Papua New Guinea Bible Translation Association

01/06/2026

2/3 A week has passed since the successful completion of the Paratext Training with our translators returning home encouraged, motivated, and ready to continue their work.

During the training, participants learned new skills and tools that will help them work faster and more effectively. They also learned important ways to protect and back up their translation work, helping to keep their projects safe from loss or damage.

As the training came to an end, there was a strong sense of excitement among the participants. Many shared that they were looking forward to using what they had learned to improve their work and make progress in their translation projects.

One said "I had no Idea what Paratext was and I came in feeling very nervous thinking every other person in the room would be better at using the laptop than me. But after sitting through the first few lessons, I realised our efforts have really been a big waste of time and I don't mean this in a bad way. I'm saying this paratext would have made all the difference in the progress and completion of our work at a faster rate. But still, it's not too late!"

Another said "I recently joined my team and so when I was told to attend the training, I had a lot of things running through my mind. And one of them was doubt. I kept thinking 'can I do this? Would I be able to be at the pace everyone else in the room is? And then we went through the training and what I found most interesting was that this software literally has everything you need to do your work, and now that I understand as much as I can and have mustered the basics, I'm just so excited to get into our work when I return home."

And many more..........................

A special thank you goes to Mr. Zacchaeus Oraro from Bible Society PNG, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare the training materials and organize the sessions. Throughout the week, he worked closely with the participants, ensuring they understood the lessons and gained the confidence to apply their new skills when they returned home. 13 participants graduated by the end of this training.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to making this training possible. May God continue to bless and strengthen our translators as they carry this important work forward.

13/05/2026

1/2 Eight of our translation teams from Milne Bay Province, Papua Mainland, and Madang Province, together with two administrators from Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Morobe Region, have begun a two-week Paratext training program this week.

The training started on an intensive and engaging note, with participants fully focused and eager to absorb as much as possible.

During the sessions, many participants shared how practical and helpful the lessons have been. They said they now feel equipped with the basic knowledge and skills needed to enter data into the Paratext software and are excited to begin entering their translated Scriptures.

We are grateful and encouraged by their presence at the BTA Port Moresby Centre and look forward to supporting them throughout the training.

30/04/2026

Dear friends and partners,

Join us for our Executive Director's Breakfast on May 31, 2026 for a morning of purpose, connection, and impact. Your presence and support will help strengthen the work of the Executive Director and the Partnerships & Development Team through local and international engagements.

All relevant information is on the flyer attached. Do reach us on the contacts & Email provided.

We invite you to be part something meaningful!🙏

08/04/2026

📝Gadsup Trauma Healing Workshop Update.👏

The Gadsup Trauma Healing Workshop, held from 30 March – 3 April 2026 at Amamonta Foursquare Church, was a powerful time of healing, unity, and restoration. Participants from the Foursquare, Lutheran, PNG Bible Church, and SDA Church gathered with open hearts, eager to receive.

Over 70 people attended, with 56 graduating—a strong testimony of commitment and life transformation. Many shared that despite being Christians for years, they still carried deep pain. Through the workshop, relationships were restored as forgiveness took place, Lives were renewed as hearts were set free and burdens were surrendered to Jesus, bringing peace and relief.
One of the most touching moments included reconciliation between individuals once divided, and renewed hope among those who had drifted away from church. Even those unable to read were encouraged through hearing God’s Word in a meaningful way.

The graduation day was filled with tears of joy, marking not just an end, but a new beginning for many lives.
We praise God for His amazing work and thank everyone for your prayers and support!👏🎓

Click on the link for full story: https://btapng.org/project-updates/

03/04/2026

🖥️🧑‍💻The Focused Workgroup translations officially commenced, bringing together various language teams into central locations across three (3) different regions: Manus, Milne Bay, and the Papua Mainland regions.

✅In Manus Region the Lele, Titan, and Leipon language groups gathered in Lorengau Town to undertake intensive translation work. Whilst the Leipon language team continued drafting Chapter 1 of the Book of John, the Titan language team focused on revising Chapter 8 of the Book of Genesis. The Lele team worked on the first draft of Chapters 1–6 of the Book of Matthew.
✅In the Milne Bay Region, the Tawala language team began drafting and conducting self-checks on the Book of Psalms.
✅In the Papua Mainland Region, the Kamali, Keakalo, and Tairuma language teams convened at the BTA Port Moresby Centre for an intensive two-week translation workshop. The Kamali team successfully completed the entry of the Book of Philippians into Paratext. Meanwhile, the Keakalo team continued with reviewing the Books of 1 and 2 Timothy, as well as 1 and 2 Peter. They are also nearing completion of the data entry for the Books of Matthew and 1 Corinthians into Paratext.

Encouraging progress is being observed as each team diligently carries out its respective tasks. We commend all teams for their faithfulness, dedication, and hard work. Furthermore, we are also deeply grateful to God for His providence and guidance, and for the commitment of these hardworking teams in sustaining the translation work.👏🙏

01/04/2026

🎉A Tribute to 70 Years of Service: Honoring the Partnership Between BTA and SIL PNG.🎉

On behalf of the Bible Translation Association (BTA) of Papua New Guinea, we offer our heartfelt congratulations to our friends and partners at SIL PNG as they celebrate 70 years of dedicated service to this nation. This milestone represents a monumental legacy: over 233 Scriptures translated, printed, and placed into the hands of the people.

The bond between our organizations is rooted in a shared history. BTA was born out of the vision of SIL PNG leadership—notably Karl Franklin—alongside distinguished Papua New Guineans including Thomas Polume, Cholai Polume, the late Sir Mari Kapi, Senior Raka Taviri, and David Gela. Established 20 years after SIL PNG first arrived, BTA remains a testament to their foresight in creating a national organization to carry the flame of Bible translation.

Our partnership has never been stronger. In just the last two years, we have celebrated the dedication of the Enga New Testament and the Nobonob Full Bible—projects that bear the distinct "fingerprints" of our collaborative efforts. Furthermore, thanks to SIL PNG’s internship program, BTA has successfully established its Scripture Use department, with certified staff now leading vital training in village communities.

We were honored to participate in the recent 70th Anniversary conference (March 18–26), contributing through presentations, the Worship and Music Team, and providing catering for the hosted VIPs. As we look toward the future, we remain committed to our shared vision: a transformed Papua New Guinea, reached by the power of God’s Word in every language.

Congratulations, SIL PNG, on 70 remarkable years.👏🎉

18/03/2026

📍 Manus Trip Update ✈️

The BTA Leadership team, including our Executive Director and newly appointed Director – Language Program and Services, Jessie Ringui, visited the Manus Region from 8–12th March. The trip was an encouraging time spent connecting with language teams, meeting pastors in Lorengau, and assuring the church community of BTA’s continued commitment to Bible translation in Manus.

The highlight of this trip was witnessing the official handover–takeover of the Manus APM from Charles Kowak to Thomas Pohonum - a significant moment for the work and leadership in the region. We are deeply grateful to Papa Charles for his 15 years of faithful service to Bible translation in Manus and pray God’s continued strength and health over him as he continues to support the work in other ways✨👏🙏.

We were also grateful for the opportunity to meet with the Rhema for the World team in Lorengau and appreciate the generous transport support from the TSCF Graduates in Lorengau.

Please continue to pray with us for resources and support as we work towards establishing a permanent office and staff housing in the Manus Region. If you would like to partner with us in this work, feel free to reach out.

More details will be shared soon through our newsletter and website—stay tuned!🙌🏽

18/03/2026

✨ What a blessed surprise to find a language-speaking church right here in the city!

For those who may not know, Hela United Church is a fully Huli-speaking congregation where the program, hymns, preaching, and prayers are all beautifully shared in Huli.

Our team was privileged to have our very first church engagement for the year and to fellowship together this past Sunday with them in Kaugere.🙌🏽✨

11/03/2026

What an accomplishment!! Thank you SIL PNG for serving this nation

70 years ago, the first SIL-PNG staff dreamed big for the peoples of PNG. Look at what God has done and is doing!

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.

The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him. (Ps 67, NIV)

Psalm 67 in Dadibi:

1 God, nago te olo tau sabo
wiegi yai kolesaga dabolo elama,
tama daba te wiegi yai sę yao.
Nago daba homu kone palama, tama da tau sao.
2 Tama tiyu, te tigidali we bidigo
nago kolesaga te konemainu elama,
tama tigidali hanigo te nago
augwali ma saiba weyu,
te augwaligo konemainao.

3 God, eno homugo te tigidali bagego
nageba wiegi yai pemene elama,
tama nago nogi ugwaba somainu yao.

4 Tigidali hani we bidi te bugai haliga elama,
tama wiegi yai pemene ebo tęąbi emainu yao,
magi baso meni, te nago tigidali
we bidigo kolesaga te doloba pai
po tų ebogo dagalaibao,
tama nago te we bidi hani dabe
te wiegi yai sunumidu bugagia
bilimainu dodolobo dao.

5 God, eno homugo te tigidali bagego
te nageba wiegi yai pemene elama,
tama nago nogi ugwaba somainu yai dao.

6 Te wiegi yai nai hauwa d**o tǫde pedelalio.
God, aga te d**o God, agai
te dabolo wiegi yai sę bugagia mu yai.
7 Mu tama, Godigo te wiegi yai sę dabolo bugagia yai.
Te tigidali tǫde we bidite aga dologode bidaluao. (Ps 67 in Dadibi - https://png.bible/details.php?id=mps).

10/03/2026

Today, we congratulate our Newly Appointed Morobe Area Program Manager Mr. Taiya Jerry Agua Kai on achieving his Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration & Governance at Divine Word University! 👨‍🎓👏

We are truly blessed to have him join our team. We celebrate this wonderful achievement and look forward to the valuable contribution he will make in advancing Bible translation throughout the Morobe Region and in PNG!

Once Again, Congratulations Taiya!🧑‍🎓🎉🎊

✨Follow his journey on our website on this link: https://btapng.org/ or https://btapng.org/project-updates/ and in our upcoming Newsletter.