Join Brandi and James as they interview Dr. Johnstone Ndunde, the global director for SIL. They talk about the concept and principles of localization, and Dr. Ndunde’s perspective on working cross-culturally in a predominately Western organization as a Kenyan. The shift in the global mission movement from “the West to the Rest” doesn’t mean a disengagement from Western or old world sending countries, but rather an opportunity for collaboration.

He quotes Samuel Escobar’s book The New Global Mission: The Gospel from Everywhere to Everyone. The central theme is a shift from a Western-led movement to a global, polycentric mission force. The work is now from everyone to everywhere. There has been a rise in the majority church and a shift of the center of the Christian church toward the Global South. Escobar critiques older mission paradigms that tied Christianity to Western culture and encourages models rooted in justice, compassion, and local ownership.

Dr Nunde says the key focus in this modern movement is mutuality and partnership. For SIL, localization is about opening up space to fully utilize all the giftings within the body of Christ in order to fulfill God’s mission. God is calling everyone to everywhere for His mission. If that is the case, then our systems, structures, governance, and everything we do—including staffing for a successful mission—must be aligned with what God is doing so that we can have a greater impact in Christian ministry.

Dr. Johnstone Ndunde is the SIL Global Director, a role he stepped into in May 2025. He brings 20 years of experience in leadership, Bible translation, literacy, and language development across Africa, having served with SIL Global and previously with Bible Translation and Literacy (BTL) in Kenya. His work has been rooted in advancing educational and spiritual opportunities within African language communities so individuals and communities can flourish.

In previous roles, Dr. Ndunde has guided programs developing initiatives and instructional materials in schools and adult education in a number of countries in Africa. As Director of Strategy and then Area Director for SIL Anglo-Lusophone Africa, he fostered collaboration with key partners and church communities, expanded regional and global funding capabilities, and implemented initiatives to develop emerging leaders. 

Dr. Ndunde holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Governance from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, an MA in Educational Studies from Africa International University, and a B.Ed. in Commerce and Economics from the University of Nairobi.

Johnstone lives in Nairobi, Kenya, with his wife, Esther.