[News Release] LittAsia 2024: Words of Hope – Publishing For Troubled Times
(Carol Stream, Illinois, USA) – “An audaciously enriching experience,” editor Nathan Montenegro from the Philippines says of LittAsia 2024. Writer and lawyer Aaron Lee from Singapore adds, “There was always something enlightening, cautionary or strengthening for me.”
Ninety-nine Christian publishing staff and writers from 22 countries gathered in Bangkok, Thailand, April 7-11, for LittAsia—the inaugural Asia-Pacific conference organized by MAI-Asia, the regional board of Media Associates International (MAI). MAI equips and encourages Christian communicators serving in hard places.
The conference brought together Christian publishers, writers and content creators from Asia and the Pacific to hear experts on key issues facing the region, have roundtable conversations and be equipped to generate related content suitable for their contexts.
Issues explored included: hope and reconciliation amidst global conflict and the persecuted church, re-entering the public space, creation care, gender identity, refugees, inter-faith relations, mental health and resilience, and the opportunities and challenges presented by social media.
“Many are ministering in really challenging situations so it was all the more critical for them to know that they are not alone in this ministry of the written word,” says Bernice Lee, MAI-Asia Chair and Managing Director of Graceworks Publishing.
“I’m praying that all who came now have fresh fuel for their work, fresh ideas for how to shine hope into seemingly hopeless situations; that we will each up our game in terms of creativity and fidelity to the Word of God.”
Attendees shared reports of Christian publishing ministry in their regions, from countries including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. Writers and publishers also shared of future plans and goals.
“’You fed us. You fed me with your books,’” reports a Christian publisher from a country in East Asia, on what readers have shared of the impact of their team’s ministry. “We are deeply encouraged by our readers because those books we have published have helped them become disciples of Jesus.”
“There is no alternative to your own story,” a writer from a country in West Asia says. “You can get stories from other cultures, but they won’t make the impact that you need.” He sees stories as a missional tool to reach out to people with messages of hope and reconciliation that come from Christ.
“God was so palpably in our midst,” Bernice says. “Only He could have made such a diverse group of people, many of whom were first-timers, feel like they were with family. In future conferences, we plan to keep bringing the issues of the day to the forefront of Christian publishing.”
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