Nearly a quarter million Kuku speakers in East Africa have not read the Bible in their own language.
We can change that. Will you join us? Join the God’s Word Adopt-a-Verse Challenge.
Why Does Bible Translation Matter?
Why Does Bible Translation Matter?
We have teamed up with Seed Company to bring awareness to a huge problem.
Imagine trying to understand the power of John 3:16 in a language that’s not your own. You might recognize a few words in the national or trade language, but that’s not what you speak at home, or in your community, so you miss its meaning entirely.
Scripture is confusing and uninspiring when it doesn’t speak to the heart.
Like all of us, the Kuku people need the complete, accurate, natural-sounding, life-giving message of God’s Word.
90% of the languages in the world don’t have a full Bible.
All Scripture, All People.
Seed Company longs to see this vision a reality:
God’s Word transforming lives in every language in this generation.
To do that, we are on mission …
To accelerate Scripture translation and impact for people without God’s Word through Great Commission partnerships.
Will you help deliver Scripture to the Kuku?
Together, we can raise $45,000.
That’s enough to produce the Gospel of John and the book of Romans for the Kuku people.
With $45,000, translators can bring the books of John and Romans to life—moving them that much closer to a full Kuku New Testament by 2027.
Every $35 you give can support translation of a verse from John or Romans into Kuku.
$35 = 1 verse.
$105 = 3 verses.
$525 = 15 verses.
$1,000 = an entire chapter!
Who are the Kuku?
Kuku speakers live near the Uganda-South Sudan border along the Nile River. Many are small-scale farmers living on less than $1 a day. They hunt with bows and arrows and fish in the Nile. Despite the influence of Christianity, tribal traditions often hold sway over the people, prompting them to seek help from human spiritualists rather than God.
Kuku elders attend a planning meeting.
Hearing God’s Word in Kuku.
Kuku elders attend a planning meeting.
Before 2022, Scripture in Kuku simply didn’t exist. Not one verse. Bible readings and sermons were conducted in other languages out of necessity.
Working closely with longtime translation partner The Word for the World (TWFTW), Seed Company helped launch the Kuku language project in 2022. Supported by four translators versus TWFTW’s usual three per language team, the project’s extra manpower allows for more books of the Bible to be translated simultaneously in pursuit of an aggressive goal: the completed New Testament in five years instead of the typical nine.
That means the entire Kuku New Testament could be completed as early as 2027.
Kuku team checking Scripture, line-by-line.
The Kuku project represents Seed Company’s 2,000th language engagement. This milestone, celebrated on Seed Company’s 30th anniversary year, was grander than founder Bernie May could have ever imagined. “I thank God for what he’s taught us and what he’s allowed us to be a part of—the fact that there are 2,000 languages now that have been impacted with Scripture that didn’t have it before,” Bernie said. But he was quick to add, “I also ask God to take that Scripture and make it real in their lives. Yes, we’re focused on translating the Bible, which is foundational, but we need to ask God to put it to work.”
For God so loved the Kuku …
Community leaders in Kuku villages cite the breakdown of family and friend relationships as their top concern, along with stealing, lying, and alcoholism. Translated Scripture will draw many to Jesus, as they understand His love for them for the first time.
To reach their goal of a Kuku New Testament in five years, the team must translate 30 verses each day. Translators are grateful for the overwhelming support they have received from Kuku churches, which have provided lodging, food, and money to the team.
But they need your help.
Translated Kuku Scripture “is creating a ripple effect throughout communities, inspiring people of all ages to engage with God’s Word and share it with others,” writes Henry, the project training coordinator. But the Kuku do not have sufficient resources to fund this project on their own. Will you help us cover the costs of translation so that they can hear and read the Kuku New Testament by 2027?
But they need your help.
Translated Kuku Scripture “is creating a ripple effect throughout communities, inspiring people of all ages to engage with God’s Word and share it with others,” writes Henry, the project training coordinator. But the Kuku do not have sufficient resources to fund this project on their own. Will you help us cover the costs of translation so that they can hear and read the Kuku New Testament by 2027?
1,312
That’s the number of verses Kuku translators can bring to their communities with your help.
Verses highlighting Jesus’ words, miracles, life, death, and resurrection.
879
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” — John 11:25 (NLT)
Verses that provide direction and encouragement to believers.
433
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. — Romans 8:1–2 (NLT)
Share God’s Word
$35 can translate one verse. $105 will translate three verses. Will you share God’s love letter with the Kuku people?
Want to discover more about the Kuku translation project?
Share God’s Word
$35 can translate one verse. $105 will translate three verses. Will you share God’s love letter with the Kuku people?
