Helping to Translate Biblical Eldership Material into Spanish
When John Field joined the BER team from Argentina to represent BER in the Spanish-speaking world, there was a pressing need to translate the BER website into Spanish, the second most-spoken language in the world (behind Mandarin). Why?
- The world’s Spanish speakers exceed 572 million, projected to increase to 754 million by 2050.
- Evangelicalism is growing dramatically in Spanish-speaking countries: evangelicals compose nearly 20 percent of the Latin American population, compared to a mere 3 percent 30 years ago.
- Spanish is the official language of 20 countries and the unofficial second language of many others, including the United States.
- Equipping up-and-coming church leaders with resources in their native language affects the health of the churches they lead.
With those needs in mind, John—pictured with his wife, Teresa—was invited in 2016 to lead the translation of BiblicalEldership.com into Spanish.
Our Spanish website, Liderazgo Bíblico de la Iglesia, launched in 2018, thanks to the team effort of translators from multiple countries.
This week, John shares with us a little bit about his life in Argentina, the work he’s doing for BER, and what God is doing in the Spanish-speaking world.
How did you come to Christ?
At the age of 11, I was approached by a dear and loving missionary who wisely asked me if I was sure I would go to heaven. Although I was born and raised in a Christian home and always attended church meetings with my parents, I had never thought about the need of salvation. That night, I surrendered my life to the Lord.
Tell about your work for BER and how the Spanish BER website is being used. How did you come to join the BER team?
I had been collaborating with Chuck Gianotti in translating Elders’ ShopNotes and came across BER’s site. Church leadership has been a special issue to me for several years. I offered Chuck to translate some articles, and before I realized, Chuck was inviting me to coordinate the launch of BER’s Spanish website!
It took some years to get the first lessons published in Liderazgo Bíblico de la Iglesia (LBI, the Spanish version of BER), but finally it’s running. A team of collaborators of different countries have joined in the task, and we are setting out to develop more material on the site.
Tell about your family.
My wife, Teresa, and I have been married for 43 years. Our daughter, Cynthia, is married to Javier, living in Palma de Mallorca, and are parents to our three grandchildren, Matilda, Anna, and Gianni. Our son, Kevin, has recently married Belén, and they live in the city of Buenos Aires.
What other work have you been involved with?
I have a marketing degree, and I also completed a four-year Bible course at the Jorge Müller Bible Institute in Buenos Aires. I worked for several national and international businesses, both in advertising and commercial positions. Since youth, I have been an active member in the different churches I attended, serving mostly as a Bible teacher, young people’s leader, Sunday school coordinator, and preacher of the Word. For over 16 years I’ve been translating Elders’ ShopNotes into Spanish; the subject of eldership has always interested me.
What is a typical day like for you?
I am retired, so one would think that I have lots of time to spare. Well, it’s the opposite. Church issues, different translation projects, and all sorts of errands help me to keep active.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy walking or riding the bicycle as well as taking short trips to different recreational spots near our city.
What events in your life have most shaped you?
I can’t recall any particular life-changing event, but I do recognize that both my jobs in advertising and marketing and my spiritual life (study, church life, etc.) have helped to shape me into who I am.
What is the spiritual climate in Argentina, and what do you see God doing in the broader Spanish-speaking world?
As to Argentina, I would say that especially after the pandemic, there is a lack of real and profound spiritual thrust. There is a tendency to pursue religious activities/church services that enhance sensual experiences. There is a great need for spiritual leaders who will and can provide sound teaching of the Scriptures and stimulate holiness.
As to the Spanish-speaking world, I sense that in some countries there is a great hunger for biblical-based leadership, and God is working toward providing this.
If those reading this blog would stop and pray for you and your ministry right now, what would you like them to pray for?
I and the LBI team would pray for translation resources, both human and financial. Additionally, we are longing that Spanish church leaders start using the wealth of the leadership resources found in LBI, and local churches benefit from it.