Fact Sheet
JAARS Mission
Through partnerships worldwide, JAARS provides quality technical support services and resources to speed Bible translation for all people.
About JAARS
As part of the Wycliffe Bible Translators (Wycliffe) family of organizations, JAARS works to see the Bible translated for every people group that still needs God’s Word in its own language. JAARS supports Wycliffe and related organizations worldwide by providing air, land and water transportation; information technology services; Scripture-focused media tools; and other vital resources such as construction, maintenance and logistical support.
These international services are coordinated at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, N.C. The center also provides training, conference facilities and office space for Wycliffe and other partners in Bible translation.
William Cameron Townsend co-founded Wycliffe in 1934. As the organization grew, he saw the need to use airplanes and radios to reach remote language groups. For that reason, he founded JAARS in 1948 in Peru. In 1961, its headquarters were established in Waxhaw, N.C.
Eldon "Butch" Barkman is the interim president as of April 30, 2010.
The Challenge
Since 1934, Wycliffe personnel have helped translate the New Testament into 735 languages and the complete Bible into 24 languages, potentially impacting around 107 million people. Currently Bible translation programs in 1,990 languages are in progress (1,363 with Wycliffe involvement). Yet the task is still far from finished. Of the world’s approximately 6,900 known language groups, 2,252 still need a translation program. These languages represent 353 million people.
JAARS, along with its partners, embraces the vision that by the year 2025, a Bible translation program will be in progress for every language still needing one.
Who We Are
People who serve with JAARS are typically career missionaries with Wycliffe or volunteers with JAARS. Nearly 600 people serve at the JAARS Center, approximately 45% of whom are volunteers. In addition, more than 400 Wycliffe missionaries serve in JAARS-related positions throughout the world.
Partners
JAARS receives financial and prayer support from individuals, churches and other organizations. JAARS partners with Wycliffe, which actively seeks to engage the worldwide Church in Bible translation. JAARS also partners with SIL International, a faith-based nonprofit organization committed to serving language communities worldwide as they build capacity for sustainable language development.
Opportunities
JAARS hosts interactive tours and “JAARS Day” programs, both of which introduce guests to our unique role in worldwide Bible translation. To learn more about these opportunities, please call 1-704-843-6130 or click here.
To inquire about volunteering with JAARS, or about career possibilities for all ages, call 1-704-843-6150.
Annual Finances
JAARS expenses for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, were $17.4 million. Fundraising costs were 4.7%
