Pioneering publisher and bookseller Beatriz Buono honours outgoing SparkLit president.

I served with John and Gayelene Harrower in the shadow of the military dictatorship; a time of great fear and pain in Argentina. Without their example and encouragement, my family and I would not be who we are today.

John was Nehemiah among us. He thought and acted as an engineer, economist, pastor and theologian. Before the ruins of our student and literature ministries, he wept, cried out, devised a strategy, established a plan, gathered resources and raised up a team. Despite the attacks he faced from inside and outside our ministry, he counted on God’s favour, kept his faith firm, and little by little achieved the results we hoped for.

Guided by the Spirit of God, John was able to see beyond my youth and inexperience and persuade me to join the team that would rescue the Certeza publishing house from bankruptcy. He equipped me with English courses, mentors, and links with publishers and Christian literature ministries in the United States and Australia.

With wisdom and faith

What is it about John that I most value? His childlike but unshakable faith? His passion, discipline or sense of humour? His multilayered reading of reality? His judicious reforms that reached the very roots of our organisation?

Before he left Argentina in 1988, John gathered together the ABUA and Certeza teams and painted a scenario of the challenges we would face in the coming years. “Crisis or no crisis, the church of Jesus Christ in Argentina will grow and it will need good books.” He encouraged us to become jugglers and keep as many balls in the air as possible, so that if one falls, the others remain aloft. Thanks to this wise strategy, our bookshops, publisher, importer and distributor survived and flourished for many years until, for various reasons, the time came to focus only on publishing and distributing our own books.

In gladness and in grief

John and his son David visited us in February 2018. When we organised the itinerary for their trip many months earlier, none of us could have imagined what was going to happen during their stay in Buenos Aires. I don’t think it was a coincidence. God enabled John to accompany me when the sale of the Certeza bookshop was settled. Again John challenged me. “Let’s pray in the shop.” This was a dark and sad time and I was reluctant to return to the empty premises. Later, I appreciated the healing I received as John prayed, giving thanks for the years of service we had provided in that place. We had been together at the opening celebrations and we were together in the grief of closure.

I thank God that he brought this precious family to serve with the Asociación Bíblica Universitaria Argentina (ABUA) and the Certeza publishing house. They came as prophets of hope in times of desolation. Thank you John and Gayelene. You were our comfort and family. You influenced and impacted many people. I am one of them.

Beatriz Buono is the director of Christian publisher Certeza Argentina.

SparkLit nurtures Christian literature ministries in difficult places.

Last year John Harrower concluded 31 years service on the boards of the Australian Christian Literature Society and the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Australia; now known as SparkLit. He was president from 2005 to 2021.

John Harrower arrived in Argentina with his wife Gayelene, and two young boys in 1979 to work with university students. This was during the notorious Dirty War, in which the military junta “disappeared” thousands of people suspected of left-wing sympathies. While John was travelling, Gayelene often wondered whether she would ever see him again.

In 1981, the Argentine fellowship of evangelical students (ABUA) asked John to rescue Christian publisher Certeza, which had gone broke. John assembled a team of students and graduates and asked SparkLit for help. He saw firsthand the difference a little money, advice, training and encouragement can make to an indigenous Christian publisher.

“Under local leadership, Certeza thrived. They did things I could never have dreamed of doing. It warms my heart. It’s so exciting to see other people fly higher than I could ever fly.”

Returning to Australia in 1988, John became the vicar of St Paul’s Anglican Church Glen Waverley, where he worked to combine three parishes into one, now GWAC. In 2000 he was appointed Bishop of Tasmania, a role he held until 2015. He then worked as bishop assisting the Primate, Archbishop of Melbourne Philip Freier.

“When I was asked to join the SparkLit board, I said, ‘Of course!’ I was grateful for the support I had received in Latin America and I knew how valuable the work of SparkLit is for grassroots publishers. SparkLit makes a significant contribution to God’s work in the world. I wanted to be part of it.”

Elspeth Kernebone is editor of The Melbourne Anglican and a SparkLit Board member.

SparkLit nurtures Christian literature ministries in difficult places.

This year Len Woodley concludes 28 years with SparkLit. Twelve years on the Council followed 16 as General Secretary. He reminisces with Council member Elspeth Kernebone.

In 1992, Len’s wife Lesley noticed that the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Australia (SparkLit) was advertising for a General Secretary. Len had sold his Adelaide bookshop to Dymocks. After running it for 25 years, he was working for Dymocks to turn his store into one of its branches.

The SPCKA role seemed a good vessel for his experience.

The right time

The book trade was undergoing its biggest transition in 500 years. Not since the introduction of the printing press had the entire publishing industry—and even the concept of the book—seen such astonishing changes. 

Len found this exhilarating. His hero William Tyndale had harnessed the transformative power of printing to advance the gospel. With the digital revolution Len saw the need to be equally innovative, especially in tough situations overseas. 

The right experience

Len remembers sitting on the plane to Buenos Aires wondering, “What have I got to offer these people?” 

It turned out that his experience coordinating a network of branches with Dymocks was exactly what Certeza Argentina needed.  “I was amazed to see how God used my experience. It just coalesced to fit their needs at that time.”

The right heart

In Argentina, Egypt, India, Peru and the Philippines, Len helped improve procedures, introduce technology, train staff and even root out corruption. 

“It was an eye-opener for me to see how people depend on God when many of the things we take for granted just aren’t there. This developed my empathy, broadened my understanding and deepened my passion.” 

“God does wonderful things when we put our knowledge and funds in his hands. Each time I came away feeling what an extraordinary privilege it is to make Christian books accessible, affordable and available to those who need them most.”

Pray that the Holy Spirit will enable the SparkLit Council to build on Len’s legacy of dedication and generosity.

Elspeth Kernebone is a journalist for the Bendigo Advertiser and a SparkLit Council member.

SparkLit nurtures Christian literature ministries in difficult places.

Argentine publisher and bookseller Beatriz Buono honours retired Sparklit General Secretary Len Woodley.

Certeza Argentina has been called to communicate the lordship of Jesus Christ by publishing biblical and contextual books by Latin American men and women. My best tribute to Len and his work with us is to say that, against all odds, thanks to God and also in great measure to the contribution of SparkLit, we continue to pursue our vision.

A friend in disguise 

I first met Len when he began courting my friend Lesley McGrath in 1987. My roots are more Italian than Argentine, so I needed to overcome my natural prejudice to discover behind that dignified gentlemanly demeanour a sensitive and joyful man with a passion to advance God’s kingdom through the ministry of Christian literature.

It was a wise and brave man who told me over breakfast during his first visit to Argentina that, to avoid collapse, Certeza needed to close all its branches and spare only the central Buenos Aires bookstore.

A friend in adversity 

It is not easy to run a business in Argentina. As well as competing with large foreign publishers and global online retailers, Certeza has to deal with sudden recessions and devaluations.

Len’s sober and timely counsel has helped us weather one storm after another. He didn’t always apply the same formula or remedy. Sometimes he advised us to close down and scale back. At other times he encouraged us to grow and expand. His business sense rarely failed him. 

A friend 

However, if there is one thing an Argentine values more than wisdom, it is companionship. Len is a dear friend who, together with his wife Lesley, has had such a positive influence on me and the ministry of Certeza.

Len, thank you for respecting me and affirming my leadership. Thank you for challenging me to grow by recommending pertinent reading and training opportunities. Thank you for treating me as an equal; colleague to colleague.

I pray that God will strengthen you and surprise you with new paths in which you may continue to serve him. 

Beatriz Buono is the director of Christian publisher Certeza Argentina.

SparkLit nurtures Christian literature ministries in difficult places.

While on study leave in Australia, David Painter will serve on the SparkLit Council. In 2019 he will resume his pioneering work in Christian publishing and theological education in Cambodia.

David and Leoni together with their two children, Joshua and Grace, have served with the Church Missionary Society in Cambodia since 2001. David has taught at the Phnom Penh Bible School and worked with local Christian publisher Fount of Wisdom.

“Books are essential for communicating and consolidating the gospel in Cambodia. The Buddhist mind naturally interprets the Bible as a works-based philosophy: ‘Do good and receive good, do evil and receive evil.’ To correctly understand and interpret Scripture, Cambodian teachers, preachers, church elders, Bible study leaders and thoughtful Christians need all the assistance they can get. They do not enjoy the resources we take for granted in the English-speaking world.”

In Khmer culture, books, reading and writing are revered. However, the devastation wrought by the Khmer Rouge in three and a half years will take generations to reverse. Among other tasks, Christian publishers are helping to recreate a national literature.

Publishing Christian books is especially challenging in a culture in which many fundamental Christian theological principles find no natural equivalents. This became apparent when David began to translate the IVP New Bible Dictionary and Moore College Preliminary Theological Certificate curriculum into Khmer. With the help of a group of young Church leaders and a linguist, David compiled a Khmer glossary of more than 6000 biblical words and theological terms. This glossary has been published by Fount of Wisdom, and is used by other publishers and translators. The glossary reflects current usage in the Khmer Scriptures and local churches. It streamlines translation and aids original writing, making it easier for Cambodian Christians to read Christian books from different sources.

Systematically articulating Christian theological ideas in the Khmer language is a gift to the Cambodian Church of enduring and far-reaching significance.

David plans to return to Cambodia equipped for a new season of service. “In an attempt to answer some very Asian questions, I have commenced a masters degree researching the relationship between the living and the dead.”

Please pray for the SparkLit president, Bishop John Harrower, and the members of the National Council as they guide the work of SparkLit and support our national director. Pray that we will develop and guard an ethos that kindles local initiative, reinforces achievement and empowers our partners.

Simon has worked in the book industry for over twenty years and is currently the Managing Director of ALS Library Services, an Australian business supplying public libraries.

“Twenty years in the trade has taught me that people still read. While technology and devices compete for our attention, reading is still valued and powerful in shaping our collective beliefs and culture.”

Simon is married to Melinda with four children under 13 and is studying for a bachelor of theology. He reads widely but particularly enjoys theology, business and young adult fiction. He serves as a leader in the Vineyard Church where he worships.

“Books condense knowledge and wisdom into a convenient package that can be used at any time and as many times as needed. In training, discipleship and evangelism, books can create focal points for conversation and can be delivered to people when an open conversation might be difficult or even dangerous.”

“SparkLit trains and equips God’s people to create books in their own language. This enables them to multiply knowledge of the truth in their culture and do the work that God has called them to.”

Please pray for Simon as he serves on the SparkLit Council. As he reviews and authorises our overseas grants, pray that he might be given discernment and wisdom.

On Saturday 12 November SparkLit Council member the Revd Dr Paul Barker was ordained and consecrated as a Bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne.

Paul recently returned from South-East Asia after six years as a visiting lecturer in Biblical Theology, Old Testament and Homiletics, and as the regional coordinator for Langham Preaching and Langham Scholar Care.

“I hope that my experience in Asia will keep me living simply, loving the poor and keeping the big picture of the gospel my big picture. I also hope that it helps me to be more sensitive to the needs of the Asian immigrants among us in Melbourne.”

“Pray that God will bring to completion the ministry and work begun in Asia. Pray that I am endowed with godly wisdom, courage and boldness, godliness of character and a quick and deep love for the people I am to pastor and shepherd.”

Photography by Janine Eastgate, Anglican Media Melbourne.

Paul Barker brings to SparkLit comprehensive experience in the region where most of our projects are located. He loves books and reading. He is committed to God and His mission.

“The majority world does not have access to quality, relevant or vernacular books. Yet pastors rely on books to guide them in preaching and leading. While many may read only a little, they do read. Investing in them is strategic. They are the future leaders of God’s church.”

“SparkLit has a crucial role in helping to grow local publishing and distribution of quality books. Many emerging publishers are deeply indebted to SparkLit’s expertise and support.”

In November Paul will be consecrated as an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne. As a CMS missionary Paul worked as the Asia Regional Coordinator for Langham Preaching and Langham Scholars. He taught in seminaries throughout Asia and initiated or facilitated SparkLit partnerships in Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.

Paul has been visiting Lecturer at Ridley College, Vicar of Holy Trinity Doncaster and Archdeacon of Box Hill. He has a doctorate in Deuteronomy, and has written books on Deuteronomy, Amos and Psalms, some of which have been translated. He is committed to strengthening the local church in the majority world with preaching and teaching resources.

“I hope that my experience in Asia will keep me living simply, loving the poor, serving the needy church and keeping the big picture of the gospel as my big picture. I hope it helps me to be more sensitive to the needs of the Asian immigrants we have in Melbourne.”

Please pray for Paul as he resettles in Australia. Pray for him as he takes up his responsibilities as Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne.

Today you can make theological texts available to Bible College graduates and pastors. 

SparkLit advances God’s kingdom by empowering Christian writers and publishers in difficult places. SparkLit does not publish books. We are a publisher’s companion.

We do not do for our publishing partners what they can and must do themselves. We invest in emerging indigenous publishers where life-changing Christian writing is needed most.

Where there is vision and enthusiasm we listen.

Where there is talent and promise we provide training opportunities.

Where there is skill and competence we provide tools.

Where there is initiative and enterprise we provide capital.

Where there is leadership we provide friendship.

We go where we are invited. When we get there we work under local leaders. We listen until we understand. We make ourselves mutually accountable. Whether there are setbacks or success, mistakes or miracles, failure or fortune, we provide companionship.

To be empowered, a local leader has to be given power. This is counterintuitive and uncomfortable for us but reinforces the authority of the leader in their context.

How do we recognise success? How do we measure progress? We are encouraged when we see the newly published work of local authors. We are encouraged when revenue from sales represents a growing proportion of turnover. We are encouraged when our partners, in turn, assume a mentoring and nurturing role with other emerging writers, publishers and booksellers.

We always give thanks to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:20–21).

Michael Collie is SparkLit’s National Director. This year he has been providing encouragement and training to Chim Titmaka (pictured left) from Fount of Wisdom publisher in Cambodia.