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"Fear of the Lord is the beginning -- and basic assumption -- of wisdom in that it sets up the only ultimately adequate epistemological starting point." |
-- Kenneth Pike, With Heart and Mind |
| More key figures from Wycliffe's history |
Ken Pike's roots were strong in both faith and science. His father was a preacher, and his grandfather was a medical missionary. Ken's
Throughout his life, Ken became a world-recognized scholar, equally strong in God and in the scientific study of God's world. Achieving that unusual balance wasn't easy.
The road to service
Ken applied to the China Inland Mission twice and was rejected both times because of potential health problems.
He then learned of Cameron Townsend's new group, with its mission focused on translating the Bible. Ready to test his linguistic abilities, Ken decided to check it out.
His cross-country venture began in 1935 when he packed a single suitcase and hitchhiked from Connecticut to Sulphur Springs, Ark., beginning his decades of service and contributions to Wycliffe Bible Translators, and to the studies of linguistics and anthropology.
The journey to success
Ken survived the journey and settled in to the studies at Camp Wycliffe. His first summer course marked the beginning of his life's work and his lifetime association with Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Over the next 12 years, he helped complete Wycliffe's first New Testament translation, the San Miguel Mixtec New Testament, and earned a Ph.D. in linguistics at the University of Michigan.
He also became the first president of the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), Wycliffe's sister organization involved in training and fieldwork.
Throughout 37 years as SIL's president, Ken expanded the work to more than 50 countries and helped establish its academic integrity. An author of more than 20 books and 200 articles, Ken became an internationally recognized linguistic scholar.
More than a scholar
During an American Anthropological Association annual meeting in 1988, Ken served on a panel defending a concept he coined. In the midst of the four-hour debate, a man in the audience asked him a question.
Responding, Ken started describing an incident that happened in Russia, but he couldn't remember a name. Looking out into the audience, he said, "Evelyn, are you out there? Who was that man we had dinner with in Moscow?"
Sitting in the back of the auditorium, she stood up and replied, and he finished answering the question. The moderator of the debate then announced Ken and Evelyn were celebrating their golden anniversary.
Without a moment's hesitation, Ken stood up and leaned across the table to blow his wife a kiss.
Nobel Prize nominee -- 16 times
Ken received numerous awards and honorary degrees for his achievements -- including 16 consecutive nominations for the Nobel Prize. But his focus remained on serving God.
"I've done this (work) to serve God with both mind and heart, as Jesus told us to do," Ken once said. "I want to try to help other people as I would wish them to help me if I were in their place, as a pre-literate ethnic person. This, too, is following a command from my Creator-Boss."
Spreading God's love
Ken's obedience helped provide God's Word and basic literacy skills to thousands of people around the world. According to the late U.S. Senator Paul Simon, "No other individual or group has done more for some of the most downtrodden of the world."
Ken Pike's legacy continues today. You can become part of it when you support Bible translation efforts and linguistics training through gift planning. Call toll-free (866) 379-7746 or e-mail to find out how.
When you remember Bible translation in your will, trust or other gift planning arrangment with the Wycliffe Foundation, you become a member of the William Cameron Townsend Legacy Society, a group of Christians dedicated to bringing the Word to the one billion people without.
Please call toll-free (866) 379-7746 or e-mail
to find out how gift planning can work for you.
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