When the dream is bigger than you, how do you keep going—especially when the cost gets personal? Journey through the story of Illuminations, where unity, sacrifice, and grace reshape a global mission.

What does it take to unite dozens of organizations, overcome deep fragmentation, and shave a century off a world-changing timeline? In this episode, Aaron Coe sits down with former NFL kicker Todd Peterson, who helped lead a radical collaborative movement to translate the Bible into every language. They explore the hard-won battles behind partnership, the uncomfortable truth about finances in mission, and the real price paid—spiritually and relationally—by leaders who chose to work together. More than just a win for Bible translation, their conversation reveals how humility, generosity, and perseverance can spark acceleration where division once stalled progress.

Key Takeaways:
- How collaborative impact in Bible translation turned competing organizations into partners—and sped up global access by decades
- Why tackling the financial side of mission work is essential for real progress—and how generosity multiplies results
- The personal and spiritual costs paid by leaders who pursue unity, including the unseen battles and setbacks
- Why robust cooperation isn’t just a logistical win, but a spiritual one: God commands blessing where there’s unity
- Practical wisdom for anyone dreaming of collective efforts, from neighborhood projects to global movements

Subscribe for more honest conversations and practical insights.
Like if you found this helpful.

Comment: What’s your biggest lesson about collaboration or generosity?

#BibleTranslation #Leadership #Collaboration #Mission #Illuminations #Generosity #Faith #DontLetTheDreamDie

Timestamps
00:00 My story is a story of grace: Todd Peterson's pivotal college football moment
00:17 “Not on our watch”—spiritual urgency and early resistance
01:12 Introducing Todd Peterson: NFL years and mission-driven life
01:59 Unmerited favor, stewardship, and entering Bible translation
02:59 How passion for youth, sports, and leadership led to a focus on God’s word
03:40 Bible translation’s timeline and the first collaboration spark
04:33 Birth of Illuminations: solving fragmentation, embracing unity
06:20 Painting the landscape: agencies, Bible societies, and the need for partnership
07:33 Early choke points—data, copyright, and sausage making
08:44 The AI challenge: agencies unite instead of competing
09:56 Breaking down giver/receiver dynamics and spiritual arrogance
11:14 Culture shift: unity, vision, and why “not on our watch” matters
12:07 The YouVersion story—why digital distribution required unified effort
12:54 Illuminations as precursor: unity catalyzes solutions
13:38 Repository, access, and self-perpetuating good behavior
15:12 Isaiah 60:3—the biblical heart behind Illuminations
15:34 Solving the distribution issue and unlocking global reach
16:26 Old habits, new tricks: value-driven change accelerates engagement
18:19 What’s next: hurdles and opportunities for collaborative impact
18:51 Collective impact essentials and fundraising breakthroughs
20:21 Brave CEOs, shared donors, and “all boats rise”
22:24 Empirical results: generosity transforms giving
23:19 Why finances are the catalytic third leg of sustainable impact
25:07 The gospel’s model for generosity—and breaking scarcity mindset
27:40 Ministry leaders, business perspective, and trusting God for provision
29:27 Positive reinforcement and winning behavior
29:42 Honoring the personal cost of collaboration
30:54 How far we’ve come: updated timeline and goal for 2033
32:16 What "eradicate Bible poverty" really means—impact metrics
33:28 Aspirational targets, acceleration, and the AI advantage
34:26 Quality, speed, and how Illuminations avoids “sloppy” translation
35:01 Why this level of cooperation is unprecedented in missions history
36:17 The real price: personal, spiritual, and emotional costs paid
37:07 “Is it worth it?”—stories from CEOs and resource partners
39:12 Stakes are high: spiritual warfare and obstacles
39:54 Family adversity, enemy resistance, and staying the course
41:40 Encouragement for those dreaming of working together
42:22 Wisdom for aspiring collaborators: unity, humility, perseverance
45:08 “Team together”—final reflections on why partnership wins
45:23 Football predictions and the lighter side of perseverance
47:02 Celebrating friendship, faithfulness, and the long journey