Wycliffe Bible Translators has launched two videos about singer-songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones’ journey to Ethiopia to attend a music workshop for the Gamo language group. The two videos explore Gareth’s personal journey during the week, and reveal the inspiration for his latest album, Your Way of Singing.

The purpose of the workshop was to help the Gamo people to write Scripture-based songs in their language. Gareth took a full part in the workshop, attending the teaching sessions, hanging out with the Gamo, and learning about their culture. Along the way, he had some profound revelations about the importance of being able to use your own language – particularly in a church community.

Gareth comments: ‘My time in Ethiopia had a deep impact on me – as a person and as a songwriter. These videos perfectly capture the eye-opening journey I went on that week. I believe they will challenge and enlarge the viewer’s worldview, just as I had my worldview challenged and enlarged during my time there. And the Gamo musicians and their music are so exhilarating and full of joy – it’s worth watching just for that!’

The videos comprise a 3-minute and a 7-minute version. They are available at wycliffe.org.uk/garethsjourney

To complete the experience, viewers can listen to Your Way of Singing, the CD of songs that Gareth has created following the trip, available at wycliffe.org.uk/yourway.

Notes to Editors

1. For further information, call Jeremy Weightman on the Wycliffe Communications Team on 0300 303 1111.

2. Wycliffe Bible Translators seeks to enable all peoples to engage with the Bible in a language that speaks to them best. It does this through a range of activities, including Bible translation, literacy and Scripture use initiatives. Currently, Wycliffe has 363 people from the UK and Ireland serving 486 million people who speak 368 languages in 71 countries. Of the 7,300 or so languages spoken worldwide today, only about 700 have the Bible. Around 1.5 billion people (1 in every 5 people) do not have the Bible in their language. As a result, translation of the Bible into people’s languages is one of the critical needs in world mission, to enable the growth of evangelism and discipleship ministries.

3. Images. You can download the following images to accompany the press release, by clicking on the ‘Image’ link:

Image 1 – Gareth all smiles

Image 2 – Gareth claps with the Gamo

Image 3 – Gareth plays a krar (similar to a guitar)

Image 4 – Gareth sings along in the village

Image 5 – Playing along with a Gamo woman

Image 6 – Sharing a joke

Image 7 – Your Way of Singing cover and booklet