Francophone Africa in American pews
Over the past twenty years the United States has resettled tens of thousands of refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and immigrants from Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Guinea, Togo and Burkina Faso have built communities in cities from Columbus to Portland, Maine, and from Houston to Charlotte. Many come from deeply Christian homes: Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, revival churches of every kind.
Some plant their own French-speaking congregations, often renting space in an American church on Sunday afternoon. Many others join a local church right away. They sing along, they serve, they bring their kids. But the sermon goes by at native-speaker speed, and English may be their third or fourth language after French and one or two African languages. French captions on the phone let them take in the whole message.
Say it plainly: no Haitian Creole
Haitian Creole is not available in ChurchTranslate. That matters, because Haitians are one of the largest groups of new immigrants in Florida, New York and Massachusetts. Many Haitians, especially those who finished school, understand French well. But Creole is the language of home and of the heart for most of them, and for some French is a school language they never felt at ease in. Do not present French as the answer for your Haitian members; ask them first. More languages may follow.
What about Lingala, Swahili and Kinyarwanda?
Congolese families often speak Lingala or Swahili at home. Lingala is not available; Swahili is, and it may be the better choice for families from eastern Congo. Kinyarwanda carries a Beta label, so test it carefully first. For most francophone Africans in a mixed church, French is the language they all share.
How it works
- 01Scan
Show the QR code on the screens or in the bulletin. It opens the listening page in the browser.
- 02Choose Français
No account, nothing to install. iPhone users can also use the ChurchTranslate app.
- 03Listen or read
With an earbud, the sermon sounds in French a few seconds behind the pastor, with captions on screen. The English original can be shown alongside for those learning English.
The other direction
A French-speaking African congregation that meets in an American church can use the same tool the other way: set French as the speaker language and switch on English for the children who grew up here, for spouses and for members of the host church at a joint service. For a combined Thanksgiving or Easter service with both congregations, that one change brings everyone into the same room.
Cost
One credit is one minute into one language, used only while someone listens. A two-hour service into French uses 120 credits. Adding Swahili for the same service costs another 120, but only if someone chooses it. Plans start at $65 a month for 480 credits. See the pricing.