“We are not alone,” writer, editor and ministry director Sally Isáis says. “We are in this together. God is with us. This is a divine mission: to make Him known!” For the last twenty years, Sally has been leading Milamex (Latin American Mission of Mexico), the evangelical organization her parents Juan and Elisabeth started over 60 years ago. She shares of her journey, the need for Christian writers in Mexico, and the things God has taught her about publishing ministry. This story is part of the Journeys in Christian Publishing: Stories from LittWorld series.
Always a book around
I started reading when I was very young. There was always a book around to help me with my journey. C.S. Lewis and his Space Trilogy were influential in helping me to see the wonder of the incarnation of Christ in a new way—and to understand how underhanded evil can be, and that it doesn’t always look “bad.”
The Dark Night of the Soul by John of the Cross prepared me for my own moments of doubt during crises in life. George MacDonald, J.R.R. Tolkien, J. Oswald Chambers and more have opened the way for my life in the faith.
Born into a publishing ministry
I was sort of born into the ministry, with my parents being very intentional in showing us the power of the written word, how to appreciate it, and how to look for quality materials in the content, use of language and aesthetics. They founded Milamex in 1964 with the aim of making the message of Jesus known in practical and relevant ways.
After graduating from Wheaton College in sociology, I returned to Mexico and became totally immersed in the ministry. A big part of it was Prisma (a magazine for families; we also had a Prisma column that appeared weekly in the Mexican newspaper Novedades for over 30 years) and the Noticiero Milamex (“Milamex Newsletter”). I never left!
The need for Christian publishing in Mexico
We have let the enemy take hold of the arts. We need to claim them back for the Lord Jesus Christ. We want those who do not know the gospel to know this eternal truth of forgiveness and salvation in Christ alone.
We need more Christian Mexican and Latin American writers. We have a lot to say, in our own context and language—we just need to learn how to do it better. Training is a great need, and publishing houses that have the means to publish what these writers offer are very few.
One of the things we do at Milamex is train Christian writers, and through an intercultural and intergenerational community, create a safe space for the development of stories. We pray and labor for Psalm 102:18 to come to pass, “Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.”
Things I’ve learned over decades of Christian publishing
God’s taught me that He is sovereign. I don’t always understand; however, I am not called to understand, but to trust. If I let God fight for me, I save myself a lot of pain and effort. He says He will do it—I need to trust Him.
Another thing He’s taught me is that I am fallible. In Him, it will be OK. I need to persevere, get up, and keep going. God can turn any situation into something that works for good. God IS love. He doesn’t just love me or us. He IS love.
Praying for Milamex and Christian writers in Mexico
Pray we will be faithful in what God has entrusted us to do and stay the course; that we will love well, and be a light in the darkness around us. Pray that the Lord will continue to provide for us— and that we will be holy in the way we live, work and share our lives with others.
