Missionaries

Steve & Kathy Womack

Wycliffe Bible Translators -Africa

Children

Email Address

Steve_Womack@wycliffe.org

Mission Agency

Wycliffe Bible Translators

Field of Service

Nairobi, Kenya (sub-Saharan Africa scope)

Type of Ministry

Administrators for a Bible translation, Scripture use, community development and literacy organization

Ministry Background

Steve and Kathy became WYCLIFFE members in 1984, and served in Ecuador from 1986 to 1988. From 1988 to 1992 they worked at JAARS, the technical training, communications and logistical center for the worldwide ministry of Wycliffe Bible Translators. Their next assignment was in Kenya from 1993 to 1997, where Steve served as the Kenya Personnel Director and Kathy led Bible studies for nationals and missionaries, as well as hospitality for translation workers. They served at JAARS 1998-2006 where Steve was Partnership Development Coordinator and later Director of Mobilization and Kathy was Coordinator for Women’s Ministry. They returned to Nairobi in May 2006 in the roles above.

Ministry Update

Steve and Kathy are currently assigned to the Africa Area Administration, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. Steve is the Communications Coordinator for sub-Saharan Africa and Kathy is the Prayer Coordinator (connecting Africa’s needs with worldwide prayer networks) for all but the French-speaking countries of sub-Saharan Africa.

In just the last 20 years, Africa has been torn with multiple bloody conflicts with millions being displaced, abused injured and killed. However, during this time the turning to Christ has outpaced the rest of the world. There are approximately 1,000 languages, there, still needing God’s life-giving, liberating Word translated. There are currently nearly 400 Bible translation programs in process in Africa involving Wycliffe personnel. As a result of translation and literacy training the church is standing…and thriving despite a Tribulation-like environment. Wycliffe is offering ongoing translators training for Africans, to pass the translation torch increasingly to the African church. Translation of AIDS/HIV, Avian Flu, Trauma Healing, micro-enterprise, etc…materials and media dialogue (such as for the Jesus Film and Luke video) into minority languages are also a major foci.
Steve and Kathy are motivated by Wycliffe’s vision of getting a Bible translation started in all the remaining language groups (1/3rd of which reside in Africa) by 2025 so that every tribe, nation, people, and tongue can have God’s Word in their heart language. They believe this is one excellent way to obey the Great Commission..

Kathy is Director of Women’s Ministries, ministering to missionary women on furlough to encourage and renew them for their next foreign assignment. She has written topical Bible study courses to fill the need for this ministry.

The Womacks have been able to use their gifts in spiritual discipleship and ministry in several Wycliffe bases around the world. They hope to return to foreign service in 2003, most likely in a spiritual vitality and encouragement role among their colleagues.

Praises

For the opportunity to take up challenging and fulfilling roles in Africa.

Pray for Their Ministry

Please pray for creativity and energy to effectively serve in these demanding roles Pray for the Church in Africa to “own” Bible translation for Africa. Pray for peace, the adequate availability of food and shelter and forgiveness in Africa.

Pray for Those They Serve

Please pray that the power of the Holy Spirit might be released in the lives of the missionaries as they come to understand the indwelling life of Christ. Pray that the missionaries would be so transformed by this understanding that they not only translate the word of God, but live out the principles of God among those people they serve. Pray that many Africans will invest their lives and talents in Bible translation.

Pray for Them

Pray for the Womack children and spouses (Bethany and Reid both recently married), that they honor God and enjoy Him. Please pray for Kathy’s parents and Steve’s mother, that they stay healthy and able to live independently. Pray for a thriving relationship with the Lord and in their marriage.