Remote & Indigenous Ministry Support


We aim to see Indigenous people come to a relationship with God

Bible Society’s Remote and Indigenous Ministry aims to see Indigenous people come to a relationship with God through his word and to live committed and growing Bible-focused lives.

Updates from the field

News from the Pitjantjatjara Old Testament Translation team

Bible Society’s Dave Barnett writes: "Most of my work the last few months has been in the books of 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, Zechariah and the Psalms. The translators are continually encouraged, amused, and challenged as they work through these parts. The Jeroboams and Rehoboams and Ahijahs and Abijahs of First Kings have kept us on our toes, making sure we get the correct king attacking the correct opponent, and the right prophet denouncing him!

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Anne Jack (translator) is about halfway through a first draft of 2 Samuel. I've just finished front translating Zechariah for Inawinytji Stanley. And Inawinytji Williamson has finished the first section of Psalm 119 (the "Aleph" section of this acrostic poem.) Psalm 119 seems to allude to Psalm 1 in many ways - the blessed person who delights in and meditates on God's law. But all the crises of life that are hidden in Psalm 1 are revealed in this long Psalm. God will bear his fruit through the one who meditates on his Word in the midst of strife, it seems.

Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counsellors.
I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word!"
(Psalm 119:24-25)”

New Revised Pitjantjatjara Shorter Bible out now!

The new revised Pitjantjatjara Shorter Bible is now available in Koorong book stores around the country. Tjulyata Tjilya (Pitjantjatjara translator) visited the Adelaide Koorong store and was so excited when she saw the new Bible she rang her friends to share the good news.

New Indigenous Bible translators being equipped at Nungalinya Bible College

An Introduction to Bible Translation training workshop - a new inclusion in the Nungalinya Diploma of Translation course – was held in Alice Springs in November. Paul and Ann Eckert attended as teaching support for the Pitjantjatjara participants. Between 6-11 participants attended each day from five different central desert language groups (Pitjantjatjara; Pintupi-Luritja; Alyawarr; Western Arrarnta and Anmatyerr). This is the second 'In Community' workshop that Nungalinya has ran this year and the College is planning to run two workshops each year in different communities. Gunbalanya and Groote Eylandt are likely to host this exciting new initiative next year.

Remote & Indigenous Ministry projects and updates