Translating the Mennonite Confession of Faith

Computer image of the title page

In our search for study materials needed by our East African churches, we have tried to listen to our church leaders to verbalize what they feel they need and want. We have then developed simple Biblically based studies on subjects which they have requested. One of the most often requested is for a deeper understanding of Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective on issues. Several leaders who are English literate have specifically ask for a translation of the Mennonite Confession of Faith. As this document was written for a North American context, we initially were reluctant to consider it as a totally appropriate document to be used in the African context. But as the leaders continued to press us, we agreed to organize translation of the confession, and see what might be the outcome of their study of the document. We initially chose several persons to translate the confession in Swahili and Luo, as the request came for both languages to be used. Swahili is used more in Tanzania, and Luo is used more in Kenya. This proved to be no small job, as the English used in the Confession is sometimes both intricate and complex in theological thoughts. But even as the translators worked through it, they expressed how deeply it was helping them to understand their faith.Just before Christmas, a group of three leaders, Malachi Oloo, Barak Omollo, and Eliver Omondi gathered with Joe in Nairobi to go over the Luo translation which had been prepared. They were checking the translation for content, appropriate terminology, and errors in words or spelling. This group worked for two and one-half days hammering out the details of the twenty-four articles of the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective! Since Joe’s knowledge of Luo is minimal, his role was simply to help them understand the meaning of the statements and then make the corrections that were needed on the computer. Now we are making arrangements to have it printed.

The Translation Review Team (from left): Barak Amolo,
Malachi Oloo, Joe Bontrager, Eliver Omondi

Most interesting were the discussions which came up while trying to understand the content of the document. One said, “This is so deep!” Another said, “Our church really needs this!” One visiting leader sat in on a session, and later came to us, almost begging for translations to be done in languages of other tribes in which he is working, including Pokot, Kipsigis, Kisii, and Masai.

In the near future, we plan to do a similar review of the Swahili translation and have it printed, but we do not plan to translate the Confession of Faith into other tribal languages. Hopefully, God will inspire some local leaders to pick up this task for the glory of God.