There is a growing need for missionaries and ministry workers to serve in Bible translation and Scripture engagement across Australia.

If you already have theological and linguistic training and are ready to explore Bible translation ministry, we’d love to connect with you. The AuSIL team in Darwin can help you take the next step and introduce you to the people and organisations best suited to your interests and experience.

If you’re interested in Bible translation but haven’t yet completed theological or translation training, we encourage you to get in touch. Translation internships in the Northern Territory provide an opportunity to explore whether God is calling you into this ministry. The Darwin AuSIL team can also advise you on the theological and SIL training pathways that may be appropriate for your area of interest.

If you would like to learn how to translate the Bible, you may like to study one of Nungalinya College’s Bible translation courses. You can also come to Darwin for AuSIL’s annual Short Passage Workshop, where you will learn practical translation skills and grow in confidence as you translate and share God’s Word.

If you have already started translating the Bible into your language and would like support, the AuSIL team would love to help. They can connect you with a translation advisor or consultant and help you find the training and support you need for your translation project.

Retirement can be a wonderful opportunity to use your skills and experience to support the work of Bible translation.

Throughout the year, Nungalinya College and AuSIL welcome retired Christians to serve in practical ways. Many choose to spend time in Darwin during the dry season, contributing in areas such as maintenance, administration, archiving, IT support, logistics, hospitality, and more.

AuSIL is also developing a new volunteer team of adventurous retired Christians to serve alongside Rob and Lisa Clements in Central Australia. Volunteers will spend up to six months each year helping deliver Bibles and other resources to remote Indigenous communities while building meaningful cross-cultural relationships. If you’re comfortable travelling in remote 4WD environments and have a heart to serve, we’d love to hear from you.

You don’t need to speak an Indigenous language to be part of Bible translation projects. Many English speaking non-Indigenous Christians work alongside Indigenous language speakers to support current projects through the translation process. These translation facilitator roles often rely more on relational skills than linguistic knowledge.

Just as the body has many parts with different roles, Bible translation depends on people with many different skills working together. Translators rely on a team of people who provide practical, technical, creative, and administrative support to help translation projects succeed.

Whether your skills are in finance, administration, communications, graphic design, illustration, IT support, copyrighting, leadership, management, teaching, literacy, art therapy, bookkeeping, or another area, there is a place for you to serve. Whatever your gifts, God can use them to help bring His Word to Indigenous communities.

Partially funded internships or work experience opportunities may be available for you to consider.

Contact the AuSIL team to learn about current projects and opportunities to visit. Nungalinya College also offers accommodation for individuals and church groups who would like to visit or volunteer outside of student teaching blocks, subject to availability.