Lost in Translation: Millions Still Waiting to Hear About Jesus in Their Language

A few weeks ago, I sat down with a group of global ministry leaders during a discussion about spreading the Gospel in Africa. These were people who had traveled the world, spoken on major platforms, and spearheaded missionary initiatives. The conversation was upbeat until I shared something that brought silence to the room.

“You know,” I began, “there are entire communities in Africa who have never heard the Gospel in a language they can fully understand. Some have never heard of Jesus at all.”

At first, I thought they hadn’t heard me. Then one of them, a senior pastor, leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “Wait,” he said slowly, “you’re telling me there are people in Africa who still haven’t heard about Jesus? We are on the largest TV platforms in the world.

One woman chimed in, “With all the resources available—broadcasts, social media, churches—how is this still the reality? Are they just not listening?”

I paused for a moment and replied, “No, it’s not that they’re not listening. It’s that the message isn’t reaching them in a way they can understand or connect with. For many, it’s not in their language. Imagine trying to learn about the greatest love story of all time... but the words just don’t make sense.”

The Unseen Disconnect

Their reaction wasn’t unusual. Many people assume the Gospel has reached every corner of the world. But the truth is more heartbreaking: in a continent with over 1.4 billion people and ?2,000 languages, millions of people have yet to hear about Jesus in the language of their hearts.

Think about that. Millions of people—fathers, mothers, children—are living without ever knowing the life-changing hope of Christ. Not because they don’t want to know Him, but because no one has taken the time to meet them where they are.

This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a missed opportunity. I’ve met Maasai tribesmen who’ve heard bits of the Gospel in English but couldn’t grasp its full meaning. I’ve seen elderly women in rural Kenya clutching their radios, straining to understand sermons broadcast in English and the occasional Swahili—because their native tongue, Kikamba, wasn’t an option.

Lost in Translation

The Gospel is powerful, but its power is diminished when it’s lost in translation. And for many Africans, that’s the reality. Even when the message is available, it often comes in a language that feels distant, foreign, or unfamiliar.

I’ve seen what happens when we change that. When programs are dubbed into Swahili, Twi, or Kikamba, the response is immediate and overwhelming. It’s as if a light switches on. People lean in, nod their heads, and for the first time, they truly hear the message of God’s love.

Are We Doing Enough?

That conversation stayed with me because it revealed a deeper problem. Many of us in ministry assume we’re doing enough. We fund missions, produce sermons, and create content—but are we truly reaching the unreached? Are we thinking about the people who don’t have access to faith materials that speak to their hearts?

The answer, too often, is no.

This disconnect is what drives me to advocate for localized Gospel content. Dubbing programs into local languages isn’t just a logistical task—it’s an act of obedience to the Great Commission. It’s about ensuring that no one is left out of the invitation to know Christ.

While the need to reach the unreached is vast, it’s important to acknowledge the incredible work already being done by some ministries. For example, Joyce Meyer Ministries has made remarkable strides by dubbing Enjoying Everyday Life into many languages and are reaching millions, as is Pulse Evangelism who are leveraging digital platforms to share the message of hope across Africa and other parts of the world. These efforts serve as powerful examples of what’s possible when we embrace innovative approaches to fulfill the Great Commission.

A Call to Action

We can’t afford to overlook this any longer. The Gospel isn’t just for those who speak English, French, or Spanish —it’s for everyone, in every tribe and tongue.

If this resonates with you, let’s talk. Together, we can build a bridge to the hearts and minds of millions still waiting to hear about Jesus in a way that speaks directly to them.

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