Bible Translation

Dr. Bassim Gorial and his wife Haifa are Iraqi missionaries who now live in an American city with their four children. They are Chaldean Christians and have a long tradition of Christianity that extends back to the first century. Chaldean Christians have held on to their traditions through centuries of persecution, but sadly some have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. That was the case with Bassim himself. He shared once that when his country declared war on a border country and called on all young men to fight on the front lines, Bassim and his family fled the country and escaped to England where he enrolled in a program for engineering. During his course of studies he got to know a Nigerian man in one of his classes. This man shared with him what it meant to know the Lord as Savior and he prayed with Bassim. Soon after that he and his wife enrolled in a Bible College in order to grow in their faith and teach others.

Since he met the Lord, Bassim has been on fire with a desire to share his faith. He soon realized that even though his people consider themselves Christians, they needed understandable Scriptures. Bassim knows that making the Scriptures understandable is very important, but once they are understandable they must be given to the people in a way they will listen to them. He and his wife, therefore, use every means possible to reach the community with the translated Scriptures. They have taught a class of about 80 children every Saturday morning at the Church in the inner city and they have also produced several Bible videos in their language including the Jesus film. This has opened the door to conducting Bible studies. They are now doing TV and radio shows in their language.

Bassim and Haifa thank you for your financial and prayer support as they work among their people.

Ministry Objectives: Provide the Bible to their native people in their native tongue, thus bringing an understanding of God leading to a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Sphere of Influence: Their native people within their community and those they influence through translation of scriptures.

Prayer Needs: Pray for the success of a special outreach program they are now involved in. They also ask for prayer for their family.