“The Race has had a profound impact in motivating young people, specifically young men, to get involved in missions and Bible translation work.” If you have heard me at one of my recent speaking engagements, then you have most likely heard me say those words during my presentation. I like to emphasize that point because the race really does profoundly impact young men and I can say this with authority because I am one of the men that was impacted through this event!
Since becoming a Wycliffe member, I have had many opportunities to tell people about how God brought me to the place that I am today. While telling my story, I often add or omit parts depending on time constraints, or what parts I want to emphasize. However, there is one piece of my story that I never leave out, and that is the significant role that the Race to 2025 had in my decision to become a Wycliffe member. I first participated in the Race to 2025 in 2010 during the Treasure in Asia themed weekend with some friends from Nipawin Bible College, the College that I was attending at the time. Aside from getting the opportunity to climb a mountain and scale a frozen waterfall, I really didn’t know what to expect that weekend but the idea of participating in a race where I didn’t know what I might be doing or where I would be going next was a big enough thrill to get me involved. The money that we raised for Bible translation work was really just a bonus for me that first time, though as I continued to participate in the race over the next couple of years my heart began to change. In 2011, after I had finished my program at Bible college, I was praying that God would show me my next step in life, because I was very unsure of what I was going to do next. While I was praying, a friend called me and asked me to be on his race team. I took that as an answer to my prayers and accepted his invitation. I felt like I was racing for more than just an adventure that time and so before that race weekend I asked that God would show me through my experience what He would like my next step to be. He did! My team did very well and ended up winning scholarships that no one else on the team wanted to use and so I ended up with all of them. I took that as another answer from God and used the scholarship to go on a missions trip to Kenya in 2012. It was on the mission trip that God ignited a passion inside me for Bible translation and the Bibleless people of the world. I also met Lauren on the trip and, after we were married a year later, we began our journey towards becoming members of Wycliffe! Since the first encounter I had with a Wycliffe recruiter (Derryl Friesen), things have come full circle! I have gone from being recruited and participating in the Race to 2025, to recruiting and being one of the speakers for the event, and this is just the beginning! My journey as a Wycliffe member has only begun, as I am currently planning to head overseas to do language survey work long-term, which is the first step in Bible translation and what the Race to 2025 is based on! All in all, I can confidently say that the Race to 2025 has had a huge impact on my life and I would strongly suggest if you are given the chance to participate, go for it!
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AuthorChristopher and Lauren Merke have joined Wycliffe to help fulfill the goal of seeing the scriptures translated into every language of the world! Christopher and Lauren live and work in Mbeya, Tanzania doing linguistic, language survey and vernacular media work. As a linguist, it will be Lauren’s responsibility to analyze and evaluate the linguistic and cultural data that is collected by language survey workers. Her role is very important because it speeds up the Bible translation process and makes translators for effective, ensuring the Good News of Jesus Christ reaches people as quickly as possible. Christopher will be fulfilling two roles as a language surveyor and as a vernacular media technician. As a language surveyor, Christopher travels to remote villages in order to gather linguistic and cultural data about various people groups and language groups. This is critical information, as it lays the foundation for Bible translation work through seeking answers to critical questions in the first stages of the Bible translation process. As a vernacular media technician, Christopher’s role will be to help translate various materials, such as the Jesus film and Christian radio programs, into other languages in Tanzania to ensure that the Gospel reaches as many people as possible. Christopher and Lauren are thrilled to be able to use the gifts that God has given them and would like for you to prayerfully consider partnering with them in this journey! Archives
September 2016
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