Global Leadership Collaborative

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 VegaGuest: Maria Vega, Indonesia Growth Strategy Leader, Seed Company — https://seedcompany.comLearn more: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborativeIf this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.Chapters:00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction00:47 When God Calls and You Are Not Ready03:54 A Successful Career, and a Question at Church06:27 Growing Up Between Two Worlds08:36 The Night That Changed Everything12:37 A Complete Transformation15:40 Halftime: From Success to Significance19:17 What Finally Brought Clarity20:56 The Hardest Part of Saying Yes23:05 Entering the World of Bible Translation26:19 The Door That Stayed Closed28:48 A Model That Went Global33:06 What Encourages Me After 17 Years34:35 Fun Questions39:31 What Gives You Hope for the Movement?41:11 Your Goal Is to Become Unnecessary43:31 Counsel for a Younger Leader45:27 Closing Thoughts & ChallengeSubscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0#BibleTranslation #ChristianLeadership #Missions #WomenInLeadership #SeedCompanyCredits: 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 SoewandiGuest: 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 Introduction00:35 Facing a Health & Leadership Crisis03:47 Inside the Ministry of PPA & GMIM05:56 Early Life & Family Background07:16 Embracing the Gospel Personally08:27 God's Call into Bible Translation11:52 Balancing Family Life & Ministry13:58 Experiencing God's Provision & Favor16:44 Stepping into Leadership at PPA19:17 Encouragement Toward Leadership20:16 Joy in Team Growth & Impact24:12 Cultivating Core Values in Leadership25:16 Challenges of Bible Translation in Indonesia26:26 Opportunities Amid the Challenges27:29 Fun Questions31:27 Women in Leadership in Bible Translation35:21 Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders37:47 Hope for the Future of Bible Translation39:32 Closing Thoughts & ChallengeSubscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0#BibleTranslation #ChristianLeadership #WomenInLeadership #MissionsCredits: 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 KenmogneGuest: Dr. Michel Kenmogne, former Executive Director, SIL Global — https://www.sil.org/biography/michel-kenmogne-phdIf this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.Chapters:00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction00:46 Vision 2025: The Power of a Big Vision08:06 Finishing at CABTAL, Moving to the Alliance13:24 Lessons Learned at CABTAL17:31 Understanding SIL & the Wycliffe Global Alliance20:41 Why Strong Relationships Matter22:43 The Journey to SIL Executive Director29:08 The Challenges SIL Faced32:59 Leading at the Midpoint of Vision 202536:06 SIL's Unique Role, Explained39:30 Reflections on a Decade of Leadership42:29 Fun Questions48:46 The Critical Role of a Healthy Board55:29 Building Healthy Board Relationships58:54 Closing Thoughts & ChallengeSubscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0#BibleTranslation #ChristianLeadership #Vision2025 #SILCredits: 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 KenmogneGuest: Dr. Michel Kenmogne, former Executive Director, SIL Global — https://www.sil.org/biography/michel-kenmogne-phdIf this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.Chapters:00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction00:29 Principles for God-Honoring Decisions07:28 A Childhood in Western Cameroon09:19 Language & Spiritual Context12:30 Understanding and Responding to the Gospel22:56 The Call into Bible Translation26:28 When the Gospel Came to Ghomala'30:31 Serving with CABTAL in Cameroon37:43 Stepping into Leadership at CABTAL44:48 Nurturing Your Family's Walk with the Lord46:33 Facing the Challenges of Leadership51:11 Serving Across Many Cultures54:33 Fun Questions57:55 Advice for Future Leaders59:41 Closing Thoughts & ChallengeSubscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0#BibleTranslation #ChristianLeadership #Missions #SILCredits: 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 IrunguGuest: Pauline Wairimu Irungu, Africa Area Director, Wycliffe Global Alliance • https://www.wycliffe.netIf this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.Chapters:00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction03:38 Inside the Wycliffe Global Alliance05:38 Early Life & Influences08:18 The Call to Ministry and Bible Translation12:43 Family & Ministry15:43 The Call to Leadership19:14 Principles of Spiritual Leadership22:48 What Does the Africa Area Director Do?27:33 The Greatest Joys of Leadership29:03 Facing a Crisis, Seeing God Move35:16 Sustaining Yourself as a Leader39:44 Fun Questions47:13 Marks of an Effective Leader50:20 Difficult Behaviors in Leaders53:06 Mentoring the Next Generation57:29 Closing Thoughts & ChallengeSubscribe: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalLeadershipCollaborative?sub_confirmation=1Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-leadership-collaborative/id1896597218Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4klUSjZ1cuWmzEjVrVCOV0#BibleTranslation #ChristianLeadership #WomenInLeadership #WycliffeCredits: 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 PowellGuest: Davis Powell, President & CEO, Seed Company — https://seedcompany.comIf this episode encouraged you, share it with one leader who needs it.Chapters:00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction00:44 What Is Bible Translation — and Who Is Seed Company?05:51 The Journey of Leadership Together07:35 Challenges of Leadership in Bible Translation11:40 Davis's Leadership Journey Begins19:24 From Medical Missions to Bible Translation24:22 Family & Ministry Together29:01 Becoming CEO of Seed Company41:01 The Greatest Joys of Leadership44:12 What Burdens Weigh on Your Heart?46:14 Urgency vs. Speed48:37 How Being CEO Reshaped My Prayer Life51:02 Fun Questions57:00 Counsel for Other Leaders1:03:13 Closing Thoughts & ChallengeSubscribe: 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 #SeedCompanyCredits: 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