Did you know that the Bible is translated into Inuktitut? In March we went to a funeral, and it was for someone you might find interesting.
Jonas Allooloo was a quiet, older gentleman who we would sometimes see around town. He was unwell for most of our time up here, so we never got to sit down with him and hear about his life and testimony personally, but we always enjoyed our brief encounters with him between his medical trips ‘down South’.
Jonas, along with three other men, spent 34 years translating the Bible into Inuktitut, specifically targeting the Eastern Arctic dialects. The dialects themselves are a challenge, as the area contains several distinct groups. After finishing the translation, Jonas continued to work on revisions until he passed away on February 24. The resulting translation is mostly understandable across the region, though one of our friends told us she can only understand about 90 percent of it.
This translation is such a gift and a blessing to have completed! While there may be a need in the future for revisions specific to certain communities, we are so thankful for the work that Jonas and his colleagues did.
Even with the Word of God in Inuktitut, we still see an unmistakable need for culturally informed foundational Bible teaching, to bring understanding of the truth and the redeeming power of God’s Word.
Will you pray with us—and take a step further?
- Pray that the Word of God would not only be available, but clearly understood in every Arctic community.
- Pray for open hearts- that the Lord would raise up a strong body of local believers who are equipped to faithfully teach and communicate the gospel to those around them.
- Pray that God would raise up more workers to come alongside Inuit communities with humility, love, and a commitment to long-term discipleship.
And as you pray, we invite you to consider how you might be part of what God is doing in the Arctic.
We are currently assessing future ministry opportunities in this region. This is a critical step in discerning how and where to effectively pursue Bible teaching and church growth in ways that are culturally meaningful and sustainable.
👉 To learn more and prayerfully consider your involvement here, visit: ethnos.ca/arctic-canada-ministry-opportunity-assessment
Whether through prayer, giving, or going, your response matters. The legacy of faithful servants like Jonas reminds us that God uses ordinary people, over time, to accomplish extraordinary things.
Let’s ask Him to open eyes to His Word—across the Arctic.
