Essentially Translatable

In this episode, we talk to Rev. Dr. Ryan Tinetti about the curse of knowledge, a cognitive bias that makes it difficult to communicate effectively. We discuss how the curse of knowledge can affect our understanding of the Bible, our relationships with others, and our ability to share our faith. We also offer some tips for overcoming the curse of knowledge and communicating more effectively. Liste...

Louisa Lehenbauer, the Director for the Concordia Mission Institute (CMI), shares her background as a missionary kid and her journey to her current role. Louisa also talks about the importance of the CMI Summer Conference and the sense of community it provides for the missionary community. Join us for an insightful conversation on engaging with humans across cultures, breaking down barriers, and t...

Michelle Thompson discusses emotional intelligence (aka EQ) and its importance in ministry and international contexts. Emotional intelligence is composed of four components: self-awareness, self-control, social awareness, and relationship management. Technical competence is not enough in ministry - being able to relate with people is crucial. Michelle shares effective methods for becoming more sel...

The partnerships of Lutheran Bible Translators connect on the international, national, and local levels as we serve alongside 131 language communities. Director for Field Programs Paul Federwitz shares his passion for investing in these partnerships to build capacity and establish self-sustainability for each language community. Listen in as Paul casts his vision for expanding capacity for the Bib...

Listen in as we continue our series featuring the new leadership at Lutheran Bible Translators. In this episode, we feature Angela Tayloe, the Director of Operations and Chief Financial Officer. Angela is tasked with overseeing the financial integrity of the organization, including navigating the various government regulations around the world. Listen in for a discussion focused on the unique aspe...

Lutheran Bible Translators has a vision for vibrant Christian communities to be deeply rooted in God’s Word and engaging fully in His mission. We want to see this vision accomplished in this generation!  To make this vision a reality, the leadership team asked: What is crucial? What must we do as we serve in God’s mission? 

A man. A legion of demons. A herd of pigs. And Jesus.  Rev. Dr. Rich Rudowske recounts how a Ghanaian community heard this Gospel account for the first time, which led to compassion and transformation. 

Tim grew up in Africa, but this was Erin’s first time to the continent! Missionaries Rev. Tim & Deaconess intern Erin Schulte shared about their recent visit to Cameroon to meet the Subula language community, who they will serve alongside in 2024. Walk with them as they reflect on their recent trip. And hear their anticipation for the journey ahead of serving in God’s mission in Cameroon.

Both Eshinee Veith and Ruthie Wagner have served with Lutheran Bible Translators for over a decade. But their recent trip to Tanzania was full of new experiences as they served alongside translation teams!  Listen in as Eshinee and Ruthie unpack the significance of investing in mission-minded leaders in the Bible translation movement.

From the time she was a little girl, Alyssa Petty has understood the impact of stewarding God’s gifts well. Alyssa began serving as Director for Development at Lutheran Bible Translators on January 1st, but she has been with the organization since 2019. Hear her story and why she’s passionate about getting men and women involved in the Bible translation movement through prayer, advocacy, and givin...

Seth Hinz just joined the team at Lutheran Bible Translators as Director for Branding + Marketing!   For over 14 years, he has worked alongside churches, schools, universities, districts, and national ministries to develop messaging and marketing strategies. He is a founder of the resource Facebook group Lutheran Communicators , and he became a StoryBrand Certified Guide in 2019.  T...

Lutheran Bible Translators’ missionaries are committed to partnering alongside translation teams to put God’s Word in their hands in the language they know best. Scripture is more than words. It brings hope, life, and transformation.  Listen in as Rev. Dr. Michael Megahan shares about his service in God’s mission with language communities in Botswana and Tanzania since 2004.

Opportunities are emerging to connect with language communities without Scripture. Founder of They Need the Bible Rev. Andrew Olson describes how technology and innovative methods are building bridges to hard-to-reach regions of the world to translate God’s Word.

Keeping with tradition and updating for the next innovative period in the Bible translation movement.     Millions of people remain in the dark as to what God’s Word actually says. Hope is found in the light of Scripture when it is accessed in a language that they understand best. Lutheran Bible Translators’ new logo shows that movement from darkness to light, through the Word and into the world. ...

Scripture is more than words.  When passionate local leaders are equipped with the resources, time, and capacity, more language communities will be reached with God’s Word. More people will experience the hope, life, and transformation that Scripture brings.  In this episode, Executive Director Dr. Rich Rudowske casts the vision for More Than Words – a Campaign for Scripture Impact.  

It's that time of year! Cozy up by the fire or in your favorite chair and take a Christmas tour around the world with Lutheran Bible Translators.

Lutheran Bible Translators’ Executive Director elect, Dr. Rich Rudowske, explores four responses to Advent and Christ’s Second Coming.    Gain perspective beyond daily life to see more of how God is working. 

Lutheran Bible Translators’ missionaries recount the amazing sights and sounds of Scripture dedications around the world. Listen in to the stories of impact as people received God’s Word for the first time in their own language.

Discover a new tool for digging into God’s Word! TIPs (Translation Insights and Perspectives) is a free database to see how language communities around the world are translating Scripture. Rich and Emily interviewed TIPs Creator Jost Zetzsche in this episode to learn how the Church can gain insight, perspective, and enrichment from Bible translation efforts.

"In 2018 the Kalanga full Bible was translated and there was much rejoicing. And the Lost Book has now returned to the Kalanga people." — Dr. Mike Rodewald   Dr. Mike Rodewald served alongside the Kalanga language community in Botswana in the 1990s and early 2000s. Kalanga people explained to Bible translation missionaries that they were waiting for the Lost Book to return.   Watch The Lost Book (...

“It’s not widely talked about, but I think stress is one of the biggest threats to overall health.” — Valerie Federwitz  Lutheran Bible Translators’ Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Valerie Federwitz provides support for missionaries and staff in discussing their wellness concerns and goals.  

“And it’s the church that is owning this and doing this, which is exciting. We’re joining them and the Spirit of God and the work that is being done there.” — Sarah Esala Sarah Esala serves as the Regional Director for Southern and Eastern Africa, Southeast Asia, and Papua New Guinea. She works with international partners to engage in Bible translation, literacy, and Scripture engagement activitie...

“We want to see God’s Word, especially in the minority languages of Nigeria. We believe that if people have God’s Word in their language, then their lives will be transformed.”  — Rev. Kierien Ayugha Rev. Kierien Ayugha is an ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, a Bible Translation Consultant in training and serves as an International Associate with Lutheran Bible Translators. He cur...

“The opportunity to work with national colleagues — the work on one hand to teach them but on the other hand to learn from them. The greatest joy is to see some of the things that I taught them they are following up on it. Now they are teaching me as they carry on the work in the different fields.” — Dr. Ernst R. Wendland Dr. Ernst R. Wendland served as an instructor at the Lutheran Seminary in Lu...

“Often with being a third-culture kid (T.C.K.) comes the ability to understand lots of different people. But it also comes with lots of inner struggle about where we belong.” — Hannah Federwitz   Hannah and Eden Federwitz joined the podcast with unique T.C.K. insights. Listen to their stories about growing up in Ghana and their preparation for life in Ethiopia.