Americas
Justin Hettinga
Regional Director
Stronger futures through America’s languages.
The Americas are where SIL’s story began. What started here decades ago continues today—stretching from the northern reaches of Canada and Alaska to the jungles of South America.
Across this vast region, we work hand-in-hand with churches and communities on Bible translation, capacity development, Scripture engagement, linguistics, literacy, and more, all supported by a workforce that increasingly comes from Latin American churches themselves.
In the Americas, we take a holistic, church-centric approach to our work. We believe that true, lasting, and sustainable impact happens when ownership rests in the hands of the people themselves, and especially the church. Our vision is a truly diverse global workforce serving under locally rooted leadership.
years SIL has been
working in the americas
communities SIL is currently working with in the americas
Our Footprint
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SIL Americas South
Jaime Ayala
South Regional Director
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SIL Americas Brazil
Kelly Smith
Brazil Regional Director
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SIL Americas North
Tom Woodward
Director
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SIL Americas South
Jaime Ayala
South Regional Director
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SIL Americas South
Jaime Ayala
South Regional Director
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SIL Americas South
Jaime Ayala
South Regional Director
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SIL Americas North
Tom Woodward
Director
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ILV AC
Instituto Lingüístico de Verano
Gama Astivia
Director
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SIL Americas South
Jaime Ayala
South Regional Director
CILTA
Curso Internacional de Lingüistica, Traducción y Alfabetización
Francisco Linares
CILTA Director
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SIL Americas North
Tom Woodward
Director
SIL US
Greg Salzman
Chief Executive Officer
Stories & News from Americas
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Stories
Literacy programs help revitalize minds and restore dignity in local Colombian communities. You would never suspect from the lines in…
July 23, 2025
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Stories
An unexpected encounter in Mexico draws one woman into a lifelong commitment to support her language. In 2004, Jeanne Austin…
June 14, 2025
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Stories
Audio recordings help one Native American community preserve their language for future generations. In January 2025, the flag of the…
April 29, 2025