“The gospel he promised beforehand in the Holy Scriptures regarding his son.”
After 60 years of missionary work in Papua, Indonesia, the Bible has now been fully translated into the Ngalik language. This remarkable achievement was made possible through the dedication of two generations of a missionary family and the partnership of local Christians.
According to International Christian Concern, the New Testament was completed in 1992 after 25 years of work by Ed and Shirley Maxey, missionaries with The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). They were supported by local young men, Amos and Enos.
Their son Buzz Maxey and his wife Myrna continued the mission, collaborating again with Amos and Enos to translate the Old Testament. In 2023, the full Ngalik Bible was completed, and a dedication ceremony was held in February 2025.
This milestone comes at a time when Christians in Papua are facing increased persecution. Since 2018, the region has suffered from armed conflict and political unrest, with growing concerns about human rights violations by Muslim authorities.
Papua, where about 70% of the population identifies as Christian, stands out in Muslim-majority Indonesia. However, recent efforts to Islamize the region, along with the migration of Muslims from other parts of Indonesia, are threatening the religious and cultural identity of the native Melanesian and Polynesian people.
Reports of forced conversions and human rights abuses continue. Nevertheless, the gospel is advancing throughout Indonesia, and the completed Ngalik Bible is expected to significantly strengthen evangelism and discipleship efforts in Papua.(Source: Gospel Prayer Newspaper)
The gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his son, and you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.(Romans 1:2,6)
God, we praise You for the completion of the Ngalik Bible—a work spanning 60 years and two generations, united with local believers to bring the Word of salvation into the heart language of a people. Even amid rising persecution and movements to Islamize Indonesia, let the Ngalik people find comfort in Your covenant Word. Make them bold witnesses of the gospel of the cross. Through the Church, the Bride of Christ, waiting with hope for Your return, bring full salvation to every tribe and nation in this land. We trust You, LORD, to make all nations Your witnesses as the gospel reaches to the ends of the earth.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
