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A Multi-Generational Journey to the Isnag Bible
For some communities, translating God’s Word into the language they best understand is a process that spans decades and generations.
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Scripture inspires personal and community transformation along the way, communicating the boundless dignity and worth that God has freely given each of His children.
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Bible translation dramatically shifts how members of a community engage with God and one another, both individually and collectively.
The transformative power of Bible translation doesn’t end when the completed books are placed in the hands of the community. Instead, it inspires discipleship and leadership for generations to come.
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Such was the case in the northern Philippines, where the Isnag people waited — and diligently worked — for multiple generations to receive a full translation of the Bible in their language.
Come with us to the village of Dibagat. Here, you’ll witness the inspiring, multi-generational journey to the Isnag Bible.
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Meet Nard Pugyao
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For the Isnag people, the real journey is only just the beginning. They can now clearly see and know the God who loves them.
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1956
Nard Pugyao was 7 years old when he first encountered Scripture in 1956.
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Wycliffe missionary Richard “Dick” Roe moved into 7-year-old Nard’s village in the Philippines to begin translating the Bible into Isnag.
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Imagine how young Nard and the Isnags might have welcomed Dick Roe to Dibagat.
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Did they excitedly greet him at the grass airstrip when his plane landed?
Might they have taken him on a tour of their village?
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
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Nard watched Dick learn his language, called Isnag, and begin to translate the Gospel of Mark. Nard was curious about God, so he began to study the booklet Dick was working on.
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1961
Nard read from the Book of Mark in Isnag and was awed at God’s love for him and accepted Christ!
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He learned that God had allowed His one and only Son, Jesus, to be killed. Nard was angry and wanted to know why God hadn’t protected His Son!
At just 7 years old, Nard grappled with questions far bigger than himself.
Nard’s big questions ultimately planted seeds that grew into his lifelong mission.
Have you wrestled with questions about God that felt insurmountable?
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He continued to read and learned that Jesus didn’t stay dead; He was risen! Jesus was victorious over death!
Nard was amazed, and he decided he wanted to give his heart to Jesus. It wasn’t long before he also knew that he wanted to be a part of helping others get the Bible in their own language.
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For more than six decades, many people from the Isnag community in the northern Philippines have responded to God’s call.
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Nard is only part of this multi-generational story. Let’s meet some other Bible translation leaders who made the Isnag Bible possible.
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Meet Rudy Barlaan
Rudy Barlaan, a Filipino Bible translation consultant for Wycliffe partner SIL Philippines, moved to Dibagat to train as a translator in 1971. He planned to work there for one year before moving on, but God had other plans.
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1971
Virginia Beach Community Chapel partnered with the Isnag translation project, supporting Rudy’s ministry financially.
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Ultimately, Rudy remained in Dibagat and joined Dick Roe in the translation work.
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Together, the translators worked diligently to bring the New Testament to the Isnag people.
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1982
Isnag New Testament dedicated.
In 1982, the Isnag New Testament was completed and distributed.
At the time, Old Testament translation wasn’t part of SIL Philippines’ strategy.
In 1982, the Isnag New Testament was completed and distributed.
At the time, Old Testament translation wasn’t part of SIL Philippines’ strategy.
2006
Revised Isnag New Testament, plus Genesis and Exodus, dedicated.
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So it seemed like the work was done...
But — plot twist! — God once again had other plans. He sent someone to help Rudy continue translating.
Did you know ... ?
Isnag is the native language of the Isnag people. However, most Isnags also speak Ilocano.
Fun fact: The Illocano people refer to the Isnags as Isnegs.
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MEET MARK PUGYAO
Rudy invited Nard’s nephew, Mark Pugyao, to join the Bible translation effort. Mark had pastored the Dibagat Bible Church for a year prior. He agreed to join Rudy in this vital work.
After completing school, Mark translated the remaining Old Testament books into Isnag, with Rudy acting as a consultant.
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2023
Finally on June 25, 2023 the full Isnag Bible was dedicated!
This moment marked both the culmination of a long journey and the beginning of a new chapter, shaped by challenges and profound faith.
Today the Isnag people have the joy of experiencing God’s entire Word in their language.
This moment marked both the culmination of a long journey and the beginning of a new chapter, shaped by challenges and profound faith.
Today the Isnag people have the joy of experiencing God’s entire Word in their language.
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How long do you think it took to complete the translation of the Isnag Bible?
Actually it was 66 years. This monumental effort spanned generations, requiring translators, community leaders and supporters to work together with an unshakable commitment.
That’s right! 66 years of unwavering commitment to complete the translation. This wasn’t just the work of one person or even one generation. It was a story of collaboration, perseverance, and faith passed down across decades.
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For Nard, Rudy, Mark and the entire Isnag community, the wait is over. They hold the full counsel of God's Word in their hands.
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As the Isnag celebrated, it was abundantly clear: Not only had God been faithful to them, but they had been faithful to Him too.
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Nard, Rudy and Mark persevered for decades, investing their lives in getting the Isnag Bible into their people’s hands and hearts.
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How many Isnag believers were baptized during the dedication ceremony?
Close; it was 34 Isnag believers that proclaimed their faith through baptism!
That’s right! 66 years of unwavering commitment to complete the translation. This wasn’t just the work of one person or even one generation. It was a story of collaboration, perseverance, and faith passed down across decades.
For the Isnag people, the real journey is only just beginning. They can now clearly see and know the God who loves them.
Their children will be the first generation of Isnags who won’t have to wait to encounter Jesus personally!
Their children will be the first generation of Isnags who won’t have to wait to encounter Jesus personally!
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Did you know ... ?
The Isnag people grow sweet pineapples on every hill in Dibagat. What a refreshing treat after a long day of Bible translation work!
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MEET ENOL PAUL
Nard’s niece, Enol Paul, rejoiced for the opportunities and new life this will bring.
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Enol told the story of a 69-year-old woman who had spent a lifetime hearing about Jesus in her own language. Yet, it was only after the woman had the whole Bible that the Good News fully sank in and began to transform her.
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Did you know ... ?
Agriculture drives the economy for the Isnag people. They grow and produce coffee, coconut, corn, rice, tobacco, and more.
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A Future full of hope
The Isnag people now have the full Bible, but their story isn’t complete yet!
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Rudy’s work continues. He has faithfully served the Lord for decades and intends to continue for the rest of his life.
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Lives are impacted for all eternity with every new language engaged, every Bible translation project started and every Scripture completed. Nard, Rudy, Mark and Enol are just a handful of the stories of God’s transforming power.
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God’s plans have been carried out for the Isnag, and they will continue to be carried out as the next generation grows up with the full counsel of God's Word in a language and format they clearly understand.
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This is why Bible translation matters: It shows people they have value and worth, and that God sees and loves them. He knows them personally — even when they live in a small, remote village in the northern Philippines.
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At the Isnag Bible dedication, the theme verse was Isaiah 40:8.
"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Through God’s faithfulness to the Isnag, His complete Word is now in their hands and hearts, where it will stand forever.
Through God’s faithfulness to the Isnag, His complete Word is now in their hands and hearts, where it will stand forever.
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The gospel is truly for everyone, no matter where we live or what language we use!
Extend the Legacy of God’s Word
God’s faithfulness to the Isnags is a beautiful reminder that His Word transforms lives — not just today, but for generations to come. You can help bring that same hope to communities still waiting to hold Scripture in their hands.
Lord, thank You for the wonderful work You have done by giving the entire gospel to the Isnag people in their language! May You continue to empower the global Church to reach the remaining language groups with Your Word.
Did you know ... ?
Translation is rarely the work of one person or even one generation. It’s a story of collaboration across decades, requiring faith, perseverance and the passing of the mission to future leaders. For Nard and his community, Bible translation affirmed that their Isnag language, community and identity are valuable in God’s eyes.