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.

Has there ever been a culture as addicted to pleasure as our own? Comfort is king.

In the West we are risk averse and avoid pain at all costs. We complain bitterly when we are disappointed. When things don’t go our way, we are shattered.

Qaiser Julius tells me that Pakistani Christians are tempted just as we are to resist or flee from suffering.

Expect suffering

“We do not seek suffering. But when persecution comes Christians must embrace it. Not as victims but as disciples following in our master’s footsteps. Suffering is to be expected. We need to get used to it. The Bible teaches us that suffering is a gift and a source of joy. Joy and suffering are indispensable and inseparable parts of Christian living. This is how God is glorified.”

“How can we be salt and light if we hide from the world? Indeed, the church will only survive if we learn to embrace suffering. As the missionaries who brought the Good News to Pakistan had no experience of persecution, we Pakistani Christians are having to discover for ourselves how to respond to suffering.”

Show and tell

Because it is neither comfortable not intuitive, the Good News of Jesus of Nazareth does need to be both lived and explained. Show and tell.

We must faithfully and fearlessly preach Christ crucified, and repentance and forgiveness of sins in his name. To this we have been called because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we might follow in his steps.

Pray for Qaiser as he completes his doctoral studies in Australia and returns to continue his ministry in Pakistan.

Qaiser Julius director of the Open Theological Seminary in Lahore.

Today you can support the work of SparkLit and its partners in difficult places.