Help Us Translate Worship Matters into Spanish!

tribute_1-610x300Since my book, Worship Matters, first came out in 2008, I’ve been greatly encouraged and humbled to hear how God has used it in the lives of planners, pastors, leaders, and musicians to promote singing in the church that is theologically aware, gospel driven, emotionally engaged, Spirit-empowered, and life changing.

The core of the book unpacks a definition for a “worship leader.” While I don’t think God has a specific job description for that role in Scripture, the almost universal use of the term led me to come up with a definition I trust is faithful to the Bible. I blogged on it years ago here, but eventually landed on this definition:

A faithful worship leader
magnifies the greatness of God in Jesus Christ
through the power of the Holy Spirit
by skillfully combining Godʼs Word with music,
thereby motivating the gathered church
to proclaim the gospel,
to cherish Godʼs presence,
and to live for Godʼs glory. 

Since the book came out it’s been published in Portuguese, Indonesian, Chinese, Korean, and Russian. But for some reason, we haven’t been able to find a Spanish publisher willing to take it on. It hasn’t been for lack of trying. I have numerous friends, especially Mauricio Velarde, who have been working on it to no avail. Crossway’s policy is that they’ll only give translation rights to a publisher, not an individual.

It’s been my prayer that Worship Matters could be published in Spanish for a number of reasons. We’ve been producing Spanish albums for a number of years. Sovereign Grace has a church in Juarez, Mexico led by Carlos Contreras, that has been faithfully translating and singing our songs for decades. We’ve also been working with our good friends at La IBI, led by Miguel Nuñez, in the Dominican Republic, to produce two Spanish albums, El Dios que Adoramos, and the soon to be released, La Salvación es del Señor. All the while, we’ve wanted to serve our Hispanic brothers and sisters not only with worship music, but theological training.

I was starting to think we’d never have a Spanish version of Worship Matters. But this past year, my son, Devon, made contact with Seth Magnuson, who works for The Gospel Coalition. Seth told us about The Gospel Coalition International Outreach and something called Relief Projects. They raise money to publish books in other languages to address the famine of theological resources that exists throughout the world.

Through a series of conversations with Crossway and The Gospel Coalition, Relief Projects graciously agreed to take on Worship Matters as one of their books. I was honored and thrilled. They’re seeking to raise $11,000 to produce 5000 Spanish copies of Worship Matters. These will all be given away in various contexts to targeted individuals and ministries. People can also sign up to take copies of the book to Latin countries they’ll be traveling to through Packing Hope.

At some point, the translation will be made available online for download or viewing. It’s also possible a publisher might eventually pick up the translation.

Why am I telling you this? If you’ve benefited from the English version of Worship Matters, or even this blog, I’m asking if you’d consider giving towards the costs of producing a Spanish version. If 1100 people gave $10 each, we’d reach our goal.

To find out more about the project and/or to donate go to the (Spanish) Worship Matters Relief Project page. And whether or not you can give, please pray that God enables the Relief Project to be a means of great blessing to the Church throughout the world for the sake of the gospel and the glory of our great Savior.

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21 Responses to Help Us Translate Worship Matters into Spanish!

  1. SG Liter November 25, 2014 at 9:19 AM #

    It has also been published in Bulgarian and has been a blessing in the churches here. so glad to see it getting a wider audience.

  2. Robert Fraser November 25, 2014 at 1:40 PM #

    Hi Bob!
    This is great news, I live in Argentina and have been leading worship in our church for some time (in Spanish!), when I read Worship Matters, it automatically became my number one reference book on the subject! I have used your teachings among our worship team, and at courses in our denomination, but it would be great to have a Spanish translation available. I have just completed a donation! Thanks again and many blessing to you and SG ministries
    Robert

  3. Benja November 25, 2014 at 6:59 PM #

    Excelente noticia!

  4. Steve Simms November 26, 2014 at 10:19 PM #

    My favorite definition for worship leader is: the lead worshiper in a church meeting who pours out her/his heart to God and sets an example of passionate, heart-felt worship for others to follow.

  5. Chris Forbes January 10, 2015 at 11:01 PM #

    Hello Bob. I think this is a stupendous idea. I want to donate and also receive more than one copy of the book in Spanish for our Spanish congregation….does that happen when I donate? I know that through kickstarter campaigns the one who gives (little or more) always receives a copy of what they contributed towards. I’m not sure if that is what happens with this campaign….I might be confussed. I know that the noble intent of this project is to supply other churches in the latin world for this needed resource……I had always wondered why this book was never translated into Spanish and NOW I know why. Thanks for your time.

    • Bob Kauflin January 11, 2015 at 7:22 AM #

      Chris, thanks for your encouragement! We will have a limited number we can give away and I will be happy to send you one!

  6. Osvaldo March 20, 2015 at 11:35 AM #

    I dream of the day when we will have the translated your music and recorded in Portuguese. It would be a blessing to Brazil. May God continue to bless this ministry.

    • Bob Kauflin March 20, 2015 at 12:27 PM #

      Osvaldo, we’re working on a Portuguese album. Please pray that we will find some good Portuguese vocalists!

  7. Alexis June 16, 2015 at 1:57 AM #

    Hello Bob,

    I am happy for this news. Friends and me have started to translate the first and second chapter of the book in Spanish. I do not know if you want us to send you our translation when finished.

    Be blessed

    • Bob Kauflin June 16, 2015 at 7:37 AM #

      Thank you, Alexis! The translation is done and will be published September 2016, Lord willing.

      • Alexis June 16, 2015 at 12:06 PM #

        Where I can pre-order ?

        • Bob Kauflin June 16, 2015 at 12:47 PM #

          Alexis, it will be published through Lifeway, but I don’t think it’s available for pre-order yet.

          • Lindele June 16, 2015 at 6:42 PM #

            I’ve pre-ordered it through Amazon.

          • Lindele June 16, 2015 at 6:44 PM #

            Oops, guess what I ordered was the new book! Should have read more carefully!

          • Alexis June 16, 2015 at 11:59 PM #

            I’ll be the first to buy it. Thanks Bob for the information, may God bless you

  8. Sarah Serrano November 21, 2015 at 9:37 AM #

    This is an answered prayer. I will donate, but also reach out to some contacts I have in the publishing business here in the South Florida region where we have so many Hispanic ministries (spanish and Bilingual ministries).

    • Bob Kauflin November 22, 2015 at 7:57 PM #

      Sarah, thanks for your encouraging words! WE found a publisher, Lifeway, who should be releasing the book some time next summer. In the mean time, The Gospel Coalition is giving away free copies to Hispanics outside the U.S. Hope that helps!

  9. Hyunsu Jeong February 2, 2017 at 3:33 PM #

    Where can I find the other translated versions of the books??? (Possibly, Chinese, Korean and Russian?)

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