Latest / Global Leadership Collaborative / #05: It is His Mission: Ibu Ayu Soewandi, Executive Director, PPA/GMIM
Transcript
- Woody McLendon: Hi, and welcome to this episode of the Global Leadership Collaborative. Today I'm thrilled to welcome a dear friend and sister in the Lord, Ibu Ayu Suandi, the Executive Director of Pepea, the Bible Translation Ministry of the Gamim Church in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Ibu Ayu, thank you so much for joining today. Ayu Soewandi: You're welcome, Pawudi. So happy to be a part of your program. And I'm here, so I'm ready to share about how God works and how my journey in faith through the Bible translation. Woody McLendon: Well, thank you. And I'm thrilled and looking forward to this conversation. I'd like to begin by actually looking at the middle of your leadership journey. You faced a very challenging physical crisis and a leadership challenge a number of years ago. Take us back to that time and share what happened and how God worked in your life in that season. Ayu Soewandi: So, it's hard time for me but I think it's important to share with you and with everybody that hear this program. So I joined in PPA, GEMIM in 2002 and initially seeing Bible translation as simply a job for me. But over time, God transformed my perspective, my mindset. and show me that it is his mission bringing his word to people in the language of their hearts. So after being diagnosed with cancer in 2018, I have to stepping away for focus my treatment. It's very hard for me. But during that time, I pray that God If you allow me to return to serving you in Pepe Agamim, please help make the Pepe Agamim strengthen. Especially as an organization, Pepe Agamim can be more professional. So through Pepe Agamim, we can reach more Bible-less languages and we can reach more people to bring to God through the Word of God in the hard language. And I know that the Bible translation is more than just a project. It is a calling to participate in God's missions so that every person can encounter God through his work in their own hard languages. So I'm here now. Woody McLendon: Wonderful. Amen. Amen. Well, God healed you, obviously. What lessons did you learn from that season of of intense crisis that carry you through in your leadership today? Ayu Soewandi: my prayer answer. Pa Budi, I used to be a perfectionist person. So I set things very high standard for myself. And feeling needs to be involved in everything. But when I step away, no choice for nine months, I have to focus for my health. During that time, God remind me that this ministry belongs to Him. Woody McLendon: Yes. Ayu Soewandi: not mine. And He can work through everybody, not just me, not just by myself. So that season taught me to trust God more deeply and to trust the people that work with me. Today, I live with a different perspective. Seeing every people in my team, who surfing together with me in Pepe Agamim. as deeply loved by God and they are precious in His sight. Woody McLendon: Amen. And thank you for that amazing testimony. Now, before we move into more of your leadership journey, would you take a moment to introduce Pepe A and Gamim to those who may not know much about the ministry in the church? Ayu Soewandi: Mm. Mm-hmm. Yeah, of course. So, GEMIM is a Presbyterian Church in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Maybe number four or five, the biggest Presbyterian Church in Indonesia, located in North Sulawesi. GEMIM established through the missionary work of German missionaries sent by that mission agency. Today, GAMEM has grown more than a thousand congregations. about PPA Gemim. So Gemim as a local church have a Bible translation department or Bible translation ministry called PPA Gemim. Was established because of Gemim believes that the Bible translation is not an option for the church but an obligation. Part of the church's calling from God and church have responsibility in God's mission. In 2002, Gemim established PPA Gemim. then in that time, God called weekly USA member signed to SIL Ronald Whistler and his wife, Jaquine Whistler. He... had a very good conversation with the Gemim leadership in that time. So PPA Gemim started from 2002, actually to empower local churches to lead Bible translation in their own context. Today, PPA Gemim is involved in Bible translation in languages across Indonesia. through direct translation project, through mentoring program, and then through collaboration in partnership. We doing deploying personnel to serving alongside partner organization in the field. Woody McLendon: Thank you. Now that's a wonderful introduction to the ministry of the church and Pepe A. I'd like to now turn to your own story a bit. You are from North Sulawesi, you were born in Mandado. I had opportunity to visit just last year and it's a beautiful part of the world and delightful visit. Tell me about your family and your growing up. Ayu Soewandi: Mm-hmm. Yes, yeah, yeah. Yeah, if you see my face, you can see that I'm not something like the... My face is not what the typical of the Minahasan or the Manadonese woman. Because I have to blot from my parents. my father is a Javanese and my mother from Manadonese. So I'm the youngest of six children. I grew up in Manado and I grew up in two different languages, in two different cultures. My father was very disciplined and deeply committed to our education. Despite working hard to provide for our family, he made sure that my siblings and I had access to good schools and various learning opportunities. He dedicated and sacrificed so much of who I am today. Woody McLendon: Thank you. So your family is Christian family. When did you personally come to understand and embrace the gospel and the relationship with Jesus for yourself? Ayu Soewandi: Yes, I was raised in a Christian family and have known about God since I was a child. However, I went through different experiences in my life. I came to realize that faith must become a personal decision, personal relation with God. So I began serving as a Sunday school teacher. in 1993. Then in 1991, I attended a student campus camp at my university. So that time, I accepted Jesus Christ personally as my Savior and as my Lord. From that moment, my understanding what it means to be Christian changed completely. I became more aware of Christ's presence in my heart and in my daily life. Although my journey of faith has had its ups and downs, God's faithfulness has continued to shape and strengthen my relationship. with him. Woody McLendon: Amen. Thank you. And when did you first sense God calling you into ministry service? How did that journey unfold for you? Ayu Soewandi: I cannot recall a specific moment when I first sensed God's call to me to serve in ministry. Although I was raised in a Christian family and my parents encouraged me to attend church regularly, my faith growing from kids because I attended the Sunday school, the teenager fellowship, adult community in my church. my faith and calling developed gradually through my experiences. So from early age, I was actively involved in leadership roles at my school. In high school, I was invited to serve in the Christian student community and in the university I joined in the a college Christian community. So during that time, my sense of calling grew even stronger through my involvement in a Christian community, even in the university or in my church, my local church. Woody McLendon: So you've you've mentioned starting at Pepe A in two thousand and it was really just a job. How did the ministry of Bible translation really begin to touch your heart in a deeper way? Ayu Soewandi: In fact, it took several years for God to open my eyes during I did my job as administrative and finance staff in PEPE Agamim since 2002. But praise God because of during that time, God convinced me that serving in Bible translation was not just a profession, but His calling. for me, for my life, and for my family. Woody McLendon: So who who was a major influence your growing understanding about Bible translation? Ayu Soewandi: Ron Whistler, he is the first person who invited me to join PPA as a staff. And he has a very good relationship with me, his wife, Jacqueline. the morning, I just focus for administrative and for finance. And after lunch, I joined Manado team. So I knew quite big the process of the Bible translation because I joined in every process together with the Manado team. In that time they translate a New Testament. So by simply sitting with them and observing their work I gradually learned the entire Bible translation process. So over time I also became a reviewer for the Manado translation because Ram saw that I was good reviewer because I am a detailed person. So at one point he said to me at one time, Ayu, I see you have the potential to become a consultant. But I declined. because I didn't feel that working directly in the Bible translation was my calling. Looking back now, can see how God was already preparing me for a journey that I could not yet fully understand. Woody McLendon: Amen and thank you for sharing that part of your journey. Now, along the way, you've also met and married your husband. You have two sons. How did God weave together your family life and your ministry life in a way to nurture both? Ayu Soewandi: Mm-hmm. So before I joined Pepe Agamlin, I worked in the one company as a fresh graduate. praise God, because even just a fresh graduate, but I already got a good position as the auditor in that company. And I believe, God used my previous work, the company, to bring Frankie and me together. So we would later, so Frankie later become my husband. So by the time the opportunity to serve at PPA Gmim camp, we already dating. In fact, Frankie together with me for my very first trip to Tomohon for met Ron to interview before I joined PPA. So from the beginning of our relationship, we share a commitment to support one another in ministry. So I'm deeply grateful because of God gave Frankie has always been incredible supporter for my calling both in church and in Pepe Agamim. So for many years, it was my prayer. that Frankie will not only hear my stories about what God was doing through Bible translation ministry, through Pepe Algemim, but I pray God Frankie would experience it for himself. God graciously answered that prayer. Praise God for the past five years, Frankie has been serving alongside me full time at Pepe Agamim. Woody McLendon: That's wonderful. Thank you for sharing that. obviously God has blessed your family in involvement in Bible translation, but have there been ways you've experienced God's favor as a family because of your involvement in the ministry of Bible translation? Ayu Soewandi: When I was battling cancer and facing overwhelming medical expenses, God provided in amazing ways. So family, friends, partner, and some of them strangers. But they came, God bring them to come alongside me and supported me. By God's grace, I recovered from my cancer and later my story was featured in a short television program and I was invited to contribute even just one chapter, join to write the book together with my friends, cancer survivors. When I desire for my sons, Jonathan and Jeremy, for them to have a good school, because I remember that even my father, just the government employ a very low salary, but he can, yeah, he success by God's grace to make six his children graduate in the university. And yeah, Jonathan can get even just a half a scholarship in Jakarta. So different island, good university for him. God faithfully provided everything that we need. Maybe it is something that's very, very simple that Jeremy, he is not something like the famous in his school. Just something like the students in the school. But I was unexpected when the school chose me on behalf of the parents of the students to speech in the Jeremy's graduation ceremony. It was a special reminder that God sees things differently and then He taking care of me and family even is something very very simple in my life. And then through Pepe Agamim God has given me opportunity to visit many cities, many countries, experience I never imagined I would have with myself and my family of course. And then I also never imagined that I would have a privilege to have a time to meet many missionaries with their families. to hear their story, the journey with God. So it is something that for me is very, very privileged. I can learn from their life, faith in God. Woody McLendon: Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate so much those stories and those are wonderful testimonies of God's faithfulness. So you're serving in Pepe A, God's touching your heart with the with the calling to lead. How did that journey unfold for you to move into your leadership role? And what challenges did you have to overcome? Ayu Soewandi: it was during that time that I began to feel a deep sense of responsibility to initiate change within Pepe Agamim. So God started to enlarge my vision, expand my capacity, and most importantly deepen my desire to serve Him through Bible translation at Pepe Agamim. Woody McLendon: besides your health challenge, what other challenges did you have to overcome to move into the overall leadership role? Ayu Soewandi: When I joined PPI, I was a fresh graduate and I am one of the youngest staff members. I had very little experiences, especially for Bible translation, still zero. So it was challenging to work alongside people who were older and more experienced than I was. So another challenge. leading PPA when it was still a PPA small organization. It is not difficult. However, when PPA grew, growing, gaining greater trust, expanding its staff and language program and building broader partnerships, the challenges become much bigger and more complex. Decisions have to be made more quickly and try to find the solution as soon as possible. So leading PPA when it was still a small organization was not particularly difficult. However, when PPA growing, the challenges become much bigger and more complex because of the vision getting bigger. So the number of the staff is increasing. The language programs are growing. partnerships are getting more. Then as a leader, I have to decide something more quickly and to find the solution for every problem. had to be found in a timely manner. So I think that's the challenging overcome to me. But I really understand that the challenging is always come. Woody McLendon: Thank you. And who did God bring into your life to help you to grow as a leader in that season of the growth of the ministry of Pepeha? Ayu Soewandi: Of course, Frankie, my husband. so he's an incredible supporter for me. He shares responsibility for caring for our home and our kids, helps manage our family financially. And so I don't have to think about that and stand beside me whenever I need him. Frankie's encouragement has enabled me to serve and lead with greater confidence and more peace. of Frankie taking over some parts that I cannot do. Mm-hmm Woody McLendon: So as you look at the accomplishments of your team in this season, what brings you great joy? Ayu Soewandi: My great joy is when I see my team, all the staff, everybody, are growing their faith in God. And then they're growing their skills, especially their soft skills, the character. It's really important for everybody, including me, to let God... make my character grow because we are serving through the Bible translation. So in the scripture, God asks everybody to follow Jesus. Jesus is a role model. So that's the joyful for me when I see my team, they are growing little by little, time by time. their faith and their character to more become just like Jesus. The other joy is when I heard the impact story, when the translation process can transform the translators, the people, the community. So I'm very, very joyful to be a witness to see and then to hear. So what God works to the people, everybody who involved in the Bible translation through Pepe Agamem. Woody McLendon: Thank you. Those are wonderful testimonies. One question I'm interested in is Pepe A is integrated, it is part of the Gamim Church. What strength do you see because of that deep and inherent connection to the church in the ministry of Bible translation? Ayu Soewandi: Yeah, so PPA Gemim, we are not the mission agency, but we are the department owned by local church, Gemim. But technically, our responsibility to Gemim by the Gemim Venus Foundation. So I have a board that PPA should to report and then to have a regular meeting with. Currently, PPA serving 24 languages program, both directly program or through a mentoring program and then a partnership with other organizations in Indonesia. But over the past three years, PPA gemim have focused on strengthening the capacity of our field personnel, especially how to provide and to train facilitators and consultants. We provide regular training, both technically and soft-skilled, recognizing that qualities such as a commitment for a PPA to work in this area. And about the calling, about teamwork, about leadership, that's the topic is a part of the training that PPA running the training for them. We also over training program for future translation consultants which are open to other organizations across Indonesia. One of my greatest joy is seeing PPA and GEMIM we work together to mobilize local churches for mission. My hope is that more local churches will become actively engaged in God's mission including Bible translation. Woody McLendon: As you've watched, God bless Pepe, what values and principles have you tried to instill into the life of the people of the ministry to nurture them to to flourish and for the mission to be effective? Ayu Soewandi: One of my desires at Tepe is to build a culture where we see ourselves not just as an organization but as ministry community participating together in God's missions. I want our staff to grow not only in skills and competencies but also in character and calling from God. Therefore, I seek to cultivate several core values, being Christ-centered, depend on Christ, serving with integrity and accountability, maintaining a culture of continuous learning, collaborating, and supporting one another, serving with humility, of course, and taking ownership of our shared vision and mission. So I believe that when people grow, the organizations grow as well. And when Halti culture is established, the ministry becomes sustainable and can continue to make an impact for the future generations. Woody McLendon: That's wonderful. And thank you for that investment. So important. Now, as you look at the ministry of Bible translation across Indonesia, there are many wonderful things unfolding with collaboration and reaching out. What challenges do you see in the context of Indonesia today Ayu Soewandi: Mm. The biggest challenges for Bible translation in Indonesia are are still many languages, communities that still need to write their languages. And then the limitation of qualified field workers. then the limitation of the consultant can check the translation. And another challenging is about how the program can sustain through the local funding and then how to make more churches engaged. more and more in Bible translations. I think that three points are the challenging that we face in Indonesian context for Bible translation. Woody McLendon: And on the other side, what positive, encouraging signs do you see in the nation now about Bible translation? Ayu Soewandi: The challenges create great opportunities, right? Yeah, we have to see that every challenge is, that's the way for create the great opportunities. More churches right now are recognizing that the Bible translation important and willing to collaboration. So I believe that when collaboration happen between the organization and the local churches, it can help for accelerate the Bible translation movement in Indonesia. Because of the churches have many resources, human resources, the financial resources, so how the organizations can along together. with the churches to engage the Bible translation to reach the unreached people group in Indonesia. Woody McLendon: Thank you. It is encouraging to see the collaboration and the working together in very deep ways I'd like to take a moment to shift our focus a bit from some more serious topics just for a few fun questions and a and a couple of things before coming back to our kind of final section of of topic areas. So these are just some fun thoughts that I have just for us to get to know you better. Ayu Soewandi: Mm-hmm. Hmm. Woody McLendon: So what what fun or silly tradition do you have in your family that keeps you connected? Ayu Soewandi: So it's something silly and sometimes makes me mad. So when I have to ask my husband, Jonathan and Jeremy, what do you want to eat? And they just answer, whatever. So most of the time, so when I have that question and they just have the same answer, whatever. Woody McLendon: that's funny. That's great. So do you like to cook? Ayu Soewandi: Yes, I like to Jeremy and Jonathan really like when I have time to cook at home. Woody McLendon: That's wonderful. I'm sure. And I'm sure you're busy. So that's not always a thing you can do. So what do you like to do for fun to relax or just when you're free from the busyness of work? Ayu Soewandi: listen music, watching video. Just at home. Woody McLendon: Okay. And Ayu Soewandi: Yeah, that's something like my me time for me. Yeah, but sometimes me time is something that I have to clean the house and cooking. That's my me time. Woody McLendon: That's great. Yeah, that's great. That's great. So what's something unique about you that most people wouldn't not know? Ayu Soewandi: I like to keep notes and paper and I like to write something, So because of that, every meeting or even that I join, I like to bring the book and because I want to write something, it's very inspiring for me when I heard. Woody McLendon: so how so how many languages do you speak? Ayu Soewandi: three languages. My mother's language Manadonese, my national language is Indonesian, and because I'm serving in PEPEA GEMIM, I have to learn another language, English. Woody McLendon: And you do very well. And I want to acknowledge with appreciation your willingness to have the conversation in your third language and you're doing a great job. Thank you so much. So when you read the scripture, I'm curious or listen, what language do you prefer to use? Ayu Soewandi: Yeah. So when my language already had a New Testament, some Manadonese New Testament, I started to read in Manadonese. But then I moved to Indonesian Bible when I had to read the Old Testament. so something like that. Woody McLendon: as you speak these different languages and you read the scripture, how does reading the scripture in your Manadonese your own language versus Indonesia, how does it touch your heart differently? Ayu Soewandi: very very very touched. So many meaning that I can understand when I read the Manadonese New Testament. Even that I read the Bible in Indonesia since I, yeah since in my Sunday school. But so many meaning that is very hard for me to... to understand. But when I read the Manadonese, my heart language is something kind of like the God speak me directly. So very, very easy and touchable. Woody McLendon: Thank you. I appreciate you sharing that. And that of course is why we are investing in this ministry because we believe that the scriptures touch people's hearts best when they receive them in the language that they understand best. And your example is a wonderful one. I'd like to s to shift for a few moments before we finish here and talk a little bit about women in leadership. Ayu Soewandi: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm Woody McLendon: As a woman in leadership, what challenges have you had to overcome and how has God given you grace and strength to overcome them? Ayu Soewandi: As a woman in leadership challenges, one of the greatest challenges for me has been building trust and demonstrating that female or woman leadership can also bring meaningful impact and change. At times, I have had to work harder to prove my capability and my integrity. I have also faced another challenge, how I can balance my responsibility as a leader, as a wife, as a mother for two sons, and as a part of the family. But God has strengthened me by reminding me that my calling comes from Him, comes from God, not from human recognition. Through every difficult season that I have to pass, including times of illness, He has taught me to depend just on Him, follow the Holy Spirit's direction, and leading with humility. Woody McLendon: Thank you so much. Now I'm curious in your observation, what strengths do women in leadership roles in ministry bring that organizations might underestimate or or potentially overlook? Ayu Soewandi: For me, women carry unique God-given strength. Women have the ability to build meaning in a relationship. Listen with compassion, leading with empathy and resiliency. Women often see people not just for what they do. but for who they are and what they need. So through these gifts, women have the power to create communities where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. These qualities are essential in ministry and leadership because Our lasting impact is built not only through vision and strategy, but also through love, by God, understanding, and the ability to bring people together. And women can show Jesus' leadership model as the Bible says. That's my understanding what the strengths that women can bring to ministry leadership. Woody McLendon: Thank you, thank you. I think those are profound and very powerful strengths and I praise God for the women leaders that he has brought. I'd love to ask your perspective on as a movement, the Bible translation ministry, how has the ministry itself encouraged women in leadership overall? Ayu Soewandi: Mm-hmm. In fact, the Bible translation ministry creates opportunity for women to their gifts. to use their talents and leadership in many different roles. I have been encouraged to see women serving faithful as leaders, translators, consultants, mobilizers, fundraisers. By the way, in Indonesia, there are many women in strategic positions as leaders in Bible translation ministry. even as the facilitator, consultant, cluster leader, as an executive leader, and as an executive director. So their contributions are a powerful reminder that God calls both men and women to partner together in His missions. So when women are empowered to serve according to their God-given calling, The church becomes stronger, the organization becomes stronger, communities are transformed, and more people have the opportunity to encounter God's Word in their own languages. It is inspiring to witness how God is using men and women side by side to fulfill His redemptive purpose for the nation. Woody McLendon: Thank you, and I appreciate very much the gifts that God has given to women and men. And that's the privilege of this podcast is I get to speak to godly women leaders as well as godly men leaders. And it's a joy to hear both voices. So let me ask you, what counsel or advice would you give to a woman? Ayu Soewandi: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yes, I agree. Woody McLendon: in ministry who senses a call to leadership but is not sure how to pursue it. Ayu Soewandi: Don't wait until you feel perfect or completely ready. If God calls you, He will also equip you. That's my experience. When God called me as an executive director for Pepe Agami, I didn't ready in that time. But God used my husband, Frankie. He gave me permission and supported me. in many ways. start by being faithful in the small responsibility he has entrusted to you. Keep learning and never be afraid to take a risk, to take steps of faith. Leadership is a journey of growth, not a destination reached overnight. So every challenge, every lesson, every act of faith is part of God's process of shaping you into the leader He creates you to be. Trust His timing, work forward with courage, and remember that God overdoes His greatest work through willing hearts, not through perfect people. Woody McLendon: Amen. That's true for everybody. I have to say, and I appreciate that's especially true for those women leaders. What habits or practices do you feel like have been particularly helpful as a woman leader to grow in your leadership capacities? Ayu Soewandi: For me, leadership is not merely about influence or position. It is not about the title, to be a reason for you to be proud. But leadership, is about becoming the kind person that God can trust to serve others well. For me, leadership is stay close to Him. and keep growing. For me, leadership is investing in people and lead in a way that enables others to flourish. So for me, leadership, how can I bring more people to be the future leaders? And we are growing together. That's the great leadership. So the great leadership are those who not only pursue their own calling, but also inspire and equip others to fulfill theirs. Woody McLendon: Ibu Ayu, as we look broad more broadly at the work of Bible translation around the world, what gives you hope and encouragement in this season to continue on in your ministry, but gives you hope for the ministry globally? Ayu Soewandi: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. I'm deeply encouraged to see more churches, organizations, and young people joining the Bible translation movement. And it's happening. In my area, it's happening. The advancement of technology, the growing global collaboration, and increasing awareness within the church are clear sign that God is to accelerate the work of making His Word available to every nation and every language. This is more than a movement. It is a generation being invited to participate in God's redemptive mission. So we are witnessing a remarkable moment in history where berries are being broken. Partnerships are being strengthened and new opportunities are emerging to bring Scripture to communities that have waited far too long to hear God's voice in their own languages. So I believe that when Global Church Unity in this mission, we are not merely translating words, we are helping transform lives, strengthen communities, and open the door for people everywhere to encounter God through His Word in the language the best that they understand. Woody McLendon: Ibuayu, as we come to the close of this conversation, thank you so much for your insights and your sharing your heart. Are there any final words of wisdom or things that you would like to share before we finish today? Ayu Soewandi: Mm-hmm. My last comments or insight for all of you. am Ayu. I stand here as a testimony that God's delight in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary work. If God can use someone like me, He can use anyone who is willing to answer His call. My deepest hope is that one day, every man, every woman, and child, young generation will have the opportunity to encounter God through His Word in the language that speaks most deeply to their hearts. Until that day comes, may we continue to say yes to His mission and faithfully play our part in making His Word known among all people and all nations. Woody McLendon: thank you, Ibu Ayu. I'm deeply grateful for your insights and all that you have shared. And your heart for the Lord and your heart for the word and your heart for people. So thank you so much for joining me today. Ayu Soewandi: Thank you so much, Pa Budi, thank you, thank you so much. I know that the program that you're running is something that will be blessed for another woman or another potential leader and will be the impact for the Bible translation movement globally. So greetings for your family. Thank you for giving your time to and to Pepe Agamim. Woody McLendon: Thank you. Well, and it's a pleasure for me to have this conversation and be able to share it with others. And I would encourage anyone who's watching or listening, if this conversation encouraged you in some ways, please share it with one other person who you think might benefit from hearing Ibu Ayu's testimony of faith and faithfulness and how God has worked in her life that that can encourage them too. thank you so much for listening to this episode and please come back when the next one is posted have a blessed day