Expanding outreach in Pakistan
Filed Under: MLP, Multi-Language Publications, Pakistan, World Missions
In an effort to reach more souls in Pakistan, WELS Multi-Language Publications has printed its first materials in Pashtu, a language spoken by an estimated 13 percent of the country's 160 million people. According to Rev. Harold Essmann, coordinator for literature programs in Pakistan, the new translation will be a good addition to the 50,000 pieces of Christian literature that have already been distributed in this Muslim country where WELS cannot have a resident missionary.
"We are in a seed-sowing ministry in Pakistan, and this is just another way to sow the seed of the gospel in areas where the Pashtu language is being spoken," says Essmann.
The piece is called The Promise—a booklet sharing basic biblical truths, which is currently printed in 38 languages worldwide. Essmann says WELS decided to translate the material after receiving a firm request from the Pashtun people. "Another thing that influenced the decision, to a degree, is that Pashtu is also understood by many people in Afghanistan," he says.
Some of the copies have already been sent to Peshawar, which is a tribal area of Pakistan near the Afghanistan border. Essmann says other versions of The Promise, such as the translation into Urdu (Pakistan's official language) have already gotten into Afghanistan.
Although it remains to be seen what impact this new printing will have on WELS' ministry in Pakistan, Essmann says, "We know that the printed word is powerful, and the Holy Spirit can move the hearts of people through it."
