Tim grew up in Papua New Guinea as a missionary kid whose parents were Bible translators, but he finished high school and completed university in Brisbane. Sharon, by contrast, had a stable background, her parents still live in the house they were in when she was born! After marrying, Tim spent 12 years in the Australian Army as a helicopter pilot.

They joined Wycliffe in 1995 and with their three young children served in PNG, Tim as a pilot, and Sharon in departmental finance. After their children finished high school in PNG, Tim moved into organisational leadership, eventually serving four and a half years as the director of the branch in PNG until mid 2013. They then returned to Australia and served as the Regional Ministries Directors, as part of the Wycliffe Australia CEO Leadership Team, but based in Toowoomba.

In late 2021 they were invited to return to serving in PNG, Tim as the manager of the Aviation Department, and Sharon in member finance. They hope to return in time for the PNG branch conference in March 2022. For this exciting possibility to happen there will need to be no delays in PNG government work permit and visas approvals and the Lithgows will need additional people to join their partnership team in prayer and finance. Please pray for and with the Lithgows.