Oral Bible Translation

YWAM Madang is committed to translating and recording the Bible into at least 40 of the isolated indigenous language groups of our region. We will train Papua New Guineans and other nationalities how to facilitate accurate, thus reliable, oral translation of Scriptures into each of these threatened languages. On September 24, 2021, our very first OBT Facilitator school will be held at our school location in Madang Town, on the Huon Peninsula, with outreach to the hundreds of villages in the area. Our training cohort will join online with 6 other focus regions around the globe for online classes and coordination in what has come to be called the “Mega-OBT” training program. This global pioneering push will exponentially multiply competent OBT language facilitators in all seven regions, so that the Body of Christ can complete the goal of having the Bible in every language and society by 2033.

The OBT Facilitator course is a full-time, residential, three month course for full University of the Nations credit- only for YWAM DTS graduates. Upon completion, graduates will begin working in some capacity with the language facilitation process in Madang for at least three months (for example, our Sept-Dec 2021 OBT graduates will be on outreach at least Jan-April 2022). Some graduates will directly facilitate the language process, others will serve the crucial logistical needs of the ministry, and still others will focus on “Caleb Survey” teams to prepare relationships with new tribal partners.

Why Madang? We have the greatest diversity of indigenous languages on earth, crammed into a small area within a few hours drive (or sail). Thus, our staff and students will have the opportunity to reach and serve at least 40 linguistic “nations” for the very first time in Christian history- all right outside our doorstep.