French

French Language Reach & Demographics

French is one of the world’s most influential languages for Christian ministry:

• Spoken as a first or second language by hundreds of millions of people
• Widely used across Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean
• A primary language of theological education and regional church leadership in many regions

French-speaking churches represent a wide range of traditions and ministry contexts. A single investment in French-language Scripture engagement therefore has the potential to strengthen leaders and communities across multiple countries and generations.

Where French Is Spoken

French is spoken across much of the world, including:

• West and Central Africa
• Europe
• The Caribbean
• Global diaspora communities

Because French is shared across borders and cultures, resources developed for French-language study extend far beyond any single country or denomination.

French in Christian Missions

• As a working language for missionaries serving multilingual regions
• As the primary language of instruction in many seminaries and Bible schools
• As a shared language connecting church networks across Africa and beyond

Despite this central role, many French-speaking leaders lack access to the depth of digital study tools commonly available in English. Strengthening French-language study infrastructure supports faithful teaching, long-term discipleship, and healthy church leadership.

Access vs. Engagement

In French-speaking contexts, Scripture is widely available—but effective study engagement often lags behind.

• Digital study platforms designed primarily for English users
• Limited availability of integrated study features in French
• Fragmented tools that hinder careful reading and comparison
• Continued dependence on print resources or informal workarounds

These limitations affect sermon preparation, teaching clarity, and discipleship depth. Word For All focuses on bridging this gap by enabling French-language leaders to study Scripture within a modern, reliable study environment.

Target French Bible Translations

The French localization initiative focuses on responsibly integrating trusted, widely used French Bible translations into a modern digital study environment.

This work does not create new translations. It enables existing Scripture to be usable, comparable, and study-ready for real ministry contexts.

• Nouvelle Version Internationale (NVI – français)
  A widely used contemporary translation serving evangelical churches across regions.
• La Bible du Semeur (BDS)
  Valued for clarity and accessibility, especially in teaching and discipleship contexts.
• Louis Segond and modern revisions
  Including updated editions that retain familiarity while reflecting contemporary scholarship.
• Additional scholarly French translations
  Selected based on theological credibility, ministry usage, and the availability of structured data such as footnotes and cross-references.

A core goal of this initiative is to support comparative study, enabling users to read and analyze multiple translations side-by-side—an essential practice for careful interpretation and teaching.

Where study metadata is limited or incomplete, part of the localization effort includes acquiring and preparing resources that help fill these gaps, strengthening Scripture engagement across translations.

Why Supporting French Scripture Engagement Matters

• Teaching becomes clearer and more faithful
• Discipleship grows in depth and confidence
• Communities are strengthened through sound biblical instruction

Language-appropriate study tools are foundational to the health of the Church. Supporting French-language Scripture engagement is an investment in leaders who serve faithfully and strengthen communities across cultures and generations.

Partnership & Stewardship

The French language initiative operates under the fiscal sponsorship of New Horizons Foundation, providing charitable oversight, financial accountability, and stewardship in accordance with donor intent.

Word For All focuses on execution and implementation, working with mission-aligned partners to ensure that donor support is applied responsibly toward Scripture engagement across languages.

Support French Scripture Engagement

French-speaking leaders are faithfully serving communities around the world. With access to the right tools, they can study Scripture more deeply and teach it more clearly.

Your support helps make that possible.