Reaching East Africa with the Gospel in Swahili

Spoken by over 200 million people across East Africa and beyond, Swahili is the official language of Kenya and Tanzania and is widely spoken in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Comoros Islands. Smaller communities in Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi, northern Zambia, and Mozambique also use this trade language. It is one of the most influential languages on the African continent.

Spreading God’s Word in Swahili has been a long-standing aspiration for TBS. In early 2021, by God’s grace, this became a reality with the launch of a Swahili Bible translation project. Unlike many modern translations, this project is carried out directly from the Greek Received Text. A team of translators from Kenya and Tanzania is working diligently to make the Word of God clear and accurate for Swahili readers across multiple dialects.

In spring 2024, the translation team met together for the first time in person, with productive discussions shaping their progress. They gathered again in November in Nairobi, finalising the Gospel according to John. Lord willing, the final text will be completed in the coming weeks.

How to pray for this project:

• For the translation team: for strength, wisdom, and faithfulness as they complete the Gospel of John.
• For the typesetting and publication: to proceed without hindrances and be used for the spreading of the Gospel to Swahili speakers throughout Africa and its wider diaspora. 
• For its impact: that this translation would be a powerful tool for spreading the Gospel and glorifying God in East Africa and beyond.