Bible translation ministry for finno-ugric languages

Keymedia has partnered with the Bible Translation Institute (Raamatunkäännösinstituutti -RKI) since 1983, with the goal of translating God's Word into the 12 Finno-Ugric languages, which are spoken in Russia. The Bible Translation Institute has been responsible for the translation, while Keymedia supported the project financially, which also included the cost to print finished Bibles. Later, we were fortunate to aquire additional partners in this ministries, such as the Finnish Bible Society and others.

Finno-Ugric languages are: Erzya, Moksha, Udmurt, Komi, Komi-Permyak, Mari, Mountain Mari, Khanty, Mansi, Veps, Olonets Karelian and Karelian. The population of Finno-Ugric language people in Russia is close to three million. Many of these people speak Russian as well, but God's Word is most effective in one's mother tongue, which helps one understand the vastness of God's love.

All of our Bible translators speak the language they are translating into, as their mother tongue. They are part of the target language group to which they are translating. The Russian Orthodox Church has blessed this ministry; therefore translated Bibles can be distributed freely.

We have noticed that already in the translation process, an awakening. Whenever a book of the Bible is translated, we let people of these communities "test read" it, which has often resulted in people sharing powerful testimonies: 

"Now I understand. I have read the Russian Bible my entire life, but now reading it in my own mother tongue; I realized God is speaking to me!"

Translation Today

Every Finno-Ugric language has received parts of the Bible translated. Six of the language groups have the entire New Testament. (Udmurt in 1997,  Olonets Karelian in 2003, Erzya in 2006, Veps in 2006, Mari 2007 and Komi in 2008)

Through the Finno-Ugric Bible translation ministry, churches and individual believers have the opportunity to support local believers and encourage them in spreading the Gospel.  

Internet Ministry