Summary
Lutheran Bible Translators ("LBT") desires all people to hear and have access to God's Word in a language they easily understand. It is the only Lutheran group solely devoted to Bible translation and literacy work. The ministry relies on the financial support of individuals, congregations and foundations. As an independent mission organization, LBT coordinates its activities with the church at large and other Bible translation agencies. LBT was founded in 1964 by Rev. Morris Watkins and has played a key role in bringing the Word of God to a number of different people groups around the world. LBT works in over 20 countries with more than 100 missionaries from Australia, Canada and the USA who serve as advisors on linguistic analysis and train indigenous people as translation and literacy workers. These people are speakers of some 40 different languages. LBT missionaries do not work on "Lutheran translations" per se, they are simply Lutherans in the field of Bible translation. LBT will continue to seek out new opportunities to serve through missionaries specially trained to do sociolinguistic surveys which help identify where the translation needs are greatest.
This organization is a nonprofit, contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Contact Information: [ Back to top ]
| Mailing Address: | PO Box 2050 303 N Lake St, Box 2050
Aurora, IL
60507-2050 |
| Website: | www.LBT.org |
| Phone: | (630) 897-0660, (800) 532-4253 |
| Email: | You need to enable javascript to see the email |
Organization Details [ Back to top ]
EIN: 952630437
| CEO/President: |
Dr. Marshall Gillam |
Tax Deductible: |
Yes |
| Chairman: |
Rev. Dr. Wayne Braun |
Fiscal Year End: |
December 31 |
| Board Size: |
13 |
Financial info from: |
990 |
| Founder: |
Rev. Morris Watkins |
Member of ECFA: |
Yes |
| Year Founded: |
1964 |
Member of ECFA since: |
1980 |
Lutheran Bible Translators ("LBT") desires all people to hear and have access to God's Word in a language they easily understand. It is the only Lutheran group solely devoted to Bible translation and literacy work. It is not subsidized by any church body or sponsoring agency. The ministry relies on the financial support of individuals, congregations and foundations. As an independent mission organization, LBT coordinates its activities with the church at large and other Bible translation agencies. LBT was founded in 1964 by Rev. Morris Watkins and has played a key role in bringing the Word of God to a number of different people groups around the world.
LBT is working in over 20 countries around the globe. More than 100 missionaries from Australia, Canada and the USA serve as advisors on linguistic analysis and train indigenous people as translation and literacy workers. These people are speakers of some 40 different languages. LBT missionaries do not work on "Lutheran translations" per se, they are simply Lutherans in the field of Bible translation. LBT will continue to seek out new opportunities to serve through missionaries specially trained to do sociolinguistic surveys which help identify where the translation needs are greatest.
This organization is a nonprofit, contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Lutheran Bible Translators expresses its mission statement as follows:
The mission of Lutheran Bible Translators is to help bring people to faith in Jesus Christ by making the Word of God available to those who do not yet have it in the language of their hearts.
Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]
Accompishments for 2003
- Three new missionary teams were deployed in Ghana: a translation team and Scripture use team in one of Ghana’s northern languages; and a Scripture use consultant who will be working in Ghana and across West Africa.
- Two new missionary teams were deployed in Namibia: one team will be working in one of the northwestern Namibian languages; a second team will be working on one translation project while supervising several other projects.
- A new missionary team was approved for service in Nigeria.
- An Associate missionary team in Guatemala transitioned to full-time LBT missionary status.
- New Testament dedications were held in Liberia (Vai language), Sierra Leone (Mende language) and Brazil (Wayampi language).
- Advanced Training: Two missionaries engaged in doctoral programs; two missionaries engaged in master’s degree programs; one missionary engaged in undergraduate degree program; one missionary engaged in advanced, non-degree, program; a prospective missionary team engaged in pre-service training; seven indigenous personnel involved in formal training at the undergraduate, master’s, and non-degree levels.
Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]
Lutheran Bible Translators expresses its faith as follows:
This organization acknowledges and accepts all the canonical books of the Bible as the verbally inspired and inerrant Word of God, the only source and norm of faith and life. It also acknowledges and accepts all the confessional books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church contained in the Book of Concord of 1580 to be a true and genuine exposition of the doctrine of the Bible. This statement is irrevocable. (LBT Bylaws; Article I)
Lutheran Bible Translators was founded in 1964 by Rev. Morris Watkins. LBT is an independent mission group, founded in 1964, and is the only Lutheran organization totally devoted to this specialized ministry.
LBT has brought the Scriptures to about five million people through 15 New Testaments which have been produced. More are nearing completion and could be published in the next five years. In addition, LBT workers have begun to produce non-print media. A video portraying the life and ministry of Christ based on the book of Luke has been dubbed into the Bandi, Grebo, and Kisi languages.
Because the ministry of Lutheran Bible Translators is supported by the prayers and contributions of fellow Christians, LBT is always in need of both prayers and financial contributions. In addition, missionaries are needed to fill the open translation, literacy, and vernacular media positions around the world.
Research Analysis
Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]
| Transparency Grade of : A |
| Criteria category | Grade | Other Comments |
| Timeliness: | 100 | |
| Financial Information: | 100 | |
| Foundational Clarity: | | |
| Level of Cooperation: | | |
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MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]
| Ranking Category | Rating | Overall Rank | Foreign Missions Sector |
|---|
| Overall Efficiency Rating |  | 177 of 348 | 32 of 54 |
| Fund Acquisition Decision |  | 177 of 348 | 32 of 54 |
| Resource Allocation Decision | | of 348 | 51 of 54 |
| Asset Utilization Decision | | of 348 | 51 of 54 |
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