Oromo Scripture Project: A Faithful Translation for an Unreached People

Location: Ethiopia
Speakers: 40 million
Project Status: Gospel of John (in progress)
Christian Population: < 5%

With over 40 million speakers, Oromo is the most widely spoken language in Ethiopia (about 35% of the population); it is also spoken in Kenya and Somalia. Linguistically, it is closely related to the Somali and Afar languages.

In the past Oromo was written in the Ge’ez script, which our Amharic Scriptures use. However, in the 1990s the Oromo language adopted a modified Latin alphabet which has been consistently used since then.

Less than 5% of Oromo speakers identify as Christian, with only 0.05% being evangelical Christians. While there have been a few Scripture translation projects in this language, unfortunately they are based on the modern Critical Text. We are grateful that a pilot project is underway in this major Ethiopian language. The Gospel according to John is about halfway drafted.

‘Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you’ (2 Thessalonians 3.1).

How to pray for this project:

• For the translators: pray that the translators will produce a faithful and accurate translation of God’s Word, and that it may be done with diligence.
• For the distribution office: we anticipate that the distribution of the Oromo Gospel according to John will be done through our Ethiopian office.
• For Oromo speakers: pray for Oromo speakers to receive the Gospel with gladness and that it will be used for the salvation of many.