Myanmar Standard Bible
Tax deductible
SUMMARY
Myanmar people are coming to Christ. There are now over 2.2 million Christians. Persecution of Christians is fierce from Buddhist radical monks. The predominant Myanmar Bible was translated by Adoniram Judson in 1834 and is hard to understand. The Myanmar church is requesting an accurate, readable, balanced, up-to-date Bible translation. Global Bible Initiative published the Myanmar Standard Bible (MSB) New Testament. Respected cross-denominational church leaders and scholars are endorsing the MSB. Free, unhindered access to the MSB is available on all 38 million Myanmar smartphones. Our Mission: BETTER SEED = readable, accurate and balanced Bible translation. Our Vision: BIGGER HARVEST = winning the “smartphone generation” to Christ. $41,000 needed to cover the costs of our editorial, technology, and research teams. The Old Testament is currently being translated. Psalms and Proverbs will be completed in 2016.
Will you pray for us and help support our work financially? Thank you!
STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS.
On February 12, 1812, Ann and Adoniram Judson sailed from Salem aboard the brig Caravan as two of the first missionaries to go out from America. After a short stay in India, they carried the Good News of Jesus Christ to Burma (now Myanmar). Ann and Adoniram faced bitter hardships, imprisonment, and family tragedy. Yet, they remained committed to win their beloved Burmese people to faith in Jesus Christ and to translate God's inspired Word into the Burmese language. “All missionary operations, to be permanently successful, must be based on the written word,” Adoniram said. His belief in the power of Scripture to transform people's lives was the driving force in Judson's missionary career.
FAST FORWARD 200 YEARS.
Thanks to the work of the Judson's and other dedicated missionaries, today about 4% (2,160,000) of the 54 million people in Myanmar are Christians. But Bibles are not allowed to be printed or imported into Myanmar, so all the Bibles available have been smuggled in. And, until recently, internet and mobile phone usage was also restricted. But the leaders of Myanmar have seen the economic benefits of opening their doors for digital commerce. By the end of this year, internet usage is anticipated to grow to about 80% in Myanmar.
A NEW BIBLE TRANSLATION IS NEEDED.
The predominant translation of the Bible used by Myanmar Christians today is the Judson Burmese Bible (JBB), which was translated by Adoniram Judson about 200 years ago. But the language in the JBB is stilted for modern readers, especially the younger generations. Several attempts have been made to modernize the language, but the Myanmar church is requesting a Bible with both fidelity to the inspired text and readability.
BETTER SEED for a BIGGER HARVEST.
The goal of Global Bible Initiative translation teams is to create a Bible that is both easy for middle school students to understand and suitable for serious Bible study. We have published the Myanmar Standard Bible (MSB) New Testament and are working now on the Old Testament. Jesus compared God's Word to seed planted in the hearts of people. If we can create better seed (Luke 8:11) – a clearer, more accurate and balanced Bible translation – it will result in a bigger harvest (2 Corinthians 9:10) – more Myanmar people placing their trust in Jesus Christ.
LET'S PUT GOD'S WORD INTO THEIR POCKETS!
Mobile devices will be the preferred media for people reading the Word of God. The Global Bible Initiative has an agreement with YouVersion – one of the most popular Bible apps – to host the MSB on their platform. This will provide every Christian and spiritual seeker in Myanmar easy access to the Word of God on their mobile device, anytime and anywhere they want it.
WHO'S ASKING?
Hi, my name is John Sawyer. My life has been transformed by the Bible. It has given me hope in the darkest times, guidance for tough decisions, assurance of God's forgiveness, help overcoming sin, inner peace, and an unshakeable confidence about my eternity. I want everyone on earth to be able to read and understand the Bible. That's why I'm thrilled to be the new CEO of Global Bible Initiative. Previously I was a partner in a marketing firm called Grey Matter Group in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My wife, Shelley, and I want to devote the rest of our lives to helping people develop a relationship with their Creator through His Word.
WANT TO BE PRAYER AND FINANCIAL PARTNERS?
There are thousands of worthy causes. Why spend your time and resources on this one?
1. God is clearly working in Myanmar and it is both a privilege and a joy to join God in what he is doing in Myanmar! The Spirit of God is very active there, bringing hundreds of Myanmar people to Christ.
2. The Myanmar church has requested a Bible with updated language and uncompromising accuracy to the inspired text. They know that it will take an excellent Bible translation to engage the smart phone generation in God's Word.
3. There's Jesus' promise to give a 100x return on the sacrificial investments we make for His kingdom (Mark 10:29-31).
4. Many Myanmar church leaders have endorsed the MSB. It is “good seed” that will produce a great spiritual harvest.
OUR FINANCIAL NEEDS FOR THE MSB
Due to the low wages in Myanmar, the budget for the MSB is only $41,000 per year. Your gift will be used in the completion of the MSB Old Testament, to cover the costs of our editorial, technology and research teams.
We have two other projects. One is the Chinese Standard Bible (CSB) for the 1.3 billion who speak the Chinese language in the world.
We are also working on Bible translation software tools and data development that can help all Bible translators improve the speed and accuracy of their work.
WE NEED PRAYER WARRIORS MOST
God has made it clear that our work will not succeed unless we depend on Him for our wisdom and resources. Zechariah 4:6 says, “ ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” We have a devoted group of global prayer warriors. Would you like to join us? Please let me know and I'll include you on our prayer letter.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE MSB?
We've uploaded the MSB New Testament to free Bible access sites like YouVersion .
If you also believe in the power of the God's Word to transform lives, will you join us in supporting the Global Bible Initiative MSB translation teams so they can provide an accurate, readable and balanced Bible translation for free to the 32 million Myanmar speakers in the world?
Eternally grateful,
John Sawyer
Chief Executive Officer
Global Bible Initiative
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Matthew 24:35 | Luke 21:33
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
2 Corinthians 9:10
Global Bible Initiative is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Myanmar people are coming to Christ. There are now over 2.2 million Christians. Persecution of Christians is fierce from Buddhist radical monks. The predominant Myanmar Bible was translated by Adoniram Judson in 1834 and is hard to understand. The Myanmar church is requesting an accurate, readable, balanced, up-to-date Bible translation. Global Bible Initiative published the Myanmar Standard Bible (MSB) New Testament. Respected cross-denominational church leaders and scholars are endorsing the MSB. Free, unhindered access to the MSB is available on all 38 million Myanmar smartphones. Our Mission: BETTER SEED = readable, accurate and balanced Bible translation. Our Vision: BIGGER HARVEST = winning the “smartphone generation” to Christ. $41,000 needed to cover the costs of our editorial, technology, and research teams. The Old Testament is currently being translated. Psalms and Proverbs will be completed in 2016.
Will you pray for us and help support our work financially? Thank you!
STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS.
On February 12, 1812, Ann and Adoniram Judson sailed from Salem aboard the brig Caravan as two of the first missionaries to go out from America. After a short stay in India, they carried the Good News of Jesus Christ to Burma (now Myanmar). Ann and Adoniram faced bitter hardships, imprisonment, and family tragedy. Yet, they remained committed to win their beloved Burmese people to faith in Jesus Christ and to translate God's inspired Word into the Burmese language. “All missionary operations, to be permanently successful, must be based on the written word,” Adoniram said. His belief in the power of Scripture to transform people's lives was the driving force in Judson's missionary career.
FAST FORWARD 200 YEARS.
Thanks to the work of the Judson's and other dedicated missionaries, today about 4% (2,160,000) of the 54 million people in Myanmar are Christians. But Bibles are not allowed to be printed or imported into Myanmar, so all the Bibles available have been smuggled in. And, until recently, internet and mobile phone usage was also restricted. But the leaders of Myanmar have seen the economic benefits of opening their doors for digital commerce. By the end of this year, internet usage is anticipated to grow to about 80% in Myanmar.
A NEW BIBLE TRANSLATION IS NEEDED.
The predominant translation of the Bible used by Myanmar Christians today is the Judson Burmese Bible (JBB), which was translated by Adoniram Judson about 200 years ago. But the language in the JBB is stilted for modern readers, especially the younger generations. Several attempts have been made to modernize the language, but the Myanmar church is requesting a Bible with both fidelity to the inspired text and readability.
BETTER SEED for a BIGGER HARVEST.
The goal of Global Bible Initiative translation teams is to create a Bible that is both easy for middle school students to understand and suitable for serious Bible study. We have published the Myanmar Standard Bible (MSB) New Testament and are working now on the Old Testament. Jesus compared God's Word to seed planted in the hearts of people. If we can create better seed (Luke 8:11) – a clearer, more accurate and balanced Bible translation – it will result in a bigger harvest (2 Corinthians 9:10) – more Myanmar people placing their trust in Jesus Christ.
LET'S PUT GOD'S WORD INTO THEIR POCKETS!
Mobile devices will be the preferred media for people reading the Word of God. The Global Bible Initiative has an agreement with YouVersion – one of the most popular Bible apps – to host the MSB on their platform. This will provide every Christian and spiritual seeker in Myanmar easy access to the Word of God on their mobile device, anytime and anywhere they want it.
WHO'S ASKING?
Hi, my name is John Sawyer. My life has been transformed by the Bible. It has given me hope in the darkest times, guidance for tough decisions, assurance of God's forgiveness, help overcoming sin, inner peace, and an unshakeable confidence about my eternity. I want everyone on earth to be able to read and understand the Bible. That's why I'm thrilled to be the new CEO of Global Bible Initiative. Previously I was a partner in a marketing firm called Grey Matter Group in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My wife, Shelley, and I want to devote the rest of our lives to helping people develop a relationship with their Creator through His Word.
WANT TO BE PRAYER AND FINANCIAL PARTNERS?
There are thousands of worthy causes. Why spend your time and resources on this one?
1. God is clearly working in Myanmar and it is both a privilege and a joy to join God in what he is doing in Myanmar! The Spirit of God is very active there, bringing hundreds of Myanmar people to Christ.
2. The Myanmar church has requested a Bible with updated language and uncompromising accuracy to the inspired text. They know that it will take an excellent Bible translation to engage the smart phone generation in God's Word.
3. There's Jesus' promise to give a 100x return on the sacrificial investments we make for His kingdom (Mark 10:29-31).
4. Many Myanmar church leaders have endorsed the MSB. It is “good seed” that will produce a great spiritual harvest.
OUR FINANCIAL NEEDS FOR THE MSB
Due to the low wages in Myanmar, the budget for the MSB is only $41,000 per year. Your gift will be used in the completion of the MSB Old Testament, to cover the costs of our editorial, technology and research teams.
We have two other projects. One is the Chinese Standard Bible (CSB) for the 1.3 billion who speak the Chinese language in the world.
We are also working on Bible translation software tools and data development that can help all Bible translators improve the speed and accuracy of their work.
WE NEED PRAYER WARRIORS MOST
God has made it clear that our work will not succeed unless we depend on Him for our wisdom and resources. Zechariah 4:6 says, “ ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” We have a devoted group of global prayer warriors. Would you like to join us? Please let me know and I'll include you on our prayer letter.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE MSB?
We've uploaded the MSB New Testament to free Bible access sites like YouVersion .
If you also believe in the power of the God's Word to transform lives, will you join us in supporting the Global Bible Initiative MSB translation teams so they can provide an accurate, readable and balanced Bible translation for free to the 32 million Myanmar speakers in the world?
Eternally grateful,
John Sawyer
Chief Executive Officer
Global Bible Initiative
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Matthew 24:35 | Luke 21:33
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
2 Corinthians 9:10
Global Bible Initiative is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Organizer
John Sawyer
Organizer
Global Bible Initiative Inc
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
