Mexico: Launch of the First Study Bible in the Ch’ol Language

October 18, 2024

The Bible is the most translated and widely distributed book in history, yet 50% of the world’s languages do not have even a portion of the Bible in their own language. However, there is hope, as each year the efforts and work of Bible Society translation teams reach more people around the world. In Mexico alone, translating the Bible is challenging because there are around 68 indigenous languages which, along with their linguistic variants, amount to 364 variants considered as languages. It is the seventh country in the world with the greatest linguistic diversity.

Fourteen years ago, the Bible Society of Mexico (BSM) embarked on a significant mission: to bring the first Study Bible in the heart language of the Ch’ol people. As a result, on April 20, over 5,000 people gathered to celebrate and thank God because His Word would reach thousands of Ch’ol-speaking families. Among those present at the dedication were representatives of the various organizations that supported the project, including the Bible Societies of Korea, the United States (ABS), Guatemala, the Hosanna Ministry, and representatives of the UBS Global Mission Team, including Rev. Dirk Gevers, UBS Secretary General, who shared this historic moment with the Bible Society of Mexico with joy.

The Ch’ol People

In Mexico, there are over 220,000 people who speak the Ch’ol language, mainly in the states of Tabasco, Campeche, and Chiapas. In Chiapas, where the Bible dedication took place, 12.5% of the population speaks Ch’ol.

Collaboration and Passion for a New Translation

Architect Julio Splinker, General Director of the Bible Society of Mexico, expressed the significance of this milestone: “After 14 years of hard translation work, the Ch’ol people have in their hands the first Study Bible, enabling young people to engage more deeply with the Scriptures and providing church leadership with tools to present the message of reconciliation more profoundly. All this is for the glory of God and so that no Mexican is lost!”

In 1990, the first edition of the Ch’ol Bible was published in collaboration with the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) and the Bible League, distributing 5,000 copies. Over time, the church required a reprint with significant changes to improve communication with new generations. The BSM undertook the task of revising and updating the Bible for the Ch’ol community, turning it into a Study Bible with introductions, outlines, and notes to foster a deeper understanding of the Scriptures. Additionally, the translation of the deuterocanonical books was included in 2010 to expand service and outreach to the Catholic Church.

Esteban Voth, Head of Translation Skills Facilitation, who was present at the dedication, mentioned: “April 20, 2024, became a historic date for the Ch’ol community residing in Chiapas, Mexico. That day marked the dedication of the first Study Bible in the Ch’ol language. Over 5,000 people gathered to participate in this celebration. It is uncommon to create a Study Bible in an indigenous language. This Study Bible not only contains a translation of the Bible into Ch’ol but also includes illustrations, archaeological, geographical, and linguistic notes, and much more. Thanks to the collaboration and generosity of the Korean Bible Society, around 14,000 copies were distributed. The ceremony lasted more than 4 hours, during which the Spirit of God was present at all times.”

 

In total, eight native translators were involved in updating the first Study Bible in Ch’ol: Jaime Arcos, Usías Arcos, Miguel Sánchez, Alejandro Cruz, Juan Alberto Díaz, Valdemar Gutierrez, Micaela Méndez, and María Arcos. To reach more people, the BSM also began recording the New Testament in audio in 2013 with ABS support and the Old Testament in 2023 with support from the DAVAR ministry, for both the Catholic Church and Evangelical Churches. Native readers Eva Montejo and Flavio Arcos participated in the recording. A total of 450 devices with the complete audio Bible were delivered: 250 donated by DAVAR and 200 by Megavoice.

Marlon Winedt, UBS World Translation Advisor, who attended the Bible dedication, highlighted the importance of collaboration between UBS consultants and the translation team for the development of the Study Bible: “The Bible Launch was a very exciting experience. To see so many children and young people so interested in their language and the Word. UBS provides training for translators at regional level, including training for consultants in training. Three of the team members who worked on the Ch’ol Bible are also consultant trainees. The direct consultant for the project was Roberto Bascom, and several of us helped indirectly through workshops and training sessions to advise the team and train the translators. Ultimately, the heaviest work falls on the translators, but it is a mutual blessing to have the support of a group of Global Translation Advisors and a Paratext consultant throughout the project. Together, we are strong. We don’t want any project to be isolated from the flow of experience and knowledge at the international level.”

 

The Day the Word of God Illuminated the Hearts of the Ch’ol People

Early in the morning, the venue for the celebration was prepared to receive the over 5,000 attendees who would joyfully receive their first Study Bible in the language of their hearts. It was an event accompanied by praises, prayers, and messages from the teams involved in the translation process. The event was accompanied by Ch’ol hymns, featuring an emotional performance by a children’s choir and various congratulatory messages from distinguished visitors. Among the memorable moments, Architect Julio Splinker, BSM General Director, Rev. Dirk Gevers, UBS Secretary General, and Pastor Pablino Álvaro, President of the Ch’ol Synod of the Presbyterian Church, offered prayers in gratitude to God for the completed Ch’ol translation.

Rev. Dirk Gevers’ presence at the Ch’ol Study Bible dedication marked a deeply significant moment. Addressing the attendees, he emphasized the universal importance of language and culture in the context of faith, drawing parallels with the biblical narrative of Pentecost, where people from diverse linguistic backgrounds united through the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Today, we launch a study edition of the greatest book of all books in the Ch’ol language. It is a privilege and joy, on behalf of the UBS Fellowship, to congratulate you on the dedication of the Study Bible. This is a wonderful story of collaboration—the translation team, the community, the churches, the Bible Society of Mexico, and the UBS team working together on the translation, and then the Korean Bible Society working with the Bible Society of Mexico to make the Bibles available. DAVAR and Faith Comes By Hearing working with the Bible Society Mexico to make the audio available,” expressed Rev. Gevers, who addressed the Ch’ol people in a message simultaneously translated into Spanish by Marco Martinez, UBS, Head of Member Relations for Latin America and the Caribbean, and into Ch’ol by Alejandro Cruz, translator and member of the Ch’ol Synod. Altogether, in the language of their hearts, they thanked God for this historic moment.

The launch of the first Study Bible in the Ch’ol language marks a milestone not only in the history of biblical translation but also in the spiritual and cultural life of the Ch’ol people in Mexico. This achievement represents the fruit of years of dedication, collaboration, and commitment by various organizations and communities united with a common purpose: to bring God’s Word to those who longed for it in the language of their hearts.

This dedication was not only a moment of celebration but also a reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting linguistic and cultural diversity. May the Ch’ol Bible be a source of inspiration, wisdom, and unity for all generations to come. May it continue to strengthen faith, nourish the soul, and unite communities in an indestructible bond of love and hope.

Let us pray:

• That God’s Word continues transforming the lives of Ch’ol families, strengthening their faith, and uniting their communities.
• That collaboration between translation teams and communities continues to be an inspiring model of joint work for the spread of the Scriptures in all languages.
• That this launch marks the beginning of a new chapter of spiritual growth and cultural development for the Ch’ol people in Mexico.