Explore every episode of the podcast 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 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

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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