Recently retired president of MAI John Maust shares ten highlights of MAI ministry during the 40 years since its founding in 1985—and an invitation to join our ministry to equip and encourage global Christian writers, editors and publishers.
The zeal of writer and publishers in previously closed places
Soon after the fall of communism in eastern and central Europe, MAI did a number of trainings in countries including Serbia, Albania, Bulgaria and Poland. Start-up Christian publishers and magazines were looking for writer training.
“I have such vivid memories of good friends in all those countries,” John said. “Many were new believers, younger people often, who just wanted to serve the Lord through their writing and publishing. Many of them are very experienced now and doing great things.”
Serving alongside gifted trainers who build, encourage and partner
“I think one learns best in a positive atmosphere,” John said, about training writers and publishers. “You don’t want trainers just to show all they know. You want trainers to observe, listen and ask questions; build, encourage and partner. MAI has been blessed with scores of such trainers over the years.
He described an editorial workshop MAI in Latin America, after which a participant gave this feedback: “We really like this training. In a previous training we attended, the trainer spent all the time telling us how much we didn’t know; you’re trying to help us find what we do know and how we can learn more.”
Trainees putting things into practice
After leading a writer workshop in a rural jungle area of Peru, John received a letter that would have a profound impact on his growth as a trainer with MAI.
One of those workshop participants said, ‘John, in the workshop you taught us how to write editorials. Afterwards I wrote an editorial telling local Christians not to grow coca because it’s going to be converted into cocaine. This angered the community, and they forced me to move away.’
“Talk about a reality check! had encouraged the writers to speak out boldly on issues affecting their church and community, and this man had done so and lost his home. I, on the other hand, had returned to much safer and different world than the one experienced by the men and women in that workshop. It was a sobering reminder that our words as writers, and our words has trainers, can have serious consequences. Going forward, this experience reminded me to lean on God for wisdom and guidance in what to teach and how to teach it, and to make the material as relevant as possible to the world of my trainees. Also, I should not ask trainees to do anything that I was not willing to do myself.
“Anywhere in the world, writing and publishing is not easy. It’s hard work. God does give moments of inspiration—that’s a bonus—but we need to be willing to go the long haul. The race we run is the marathon, not the fifty meters.”
The formation of regional teams at the grassroots
It has been a joy for John to see the formation of MAI regional Boards in Europe, Asia, Africa and, most recently, in Latin America.
“Some of the world’s most gifted Christian publishing professionals and writers serve on the regional Boards, and they are spearheading MAI trainings of writers, editors, and publishers in their respective regions in communication with our global team,” John said. “In this way, God has allowed MAI ministry to grow organically and globally with lasting impact.”
Glimpses of miracles through briefly opened doors
About 15 years ago, John had the privilege of traveling into a country of East Asia where he, MAI co-founder Bob Reekie, and a team from MAI-Asia met with Christian publishers.
“It was fascinating, just hearing the challenges they faced and the amazing things they were doing in that very restricted context,” John said. One of the publishers later spent 10 years under house arrest for his church activities, sharing his faith with 70 different policemen posted outside his front door. “I’ll never forget the opportunity that God gave us to make this trip. The timing of it was from the Lord, because soon after the doors closed for visits of this kind to the Christian publishers in that nation.
The launch of new publishing houses
Another highlight was seeing MAI have a part in helping to launch new publishing ministries in at least half a dozen countries hungry for locally authored Christian content—places like Cambodia, Laos, South Sudan.
“It was a joy to see something new start that is going to bless a country for years to come, God willing.”
Serving with a team one could work with who trusted God
“Our ministry has been very relational at all the levels,” John said. This has included close relationships with training participants, with our gifted and committed staff, and with members of MAI’s international and regional Boards. “Over the years we’ve been blessed with a wonderful ‘chemistry’ in our international Board.
John said he could think of three instances during his 26 years as president when MAI finances were especially tight, and in those challenging times the Board gave him their solidarity and support. “They knew all about tight budgets; there was empathy.” And each time in a different way MAI saw the Lord provide. “We grew in our faith through seeing how He provided.”
Beautiful moments of friendship
John recalls a very personal moment at LittWorld 2009 in Kenya. “It captures the kind of warmth and love of friends within the MAI global family,” he said. On the closing night of the conference, a musician from Mongolia—also a poet, author and translator—invited John onto the stage after performing his special number.
“He took off the amazing, long Mongolian coat and hat that he was wearing and presented them to me. Later I asked him why he would give such a precious gift. He said, ‘That’s how we honor our friends.’ I was so touched by that.”
Prayer and encouragement from friends and family
A special highlight for John has been partnerships with friends who supported him and his family, particularly in prayer. “And you knew when they said they were praying, they were praying,” John said. “I could not have served with MAI without the strong and loving support of my wife, Elsa, who ‘held down the fort’ with our three children during my many overseas travels. It seemed like inevitably there would be a snowstorm or car problem as soon as my flight departed for another country!”
“Publishing and writing ministry can be lonely in a lot of ways. Sometimes global Christian writers are pressured by well-meaning friends saying, ‘Why are you in that room writing when you are so needed out there with people?” So, any encouragement that MAI can provide is valuable. A word of affirmation or spiritual support can make all the difference in whether a writer perseveres or gives up.
Hopes for the next 40 years
John says MAI’s priority is equipping Christian writers and publishers to create life-changing content in the heart language of their readers. Yet MAI also wants to see that same content translated into other languages for more readers to enjoy. “We’re greedy at MAI; we want it all,” John quipped.
“The bottom line for any author is: Who is it you really want to reach? At MAI, we definitely feel the world at large needs to hear—especially in the church—from local Christians.”
John also sees a continuing need to communicate the Christian message to a general audience. “That’s still a huge need. We need materials that will create an interest for people who have never heard who Jesus is.”
“It’s been our priority to go to the places where there are very few Christian resources available. With God’s help, MAI will continue helping to provide life-transforming Christian content for readers everywhere until there aren’t any ‘hard places’ of the world left.” May we always remain Bible-centered: Jesus first in all we do.”
An invitation for readers
John chose to close the interview with an invitation:
“Explore some possibilities. How might God want to use you as a trainer in a more formal way? For instance, maybe you could become an email friend with a fellow writer elsewhere in the world to encourage each other.”
“If you feel that God would have you share what you’ve learned in your journey, please do so. We can learn from one another. Our volunteer global trainers are who really drive MAI. They are the ‘associates’ in our organizational name—the men and women who are helping to equip and encourage others.”
If you’re interested in exploring how you might help equip and encourage other Christian writers and publishers, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected] or you can reach out to us using this form.