About Us
The Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy (CABTAL) is a faith-based organization committed to helping communities and individual access God’s Word and education in their mother tongue.
Who We Are
We partner with local communities and individuals across Cameroon to promote Bible translation, mother tongue literacy, linguistic research, and community development. Beyond Bible translation, we also produce and share materials such as health books, songs, stories, and local proverbs that support learning and spiritual growth. Through our work, CABTAL empowers individuals, strengthens churches, and helps preserve Cameroon’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage, ensuring that every person can hear, read, and understand God’s Word in the language of their heart.
Nationalism issues in the early days of independence caused the government of Nigeria to close down the work of SIL in that country. Many missionaries from Nigeria moved to Cameroon with a vision to set up a national organization with permanent residence in the country. Discussions in this light started in the late 70s. SIL members Karl Grebe, Ron Thwing, Ron Gluck among others held several meetings with Cameroonians like: Dr. Joseph Mfonyam, Dr. Pierre Emmanuel (P.E.) Njock, Rev. Festus Asana, Jonas Njang, etc. They also undertook a number of trips around the country to share the vision for the creation of such an organization with Cameroonian church leaders. A decision was reached to create CABTA in the early 80s.
Individuals and communities transformed by the Word of God in their language and using their language for sustainable development.
To mobilize and empower churches, communities and individuals to carry out Bible translation and language-based community development through linguistic research, translation, functional literacy and Scripture engagement.
- To see the glory of God among the Nations.
- To seek Christlikeness in life and work.
- The Church, as God’s primary instrument of mission in the world.
- The Word of God translated in a language that speaks to the heart.
- Personal and corporate dependence on God.
- Transparence, excellence and responsibility.
- Strategic partnerships with others.
- Empowering the local church and communities.
Our Training Centers
At the heart of CABTAL’s mission are its dedicated training centers, which serve as vital hubs for empowerment and education. These centers equip local community members with the essential skills in linguistics, translation principles, and literacy techniques needed to undertake the profound work of Bible translation.
