Philip has been appointed to the position of Director of the Australia Timor Group (ATG) and took up the role in February 2021. The ATG supports communities as they use their languages in oral, written and artistic forms. This happens through linguistic research; translation of educational, health and religious materials; training of local people; as well as production of resources.
Philip has three main responsibilities: pastoral care of ATG members; liaison with partners and stakeholders; administration and strategy. He is convinced that if the Bible is accessible in a group’s own language then those people are more likely to clearly hear God’s voice.
Over many years, Philip had extensive cross-cultural experience in remote, bilingual contexts. He lived and worked alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as well as with Melanesian peoples in Papua New Guinea. Philip and his wife, Lesli, are now based in Adelaide. They have four adult children who grew up in Papua New Guinea.
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Latest Updates from Philip Townsend
12 February 2021
You can watch two significant events online.
Commissioning Service in Adelaide: Sunday, 14 February 2021, 9.00 a.m. Adelaide time. Live Stream Link: https://youtu.be/0V5ERCGc-vI
Induction event in Darwin: Tuesday, 16 February 2021, 7.00 p.m. Darwin time. Live Stream Link: https://www.facebook.com/AUSIL-759340620843139