Christopher and Darlene Clark are missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators/JAARS in Papua New Guinea (PNG), an island country in the Pacific that is home to over 800 different language groups. The goal of Wycliffe is to assist the church in fulfilling the Great Commission through Bible translation. Vision 2025 states that Wycliffe desires to partner with other like groups in beginning a Bible translation work in every language group that still needs it by the year 2025. Currently it is estimated that 3000 language groups representing 380 million people have yet to hear God speak their language. Over 400 of those languages are in Papua New Guinea. God desires for every language group to know Him and to make Him known, and to ultimately participate in the "Global Hallelujah" worship celebration in Heaven. Since every language group will be represented in Heaven, it is the Clark’s desire to provide support for this vital work of getting God’s "heart talk" into the heart language of all peoples.
JAARS is the technical support division of Wycliffe. It provides support to Bible translators through aviation, radio and other communication services, computer assistance, construction, media, and transportation. Christopher is a Cessna 206 pilot with JAARS in PNG, and carries passengers and supplies to and from remote airstrips around the country, providing much-needed support to translators, literacy workers, and national assistants.
The Clarks were both raised in Christian homes and as young teens realized the importance of making the faith of their parents their own faith. It was their desire to be unashamed of the Gospel of Christ and to commit their lives to the Lord’s service. They were both exposed to Biblical teaching and the concept of missions from an early age and had opportunities to serve as short-term missionaries and church workers during their teens and twenties. Christopher received training in flight and maintenance at LeTourneau University and Darlene earned degrees in biology and intercultural studies from Christian Universities. The Clarks were married in 2000 and moved to Southern California to prepare further for missionary service. They became members of Bethany Bible Fellowship in January, 2001. Christopher and Darlene welcomed son Nathan into their family in March, 2003. Together they moved to Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea in 2004 to begin serving the people of PNG and SIL (Wycliffe’s overseas linguistic division). Christopher works in aviation and uses his gifts in leadership and music to serve the Lord. Darlene enjoys various teaching and support ministries with nationals and other ex-patriots which allow her to stay at home with Nathan and Nehemiah .
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