Hanging up the CEO boots: Barry and Marg Borneman
Wycliffe Today – June 2019 (PDF)
What have you most enjoyed during your time as Chief Executive Officer of Wycliffe Australia?
Barry: I’ve loved seeing the people and national Wycliffe organisations we work with develop and grow. Building strong relationships and friendships based on trust is one of the most important things we can do to create an environment for growth and assist others personally or as organisations to take the next step towards their vision. Jesus asks his disciples to ‘go and make disciples’ and I think we have the same call to encourage other leaders we work alongside and to pray for their success.
What was it that first led you to Wycliffe?
Marg: We went to PNG for two years as school teachers ‘to lend a mission a hand’. Although we didn’t know much about it, while we were there we learnt a lot about the work of Bible translation and the place of literacy work. It then took another two years to shape and prepare us for what Barry later described as ‘the ideal job’ working as literacy specialists with the Kriol translation team in Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.
Barry: While we were in PNG, we became aware of the hundreds of communities without Bible translations in their own languages. As both teachers and followers of Jesus our hearts went out to those many people unable to read and who often belonged to the most marginalised communities. This passion to serve the poor connected us strongly with Wycliffe and a two-year short-term assignment became a 40-year vocation.
Your ‘retirement’ was meant to take place a while ago. What convinced you to extend your time as CEO?
Barry: In 2017, I had expected to hang up my CEO boots. But the Board asked me to stay on. When I prayed about it, God showed me that it was for a specific reason. He wanted it to be a time of intentional prayer in the Prayer Chapel at our National Centre for Wycliffe Global Alliance leaders in nearby Asia and the Pacific. It has been a great final two years and God has done more through these friendships with my colleagues than I could have imagined.
What will your transition involve?
Marg: This is the first time that transition for us doesn’t involve a geographical move – at least that we know of! I anticipate having more flexibility in my roles at Wycliffe, with time to pursue interests such as TESOL through Next Step Development.
Barry: We will remain working with Wycliffe and it will give me more time to work with our Asia and Pacific colleagues to develop pathways for national translators to take the next step to becoming advisors and consultants in their own countries. That excites me. I also have great confidence in the appointment of Max and Helen. This makes the transition much easier. Personally, it will give us the flexibility to spend more time with grandchildren, time to write, and walk all the rail trails of Victoria.
PRAY
- Pray for Barry as he continues his involvement in developing Wycliffe projects and systems to support ministry in the Asia-Pacific region
- Pray for Marg as she continues to provide member care and run English learning programs
Leaning on God to light the way: Introducing Max and Helen Sahl
Wycliffe Today – June 2019 (PDF)
Max and Helen have been on quite a journey since they first met. These former Queensland teachers are Wycliffe members who have lived in Papua New Guinea for 20 years. Their adventures have included a short stint in professional rugby, moving to a new country, raising a family, serving in a variety of roles, several near-death experiences and establishing a new training program for local translators. They are now living at the National Centre for Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia where Max is the CEO. Come and meet the Sahls.
What was it that first inspired you to become involved with Wycliffe?
Max: Before we went to PNG, we had no idea about Wycliffe or SIL. When we first heard about the need for teachers to educate mission kids, we simply followed God’s call. We thought we would only be there short-term. When we arrived, we didn’t know much about Bible translation . . . but it was almost impossible not to catch the vision. I went from being a PE teacher to Principal of the Primary School and High School to overseeing the training program for the Pacific Institute of Languages, Arts and Translation (PILAT) and now stepping into the role of CEO for Wycliffe Australia. I would never have imagined that for myself but God obviously knew what he was doing!
Helen: During our time in Ukarumpa, we saw people’s lives changed, both at an individual and at a community level, through the power of the gospel. But the gospel is only effective when the people can understand it. Our eyes were opened to the physical, spiritual, educational and emotional needs surrounding us and we developed a heart for making God’s Word clear for all people.
How did your sports career help in that transition?
Max: I was a professional rugby league player in Queensland. My team won the grand final in the biggest sports event in Queensland at the time. This helped me to connect with my new community in PNG, as rugby league is the biggest sport in PNG and most of the people barrack for the Queensland State of Origin team.
Helen: Our experiences as PE teachers also enabled us to spend time with people in more informal ways. Max has hiked the Kokoda Trail and four times has hiked Mount Wilhelm, the highest mountain in PNG. A strong endurance for hiking helps to support translation teams by sharing the Jesus Film with remote villages. Teaching Missionary Kids was a big part of our lives as we worked in PNG and we loved the opportunities to input into their lives.
What was it like overseeing the training program for PILAT?
Max: This was a real highlight of my time in PNG. The Pacific Institute for Languages, Arts and Translation was set up to train Papua New Guineans for Bible translation, literacy and other language development work. It involved taking a huge risk but it was worth it. The program welcomes translators from all villages – the languages literally come to you! The people are hungry to learn but they are geographically isolated and educationally poor. They often make incredible sacrifices to get there, taking a boat, bus and plane. But we’ve found a real synergy in training local translators which is gaining momentum with the local churches. Last year, nearly 500 people attended courses at PILAT.
What are some of the biggest adjustments you’ve had to make going to PNG and now coming back to Australia?
Max: There is a massive cultural shock when you first move into a third world country. It can be very difficult to know where to invest with your giving and your personal social justice program. There are just so many needs.
Helen: It was hard being away from extended family and friends but transitioning back into your home country can be just as difficult. When you’ve been exposed to communities lacking food, water and basic needs, hearing about first world problems in Western media is very grating. Experiencing the hardships other people go through on a daily basis has put things into perspective for us.
Your journey has involved a great deal of change. What does this new transition mean to you?
Max: There are many transitions in life. It can feel a bit overwhelming – but you learn that God always turns up. You need him when you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. You need to pray for supernatural wisdom. One of the most challenging things as I move into this role will be to also transition the organisation. We need to be looking for new ways to do the same job in a new world. I think we also need to be more respectful of the minorities we are working with and to ensure that we are listening to the churches and enabling them to be more involved. Partnerships with other Global Alliance organisations will also be a big focus as we work with other agencies interested in Bible translation.
Helen: I also love the idea of enthusing people in the task of Bible translation. But I know that this won’t come without its own difficulties. This transition is exciting because we are relying on God to show us what he wants for the future of Wycliffe Australia. Proverbs 3:5-6 has been a verse we try to live by: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight (NIV). When you surrender your will to him, trust and make yourself available, he lights the path ahead.
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