From Jehovah’s Witnesses of the United States of America Organization
‘Straight to the Heart’: Unprecedented Translation Work brings Words to Life for Millions
Jin Gim (pronounced Kim) joined his family in the United States when he was 28 years old. Montgomery resident Gim was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea and did not speak English. However, prior to his arrival, he had been baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The organization first began publishing the Watchtower and Awake! magazines in the Korean language in 1952. Today, in the Republic of Korea there are 1,270 congregations. However, in Alabama, there is only one.
Says Gim, “I knew very few words of English when I first came to the U.S., and it’s still hard for me. It’s really awesome and fantastic that I can attend meetings and study Christian publications in my own language.”
Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses put so much effort into translation, including for some smaller language groups?
“We understand that a region’s official language may not be the language of a person’s heart,” said Robert Hendriks, the U.S. spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
In the United States alone, some 67 million residents speak a language other than English at home.
According to UNESCO, education based on the language one speaks at home results in better quality learning, fosters respect and helps preserve cultural and traditional heritage. “The inclusion of languages in the digital world and the creation of inclusive learning content is vital,” according to its website.
That’s true for all ages and for all types of education.
“Translating spiritually uplifting material into over 1,000 languages takes a considerable amount of time and resources,” said Hendriks, “but we know that reaching a person’s heart with the Bible’s comforting message can only be accomplished if they fully understand it.”
Gim and others in the Korean-language congregation regularly reach out to their Korean-speaking neighbors in Montgomery. Although the door-to-door work of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been suspended since March 2020, they continue their ministry by writing letters and making telephone calls. Before the pandemic, Gim recalls engaging in the door-to-door work and one resident, who had recently arrived from Korea, remarked, “Oh, my! The Witnesses are here, too!”
Before moving to Alabama, Gim had also assisted Korean-speaking Witnesses in
California, North Carolina, and Georgia.
“No matter where I live, my fellow Christian friends are always there to help me,” says Gim. “My family and I have always been welcomed and we know that as Jehovah’s Witnesses, we are all one.”
To learn more about the translation work of Jehovah’s Witnesses visit
