How God Is Bringing His Word to the Nations: A Night With The Vickios

What happens when someone hears God’s Word in the language that feels most like home?

For millions of people around the world, that moment has not yet come. Many communities still do not have Scripture available in the language they understand best. But God is at work, and we were grateful to hear a firsthand glimpse of that work during our recent Night with the Vickios.

Around 40 to 50 people gathered for Italian coffee, desserts, conversation, and prayer as Chris and the Vickio family shared about their work with Pioneer Bible Translators.

More Than Translation

During an interview with Hannah, Chris shared how his family spent 12 years serving in Tanzania. Their work, along with the work of Pioneer Bible Translators, is not simply about translating words from one language into another. It is about helping people encounter Jesus and be transformed by God’s Word.

Before translation work even begins, teams spend time building relationships with local people. They work alongside people who know the language, culture, and community deeply so Scripture can be translated carefully and accurately.

There are more than 7,000 languages spoken throughout the world, and translating even a few chapters of Scripture can take months or years. Yet every completed portion of God’s Word is an opportunity for someone to hear the good news of Jesus in a language they can truly understand.

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
Romans 10:17 NIV

God Is Opening Doors

Chris shared that the Book of Ruth was recently translated for one people group. While that is worth celebrating, many communities around the world are still waiting for their first Scripture in their own language.

In Papua New Guinea, people have come to translation offices asking when Scripture will be available to them. A family is preparing to move there to continue this important work.

Chris also shared about opportunities in parts of the Middle East, where access to Scripture and faith in Jesus can carry real risk. Even there, God’s Word is becoming available and people are turning to Christ.

God is also making a way for Deaf communities to receive His Word. Pioneer Bible Translators is involving Deaf people and sign-language experts to help create sign-language Bible resources for communities that have often been underserved.

The Vickios’ Next Season

God has used Chris’s background in IT to support ministry in practical ways. While serving in Africa, he helped mobilize technology for translation work. Today, in his leadership role based in Italy, he supports field workers and ministry leaders serving around the world.

The need is great, and Chris emphasized a consistent prayer request: more workers. Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37 NIV). Translation work requires faithful translators, local language speakers, leaders, support teams, and families willing to serve wherever God calls them.

How You Can Pray

Please join us in praying for the Vickios and Pioneer Bible Translators:

At the end of the evening, we prayed together for Chris, the Vickio family, and the ongoing work of Pioneer Bible Translators.

Stay Connected

Bible translation is one way the global Church takes part in Jesus’ mission to make disciples of all nations. Whether we go, give, encourage, or pray, we can participate in helping more people hear and respond to the message of Jesus.

To learn more, receive prayer updates, or sign up for daily prayer prompts, visit the Pioneer Bible Translators website.

Please keep praying that God’s Word would come alive in the lives of people around the world, drawing them to the love, hope, and salvation found in Jesus Christ.