Our MAI - 拉丁美洲 team focuses on organizing and facilitating training in Spanish that is accessible and relevant to Christian communicators across the region. Whether you’re a writer or editor, artist or publisher, you can learn to create compelling Christian content. Contact [email protected] to enquire about training in your region or serving with MAI, and visit our Spanish webinar library.
Board members
José Carlos Gutiérrez M.
Mexico
José Carlos Gutiérrez M. is Board Chair of MAI-América Latina. He also leads the Christian organization Comix35 Next Gen, which produces comics and illustrated books to share the gospel and trains others to do so effectively. He attended LittWorld for the first time in Kenya in 2012 and has since been involved in MAI’s training events.
“MAI is a wonderful organization that provides high-quality training for editorial purposes with a Bible-based mission and vision,” José Carlos says.
Of MAI’s webinar library by trainers around the globe in English, French and Spanish, he says, “These free sessions are a great resource. I thank God for all the donors who have made MAI’s ministry possible for more than three decades.”
Patricia Cabral
Argentina
Patricia Cabral has worked as an English-Spanish translator with Adriana Powell’s agency in Argentina since 2004. She is also a freelance translator for several international Christian organizations.
“My fervent desire and prayer is that God will use Latin American authors to impact our continent and the world,” Patricia says. “No other word will be more fruitful and lasting than the message of Christ.”
“We look forward to the invaluable collaboration of the new people who will join the board, having in their minds and hearts the purpose of working to impact through the message of the kingdom of God.”
Patricia’s book tip: “One book that’s been significant to me throughout my adulthood, and helps me to reflect over and over again on my life as a child of God is The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J. M. Nouwen.”
David Galeano
Colombia
“I enjoy helping others and adding value to their lives and work,” David says about joining the Board of Directors. “I identify with my calling and enjoy it, based on Esther 10:3, which says that Mordecai sought the well-being of his people and spoke of peace to all his descendants.”
He was born in Villavicencio, Colombia, and is married to Myriam Sánchez. They have three children: Samuel, Sara, and Josué. To them he says, “Life is beautiful, but eternal life is even more so. Let’s work so that many recognize Jesus as their Lord and Savior.”
David’s reading recommendation: “The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan, because it portrays the Christian life in its entirety and exhorts us to remain faithful to God.”
Keila Ochoa Harris
Mexico
Keila Ochoa Harris has published more than 20 books in Spanish, including fiction and devotional books. She currently creates content for the educational market with Sistema Educativo LAM, and loves training teachers and writers. She lives in the North of Mexico with her husband and two children.
“I joined MAI to help others grow in their skills,” Keila says. “I have received so much I want to give back.”
A life-long reader, Keila also dreams of stimulating children and teens to become avid readers. “We know that books matter so much that God’s Word is still in circulation…Let us write, edit, and publish valuable texts that reach our readers and communicate the endless hope of the gospel.”
Cintia Peralta Martin
Argentina
Cintia Peralta Martin is a counselor and an author with a degree in family sciences. Alongside her husband, Gonzalo, she leads Colegas Del Orden, a project that has taken shape in two books: ¡Chau desorden! “Goodbye clutter!” (2020) and Bitácora del Orden “Logbook of order” (2024).
Cintia has served as a moderator and a speaker in MAI’s webinars. In 2024, she attended LittWorld for the first time in Puebla, Mexico, with her husband and their two children.
“MAI opened doors to knowledge and meaningful connections with others who long to serve God through books,” Cintia says. “Serving on the Board is an honor for me. I desire to see more authors from Latin America rise up, writing on diverse themes that touch the souls of those who do not yet know Jesus as their Savior, while also nurturing the body of Christ.”
Cintia’s book tip: “Don Gossett’s What You Say Is What You Get has taught me the importance of words—what we speak and how we express it. There is true blessing when our words are filled with the Word of God and aligned with it.”
Karla Mora
Costa Rica
Karla Mora coordinates training sessions, book fairs and promotional opportunities for Letra Viva, a publishing network in Latin America. She also writes Letra Viva’s newsletter, Notas Breves (“Brief Notes”), and leads administration at her church in San José, Costa Rica.
“I joined the MAI-América Latina Board because I believe I can contribute my experience within the Letra Viva Network, and collaborate by sharing my knowledge and ability to connect with Christian authors and publishers,” Karla says.
“We need more Christian literature in Latin America and other continents. We hope to continue contributing our part, so that we see many more books published that extend the Kingdom of God.”
Karla’s book tip: “One book in particular has deeply affected me—Dios nos habla a través de los sueños (“God Speaks to Us Through Dreams”), by pastor and psychiatrist Ricardo Zandrino.”
Karen Suárez
Costa Rica
Karen Suárez is a Spanish-as-foreign-language teacher at Cincel School, which trains missionaries for the Spanish-speaking world. She also teaches the Bible at her local church, hosts conferences and workshops for women, writes materials for various groups and churches, and publishes stories.
“I joined the Board because I saw an opportunity to serve in an area I am passionate about: literature,” Karen says. “After meeting the special people who make up this group at 2024 年世界图书馆日 in Puebla, I considered it a tremendous honor to work with and learn from them. It is a privilege to serve with such gifted and talented people. I hope the Lord will allow us to grow in such a way that we impact many who long to share God’s love.”
Karen’s book tip: Cambios profundos: cuando disfrutar del amor de Dios transforma los deseos del corazón (“Profound Changes: When Enjoying God’s Love Transforms the Desires of the Heart”) by Argentine author Nicolás Emilio Tranchini. “This book made me take a deep look at my life to reevaluate where my affections lie and my need to renew my love for God.”