As we reflect on the journey of Serve the Global Church, it is a privilege to share the story of how this organization came to be and the vision that guides us forward. Our mission is deeply rooted in serving and supporting local Christian churches worldwide as they embrace the life-changing work of Bible translation. This is not merely our mission—it is a movement.

For nearly four decades, our founder, Bruce Smith, has been a pioneer in Christian missions, navigating uncharted territories with innovative approaches to meet the needs of the global Church. From the early days with Mission Aviation Fellowship, which linked missionaries in remote locations with communication and transportation services, to years with Wycliffe Associates, where volunteers mobilized to accelerate Bible translation, these experiences shaped our understanding of how to overcome challenges in ministry.

However, as Albert Einstein wisely noted, "We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." The world has changed dramatically, and so has the global Church. Today, over two-thirds of Christians live in the global South and East, while Europe and North America—the traditional centers of missions—are becoming increasingly post-Christian. These shifts reveal a new reality: the era of Western-dominated mission models is giving way to a vibrant, localized approach to ministry.

Serve the Global Church was founded in 2021 to embrace and empower this transformation. The catalyst for this vision was the reformational Mobilized Assistance Supporting Translation (MAST) methodology, introduced in 2014. Unlike traditional Bible translation models, which relied heavily on Western personnel—often requiring years of cultural and linguistic immersion—MAST enabled local churches to take ownership of the entire translation process. This just-in-time training model allowed local believers, who already understood their language and culture, to begin translation immediately while integrating quality assurance into their daily work. The result? Faster, more sustainable, and community-centered Bible translation.

Since its inception, Serve the Global Church has championed this paradigm shift. Bruce Smith, our founder, and Tim Neu, our President and CEO, were instrumental in launching MAST and continue to work alongside global South churches to accelerate Bible translation. Hundreds of new translation projects have been initiated under this model, empowering local congregations to share God’s Word in their own languages. While many Western churches and organizations have yet to adopt MAST, the global South has embraced it, proving that the local Church is more than capable of leading this charge.

Our commitment is unwavering: to serve and support the global Church as it fulfills its mission to make Christ known in every community. We believe that the time is now. The local Church is ready, and the opportunities before us are immense. Together, we are witnessing the transformative power of localized ministry resources, under the stewardship of the very communities they are designed to serve.

As we welcome Tim Neu as our President and CEO, his leadership and vision further solidify our resolve to build on this foundation. With his deep experience and passion for equipping local churches, we are poised to support even more communities in their translation efforts, ensuring that the life-changing message of the Bible reaches every corner of the globe.

We invite you to join us in this movement. Whether through prayer, partnership, or participation, there is a place for you in this story. Together, let us continue to serve the global Church, one translation, one community, one life at a time.