Todd and Angela Owen . . .

. . . are passionate about partnering with God in his great mission: to “reconcile the world to himself in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

To that end, Todd earned a Bachelor of Theology in Missions and Bible from Ozark Christian College (OCC) in 1993 and additionally studied Linguistics at the University of Texas at Arlington (in conjunction with the Summer Institute of Linguistics program). Angela studied at OCC for two years, then transferred to Missouri Southern State College and earned an Associate Degree of Nursing (’92).

In 1997, under the auspices of Pioneer Bible Translators (PBT), the Owen family moved to Papua New Guinea to serve as Bible translators with the Somau Garia people of southern Madang Province. They were able to celebrate the publication and distribution of the Gospel According to Mark on Easter Sunday, 2007.

In 2008 the Owens concluded that God was prodding them in a different direction–and so they resigned from PBT and accepted a pastorate in the Midwest. During their years in the pastorate God kept bringing missionaries to their doorstep–for fellowship or advice or encouragement. As they prayed, they became convinced that God was beginning to orchestrate a return to their roots in missions.

That return to missions meant a move to Southwest Florida to work with New Mission Systems International, helping develop a missionary care program, from 2010 to early 2013.

The Somau Garia people were never far from their hearts, though. In 2013 the Owens began making preparations to return to Papua New Guinea in order to finish translation of the Somau Garia New Testament. They returned in 2015. At this writing a little over 70% of the New Testament is in draft form.

Currently, the Todd and Angela are living and working in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea, translating the New Testament into the Somau Garia language.

If you’d like to know more or would like to partner with us in this venture, please drop me (Todd) and email at the following address:

towen@shakethegates.org

Our Story as told by Todd

Perhaps some of you would rather listen to a podcast version of our story. You can press play on the player below to listen. Thanks!