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Christian Heroes: Then & Now #14
Cameron Townsend: Good News in Every Language
In one decisive moment, Cameron Townsend understood that God had called him to translate the Bible into the language of his Guatemalan friends. For Cam, the obstacles were small in comparison to the growing reward of helping the diverse people of Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru read God's life-changing Word for themselves.
Quick on his feet and slow to give up, Cam started Wycliffe Bible Translators with the dream of making the Good News available in every language. Since 1942, Wycliffe has translated the entire Bible into hundreds of languages, spreading God's word to people all over the world (1896-1982).
Quick on his feet and slow to give up, Cam started Wycliffe Bible Translators with the dream of making the Good News available in every language. Since 1942, Wycliffe has translated the entire Bible into hundreds of languages, spreading God's word to people all over the world (1896-1982).
221 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
48 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Janet Benge
174 books300 followersJanet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 20, 2025
Cameron Townsend was a young missionary in Guatemala in the 1920s and befriended an Indian group there. He translated the New Testament into their language so they could read it for themselves. He did not have any formal linguistic training and it took him 10 years. Despite opposition, he started an organization to translate the Bible into other minority languages. He cultivated young volunteers in the US but it became global and is now called SIL Global. Townsend and the SIL has translated the Bible into 500+ languages. They were honored by the US Congress and President Nixon in 1971.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2020
I read this as part of our morning time to all my school age kids and we loved it!! What an adventurous and inspiring story of what can be accomplished with the Lord’s help and a lot of determination. We can thank Cameron Townsend for the Bible being available on so many languages.
June 21, 2023
What an inspiring read!! Cameron Townsend led an amazing life and his faith is incredible.
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June 22, 2018Read about 3/4...then quit. I had a hard time with the fact that he remarried so quickly after his wife’s death and then married a woman 20 years younger than himself.
Still, what he did for language translation and missionary work is profound.
Still, what he did for language translation and missionary work is profound.
January 9, 2008
Cameron Townsend is the founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators and associated organizations. His life seems somewhat easy, compared to some of the other subjects of the Benges' Christian Heroes series. Unlike missionaries of previous centuries, Mr. Townsend got to travel to the field by automobile and plane and had the blessings of 20th Century medicine. (Then again, you could argue that Townsend's predecessors never had to endure a plane crash, as he did.) Still bringing a worldwide organization dedicated to literacy and Bible translation into being is nothing to sneeze at. Like many biographies, it gets me feeling like I wasted my life. But that's my problem. Like their other books, the Benges present an interesting and inspiring life in an easy, readable style. I wonder if their stuff has ever been translated...
April 11, 2018
Uncle Cam as he was affectionately called was an amazing man. The things God enabled him to accomplish are amazing. He had this incredible dream that there should be a Bible in every human tongue. And amazingly his Wycliffe Bible translators have done more toward that end in the last half century than did all of Christendom in the 1950 years before him. Very inspiring!
(Note: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book. 3 = Very good; 4 = Outstanding {only about 5% of the books I read merit this}; 5 = All time favorites {one of these may come along every 400-500 books})
(Note: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book. 3 = Very good; 4 = Outstanding {only about 5% of the books I read merit this}; 5 = All time favorites {one of these may come along every 400-500 books})
February 29, 2008
"If your God is so powerful, why can't he speak my language." That statement from a tribal Indian in Guatumala, led to the life portrayed in this great biography of Cameron Townsend, founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators. It is an amazing story of being faithful to the call and as a result thousands of people groups who never had a written language of their own now not only have one, but also have the Bible translated in their language.
February 15, 2016
I read this book to my son over the period of a month. We both really enjoyed it. It was neat to see how God used a very ordinary man to have a vision to have the bible in all the different languages of the world.
Sometimes as an English speaker, I forget just how truly spoiled I am to have so many good theological books, commentaries, and different versions of the bible in my language, when there are so many that don't even have the New Testament in their language.
Sometimes as an English speaker, I forget just how truly spoiled I am to have so many good theological books, commentaries, and different versions of the bible in my language, when there are so many that don't even have the New Testament in their language.
January 15, 2016
This series is great for introducing kids to missionary and christian "hero" biographies. With a personal connection to Wycliffe Bible translators, it was very interesting to read how the organization began.
March 2, 2017
I loved learning more about Cameron Townsend. He was a really cool man. There's really not more to say. =)
June 18, 2024
This book is a biography of William Cameron Townsend, who dedicated his life toward getting the Bible translated into every language. It started when he met someone in Guatemala who pointed out that he wasn't interested in a Bible in Spanish because that's not his native language. There are so many more languages in the world than I realized.
Many of these languages and the people who natively speak them are marginalized in their own countries. I liked how it showed how productive a tribal group can be when the language barrier is removed and they have access to learn in their own language.
Although the book cover shows a map of Mexico, that's not the only nation focused on in the book. About half of the book takes place in Guatemala, before he moves on to Mexico, Peru and the Soviet Union. It touches many other countries too from El Salvador to Afghanistan, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the US.
A lot of the book was personally interesting to me because I was a missionary. It was fascinating to learn about the challenges they faced.
Quotes:
"... Cam realized for the first time that he had never actually talked about his faith with a non-Christian. Here...challenging him to share his faith in Spanish, and he had never even tried to do it in English! Worse still, he was a missionary! He wondered how he could have overlooked such an important point." P. 41
"If we will do the possible, God will do the impossible" p. 87
"The greatest missionary of all is the Bible in a person's own language. It never needs a furlough, and it is never considered a foreigner." P. 196
"The legend said that as an angel flew over the area giving out languages, he flew too close to the cliff and ripped open the bottom of his bag on a sharp rock. As a result, languages tumbled out and settled on the valleys below, causing people who lived so closely together to speak so many different languages." P. 208
Many of these languages and the people who natively speak them are marginalized in their own countries. I liked how it showed how productive a tribal group can be when the language barrier is removed and they have access to learn in their own language.
Although the book cover shows a map of Mexico, that's not the only nation focused on in the book. About half of the book takes place in Guatemala, before he moves on to Mexico, Peru and the Soviet Union. It touches many other countries too from El Salvador to Afghanistan, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the US.
A lot of the book was personally interesting to me because I was a missionary. It was fascinating to learn about the challenges they faced.
Quotes:
"... Cam realized for the first time that he had never actually talked about his faith with a non-Christian. Here...challenging him to share his faith in Spanish, and he had never even tried to do it in English! Worse still, he was a missionary! He wondered how he could have overlooked such an important point." P. 41
"If we will do the possible, God will do the impossible" p. 87
"The greatest missionary of all is the Bible in a person's own language. It never needs a furlough, and it is never considered a foreigner." P. 196
"The legend said that as an angel flew over the area giving out languages, he flew too close to the cliff and ripped open the bottom of his bag on a sharp rock. As a result, languages tumbled out and settled on the valleys below, causing people who lived so closely together to speak so many different languages." P. 208
July 9, 2018
Nice easy-read overview biography of Cameron Townsend (Uncle Cam), the founder of Wycliffe Bible translators. Captures his heart, his love for God and people, and the way he was driven to get the Bible into the heart language of everyone in the world. I knew the basic story (and I've often thought I would have loved to have worked in Bible translation myself), but what delighted me was to find that the first language Townsend translated the Bible into was Cakchiquel (as the language is spelled in the book; there are various spellings today). During my frequent trips to Guatemala, I've had the privilege of meeting and getting to know many people who speak this language. So that made this an even more interesting read. Suitable for middle-grade readers (and up) although the vocabulary might be a stretch in places for kids, and the book could have profited from a stronger edit.
May 18, 2022
My kids said they enjoyed this book (1st and 4th grade). It was fairly dry and covered an awful lot of travels and meetings and things that probably weren't a big deal in the grand scheme of things. But still an interesting life story of the founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators and his vision, and a little bit about some of the people groups he worked with, though I would have enjoyed more about that and less travelogue. This was a less violent story than some of the missionary biographies we've read. No murders anyway -- most violent events (a near-drowning, the drowning of a friend, a plane crash, an earthquake) were not described in too much detail, so might be more fitting for a sensitive reader than, say, Gladys Aylward.
February 6, 2016
This book is a wonderful short account of the life and legacy of the founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators and Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL). The book chronicles the absolutely amazing accomplishments of the Lord through William Cameron Townsend. I have read several accounts of the life of Theodore Roosevelt and thought him to have led the fullest life of accomplishment. Well, I have found his rival in Cam Townsend. Cam orchestrated the beginning, development and extension of the organization that brings bibles written in the languages of previously illiterate people groups. Cam’s vision was and is today by Wycliffe Bible Translators to make the Good News available in every language in the world.
Cam Townsend’s work all started as a missionary in Guatemala among the Cakchiquel people. The question these people had was “if your God is so great, why can’t he speak my language”. So it began and Townsend learned the difficult Cakchiquel language and translated the Gospel of Mark for the people; eventually giving them the whole New Testament. The work opened up new opportunities for Indians to become literate and be seen as more than second class in the country. Besides, many trusted Christ. Cam moved on to Mexico where he provided bibles for Indian tribes in their languages, he employed linguists, built relationships with the government, even with President Lazaro Cardenas who became a close friend. The work extended to countries around the world and Wycliffe has placed the Word of God in the hands of countless people who would not otherwise have been able to hear the gospel. Many have been saved though this work. Cam Townsend had said that “the greatest missionary of all is the bible in a person’s own language. It never needs a furlough, and it is never considered a foreigner.”
An additional benefit of the work is that in giving the bible in the language of the people they also receive teaching to be able to read it. Therefore, the people become literate and prosper in their own land. The linguists that bring the gospel also employ the locals in helping with the translations. Schools are established and education is afforded to people who otherwise would be stuck in a gone-by age. Yes Cam Townsend’s vision has gone far beyond what he could have imagined. He once said of reaching Buddhist, Muslim, Communist and other difficult countries with the written Word, “I don’t see how we can fail if we trust God and follow His leadership. ‘All power is given Me in heaven and on earth,’ declared our Lord. ‘Go ye therefore.’”.
This commentary is more of a “book report” than a review. I cannot help it. You see my wife and I have the privilege of knowing personally Cameron Townsend’s daughter, Joy and her husband David, a linguist for SIL in Oaxaca, Mexico sent by Church of the Open Door. They are carrying the tradition along with hundreds of others in Cam’s original quest to spread the gospel to all nations.
“If we will do the possible, God will do the impossible” – Cameron Townsend
Cam Townsend’s work all started as a missionary in Guatemala among the Cakchiquel people. The question these people had was “if your God is so great, why can’t he speak my language”. So it began and Townsend learned the difficult Cakchiquel language and translated the Gospel of Mark for the people; eventually giving them the whole New Testament. The work opened up new opportunities for Indians to become literate and be seen as more than second class in the country. Besides, many trusted Christ. Cam moved on to Mexico where he provided bibles for Indian tribes in their languages, he employed linguists, built relationships with the government, even with President Lazaro Cardenas who became a close friend. The work extended to countries around the world and Wycliffe has placed the Word of God in the hands of countless people who would not otherwise have been able to hear the gospel. Many have been saved though this work. Cam Townsend had said that “the greatest missionary of all is the bible in a person’s own language. It never needs a furlough, and it is never considered a foreigner.”
An additional benefit of the work is that in giving the bible in the language of the people they also receive teaching to be able to read it. Therefore, the people become literate and prosper in their own land. The linguists that bring the gospel also employ the locals in helping with the translations. Schools are established and education is afforded to people who otherwise would be stuck in a gone-by age. Yes Cam Townsend’s vision has gone far beyond what he could have imagined. He once said of reaching Buddhist, Muslim, Communist and other difficult countries with the written Word, “I don’t see how we can fail if we trust God and follow His leadership. ‘All power is given Me in heaven and on earth,’ declared our Lord. ‘Go ye therefore.’”.
This commentary is more of a “book report” than a review. I cannot help it. You see my wife and I have the privilege of knowing personally Cameron Townsend’s daughter, Joy and her husband David, a linguist for SIL in Oaxaca, Mexico sent by Church of the Open Door. They are carrying the tradition along with hundreds of others in Cam’s original quest to spread the gospel to all nations.
“If we will do the possible, God will do the impossible” – Cameron Townsend
October 30, 2023
I read this book as part of our curriculum, and it was so good! It is a great testament to a truly amazing man. The Lord used him in absolutely incredible ways.
March 4, 2020
I've been looking forward to reading this book, since we named our fifth child for Cameron Townsend. I cried at the end twice at the mention of how many Bibles have been translated by his organization. It was very interestingly written. So surreal how his missionary friend inexplicably drowned and his wife would rage at times. From a missionary's perspective, we would have some concerns about some of Wycliffe's emphases (of course, not Bible translation as an overarching goal). Also, I thought Townsend should have finished the Aztec translation, since he was the only one who knew the language. He seemed restless, leaving works half-finished for other people to finish. He did the same thing in Tetelcingo. But God definitely used him as a leader, so that was for the best in the end, I guess. It looks like the Benges misspelled his second wife's maiden name...online it's spelled "Mielke"; the book has "Miekle."
July 23, 2016
It's hard to think of another individual who has had a more a dramatic impact on the global advancement of God's kindgdom than Cameron Townsend. From his first days of evangelizing and selling Spanish Bibles in Central America during WWI to his death in the 1980s, Townsend answered God's call to see the Scriptures translated into over 1,000 languages. From a linguistic standpoint alone, Townsend's pioneering work in writing down unwritten native languages, then teaching a few students to do so, and then creating a huge organization to pursue that goal, is astounding. The doors that were open to him at the highest level of government in several countries, including the Soviet Union of the 1960s, are nothing short of miraculous.
January 20, 2020
As my family has supported missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators for years, I had heard things about Townsend for a while. However, I really enjoyed getting to read this book about him.
One of the things I really appreciated about him was his treatment of his wife, even though she had a mental illness that made her go into rages for no reason. They served together for years, and he seemed very devoted to her.
It renewed my love for supporting those translating the scriptures and bringing them to the peoples of the world.
One of the things I really appreciated about him was his treatment of his wife, even though she had a mental illness that made her go into rages for no reason. They served together for years, and he seemed very devoted to her.
It renewed my love for supporting those translating the scriptures and bringing them to the peoples of the world.
October 23, 2016
This is an amazing book about how God used Cam in founding Wycliff Bible Translators and the people he met who helped him along the way. It was very encouraging reading about how much the Mexican president helped him and so many other people supported his work. Cam has such great vision that more than 500 languages were translated into Bibles. God has gifted him with the wonderful talent of being a linguist even though he wasn't able to finish college due to the war. Wonderful book!!
March 22, 2017
Cameron Townsend led an inspirational life as he strove to translate the Bible into as many languages as he could during his life. His love of God and other people is truly convicting. However, this book was one of the driest books I've ever read. I feel like a lot could have been condensed here and that would have made his testimony more impactful to the young reader with whom I was sharing this book.
October 19, 2012
I read this book with my wife and daughter as part of my daughter's third grade curriculum.
This book was geared for young readers, so it was a fairly quick and easy read for an adult. I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure of Townsend's life, especially since it had purpose to it. Anybody who had an interest in Christian missions will enjoy and appreciate this book.
This book was geared for young readers, so it was a fairly quick and easy read for an adult. I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure of Townsend's life, especially since it had purpose to it. Anybody who had an interest in Christian missions will enjoy and appreciate this book.
September 20, 2015
What a satisfying read! I just read Cameron Townsend to my children, and as always when we read one from this series, they wanted me to keep going till we finished. I’m always astounded at how they get into these books.
Read my full review here.
September 8, 2012
eh?! get to the point. the story was good but the writing drowned a bit. if i had read it in a about fiften pages of the sum i might have enjoyed it, but some people LOVE writing insignifcant details.
January 29, 2015
Very good book about a man who played a vital role in seeing the Bible translated to millions. Fantastic determination and desire were key strengths of Cameron Townsend. I enjoyed the book, although not as much as some of the others I have read.
November 18, 2015
Cameron Townsend founded Wycliffe Bible Translators. He started in Central America, and his goal was to get New Testament Bibles translated into every language. Wycliffe has made great progress toward that goal.
September 22, 2017
Confusing, but still pretty good. Definitely not as good as their books about George Muller, or Mary Slessor for instance. When I say 'not as good' I mean the story wasn't of the same quality, but the facts are still very interesting!
January 20, 2008
Cameron Townsend's life is an amazing example of how God works out everything for the good of those who love Him and how He looks after every detail. Amazing!
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August 6, 2008Copies: 2
February 16, 2012
It was very good. I especially enjoyed learning that he knew so many languages
March 14, 2012
Not so great, but had some interesting parts. He did a lot to educate native people in many countries!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews