missions
The Poqomchi' People of Guatemala
The Poqomchi' (POH-kohm-chee) people are one of 23 distinct indigenous groups of Mayan descent in Guatemala. A majority of these people are subsistence farmers. The literacy rate in the Spanish language is 15% and in the Poqomchi' language 1%. Most Poqomchi' children do not attend school past the sixth grade.
In 1983, The Chruch of the Nazarene actually began a Poqomchi' Bible translation. When the Mexico/Central America (MAC) Central Field Evangelism office in Guatemala City learned the Poqomchi Bible was in the final stages of revision and would be printed soon, in October 2009, their first thought was "Now we need the JESUS Film!"
(Related story: Poqomchi Bible completed)
There are estimated to be approximately 140,000 Poqomchi speakers in Guatemala, of two closely related dialects. Because many Poqomchi cannot read, the Biblical text can be used to develop evangelism and discipleship tools that are contextually effective to reach the Poqomchi people.
The Central Field Evangelism office contacted JESUS Film Harvest Partners (JFHP) about the status of Poqomchi on Campus Crusade for Christ's (CCC) list of planned JESUS translations. JFHP proposed doing a Single Voice Narration (SVN) production of the film. The Poqomchi Bible translators, sponsored by the Bible Society of Guatemala, are Jose Maria Quej, and his daughter, Adelina. They are Nazarenes who eagerly agreed to work on the JESUS Film script.
The project was approved by CCC and JFHP and a donor was found to support the production costs. Brad Firestone, Communications coordinator for Global Mission (formerly World Mission Department), was trained by CCC to do SVN recordings according to their specifications.
A "Single Voice Narration" production is when one voice narrates the story of JESUS instead of having a full set of dramatized voices. This version uses nearly identical text, but keeps the cost down and speeds up production for languages with a smaller number of speakers.
This is a major accomplishment for the Kingdom and a lasting contribution by Nazarene missions toward fulfilling the Great Commission. Many Poqomchi will learn of Jesus, be discipled by Jesus, and be called to ministry by Jesus as He speaks to them through the JESUS Film.