The church raising Bible translation leaders

The Miramonte Baptist Church in El Salvador understands the importance of missions and has sent over 30 of its members who now serve as leaders in global Bible translation movements.

Pastor Jaime Mauricio Castellón

Johannesburg, 1 November – Alliance Organisations are an arm of the church, translating the Bible as part of the mission God has given the church. Miramonte Baptist Church in El Salvador understands this well. From their pulpit, 30 Bible translators have been commissioned. Some have become key participants in the global Bible translation movement. Among them is Daniel Rodríguez Letona, the National Director of Bible Translators of El Salvador (TRES). Six workers of the Project for the Translation of the Bible into Salvadoran Sign Language are also members of this church. Francisco Linares, Director of the International Course of Linguistics, Translation and Literacy, is a missionary from Miramonte Baptist Church. 

What motivates them?  ‘May the coming of the Lord be soon and for this, we must contribute to the gospel being preached in every language,’ says Jaime Mauricio Castellón, Pastor of Miramonte Baptist Church. ‘And for this to happen, the Word of God is needed in every language.’ 

Pastor Jaime adds that they are spurred by the Word of God: ‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.’ (Matthew 24:14)

In its 54 years, Miramonte Baptist Church has developed a ministry within the borders of El Salvador and beyond, resulting in more than 50 churches established in El Salvadora fellowship of independent Baptist churches, 12 congregations established in different countries, and all those sent to serve in Bible translation. The church was founded by Rev. Bruce Bell. Pastor Bell was a friend of the author of the book, Reaching Muslims, who invited him on a trip to North Africa, where the church had sent missionaries. Miramonte sent its first missionary to North Africa in the late 1970s.

‘From its beginnings, the church was instructed to think of Jesus' mission, not only in Jerusalem but to the ends of the earth,’ says Pastor Jaime, who has served the church for 31 years in different roles.  

At one point, the church did not have awareness of Bible translation. However, one of its members developed an interest in Hebrew and Greek. Through him, the church discovered that there was an organisation working to translate the Bible. 

‘God allowed him to train as a Bible translator, and then he became more and more involved…and we also became more and more involved,’ Pastor Jaime explained. 

‘The pastor in charge at that time was Rev. Luis Martí and he was also the one who showed openness for developing support to Bible translation as a church.’

Story: Isaac Forchie. Photo: Daisy Kilel