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.

Today you can help Andy Bennett give students in Tanzania a lasting gift.

 

“I want to be a pilot.” Jackson is thirteen. He has big plans and a shy grin. Jackson is in form 1 at Mchungaji Mwema Secondary School. He clasps a Bible and a booklet on his lap. “I know that education is my best chance for a future. I want to pass my exams, get a good job and honour God.”

 

We can’t do it alone

 

There is great demand for Christian education in schools. Although the Bible Knowledge syllabus has been approved by the Ministry of Education, there are very few government teachers qualified in theology. So pastors from different denominations are putting their hands up to help. With sufficient teachers and course material this new program could be taught in 20 schools throughout north-west Tanzania. Over 1,000 students like Jackson have elected to take the subject and are enthusiastic about studying the Bible.

 

Because God loves us

 

This is a poor region. Most children cannot afford to buy a Bible, and the government’s free education policy means that parents cannot be charged for the cost of the course materials. With your financial support, Jackson and students like him will receive a Bible and class notes. “If I had my own Bible, I could use it all the way until the end of school, and maybe even after that!” Jackson says, “Having a Bible and good notes will help me to study and pass my exams. I like reading and studying the Bible. I want to understand God because God loves us.”

 

Will you be a part of this unique evangelistic opportunity in Tanzania? Will you enable students to learn about Jesus by providing a Bible and course notes?

 

Please pray that Jackson will come to trust and obey our heavenly Father and become an agent of his love and grace in Tanzania.

 

Andy Bennett is an Australia missionary collaborating on the new Bible Knowledge syllabus with the Anglican Diocese of Kagera.

 

$13 will enable a student to study Bible Knowledge at a secondary school in Tanzania by providing a Bible and notes.

Publishing professional Daniela Ortiz left LittWorld 2015 as a member of a global family.

 

When we travel we fill our bags with clothes, shoes, and in my case, books. We return home with dirty clothes, worn shoes, and in this case, valuable tools. We accumulate experiences and feelings, adventures and acquaintances. Like tattoos they become a permanent imprint we bear wherever we go.

 

My experience at LittWorld was short but significant. It marked me personally and professionally. It’s evident whether I’m rolling up my sleeves to work, or sunbathing with my family. LittWorld was a rich combination of people, moments, training, prayer and praise in so many different languages.

 

A shared Spirit. A shared passion

 

LittWorld gave me the opportunity to take time away from my daily concerns and pressures to refocus, review and evaluate my role. During the workshops I learned how to be a more effective team leader, build a brand and create a marketing plan. I met authors, editors and publishers. I heard their stories and I saw the passion that moves them.

 

The persecution endured by so many of our brothers and sisters around the world helped me to appreciate my situation. I used to think that our economic situation was critical. Now, I thank God for allowing us to preach the Gospel freely, without having to fear for our lives every time we go to work.

 

We have work to do

 

At Certeza where I work, we want to develop our business relationship with a secular publisher that sells door-to-door across Argentina reaching the homes of people who have never been to a church or heard the message of Jesus Christ. They already distribute the New Bible Dictionary and Through the Bible Through the Year by John Stott.

 

Now we hope they will distribute a Bible and a book of reflections and meditations. We are also addressing the challenge of promoting Latin American authors and distributing their books throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

 

Please pray that God will give us energy and guidance as we reorganise and restructure our publishing and bookselling operations. We need to make the most of all the resources and talents we have.

 

New horizons have opened up

 

Before LittWorld, I worked in a publishing house and Christian bookstore. Now, I am part of God’s plan to take the Good News to the whole world through books. I love books. I know that in the hands of the right people at the right time, books are used by the Holy Spirit to transform and inspire us.

 

Before LittWorld, my prayers were limited to my country and my work. In the atmosphere I breathed at LittWorld, I absorbed a vision for global publishing.

 

Daniela Ortiz works at Certeza Argentina, a publisher and book distributor based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

$500 will enable a young publishing professional to attend a LetraViva training event in Mexico in June 2016.

You can help Pastor Shi prepare a new generation of church leaders for long-term service.

 

I notice that Shun is discouraged. He has been struggling for too long. He desperately wants to serve God and has been working diligently at his church for over a decade. Yet, he has never been given responsibilities or opportunities to exercise his gifts. He has little to show for his efforts. He has lost sight of the big picture. No one seems to care about his personal development or aspirations. The joy has gone. Shun is burnt out.

 

On the other hand Pastor Wei is full of energy. Despite his lack of experience he was a popular choice to plant a new church. Unfortunately, conflict follows him wherever he goes. He is young, talented and confident, but immature. His lack of empathy and respect eventually alienated his team and congregation.

 

Equipped to serve

 

Both traditional and contemporary models of leadership in China are leader-centric. They emphasise charisma, authority and control. Rather than building up followers they build up leaders. Some pastors make all the decisions, no matter how small. Too often team members are prevented from using their gifts, acquiring skills or appreciating how their work contributes to the mission of the church. They frequently feel isolated and discouraged. Consequently there is little enthusiasm, cooperation or collaboration.

 

Faith building and sustainable growth requires humility, discipline and patience. We urgently need to introduce a Biblical style of leadership that emphasises godly character, service and collaboration. Above all we need to train leaders to disciple and nurture future leaders.

 

Leaders can encourage team members by reminding them how their work contributes to the overall vision. This enables us to focus our time and resources on fulfilling God’s call to serve him.

 

Equipped to lead

 

By making possible the publication of a Simplified Chinese translation of Relational Leadership: A Biblical Model for Influence and Service by Walter Wright you will help equip leaders to nurture others for the sake of the Kingdom.

 

For seminary graduates, this book will bring a new leadership perspective which emphasises character rather than charisma. They will be inspired to build up future generations of leaders by investing in those who work with and under them. They will be encouraged to empower others to grow God’s people.

 

Please pray that through the provision of this book, seminary and Bible college graduates in China will strive to be godly leaders in their churches.

 

Will you continue to support us as we equip pastors, preachers and teachers? Pray that I will faithfully build up the body of Christ in love.

 

$5 will provide a Simplified Chinese edition of Relational Leadership to a Bible college graduate.

 

Image: Last year a SparkLit grant made possible the translation and publication of a Simplified Chinese edition of The Call to Joy and Pain by Ajith Fernando and its distribution to 3,000 Bible college graduates.

You can help Lothy Hueang publish the first Christian books written in her language by local Christians.

 

“I voluntarily and unequivocally resign from believing in this foreign religion.” A policeman stands over me, watching me closely. I try to hide my tears. “If the authorities catch me continuing to practise this foreign religion, the police will no longer be held responsible for whatever happens to me.”

 

The police had been stalking me for two years. Some in our government hate Christianity. Christianity is the enemy. I am the enemy. Do I sign away my faith, or run?

 

The open door

 

I had often wondered if the stories about Jesus were true. I didn’t really want to find out. I had seen what happens to followers of the Christian religion. They are isolated, followed, tortured and sometimes killed.

 

One night I slept restlessly. I woke to hear a voice calling my name. A knock at the front door followed. I dressed quickly and went to answer it, but no one was there. Confused, I returned to my bed. My family accused me of hallucinating, but I knew that it wasn’t in my head.

 

The next morning I went to church for the first time with my uncle. I sat in the pew, unsure of what to expect. Another woman shared with me words from the Bible. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.” Immediately, all fear and doubt left me. I knew who had been calling my name. I knew who had been knocking. I knew the truth. That day I became a follower of Jesus.

 

What should I do?

 

I signed the document. However, when no one was looking I continued to go to church. Secretly, I discipled new believers. But when the police threatened to kill me, my friends hid me and helped me escape to Thailand.

 

What should I do? Should I listen to my government or to my God? I can’t keep quiet about what I know. My people need to hear the Gospel. I decided to return home and devote my life to telling people about Jesus.

 

Religious freedom is guaranteed by our constitution but evangelism, training and church-planting are outlawed. The authorities don’t want Christianity to spread. We face growing persecution, but an even bigger threat is the lack of Christian books.

 

I am only one person. I can’t be in more than one place at a time. But books can go where I cannot. I want to write books and produce radio programs that will bring the Gospel to my people.

 

With books we can train Bible teachers, leaders and evangelists. We want our people to be able to know and worship God in their own language.

 

Please pray that we will grow in boldness and wisdom. Pray that our heavenly Father will prepare the hearts of our people, so that when they hear God’s Word they will believe in him.

 

Let’s publish the first Christian books written in Lothy Hueang’s language by local Christians.