What’s in a Word?

You may be familiar with the wonderful Scriptures, Romans 10:14–5, which refer to people needing a preacher in order to hear God’s message of love and grace.All of this is absolutely true, but what is not made clear is that language is the vehicle which facilitates the teaching/learning process. Discipleship Evangelism Missional Outreach (DEMO) has discovered that to be truly effective, this message is best conveyed in the mother tongue, which is why the department’s translation work is so vitally important to the ministry!There is nothing more impactful than people receiving God’s message of salvation in their native language.Consequently, DEMO has focused its efforts toward translating the Discipleship Evangelism program into as many languages as possible. Currently there are thirty-six translations—either completed or in the process of completion. We have the potential to reach 90-95 percent of the world’s population with this teaching program. Completed translations are available as free PDF downloads at awmi.net/about-us/demo.Most translation work of the Discipleship Evangelism (DE) Program is achieved with the help of international students based at Charis Woodland Park or overseas.By using Charis students who possess good linguistic skills in both English and their mother tongue, DEMO is able to get accurate translations, primarily because these individuals understand the message being taught and are able to convey it in their own language. In addition, DEMO insists on using a separate proofreader from the original translator. This translation protocol ensures more accurate translations. This is vitally important, because once a translation is released, we can’t take it back. When teaching about translations that “a bad translation can be worse than no translation!” If the translation is poor, then it can end up preaching or teaching heresy.