A new leader for JAARS

By Arthur Lightbody, JAARS David Reeves succeeded Jim Akovenko as JAARS president on October 1, 2008. “I am courageously confident that the Lord is using Bible translation to change the face of His Church and His Kingdom,” David said when asked about filling his role as JAARS leader. “We need to expand our comfort zones […]

By Arthur Lightbody, JAARS

David Reeves succeeded Jim Akovenko as JAARS president on October 1, 2008.

“I am courageously confident that the Lord is using Bible translation to change the face of His Church and His Kingdom,” David said when asked about filling his role as JAARS leader. “We need to expand our comfort zones and to open our minds to new perspectives.”

Wycliffe members for 24 years, David and his wife, Jane, initially served from 1984-1988 at JAARS in Waxhaw, N.C. where David worked in the radio department and avionics shop. They called Indonesia home for more than 18 years, as David helped provide communication and aviation services for Bible translators and literacy specialists. It was there he learned first-hand of the invaluable impact JAARS has on the lives of people impacted by Bible translation.

David’s experiences propelled him into multiple management and supervisory capacities while in Indonesia with SIL—JAARS linguistic, literacy and translation partner. There he chaired the SIL Indonesia Executive Committee and served as general manager of JAARS national partner organization, YAJASI, which provides aviation and communications.

JAARS speeds the Bible translation process by providing quality technical support services and resources.

JAARS is a Wycliffe Foundation affiliate organization.