Our paths in life are rarely simple. We experience both good times and difficulties, and we often encounter detours. But Scripture reminds us of who is ultimately guiding us on this journey: “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9, NLT).
God used Jacqueline Huggins’ journey to radically transform her from a woman who was once determined to disprove God to becoming the first African American woman to complete a New Testament translation. Her story is a reminder of God’s redemption, what happens when we obey Him and how he uses His Word to transform us from the inside out.
But God also used Jacqueline’s life to impact people thousands of miles away from her: the Kagayanen people of the Philippines. And today God continues to prove His faithfulness over and over again in the global movement of Bible translation as people encounter Him through Scripture in a language that resonates with their heart.
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) reminds us that God is able “… to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” when we follow His call!
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A Milestone Made Possible: Celebration in the Philippines
In Puerto Princesa City, history was made on April 19, 2008, as the Kagayanen people dedicated their New Testament! This celebration marked the first New Testament translation completed with the help of an African American woman — Jacqueline Huggins.
From Foster Care to Fierce Skeptic
Before she met Jesus, Jacqueline never imagined that one day she’d be a Bible translator, much less that she’d make Christian history. She’d been hurt as a foster child in a home where abuse and religion seemed to coexist. Her young heart decided to shut God out. How could He be real if He allowed such things to happen?
As a young adult, Jacqueline became an “anti-evangelist” who went around trying to persuade others that there was no God, and the Bible couldn’t possibly be His Word. The philosophy she preached excluded God and any need for Him. When a chance came up to go to a Bible study, she saw it as an entire audience of misguided Christians that she could set straight.
New Life: A Divine Encounter
But she didn’t make it to the Bible study that night. Without warning, her cat got sick and died. The event made Jacqueline wonder, “Wouldn’t it be something if there really was a God, and I’m the one that’s wrong?” She decided to try talking to Him.
“Here I am. If there is a God, it’s just You and me now. If You exist, You ought to be able to see me now; You ought to be able to hear me. If You’re there, prove it!”
A voice in her mind answered, “Go get your Bible.”
“I don’t have a Bible.”
“Yes, you do. Remember the Bible your friend’s aunt gave you a month ago for your birthday?”
“But I threw that away!”
“No, you didn’t.”
Jacqueline tore through her house and finally found her Bible.
“Okay, here I am with the Bible. What am I supposed to do with it?”
“Look in the back. Look up the word ‘repentance.’”
“What’s that?” Jacqueline didn’t understand the word, but she looked it up in the concordance, which led her to read Romans 2:4 — “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (NLT) When Jacqueline read those words, she repented and entered a new life with Jesus.
And so the “anti-evangelist” became a lover of God who delighted in telling others about Him. After she started ministering in the prisons, nursing homes, hospitals and juvenile detention centers of Philadelphia, Jacqueline finally heard God say, “It’s time to go to the uttermost parts.” Then, after a time of searching and training, she began sharing God’s amazing Word with others as a Bible translator. After all, it was the Word that God used to rescue her.
New Calling: Translation Takes a Team
After over two decades of missions work, history remembers Jacqueline as the first African American woman to finish a New Testament translation! But she’ll be the first to tell you that she didn’t do it alone. Scott and Louise MacGregor started the project in 1976. A decade later, Jacqueline and her translation colleague, Carol Pebley, were assigned to the Kagayanen on Cagayancillo Island.
Despite being legally blind, Carol held a master’s degree in linguistics. Eventually serving remotely from Manila, she faithfully worked on the translation for over 20 years. Kagayanen team members included Richard, Merly, Menzie, Nerie, Darlie, Nida, Eufemia, Yumi, Marifi and Sarah. God also brought Michael Wan and Josephine Wan to serve as support workers for the team, taking care of administrative duties and financial matters.
A Dedication to Remember
The Kagayanen New Testament dedication was an incredible time of honoring the entire team’s work and glorifying God — the God who chose a wounded foster child and a blind woman to provide His Word in “the uttermost parts” of the earth.
The same God who invited Jacqueline into His global story is still calling people today — and that invitation includes you.
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Why Stories Like Jacqueline’s Matter
At Wycliffe, we believe that God uses regular people to accomplish His mission — people just like Jacqueline, Carol and the Kagayanen team. Their stories reflect our vision: That people from every language will understand the Bible and be transformed.
This work is about more than just translating words — it’s about the living Word of God capturing hearts and changing lives forever. Jacqueline’s story is a reminder of what God can do when we respond to His call, offer what we have and trust Him to do the rest.
We rejoice with the Kagayanen who now have access to the gospel. But we also know that today there are still many people groups around the world who lack access to Scripture in their language. Stories like Jacqueline’s, Carol’s and many others remind us that everyone has a role to play in this Kingdom mission. When we say “yes” to God’s call to be part of the work of Bible translation, He uses ordinary people to do miracles.
