Chris (LCC ’94, LCS ’94-’95) and Lori (LCC ’94-’95) Urton joined Pioneer Bible Translators (PBT) in 1993. PBT’s vision is “Transformed lives through God’s Word in every language.” In 1998 Chris and Lori Urton and their two children, Stephanie (LCC ’03) and Ryne (LCC ’06-’07), left the USA for Papua New Guinea (PNG) and worked in a support role for other translation teams for 15 months. Upon their return to PNG in 2000 Chris conducted two socio-linguistic surveys. The second survey was of the Sob language group. On October 17, 2001 they allocated among the Sob people in the village of Igoi.
They then began learning and analyzing the Sob language. In 2007 the book of Jonah was published and became the first scripture in the Sob language. And in 2015 the book of Luke was published. The book of Luke is also available in audio. The books of Acts, Philippians, James, Titus, Philemon, 2 John, 3 John and Jude are in various stages of the checking process.
In 2012 Lori had to return to the USA for medical reasons. They currently reside in Bloomington, IL and Chris makes 3 trips a year to PNG. Chris also works as a consultant for other languages in PNG to move their programs along in bringing God’s Word to the bibleless. Chris has also taken on the task of writing translation notes in Tok Pisin (the trade language of PNG) for use in THiPP (Translation Helps in PNG Pidgin) that will be used by numerous language groups in PNG.
For giving to the ministry, please visit: www.pioneerbible.org/give/ChrisAndLoriUrton