It’s been a little over a year since LittWorld in Puebla, Mexico. What have some of our conference delegates been up to since then? From Romania and Ukraine to Ghana, Burundi and across Latin America, be encouraged by new books, collaborations and generations of writers.
International collaboration on a children’s book in Latin America
“God has been doing amazing things since LittWorld,” says Sophia Wong, BCM’s International Children’s Ministry Coordinator. “After returning home, I sensed a special nudge from the Lord to write a children’s storybook that shares about BCM’s Bible Clubs around the world.”
Sophia reached out to Shantal de Odicio, a fellow BCM colleague from Peru. Together they wrote 12 short stories from 12 different countries. “We are very excited to share these stories and hope they will encourage many,” says Shantal.
Shantal and Sophia also connected with graphic designer and illustrator José Carlos Gutiérrez M., whom they met at LittWorld in Mexico last November. “We’re so thankful for José Carlos,” says Sophia. “His excellent artwork has added so much life and excitement to each story.”
Another member of the book’s design team is Momir Blazek from Croatia, who is working on the layout. Momir was José Carlos’ roommate at LittWorld Kenya in 2012, and they met again at LittWorld Hungary in 2022.
“It’s special to see how—even from different parts of the world—we can collaborate as the body of Christ on this international project,” José Carlos says.
“LittWorld has truly been a catalyst for this initiative,” says Sophia. “I can truly see God’s hand guiding this project every step of the way, bringing children to Him through these real-life stories.”
The book is due to be published in English, Spanish and Dutch as part of BCM’s 90th anniversary celebration.
A new book for the 9+ generation in Romania
Since LittWorld, author and university professor Balázs Zágoni has been writing a novel for youth, as well as training Christian writers in Greece with our regional team, MAI-Europe.
“My upcoming book is for the 9+ generation and tells the story of how a child’s prayer can lead to the collapse of a totalitarian regime,” Balázs says. “While it is fiction, this book is partly based on the life of one of my former schoolmates.”
“It’s the story of testing God with our prayers–while God also tests us with His answers, which are often not what we expect, but in the end are satisfying in a way that surpasses all expectations.”
In March 2025, Balázs historical novel, The Star and the Captain, received a special award from HUBBY (the Hungarian branch of IBBY, the International Board on Books for Young People) for “diverse contributions to young adult literature.”
A new writing group and a collaborative book in Ukraine
After returning from LittWorld, author Oleksandr Bilousov organized a small group of Ukrainian writers who now live in Poland. Together, they are writing a book on the topic of “God and Mental Health.”
He and Ukrainian pastor Serhii Solohub also initiated the running of a three-week online training course for those passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus through the written word. They are now organizing a regular support group for Ukrainian writers to collaborate on books that point people to hope in Christ.
Oleksandr is also writing his own book for young people on “how to stick to Christ.” He has been working on it for almost a year alongside work, family, ministry and studies.
“It is my ‘pain’ because young people are turning away from God,” he says. “I work a lot with young people, and seeing how they become disappointed, leave the church and seek pleasure in unnecessary things—I want to inspire them to stay with God and build a relationship with Him.”
Writing Christ-centered books in Ghana
“Since LittWorld, I have had time to reflect on my journey as a writer and why my writings must be Christ-centered,” says Etornam Sey, founder and executive director of Inspire Today, an organization which seeks to empower young girls in Ghana.
She is currently working on two books which she describes as “a product of the impact of LittWorld.”
The first book is an anthology of short stories, titled While Waiting. “It looks at what to do while waiting, and the stories of people who waited on God,” Etornam says. “It was inspired by my 21-hour waiting period in Dubai for my next connecting flight through Spain to LittWorld.”
The second, The Pharoah Theory, is a book for young professionals. “I’m writing about the trap of Pharaoh, where young people are hooked onto working endlessly, forgetting to make time for important things like having a relationship with God.”
The Pharoah Theory was inspired by one of the keynote addresses at LittWorld. “The speaker encouraged Christian writers to tailor their writings into impacting young people to make time for Christ,” Etornam recalls. “LittWorld changed my life.”
Passing on learning to young writers in Bulgaria
Bulgarian author and brand manager Dilyan Konstantinov has been working with young people interested in writing, meeting with them every one to two months.
“I’m spending time to share some of my experience and also some of the information from seminars and workshops at LittWorld,” Dilyan says.
He’s also met with three Christians interested in publishing processes, including how to work with publishing houses and distributors.
“Two of them have already published their books,” he says. “So, this is my life as a writer now. I’m trying to pass as much of my experience as possible to other people.”
Connecting the gospel with art and storytelling for the next generation
Hiram Harris of Panama has been writing reflections and essays on identity, hope and faith in today’s culture since LittWorld. He is also working on projects that connect the gospel with art and storytelling for the next generation in Latin America.
“This year, I began developing a children’s program that combines creativity, imagination, and discipleship to form young hearts in truth and wonder,” Hiram says. “On social media, I’ve been curating content that invites people to pause, think and encounter Jesus in their everyday lives.”
“Beyond the creative front, my professional journey in public policy and banking continues to shape how I view transformation in society. I’ve been exploring how finance, ethics, and governance can serve as instruments of restoration—aligning systems with justice, integrity, and human flourishing. These insights often flow into my writing.”
Writing a cultural community history in Guatemala
“It’s good to bring back so many memories of that event,” Edilzar Aguilar says of LittWorld. Edilzar is Director of the Center for Ministerial Leadership for Central American Theological Seminary, and since LittWorld has completed his thesis, Understanding in Lucan Theology: A Conceptual Study. Amidst his daily responsibilities, he is working on writing a cultural history of his community, participates in events run by Letra Viva—and, of course, reads!
Discovering and using a resource for a writing workshop in Burundi
At LittWorld, author and trainer Dan Runyon learned about the Africa Study Bible. “This was a HUGE deal,” Dan says. “I’m using it as a text for my workshop in January 2026 in Burundi as I work with Hope Africa University to establish their vision for an online academic journal.” Since the conference, Dan has also published a new book on narrative preaching.
Academic writing, publishing services and university ministry
Sam Nyarko-Mensah has been engaged in academic writing and continues to offer digital publishing services. “In Ghana, publishers and authors are yet to embrace the changing trends in technological advancement in publishing,” Sam says. “I have been an advocate in that area, and offer training in digital publishing and publication development.”
Sam is currently in Ohio University studying a doctorate degree in Innovate Learning Design and Technology. “This program has opened my horizon to various digital tools and how we can embrace digital publishing in various forms that will be accessible to varied audiences.” He also serves with a Christian group for undergraduate students, as secretary on the leadership team.
Editing a book of migrant stories in the Philippines and Korea
Earlier this year, Mae Young worked as Editor-in-Chief of Dayò: Stories of Migration, published by the Embassy of the Philippines to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations with Korea. The book features 40 stories of migrants to and from both countries. “I’m just over the moon to be part of it,” Mae says. “Also, I was able to share my own take on migration!”
A special 40 years
Former MAI International Board Chair and LittWorld 2024 MC Dan Elliott celebrated a special anniversary since last November—40 years of service at Tyndale House Publishers! Incidentally, MAI has been around for 40 years this year, too…
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