volunteers, and partners, national Bible translators around the world are working through the local church to ensure that we will have a Bible in every language.
Continually advancing technology and increased support means this massive goal is well within reach, but to accomplish it these Bible translators need your help!