Global Leadership Collaborative

At a critical point in their Bible translation ministry in India, a crisis in their region forced Swapna Alexander and Alex Mathew to leave the village and the community where they served, and upended their ministry. They wanted to quit but a wise ministry leader challenged them to continue.

In this episode, Woody McLendon talks with the husband-and-wife team from Faith Comes By Hearing, where Alex is Vice President of Oral Bible Translation and Swapna is Global Translation Quality Manager. They share how God called each of them to Bible translation, how that season of waiting taught them to train and equip mother-tongue translators, and how God provided in ways they didn't expect.

Swapna also shares the question she asked Alex on one hard day, "Who will read this Bible we are translating?", and how a recording of the Gospel of Mark changed their ministry. Alex shares how oral Bible translation is lowering the ladder for mother-tongue speakers, with more than 600 translation projects now using Faith Comes By Hearing's Render software.

"We really wanted to quit. But the person who was supervising over us at that time said, even if you don't do anything, just stay in the field, don't quit." — Alex Mathew

Guests: Alex Mathew, Vice President of Oral Bible Translation, and Swapna Alexander, Global Translation Quality Manager, Faith Comes By Hearing — https://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com
Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative

If this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction
01:06 Forced Out of the Village
03:45 What God Did While They Waited
05:53 Growing Up With Her Mother's Bible
09:40 Two Calls to Bible Translation
13:31 How Did You Two Meet?
16:06 Mobilizing India for Bible Translation
18:39 Called to the Juang People
22:40 "Who Will Read This Bible?"
26:54 A Call to Leadership and a Lesson From Noah
30:43 Building a Holistic National Organization
34:02 Raising a Family Through It All
36:39 Stepping Down and Moving to Faith Comes By Hearing
41:00 What Is Oral Bible Translation?
43:47 Fun Questions
49:41 Lowering the Ladder
50:47 The Greatest Joys of Leadership
52:03 Challenges and Counsel for Leaders
54:47 Closing Thoughts & Challenge

Subscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1
Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0

Credits: The Global Leadership Collaborative is sponsored by Seed Company and is intended to serve current and aspiring leaders in Bible translation around the world. The podcast host, Woody McLendon, serves as GLC Director at Seed Company and brings over 30 years of ministry experience in Bible translation, including 10 years as President of JAARS, Inc. https://seedcompany.com

Karen Floor keeps a finger painting of a tree in her office. Its roots are as long as the tree itself, a daily reminder that there is no fruit unless our roots go deep into the Scriptures and God's ways.

In this episode, Woody McLendon talks with Karen, Organizational Development Team Lead for SIL Global and former Executive Director of Wycliffe South Africa, about a life and leadership rooted in listening to God. After 20 years serving in Bible translation in Mozambique, Karen and her husband Sebastian spent two weeks praying separately about whether to return home to South Africa, and both heard the same answer. Back home, she was asked to "hold the fort" at Wycliffe South Africa and ended up leading it through a transformational redesign after the apartheid regime fell.

She also shares how language communities knocking at Wycliffe's door led to a profound new approach to ministry for Wycliffe South Africa, how one awkward radio question led six translation ministries to commit to collaboration rather than competition, and why she urges young leaders to be worshippers first, then workers.

"I call it my roots and fruits tree, and it always reminds me to remain rooted in God's Word and His ways because there will never be any fruit unless the roots go deep in the right way." — Karen Floor

Guest: Karen Floor, Organizational Development Team Lead, SIL Global — https://www.sil.org
Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative

If this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction
00:36 Two Weeks of Listening Prayer
06:00 Lean Not on Your Own Understanding
07:09 Growing Up in South Africa
10:26 A Student Awakening
11:43 Yes to Bible Translation, Then to Sebastian
13:19 From Côte d'Ivoire to Mozambique
15:59 Learning Dependence in Mozambique
17:27 Raising Four Sons on the Field
20:55 Holding the Fort at Wycliffe South Africa
24:15 Another Gap to Step Into
25:30 A New Wineskin After Apartheid
29:34 A 40th Anniversary and a New Season
32:44 Communities Knocking at the Door
37:03 A Board That Said Yes
39:40 "Do You Actually Talk to Each Other?"
42:03 Collaboration Rather Than Competition
44:48 Fun Questions
47:10 My Roots and Fruits Tree
50:38 Encouragements and Challenges in the Movement
55:38 Be a Worshipper First
58:16 Closing Thoughts & Challenge

Subscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1
Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0

Credits: The Global Leadership Collaborative is sponsored by Seed Company and is intended to serve current and aspiring leaders in Bible translation around the world. The podcast host, Woody McLendon, serves as GLC Director at Seed Company and brings over 30 years of ministry experience in Bible translation, including 10 years as President of JAARS, Inc. https://seedcompany.com

David Cárdenas describes a third space as a place where different voices are welcome, no one competes, and ministry reflects the values of the Kingdom of God. He has spent his ministry building them, from a boardroom in crisis to round tables across Latin America to his own kitchen table.

In this episode, Woody McLendon talks with David, Americas Area Director for the Wycliffe Global Alliance, about where that conviction began. Just weeks before an International Missions Congress in Bogotá, the convention center caught fire, and David's board chose to stop, pray, and listen together. He shares how 25 years as a mission pastor and six years as President of COMIBAM prepared him for his current ministry in Bible translation. He shares the words from his pastor that released him to lead: "I don't want to cut your wings. I want that you fly."

He also shares the story of the mesas, national round tables where church and Bible translation organization leaders sit at the same table to listen, discern, and build together. And he offers counsel for every leader: lead out of your identity in Christ.

"Don't lead over Jesus' sandals. Jesus' sandals is the place to lead, but don't lead higher than that." — David Cárdenas

Guest: David Cárdenas, Americas Area Director, Wycliffe Global Alliance — https://www.wycliffe.net
Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative

If this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction
00:42 A Fire Weeks Before the Congress
05:03 Building a Third Space
07:16 Growing Up in Bogotá
10:10 Africa Was the First Calling
14:34 I Don't Want to Cut Your Wings
16:51 From COMIBAM Colombia to COMIBAM President
20:12 Discovering Bible Translation
23:12 How Mission Leadership Has Changed
25:46 A Doctorate in Collaboration
29:08 Singleness, Marriage, and a Shared Culture
35:13 Third Spaces and the Mesas
37:49 Building the Peripheral Team
40:30 The Fruit of the Round Tables
43:33 Fun Questions
46:28 The Table That Travels With Me
48:58 A Box of Boarding Passes
51:04 Don't Lead Above Jesus' Sandals
54:29 Hope and Challenges for the Movement
56:54 Closing Thoughts & Challenge

Subscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1
Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0

Credits: The Global Leadership Collaborative is sponsored by Seed Company and is intended to serve current and aspiring leaders in Bible translation around the world. The podcast host, Woody McLendon, serves as GLC Director at Seed Company and brings over 30 years of ministry experience in Bible translation, including 10 years as President of JAARS, Inc. https://seedcompany.com

Maria Vega reached a critical point in her very successful life. Each time she walked into church, she felt God ask her the same question: "Maria, what are you doing for my kingdom?" It took her three years to answer it.

When she finally did, every mission organization she approached said no thanks. Her global business background, they told her kindly, was not what they needed. She gave up, went back to a regular job, and cried. Six months later the phone rang.

In this episode, Woody McLendon talks with Maria about the long road from a successful business career across ten countries in Latin America into Bible translation ministry. She shares how God prepared her and used her experience, after many false starts, to encourage the development of Bible translation organizations and leaders around the world. She also shares powerful insights for Christian leaders serving in Bible translation and beyond.

"Do not think the first closed door is the final answer." — Maria Vega

Guest: Maria Vega, Indonesia Growth Strategy Leader, Seed Company — https://seedcompany.com
Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative

If this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction
00:47 When God Calls and You Are Not Ready
03:54 A Successful Career, and a Question at Church
06:27 Growing Up Between Two Worlds
08:36 The Night That Changed Everything
12:37 A Complete Transformation
15:40 Halftime: From Success to Significance
19:17 What Finally Brought Clarity
20:56 The Hardest Part of Saying Yes
23:05 Entering the World of Bible Translation
26:19 The Door That Stayed Closed
28:48 A Model That Went Global
33:06 What Encourages Me After 17 Years
34:35 Fun Questions
39:31 What Gives You Hope for the Movement?
41:11 Your Goal Is to Become Unnecessary
43:31 Counsel for a Younger Leader
45:27 Closing Thoughts & Challenge

Subscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1
Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0

#BibleTranslation #ChristianLeadership #Missions #WomenInLeadership #SeedCompany

Credits: The Global Leadership Collaborative is sponsored by Seed Company and is intended to serve current and aspiring leaders in Bible translation around the world. The podcast host, Woody McLendon, serves as GLC Director at Seed Company and brings over 30 years of ministry experience in Bible translation, including 10 years as President of JAARS, Inc. https://seedcompany.com

After a cancer diagnosis forced her to step away, Ibu Ayu prayed one bold prayer for the ministry she hoped to return to. In this episode, Woody McLendon talks with Ibu Ayu Soewandi, Executive Director of PPA/GMIM, the Bible translation ministry of the GMIM Church in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Ayu shares her personal journey to faith in Christ and into the ministry of Bible translation.

She also offers hard-won wisdom on leadership, God's provision and favor, and the blessing of women using their gifts to lead.

"Bible translation is more than just a project. It is a call." — Ibu Ayu Soewandi

Guest: Ibu Ayu Soewandi, Executive Director, PPA/GMIM (North Sulawesi, Indonesia)

If this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction

00:35 Facing a Health & Leadership Crisis

03:47 Inside the Ministry of PPA & GMIM

05:56 Early Life & Family Background

07:16 Embracing the Gospel Personally

08:27 God's Call into Bible Translation

11:52 Balancing Family Life & Ministry

13:58 Experiencing God's Provision & Favor

16:44 Stepping into Leadership at PPA

19:17 Encouragement Toward Leadership

20:16 Joy in Team Growth & Impact

24:12 Cultivating Core Values in Leadership

25:16 Challenges of Bible Translation in Indonesia

26:26 Opportunities Amid the Challenges

27:29 Fun Questions

31:27 Women in Leadership in Bible Translation

35:21 Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders

37:47 Hope for the Future of Bible Translation

39:32 Closing Thoughts & Challenge

Subscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1

Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0

#BibleTranslation #ChristianLeadership #WomenInLeadership #Missions

Credits: The Global Leadership Collaborative is sponsored by Seed Company and is intended to serve current and aspiring leaders in Bible translation around the world. The podcast host, Woody McLendon, serves as GLC Director at Seed Company and brings over 30 years of ministry experience in Bible translation, including 10 years as President of JAARS, Inc. https://seedcompany.com

What happens when an entire movement rallies behind a single, audacious vision? In Part 2, Woody McLendon and Dr. Michel Kenmogne explore how Vision 2025 shaped him, personally and as a leader, from CABTAL in Cameroon, to the Wycliffe Global Alliance, to SIL Global and beyond. (New here? Start with Part 1: From a Village in Cameroon to Serve the World.)

Michel shares the lessons he learned about strong relationships, discernment, and God's mission across more than a decade of executive leadership.

He also makes the case for why healthy governance and strong boards matter so much for ministries that want to endure.

"Vision 2025 gave us all something bigger than ourselves to give our lives to." — Dr. Michel Kenmogne

Guest: Dr. Michel Kenmogne, former Executive Director, SIL Global — https://www.sil.org/biography/michel-kenmogne-phd

If this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction
00:46 Vision 2025: The Power of a Big Vision
08:06 Finishing at CABTAL, Moving to the Alliance
13:24 Lessons Learned at CABTAL
17:31 Understanding SIL & the Wycliffe Global Alliance
20:41 Why Strong Relationships Matter
22:43 The Journey to SIL Executive Director
29:08 The Challenges SIL Faced
32:59 Leading at the Midpoint of Vision 2025
36:06 SIL's Unique Role, Explained
39:30 Reflections on a Decade of Leadership
42:29 Fun Questions
48:46 The Critical Role of a Healthy Board
55:29 Building Healthy Board Relationships
58:54 Closing Thoughts & Challenge

Subscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1
Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0

#BibleTranslation #ChristianLeadership #Vision2025 #SIL

Credits: The Global Leadership Collaborative is sponsored by Seed Company and is intended to serve current and aspiring leaders in Bible translation around the world. The podcast host, Woody McLendon, serves as GLC Director at Seed Company and brings over 30 years of ministry experience in Bible translation, including 10 years as President of JAARS, Inc. https://seedcompany.com

From a small village in Western Cameroon, God called Michel Kenmogne into leadership in Bible translation that would go on to bless people around the world. In Part 1 of a two-part conversation, Woody McLendon sits down with Dr. Kenmogne to trace that remarkable journey.

Michel shares how he first understood the Gospel and the biblical principles for decision-making that have guided his leadership ever since.

He also reflects on his early years with CABTAL in Cameroon, the real challenges of leadership, and what it means to keep your family's walk with the Lord at the center.

"We are remembered for the decisions we made or the decisions we failed to make." — Dr. Michel Kenmogne

Guest: Dr. Michel Kenmogne, former Executive Director, SIL Global — https://www.sil.org/biography/michel-kenmogne-phd

If this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction
00:29 Principles for God-Honoring Decisions
07:28 A Childhood in Western Cameroon
09:19 Language & Spiritual Context
12:30 Understanding and Responding to the Gospel
22:56 The Call into Bible Translation
26:28 When the Gospel Came to Ghomala'
30:31 Serving with CABTAL in Cameroon
37:43 Stepping into Leadership at CABTAL
44:48 Nurturing Your Family's Walk with the Lord
46:33 Facing the Challenges of Leadership
51:11 Serving Across Many Cultures
54:33 Fun Questions
57:55 Advice for Future Leaders
59:41 Closing Thoughts & Challenge

Subscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1
Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0

#BibleTranslation #ChristianLeadership #Missions #SIL

Credits: The Global Leadership Collaborative is sponsored by Seed Company and is intended to serve current and aspiring leaders in Bible translation around the world. The podcast host, Woody McLendon, serves as GLC Director at Seed Company and brings over 30 years of ministry experience in Bible translation, including 10 years as President of JAARS, Inc. https://seedcompany.com

As a young child, Wairimu's father wrote prayers and observations in a small book for her. He said of her, "You will be a great woman." In this episode, Woody McLendon talks with Pauline Wairimu Irungu, the first woman to serve as Africa Area Director for the Wycliffe Global Alliance, connecting from Nairobi, Kenya.

Wairimu shares her leadership journey and the principles of spiritual leadership that have shaped her.

She also reflects candidly on serving as a woman in ministry leadership, sustaining herself for the long haul, and mentoring the next generation, with a few fun surprises along the way.

"I started to see that every leadership is spiritual leadership." — Wairimu Irungu

Guest: Pauline Wairimu Irungu, Africa Area Director, Wycliffe Global Alliance • https://www.wycliffe.net

If this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction
03:38 Inside the Wycliffe Global Alliance
05:38 Early Life & Influences
08:18 The Call to Ministry and Bible Translation
12:43 Family & Ministry
15:43 The Call to Leadership
19:14 Principles of Spiritual Leadership
22:48 What Does the Africa Area Director Do?
27:33 The Greatest Joys of Leadership
29:03 Facing a Crisis, Seeing God Move
35:16 Sustaining Yourself as a Leader
39:44 Fun Questions
47:13 Marks of an Effective Leader
50:20 Difficult Behaviors in Leaders
53:06 Mentoring the Next Generation
57:29 Closing Thoughts & Challenge

Subscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1
Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0

#BibleTranslation #ChristianLeadership #WomenInLeadership #Wycliffe

Credits: The Global Leadership Collaborative is sponsored by Seed Company and is intended to serve current and aspiring leaders in Bible translation around the world. The podcast host, Woody McLendon, serves as GLC Director at Seed Company and brings over 30 years of ministry experience in Bible translation, including 10 years as President of JAARS, Inc. https://seedcompany.com

Fewer than 800 of the world's 7,000+ languages have a full Bible — and roughly 500 still await their very first verse. In this launch episode, Woody McLendon sits down with Davis Powell, President and CEO of Seed Company, to introduce the Global Leadership Collaborative and explore what Bible translation looks like today.

Davis shares why encouraging and supporting leaders in Bible translation is so important.

He also shares his own journey from medical missions to leading one of the movement's largest ministries, and the heart for God, people, and leaders that drives it all.

"We are all about sowing the seed of God's Word around the world." — Davis Powell

Guest: Davis Powell, President & CEO, Seed Company — https://seedcompany.com

If this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction
00:44 What Is Bible Translation — and Who Is Seed Company?
05:51 The Journey of Leadership Together
07:35 Challenges of Leadership in Bible Translation
11:40 Davis's Leadership Journey Begins
19:24 From Medical Missions to Bible Translation
24:22 Family & Ministry Together
29:01 Becoming CEO of Seed Company
41:01 The Greatest Joys of Leadership
44:12 What Burdens Weigh on Your Heart?
46:14 Urgency vs. Speed
48:37 How Being CEO Reshaped My Prayer Life
51:02 Fun Questions
57:00 Counsel for Other Leaders
1:03:13 Closing Thoughts & Challenge

Subscribe:

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1

Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0

#BibleTranslation #ChristianLeadership #Missions #SeedCompany

Credits: The Global Leadership Collaborative is sponsored by Seed Company and is intended to serve current and aspiring leaders in Bible translation around the world. The podcast host, Woody McLendon, serves as GLC Director at Seed Company and brings over 30 years of ministry experience in Bible translation, including 10 years as President of JAARS, Inc.
https://seedcompany.com