Essentially Translatable

For the final throwback episode of Essentially Translatable, we highlight the ministry of Dr. Jim and Susan Kaiser. Recorded in 2020, Jim and Susan were preparing to return to Ethiopia during the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss their background in mission work and how it has shaped their lives up to now. Serving since the early 1980s, Jim and Susan recount experiences in Bible translation ministry from Sierra Leone to Ethiopia to the United States. Each had unique entry points into serving as missionaries: Jim comes from an engineering background and Susan trained as a teacher— a shared interest in missionary work led to a strong partnership.  If you’ve ever felt the urge to “do something more” for missions, this episode is helpful. Jim and Susan share a similar urging and of embracing God’s provision and leading. Great is God’s faithfulness whether it be in finding a helpmate, a partner, raising a family on the mission field, or so much more. 

In this throwback episode of Essentially Translatable, host Rich Rudowske interviews Jim Laesch, a longtime member of the Lutheran Bible Translators community. This episode originally aired back in 2020 and focuses on Jim’s more than 45 years of missionary service. Throughout the years, Jim has served in a variety of roles, both in missionary service and administration, from 1973 until his retirement at the end of 2021. Listen to hear Jim recount his early involvement in missionary work, which began with a simple encouragement from a friend to study linguistics. He reflects on his significant work in Liberia where he coordinated translation projects for the Northern Grebo language communities. Over time his role changed to administration for multiple translation projects across various regions. Jim also shares anecdotes from his past, like the creation of Joe Cool stories, which are still remembered by many members of the Lutheran Bible Translators community today. Throughout the discussion, Jim highlights the impact of Bible translation and the importance of spreading the Gospel through one’s own language. There are always challenges and successes of translation projects. What is important to Jim is how his faith and work with Lutheran Bible Translators has strengthened his trust in God's sovereignty.  

For this episode of Essentially Translatable, the celebration of 60 years of Lutheran Bible Translators ministry continues with this insightful throwback from 2020. Rewind to the first episode of the podcast and listen as current CEO Rich Rudowske interviews Dr. Mike Rodewald, the former Executive Director of Lutheran Bible Translators.  Spanning over 33 years of service, Dr. Rodewald details his journey from a high school band teacher to becoming a dedicated missionary in the countries of Liberia, Botswana, and later a regional director in South Africa. The conversation dives into the evolution of mission work, the impact of Bible translation, and the essential role of missiology in effective ministry.  Dr. Rodewald discusses the challenges and joys he has faced over the decades. Through these experiences he has learned to recognize the importance of relationships and having good cultural understanding in pursuit of spreading God’s Word. This podcast also touches on the strategic relocation of the organization headquarters to Concordia, MO and the direction Lutheran Bible Translators has taken in empowering local communities for self-sustaining missions. 

In this episode of Essentially Translatable, dive into the concept of setting a financial finish line to start a journey of mission-minded generosity. Brothers Kealan and Cody Hobelmann, one a surgeon and the other a financial advisor, are founders of the Finish Line ministry and hosts of the Finish Line Podcast. During this episode they share their experience of life defined by generosity.  Kealan shares a story of extreme prayer during a time of financial insecurity. By the grace of God Kealan made it through medical school without accumulating any debt. Since then, Kealan and his family have lived life defined by a financial finish line, one that focuses on setting a finish line on their annual spending, and then giving the rest away to other causes. Cody, seeing the impact this decision had on his brother, decided to also make a finish line pledge. Through his gift of generosity, Cody has found inspiration in the many organizations that are advancing access to the Gospel through Bible translation.  This episode explores the possibilities of setting a financial finish line to achieve contentment and redirecting your focus towards God's mission. Learn about the practical impacts of living within this financial boundary, such as how to create a Finish Line Pledge, and how to research what options are available to donate to. Kealan and Cody’s story is a compelling testimony on the impact of a generous life, being rooted in faith, and focusing on personal fulfillment by being involved in a broader community.   Highlights Dr. Kealan and Cody Hobelmann are founders of the Finish Line ministry and host the Finish Line Pledge podcast.  Hear testimonies about the transformative effect of setting goals of generosity. Learn more about setting your own Finish Line pledge here 

In the past 60 years, missionaries with Lutheran Bible Translators have seen war and destruction effect the growth of ministry—but the faithfulness of God has never been disrupted. On this episode of Essentially Translatable, host Rich Rudowske celebrates the organization's 60th anniversary and explores a significant pivot in the history of Lutheran Bible Translators during the 1980s and early 1990s.  This episode brings listeners stories from the Liberian Civil War and the impact it had on the organizations’ approach to Bible translation. With extensive translation work being done in Liberia at the time, the war disrupted operations but subsequently led to a shift towards local ownership and partnerships within translation efforts.  Hear interviews with Alvina Federwitz, Jim Laesch, and David Federwitz: all missionaries who were affected by the civil war in Liberia in various capacities. Reflect on Alvina’s first-hand experience with the violence of war. Consider the challenges Jim faced in regulating administration during a period of great uncertainty for the organization. And learn from David as he explains the outcome the war had in leading to the formation of the Liberia Translation and Literacy Organization (LIBTRALO).  Through God’s faithfulness, a transformative impact came from this crisis. Lutheran Bible Translators pivoted to an innovative strategy of fostering local ownership and engagement within the language group when no other options were available. Today, this groundbreaking approach has become the ideal standard and continues to be used by the Bible translation community in the modern era.  Highlights Stories from the Liberian Civil War are shared in reflection of the 60-year history of Lutheran Bible Translators. The civil war prompted the organization to prioritize local ownership of translation projects—an innovative decision.  Learn more about LIBTRALO here 

In this episode of Essentially Translatable, Rev. Rich Rudowske shares a sermon given at Concordia Seminary, St Louis on overcoming jealousy and the significance of maintaining a good reputation.  This sermon draws from Daniel chapter 6 and the Eighth Commandment with explanation from Luther’s Small Catechism. Rich reflects on personal anecdotes to illustrate the detrimental effects of jealousy and emphasizes the importance of protecting and honoring others' reputations as commanded in the Eighth Commandment.  Celebrating the success of others can help combat feelings of jealousy. By returning to the teachings of Jesus Christ, we find peace and fulfillment by bestowing a good name onto others. Highlights Rev. Rich Rudowske delivers sermon on combatting jealousy.  The sermon draws from Daniel 6 and the Eighth Commandment. We can follow the example of Jesus by honoring the reputation of others. 

In this episode of the Essentially Translatable Podcast, Rich Rudowske engages in discussion with Rev. Dr. Douglas Rutt on the importance of cultural and contextual nuances when communicating the Gospel. Dr. Rutt has an impressive 40-year career serving in ministry. Most notably he has served as missionary to Guatemala, Director for International Ministries at Lutheran Hour Ministries, and Provost for Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. The conversation delves into two concepts: syncretism—the tendency to mix non-Christian beliefs with Christian ideals, and contextualization—communicating God's Word in ways that resonate with a culturally diverse audience while maintaining the purity of the Gospel message.  These topics are informed by Dr. Rutt's extensive experience in international ministry, as well as his recent article, “Translation and Syncretism”, published in Concordia Journal in spring of 2023. This article explores the complexities of Bible translation, the significance of Scripture being available in one’s Mother-tongue, and the critical role of exegesis in both understanding the Word and the world.  Tune into learn how Dr. Rutt’s transition from commercial pilot to seminary student led to a life-changing experience as a missionary to Guatemala and his continued service in God’s kingdom.  Read “Translation and Syncretism” here.  Highlights Dr. Rutt and Rich discuss the recently published article “Translation and Syncretism” Dr. Rutt is a former missionary to Guatemala with 40 years of experience in ministry Two key terms: syncretism and contextualism, are discussed in relation to Bible translation. 

How can a church congregation best provide care for a missionary abroad? On this episode of Essentially Translatable Rich Rudowske discusses the congregational care model with Shonna Ingram of Pioneer Bible Translators. Shonna serves as a Trauma Care Specialist, as well as a Career Transition Specialist with Pioneer Bible Translators. She has dedicated over 15 years to missionary care both on and off the field.  Shonna shares about her experience supporting missionaries overseas and how it has led her to create resources that discuss navigating life in transition. There are many unexpected challenges that impact the missionary journey. From family emergencies to unexpected cultural differences, there are many elements to a missionary’s daily-life that require prayer and support. Listen to learn about how churches or families can prioritize supporting missionaries through more than just financial gifts.  It is a great blessing to be able to invest in each other as supporters of God’s Mission. This episode highlights the many challenges missionaries face, the role of trauma care, the significance of congregational support, and practical ways to support missionaries.  Highlights Shonna Ingram works in the care department at Pioneer Bible Translators There are methods for effective congregational care that are more than just financial gifts. Shonna has conducted research into trauma care and the common ways missionaries experience trauma.  

For this episode of the Essentially Translatable podcast, Rich sits down with Matt Kistler, the newest staff member to join the team at Lutheran Bible Translators. Matt serves as the Senior Measurement & Evaluation Analyst. He comes to Lutheran Bible Translators with education from Eastern University and experience working with Mission Mutual, the backbone organization for the illumiNations Collective Alliance. Listen in for a discussion on the importance of data metrics and how it can be used to measure the impact and outcome of programs. During this conversation, Matt advocates for new ideas that are backed by data and measurement in order to recognize how God is at work in new ways. Like the parable of the fig tree in Luke 13: 6-9, there are challenges for prioritization within the Bible translation field. As an organization we can bear good fruit and foster a culture of learning and humility. The ministry of Bible translation is in a season of growth and new opportunity. Listen to this episode to hear more about the drive to use data to inform ministry best practices.

Out of the 9 million visually impaired people in the United States, it is estimated that 95% of that population is unchurched. Daniel Jenkins, President for Lutheran Braille Workers is working to decrease that number by increasing access to Scripture through braille and large print bibles. For this episode of the Essentially Translatable podcast, Dr. Rich Rudowske and Daniel discuss the enduring hope found by making the Word of God accessible to everyone.  Daniel shares testimonies from blind and visually impaired individuals who got to experience Scripture through braille for the first time. To produce these bibles, countless hours of work are required by the devoted volunteers at Lutheran Braille Workers. This dedication has made Lutheran Braille Workers the largest producers of braille bibles and large print materials in the world. As the demand for Scripture has grown, the team at Lutheran Braille Workers has faithfully risen to meet the needs of everyone wanting to be served.    Lutheran Bible Translators and Lutheran Braille Workers have recently formed a partnership to help lower barriers to accessing Scripture. Listen as Rich and Daniel discuss the partnership between organizations to help others fully engage with God’s Word. 

On this episode, Rich and Emily bring you to Papua New Guinea to hear a first-hand account of the energy behind the Bible translation movement. Join us for an insightful conversation with Ministry Entrepreneur Duncan Kasokason.  Duncan is a Bible translation consultant through the Bible Translation Association of Papua New Guinea. Starting in 1986, Duncan started to translate the Bible into his own language with pen and paper. Throughout the years, he has helped many others become involved in Bible Translation ministry. His passion is for all to have God's Word in their own language. Now he encourages others to get equipped to serve and experience the power of the Word through work in Bible translation.Whether you are curious about the timeframe for Bible translation projects, or you want to learn more about how projects get started, Duncan provides invaluable knowledge gathered from many years of experience working with partners and equipping the next generation of Bible translators. Highlights:·      Duncan Kasokason is a Bible translation consultant from Papua New Guinea·      Starting at age 30, Duncan has been involved in Bible translation since 1986·      Training others in Bible translation is important to Duncan, he anticipates the progress made by the next generation.

This week, we celebrate 100 episodes of Essentially Translatable! For this episode, co-hosts Dr. Rich Rudowske and Emily Wilson reminisce about some of their favorite moments from the past four years on the podcast.  The Essentially Translatable podcast has brought countless stories from the field, interviews with Ministry Entrepreneurs, and conversations with international partners. Join us as we reflect on the many profound, spiritual, and informative discussions throughout the years. Hear something that sparks your interest? Click the links below to listen to the full episodes:  Episode 7: Modern Day Tower of Babel | Rev. Linus Otronyi Episode 15: Luther’s Translation as Pastoral Care | Dr. Erik Herrmann   Episode 17: Multi-Lingual Identity | Dr. Ebenezer Boafo   Episode 26: Easter People Episode 32: Go to the Deepest Water | Bishop Andrew Gulle Episode 38: Speaking My Language | Rev. Dr. Tilahun Mendedo Episode 41: Spirits, Charms, and Rituals | Dr. Mike Rodewald Episode 49 and 50: Scripture Impact | Pontsho Mosweu and Tshwari Tjetjoo  Episode 52:  The Final Episode Episode 54: Lives are Changing | Mark & Marie Episode 65: Empower the Church | Sarah Esala Episode 84: Emotional Intelligence in Ministry | Michelle Thompson Episode 86: The Curse of Knowledge | Rev. Dr. Ryan Tinetti 

On this episode of the Essentially Translatable podcast, Rich and Emily are joined by John Ndemba and Rev. Mike Kuhn, who serve in the Bible translation movement in Cameroon and have recently become involved with the SURAM project. Rev. Kuhn fills the role of Data Analyst for SURAM, he also has served as a Missionary with Lutheran Bible Translators Canada in Cameroon since 2013. John Ndemba serves as the Project Coordinator for SURAM, he previously worked as Cluster Facilitator for the Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy within the Southwest region of Cameroon.  The SURAM (Scripture Use Research and Ministry) project in Cameroon started in 2022. During the two-year period it will gather research, the staff of SURAM hopes to measure the effects of translated scripture within the country. To accomplish this, the team is asking three main research questions: How much of the translated Scripture is being used by the language communities? What impact has translated Scripture had on the community, within the church congregation, and for the individual within that community? What factors are contributing to high use and impact and what factors are decreasing impact?  Cameroon is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. There are currently 270 living languages in the country. Scripture has been produced for about 50 of those languages, leaving roughly 220 languages that still have little to no Scripture. The linguistic context for Cameroon makes it an ideal candidate for a high-depth research project about how translated Scripture has been used so far within the country.  Between 2007 and 2017, 28 language communities dedicated newly translated Scripture. SURAM has been able to conduct ministry and research within 25 of those language communities. With data gathered from those interactions, as well as continued Scripture engagement with the community, the results from the project will help to mobilize Bible translation ministry moving forward.  Listen in to learn more about the international staff and collaborators working on this important project. Take hope in the informative outcomes of this study that will help further benefit the Bible translation movement! 

Does God have one specific purpose in mind for you? Have you ever paused to examine the various roles God has assigned for you in life? In this episode of the Essentially Translatable podcast, Dr. Jeff Leininger and Dr. Rich Rudowske discuss our callings (plural) and how we can recognize them.  Dr. Leininger is the author of Callings for Life: God’s Plan, Your Purpose. He currently serves as pastor at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chicago, IL, which follows his twenty-one years as the campus pastor and Director for the Pre-seminary program at Concordia University Chicago.  Join Jeff and Rich as they discuss the theology of vocation through the straightforward lens of recognizing the multiple callings God has chosen for us. By limiting ourselves to one calling, we can neglect the many opportunities that God has gifted us. To recognize these, we can take note of the spaces, the places, and the faces that surround us in our everyday moments. Many of us are called to be spouses, parents, teachers, or managers. We can be impacted by the places we study, relax, or work. We are often called to be actively engaged in our occupations and communities. By embracing the multiple ways God has called us, finding our purpose in life can become less daunting and make it easier to recognize where God is leading us.  What comes to mind when you start to think about the callings God gave you rather than what you chose? 

For this special holiday episode, join us for a reflective study on the power and promise given to us through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Cozy up and dive into an in-depth conversation of how the complexities of Jesus’s incarnation are represented throughout different languages and translations. Grab your favorite Bible translation and follow along as co-hosts Dr. Rich Rudowske and Emily Wilson lead you through different verses of the Bible. Did you know? In John 1:14 the Greek translation expresses how Jesus “tabernacled” among us, meaning he moves around and makes a home with us as our Savior on earth. Hear what the ancient translations say and get a side-by-side comparison with some of the newer English translations such as the New Living Translation. In this episode, you’ll also get to learn more about the complexities that go into translating the bible. Rich provides firsthand insight into translating the book of Luke into the Shekgalagari language. The completion of this translation helped to solidify our close, personal relationship we have with Jesus for Shekgalagari speakers, and helped to explain how the gift of the incarnation is for all people. See below for an example of a bible verse in two different translations:But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” Luke 2:10 NLTMoengele a ba raya a re: “She tjhoge, bona, ke le jhwela mahogka owa a molemo, owa a da go ityumerisa batyho bothe.” Luke 2:10 ShekgalagariFor an informative study that will uplift and inspire you during the season of Christmas, tune in and experience the good news that continues to bring great joy.

In this episode, Rich and Emily are joined by Dr. James Maxey, Director of Strategic Partnerships for The Seed Company, and Dr. Nathan Esala, formerly Translations Coordinator for Lutheran Bible Translators—who has joined Seed Company as part of the strategic alliance between the two organizations. They discuss the power of partnerships across the Bible translation community.   We are in a season of collaboration at Lutheran Bible Translators to expand the Bible translation movement. As servants of Christ, we desire unity across the Church to make God's Word available to all people. During this interview, Maxey and Esala share their eagerness for this new exploration of partnership between the two organizations.  There are multiple benefits to joining in alliance with each other. Esala highlights Lutheran Bible Translators's many years of involvement in global communities and the resultant long-standing relationships. The Seed Company offers a fresh take on how to gain awareness for the mission of Bible translation. Specifically, Esala and Maxey are working with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea to make Bible translation a focused ministry in the country. Combining our efforts can lead to new accomplishments for God's Kingdom.   The connecting power of relationships is emphasized throughout the discussion. Maxey and Esala have a deep connection to Lutheran Bible Translators and to each other. Their entwined relationship throughout the years has motivated them to form this partnership.  Esala reminds us that one of the functions of Christianity involves building bridges between people of different cultures and experiences. Whether God has led us to foster partnerships in countries like Papua New Guinea or Cameroon, or we are embedded within our own communities in the United States, God desires us to learn continuously more from one another.  

In this episode of Essentially Translatable, co-host Emily Wilson is interviewed by Rev. Rich Rudowske to discuss prayer as the strategy for the Bible translation movement. Emily works in the prayer working group for Lutheran Bible Translators and acts as the prayer point person for the illumiNations collective impact alliance. She shares valuable insight into why prayer is transformative to our lives and is exceedingly pleasing to God. Join us to hear testimonials from both Rich and Emily about the profound impact prayer has had on their faith. For Emily, the importance of prayer became apparent at a young age during a family fishing trip. Throughout the highs and lows of life, Emily has kept prayer a key focus and accepted the answers God has given to her. Prayer as the strategy is one of the Missiological Imperatives at Lutheran Bible Translators. Rich shares his intuition of making Lutheran Bible Translators a more prayerful organization before he realized the organization would take on specific prayer initiatives. To accomplish set goals, the prayer community is encouraged to have an ACTIVE prayer life: A-adoration C-confession T- thanksgiving I-intercession/supplication V-vanquishing Satan E-extreme prayer The discussion highlights prayer-centered initiatives taking place within the organization, as well as the possibilities for those who would like to receive resources to pray alongside the organization. For Giving Tuesday 2023 we are raising prayer instead of focusing on financial gifts. If you would like to join us in raising 2 million yearly prayers, sign up below to become a Prayer Partner and join a global community of supporters! The Lord longs to hear our prayers, no matter how big or small. By practicing strategies that equip us for extreme prayer, we can feel confident God will answer us by doing “immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).   Episode Resources Extreme Prayer by Greg Pruett: https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Prayer-Impossible-Prayers-Promises/dp/1414386249  Become a Prayer Partner: https://lbt.org/pray  

Join us for a “fireside chat” approach in this episode, where Rich Rudowske, Executive Director + CEO, is joined by Paul Federwitz, Director for Fields Programs, for a vital conversation about the intersection of cutting-edge technology and the enduring practice of Bible translation. The heart of our discussion lies in the relationship between human wisdom and AI's capabilities. While acknowledging AI's potential to enrich the translator's toolkit, our hosts dive further into the irreplaceable value of the human touch and community involvement in rendering Scripture's profound messages. The conversation steers clear of technical jargon, offering a clear view of AI's role as a supportive ally rather than a replacement for human expertise. We address the excitement around tech advancements, alongside the careful considerations they demand, all in an accessible chat that will resonate whether you speak tech or are simply intrigued by the potential AI has in a variety of fields. Tune in for a balanced discussion that weaves together the human experience, technology in communication, and the promising avenues of AI in Bible translation. 

In this episode, we are joined by two staff members of Lutheran Bible Translators - David Federwitz, Regional Director for West Africa, and Calvin Inman, IT coordinator, who recently returned from Liberia. They discuss the importance of being physically present in their work and how technology is a tool for spreading God's truth. The focus of the trip was to work with our partner, the Liberia Translation and Literacy Organization, LIBTRALO. LIBTRALO is working in a number of different languages focused primarily on literacy and Scripture engagement. It’s challenging to keep up with the rapidly evolving and expanding technology landscape, even for IT professionals. In his IT role, Calvin interacts with a lot of our partners. To best serve partners, IT needs an intimate knowledge of the working environment, the equipment, the people, and more. Without that insight, it’s difficult to assess the best course of action when IT issues arise.  Cultural differences play a role too – Westen society is time-based and African society is often relationship-based. Technology and approach needs to adapt to each context. For this reason, it was critical to be there in person. Calvin shared that the first day of the trip was simply getting to know the team, their background, where they live, their family, and more. Once the group opens up with each, it’s easier to open up about the issues they’re facing with technology. By the end of the trip, issues that have never been raised over the phone, we surfacing and Calvin was able to walk alongside them in fixing the issue. It’s important to remember that behind every computer in the IT world is a person who is deeply loved by God. Technology is often associated with individuals sitting behind desks in isolation, but in reality, all aspects of IT involve working with people. Whether it's networking, software development, or PC support, the ultimate goal is to serve and support individuals. This perspective shapes their perception of IT work, it’s a means to serve and support God's people in their mission. 

In this episode, we sit down with Rev. Chuck and Karen Tessaro, missionaries who have been serving in Nigeria since 1985. The Tessaros share their experiences working on translation projects and their transition to a role of consulting and equipping the church. They discuss the importance of putting God's word in people's hands (having served with Lutheran Bible Translators since 2003) and how it has led to new insights and a deeper understanding of faith.  The Tessaros are an inspiration in their reliance on God through prayer. Prayer is so much more than an individual practice; prayer can foster unity and acts as a collective effort to address challenges that arise in translation ministry. Throughout their time in Nigeria, the Tessaros have lived amongst the community – going to market, sitting in conversation with, and praying with them. Nigeria has encountered significant times of suffering through war and food scarcity, and yet the Tessaros and many others they’ve impacted were able to stay mindful of the Lord’s presence and His provision. Discover the power of God’s Word, the value of building relationships, and the impact of prayer in this enlightening episode.