Impacting the World with the Love of Jesus & His Word

Allow me to introduce you to an RMCC couple with big hearts:
• Originally from Texas, they spent four years in Australia and are now living in Calgary.
• He’s hard-working, creative, and a talented professionally trained filmmaker.
• She studied Interior Design and excels at organizing, administration and hospitality.
• They have two grown daughters: one in Texas, the other in Toronto.

They are Chris and Brenda Coffyn and with a passion for Jesus Christ and His life-giving Word as their fuel and foundation, they’ve dedicated their lives to serving the LORD as missionaries in the Bible translation ministry.

The Mission

We can easily take for granted having a multitude of choices when purchasing a Bible in English. Yet for many people the Scriptures have not been translated into their language.

Imagine if Pastor Glen only had a Spanish Bible and few of us knew it as a second language! Our understanding of God and His plan for redemption would be limited, don’t you agree?

You’ve probably heard about Wycliffe Bible Translators. Their vision is a world where translated Scriptures lead to transformed lives among people of all languages. Their mission is ending Bible poverty by facilitating the translation of God’s Word among minority language communities worldwide.

Shortly after they were married in the late 1980s, Chris and Brenda joined Wycliffe as full-time missionaries and have served in the video department ever since — first in the US, next in Australia and now in Calgary.

The Goal of Translating the Bible

The vision of Wycliffe Bible Translators and their partner organizations is a Bible for every language group.

Chris and Brenda outline the goal as follows:
• An accurate translation of the source text,
• Translated with clarity to be well-understood, and
• Translated with naturalness—as the target language group would communicate in their language and culture.

“Ultimately, it’s the uncompromising Word of God to truly empower evangelism, discipleship, church planting and so much more; leading to godly transformation.”*

The Coffyns’ Role in Bible Translation

Translating the Scriptures requires a lot including learning another language, developing a support network of prayer and finances, finding schools and teachers for missionary children, literacy, printing Bibles and the list goes on and on.

The unique role that Chris and Brenda fill is through video production and media communication, to get the word out about what God is doing in various places, including the stories of the people in these remote areas and the missionaries who are serving them. Each film contributes to advancing Bible translation around the world, through inspiring, informative conversations and footage.

God has given Chris and Brenda huge hearts for this ministry. They are committed and enthusiastic to share about what the LORD is doing in other peoples’ lives and about the inspiring projects they are privileged to showcase through film, from regions such as Southeast Asia, northern Ontario, Africa and South America.

The Coffyns aren’t just excited about the projects. God has given them a deep compassion for all people, for each individual, that He made and knows by name.

Defining Characteristics

We are blessed to have Chris and Brenda as part of our RMCC family and fellowship.

You’ll recognize Chris by his huge smile and Brenda with hers, warm and sincere. Chris loves to tell engaging, meaningful stories. Brenda is a source of godly wisdom and prayer support. Together they exemplify the Apostle Paul’s description of the Body of Christ: “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased (1 Cor. 12:18 NKJV).”

There is much we can learn from Chris and Brenda including the benefits of:
• Being thankful for God’s provision,
• Serving faithfully wherever the Lord leads, and
• Getting involved in discipleship.

They demonstrate God’s others-centered love by the way they care about people, on a global scale and just as much on a personal level.

How does this apply to you?

Perhaps you’ve sensed the Holy Spirit nudging you to participate in something of eternal significance. If you have an interest in serving in a certain part of the world, there’s a good chance Chris has been there for a filming project.

Connect with Chris and Brenda, ask some questions about their ministry, find out what they are currently working on and how you can pray for them. Maybe there are ways the Lord wants you to be involved! Visit their website — coffynsaga.com — for more info, sample videos and contact info.

Written by Heidi Sharp

*The Coffyn Saga email newsletter, November 2021 Edition