Who is SIL PNG?
SIL (The Summer Institute of Linguistics) PNG serves communities across Papua New Guinea by working at the intersection of Bible translation, discipleship, education, and language development. With hundreds of distinct language groups, many of which have never had Scripture in their own language, SIL partners closely with local churches and communities to translate the Bible, develop literacy programs, and help people engage with God’s Word in ways that are clear, meaningful, and lasting. Their goal is not just translation, but long term spiritual growth rooted in local language and culture.
SIL PNG’s work goes far beyond producing written Scripture. Teams walk alongside communities over many years, training local believers, supporting pastors, and helping churches disciple people using Scripture they can fully understand. When God’s Word is available in a heart language, faith becomes personal, discipleship becomes deeper, and churches are strengthened from within rather than dependent on outside voices.
SIL PNG’s work goes far beyond producing written Scripture. Teams walk alongside communities over many years, training local believers, supporting pastors, and helping churches disciple people using Scripture they can fully understand. When God’s Word is available in a heart language, faith becomes personal, discipleship becomes deeper, and churches are strengthened from within rather than dependent on outside voices.
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In 2026, Garrett will be joining SIL PNG as Chief Communications Officer. In this role, he will support the organization by strengthening storytelling, visibility, and communication across teams, partners, and supporters. His focus will be on clearly sharing what God is doing through Bible translation and discipleship across Papua New Guinea, helping others understand the impact of this work and why Scripture access matters.
Garrett sees this role as a natural continuation of his calling to discipleship and seeing the Gospel take root in every language. By serving with SIL PNG, he is able to support the long term work of Bible translation while helping ensure that these stories, communities, and testimonies are faithfully shared and stewarded well.
Garrett sees this role as a natural continuation of his calling to discipleship and seeing the Gospel take root in every language. By serving with SIL PNG, he is able to support the long term work of Bible translation while helping ensure that these stories, communities, and testimonies are faithfully shared and stewarded well.
Sending and Receiving Organizations Explained
SIL PNG is serving as his receiving organization, and Tyndale Bible Translations is serving as Garrett’s sending organization. Both carry real authority and responsibility, but in different areas.
As his sending organization, Tyndale is the home base that commissions him and stands behind his ministry. They provide spiritual covering, pastoral care, accountability, and the broader structure that allows him to serve overseas in a healthy and sustainable way. They process donations and ensure proper stewardship, and in the event of a serious medical emergency, evacuation, security threat, or major family crisis, Tyndale would help coordinate response and mobilize the necessary support systems so he and his family are not navigating those situations alone.
As his receiving organization, SIL PNG is the ministry body he formally joins and serves under in country. They provide direct leadership, define his responsibilities, integrate him into their teams, and ensure his work aligns with their long term strategy for Bible translation and discipleship across Papua New Guinea. SIL PNG shapes what his role looks like on the ground and anchors his work within their broader mission and operational framework.
In simple terms, Tyndale sends, supports, and safeguards the missionary. SIL PNG leads and directs the ministry where it is happening.
As his sending organization, Tyndale is the home base that commissions him and stands behind his ministry. They provide spiritual covering, pastoral care, accountability, and the broader structure that allows him to serve overseas in a healthy and sustainable way. They process donations and ensure proper stewardship, and in the event of a serious medical emergency, evacuation, security threat, or major family crisis, Tyndale would help coordinate response and mobilize the necessary support systems so he and his family are not navigating those situations alone.
As his receiving organization, SIL PNG is the ministry body he formally joins and serves under in country. They provide direct leadership, define his responsibilities, integrate him into their teams, and ensure his work aligns with their long term strategy for Bible translation and discipleship across Papua New Guinea. SIL PNG shapes what his role looks like on the ground and anchors his work within their broader mission and operational framework.
In simple terms, Tyndale sends, supports, and safeguards the missionary. SIL PNG leads and directs the ministry where it is happening.
