On September 29, our Seed Company family lost a beloved colleague and friend. Dr. Katharine (Katy) Barnwell, affectionately known as “Mama Katy” to many, went home to be with the Lord.
In every story shared about Katy, a common theme emerges: she lived with humility, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to Christ. Those who knew her best often spoke of her extraordinary ability to combine brilliant linguistic insight with a genuine heart for people. She never sought recognition for herself. Her focus was always on equipping others and advancing God’s Word through the local church.
A Pioneer in Bible Translation
Katy Barnwell was a British linguist whose work reshaped the world of Bible translation. After beginning her studies with SIL in 1960, she joined Wycliffe Bible Translators in 1963 and was assigned to Nigeria in 1964 to serve the Mbembe people group.
Her vision was simple yet profound: empower first-language speakers and local churches to lead the work of translation. She dedicated herself to training Nigerians, many of whom had no formal linguistic background, and equipping them to take ownership of Bible translation for their communities.
In the years that followed, Katy became instrumental in Nigeria’s transition to Nigerian-led translation after 1976. She served as chief trainer with the Nigerian Bible Translation Trust (NBTT) and developed the cluster workshop approach, where multiple language teams launched projects simultaneously. Often beginning with the Gospel of Luke, this strategy allowed the “JESUS” film to be adapted quickly and became the global standard for the Jesus Film Project.
Peers often referred to her as “the mother of Bible translation in Africa,” a title that reflected not only her pioneering methods but also her deep love for people. Her impact is often compared to influential figures like Eugene Nida and William Carey.
A Global Influence
Katy’s influence stretched far beyond Nigeria. Her book, Bible Translation: An Introductory Course in Translation Principles—first published in 1975 and now translated into multiple languages—became the gold standard for training translators worldwide.
A 2022 article in Christianity Today credited her with revolutionizing the field of Bible translation. Larry Jones, then CEO of Seed Company, once reflected, “I am so grateful Katy said, ‘Here am I, send me!’ (cf. Isaiah 6:8) when she was invited to join our Seed Company team in the late 1990s. We are blessed to have been gifted with the investment of her life in the subsequent years. Thank you, Katy!”
Though she retired from Wycliffe Bible Translators in 2022, Katy continued serving faithfully as a Seed Company staff member, supporting the Mbembe people group from her home in the United Kingdom.
A Faithful Servant
We mourn the passing of Mama Katy, but we also rejoice in the reality that she is now in the presence of the Lord she served so faithfully. I believe with all my heart that she heard the words we long to hear ourselves: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Katy leaves behind a legacy of courage, innovation, and faithfulness that will continue to inspire generations of translators, churches, and communities. May we be found faithful to carry forward the work she helped pioneer.
As part of our 2023 staff meetings, we prepared a tribute video honoring Katy’s life and ministry. I encourage you to take a moment to watch it and to thank God for her remarkable life, legacy, and faithfulness.
—
Davis Powell
CEO and President, Seed Company
