Growing up in a Christian home, I was surrounded by Scripture. But it wasn’t until college that I truly began to see the Bible not as a book of condemnation, but as a source of grace. That shift changed everything. It deepened my love for God’s Word and set me on a path I never could have predicted.
After college, I thought I was headed into a typical professional career. But God had other plans. He led me to Wycliffe Bible Translators, where I started as a typist. Over the next two decades, I had the privilege of growing into leadership roles, eventually serving as Chief Operating Officer. It was there that I discovered the incredible depth and complexity of Bible translation—and the profound impact it has on lives around the world.
Today, I serve as President and CEO of the American Bible Society, an organization with a legacy stretching back to 1816. We’re involved in nearly every aspect of Bible work: translation, distribution, engagement, and advocacy. But what excites me most is our vision, God’s Word transforming all people. That’s not just a tagline. It’s a calling.
We believe Scripture engagement begins with curiosity. It’s not enough to simply have access to the Bible. We want to help people take the next step, whether that’s through trauma healing, creative distribution in hard-to-reach places, or using tools like AI to connect with younger generations. Gen Z and Gen Alpha have unique values and barriers, and we’re committed to co-creating solutions with the Church to reach them meaningfully.
One of the most powerful things I’ve learned is that leadership principles often show up in unexpected Bible stories. God’s Word is rich with wisdom for every area of life, including strategic leadership, innovation, and operational excellence. And when we come together across faith traditions, centered on Scripture, we open the door to transformation, not just for individuals, but for communities and nations.
At American Bible Society, we’re pursuing an end-to-end approach: making sure people have access to the Bible, helping them engage with it deeply, and encouraging them to advocate for its life-changing power. I believe that when the Church unites around this mission, we’ll see God’s Word do what it’s always done, bring light, healing, and hope to the world.
*This blog post was thoughtfully adapted from Jennifer’s interview on The Finish Line podcast, offering a glimpse into her journey of moving from striving to surrender and how her views on wealth, purpose, and generosity have grown and deepened over time. You can listen to the full podcast interview here.
