Roy Peterson President of ABS and his wife Rita

American Bible Society (ABS) has a new head with decades of leadership in Bible translation.

Dr Roy Peterson, who is currently serving as president and CEO of The Seed Company, will join ABS in February.

“Roy’s decades-long leadership in Bible translation and depth of experience will serve him well as he helps lead American Bible Society into our third century of ministry.” says ABS Board Chairman Pieter Dearolf. ABS is a key member of the United Bible Societies, a global federation that has Bible Society Australia as one of its 146 members.

Kirk Franklin, an Australian who is CEO of the Wycliffe Global Alliance, has worked with Peterson for six years, getting to know him during three-month stints in Dallas each year. “My wife’s comment sums it up,” says Franklin. “She said she has always appreciated his spiritual leadership.”

“For example, every January he asks everyone in The Seed Company to fast from something, not necessarily food, to give them time to commit the year to God.

“It has been a healthy spiritual leadership for Seed and if he takes it to ABS it will be a good thing.”

The Seed Company, a part of the Wycliffe group of Bible translating organisations, which was led by Peterson for the last decade, has a reputation for being innovative and creative. “He encouraged innovation and for people to be willing to take risks,” Franklin told Eternity. “I recall him saying time and time again to staff that I would rather you try something and fail, than not try. But balanced with prayer.”

Bible Society Australia CEO, Greg Clarke, says “I look forward to working with Roy and all the Bible Society leaders around the globe as we continue in our Bible mission tasks. Roy’s experience in the first task of getting translation done will be an invaluable asset to us all.”

Franklin predicts that the ties between Bible translating and publishing groups, already made much better and stronger by an initiative called ETEN (Every Tribe Every Nation) funded by a prominent family of philanthropists, will be strengthened by Peterson’s appointment.

“Strong relationships at the top of these organisations will always bring things together.”