“God’s creativity is evident in the diversity of His Church, a fact that LittWorld showcases beautifully,” said editor Daniel Faria of Brazil. “MAI has created a space for diverse perspectives within the Christian publishing world, allowing us to gain a broader understanding of the gifts and talents bestowed by the Holy Spirit on His Church. I’m grateful to witness this in person!”
Some 192 Christian publishing staff and writers from 40 countries gathered in Puebla on November 3-8 for LittWorld 2024, the triennial global publishing conference organized by Media Associates International (MAI). Comix35 NextGen President José Carlos Gutiérrez M., a team from MILAMEX led by Sally Isáis and the newly formed MAI-América Latina Board served as conference hosts.
“It was exciting to see many new people and a good group of young people participate in this year’s LittWorld,” said incoming MAI President Heather Pubols. “This demonstrates how the next generation is eager to be equipped to share words of hope that will impact their communities and beyond.”
Challenged to innovate and be “protagonists in the marketplace”
About 40 speakers and workshop leaders from across the globe led vision-building and “how-to” sessions, weaving in the conference theme Publishing for Lasting Impact. Delegates were challenged not only to be proactive in the general marketplace, but to create quality content for children. “Giving a child a book is like taking them to Jesus,” said author Janet Wilson.
“Do you always wait until a new idea is safe before investing in it?” asked Mark Carpenter, CEO of publishing house Mundo Cristão in Brazil. “We’re protagonists in the marketplace. If we’re not innovating, we’re dying. Let’s engage all of society—not just the church—and create useful, delightful, transformational products.”
“A spirit of generosity should be at the heart of every author’s desire to write,” said Jeremy Taylor, President of Tyndale House Foundation. “I would love to see more local authors, writing in local languages, being published by local publishers, for the benefit of the local church.”
Awarding excellence in global Christian publishing, training and editing
In her home country of Mexico on the final night of LittWorld, Keila Ochoa Harris was awarded Media Associate International’s Distinguished Trainer Award in recognition of her tireless efforts to raise up Christian writers serving the global Church. Keila is also a prolific author, with over 20 published books.
“Representatives from three generations are leading Certeza. Talk about publishing for lasting impact!” MAI Director of Publisher Development Ramon Rocha said, upon presenting the Robert B. Reekie Global Publisher Award. Certeza Argentina is led by Beatriz Buono, who serves with her daughter, Daniela, and granddaughter, Flor.
Célimène Bada of Benin has become the first winner of the Judith E. Markham Editorial Legacy Award, an annual grant for the training and professional development of Christian editors in the Majority World. She is an editorial assistant with Presses Bibliques Africaines (PBA) and manager of her church library.
A new era for Media Associates International
“That more than half of our participants were first-timers—many in their twenties and thirties—points to the continued hunger and need for the kind of training and networking offered by this unique global publishing conference,” said outgoing MAI President of 26 years John Maust.
“The globalization of publishing makes the MAI community more valuable than ever,” Beatriz of Certeza Argentina said. “I thank God for you.”
Conference participants recognized John on his imminent retirement at the conclusion of LittWorld, and welcomed his successor, Heather Pubols.
“Connecting God’s people together to do his work yields a greater harvest for his kingdom,” said Heather.
“LittWorld does just this as it connects Christian writers, editors, and publishers from across the world and amplifies their impact.”
LittWorld is the largest training event of Media Associates International (MAI), which also holds in-country workshops and webinars to equip and encourage Christian publishers and writers in hard places to create excellent content that builds the Church and influences society.
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Photo credits: MS Meeting Solutions (Christopher Blanco, Rodrigo Lopez, Isaías Prado Ruiz) & Trix Wilkins.
