David Reeves Assumes Role in Leading Bible Translation Support Efforts October 1

Contact: Arthur Lightbody, APR, JAARS Media Relations Officer, 704-843-6048, 704-608-3033 cell, arthur_lightbody@sil.org 

WAXHAW, NC, Sept. 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- JAARS Inc. recently announced that David Reeves will succeed Jim Akovenko as JAARS president on October 1. JAARS provides technology and support services to speed Bible translations for languages that do not have them.

When asked about filling his role as JAARS leader, Reeves said, "I am courageously confident that the Lord is using Bible translation to change the face of His Church and His Kingdom. 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 then called Indonesia home for more than 18 years, as Reeves 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.

Although educated and trained in the technical arena, Reeve's experiences propelled him into multiple management and supervisory capacities while in Indonesia working 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 and is located in Papua, Indonesia.

Jim Akovenko and his wife Sue will serve Wycliffe's Seed Company in Arlington Texas. Akovenko, who initially joined Wycliffe as a pilot in 1976, and also served in Indonesia, will assume a senior leadership role with The Seed Company. He was president of JAARS for the past 12 years.

JAARS speeds the Bible translation process by providing quality technical support services and resources. These include air, land and water transportation, information technology, and non-print media options in vernacular languages. These services support the Wycliffe Bible Translators family of organizations in their dedication to providing Scriptures in the languages of all the world's peoples who need it.

Information on visiting JAARS, serving in long or short term service opportunities, or supporting JAARS ministries can be found at www.jaars.org.