LBTC announces new director

Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada (LBTC) has announced Rev. Dr. James E. Keller will serve as its new Executive Director. Dr. Keller served six years as an instructor with Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) in St. Catharines teaching practical theology and systematics. In addition to his new responsibilities at LBTC, which he began in June, Dr. Keller will continue to serve CLTS as an adjunct professor.

“I wish Dr. Keller all the best,” said outgoing LBTC Executive Director David Maffet, “and I know that God will use his gifts to move LBTC to the next level.” Rev. Maffet is leaving LBTC after accepting a call to serve the Lutheran congregation in Châtenay-Malabry, France.

The mission of Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada is to “help bring people to faith in Jesus Christ by making the Word of God available to those who do not yet have it in the language of their hearts.” As of September 2011, there were 6,837 languages spoken in the world. Only 471 of these languages have a complete translation of the Bible. 1,223 have the New Testament, and a further 1,002 have some other portion of Scripture. That leaves 4,141 without any portion of the Scriptures translated.

Currently LBTC supports Scripture translation and engagement work in the Kwanja and Doowaayo languages in Cameroon and the Shiyeyi language in Botswana. LBTC’s newest missionaries, Rev. Mike and Kara Kuhn, are finishing education in Canada in preparation for a translation project in the Nizaa language of Cameroon.

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