{"id":18158,"date":"2025-06-02T12:00:17","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T17:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maiglobal.org\/?p=18158"},"modified":"2025-07-23T16:08:24","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T21:08:24","slug":"spirit-led-editing-and-publishing-yna-reyes-philippines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maiglobal.org\/zh\/spirit-led-editing-and-publishing-yna-reyes-philippines\/","title":{"rendered":"Spirit-led Editing and Publishing: Yna Reyes, Philippines"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cThere really is no such thing as retirement for Christians in publishing,\u201d Philippine editor and author Yna Reyes says, as she wraps up serving on the \u4e9a\u6d32\u79fb\u535a\u4f1a\u7406\u4e8b\u4f1a<\/a> and continues to write, edit and build teams. She shares her journey and what the Lord has shown her about the work of the Holy Spirit in Christian publishing ministry.<\/em><\/p>\n

How did the Lord lead you into your publishing ministry?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

I was already in my tenth year with OMF Literature (OMF Lit) as a book editor when I had the opportunity to attend my first LittWorld, held in the UK in 2000. That gave me a glimpse of the ethos of MAI and the wonderful fellowship of its global network.<\/p>\n

One year after that, in November 2001, MAI conducted a weeklong editorial seminar in Baguio City in the Philippines. OMF Lit served as MAI\u2019s local partner and host. I was one of 16 Filipino editors who had the privilege of learning the ropes of book editing from MAI president John Maust and Tyndale\u2019s editorial manager Dan Elliott. What a blessing to be trained by MAI\u2019s best!<\/p>\n

The experience was an unfolding for me of the wonderful work of MAI, and I wanted to be part of it. And so, when LittWorld was held in the Philippines in 2002, I was thrilled to be one of the editorial workshop facilitators and to share the Word in one of the morning devotions.<\/p>\n

LittWorld 2002 was the beginning of my active involvement in MAI as an editorial trainer. This was followed by LittWorld 2004, also in the Philippines.<\/p>\n

A few years later, John gave me my first international assignment as an MAI trainer. It was a five-day editorial training with Fount of Wisdom in Cambodia.<\/p>\n

After that was Thailand, where I team-trained with Beng Alba-Jones who was my co-editor in OMF Lit at the time (Beng moved to the US years later and became Board Secretary of MAI).<\/p>\n

After Thailand was Sri Lanka, where I did the editorial training while the esteemed book author Miriam Adeney (also a former MAI trustee) did a workshop for writers. I have fond memories of those times with Beng and Miriam.<\/p>\n

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In 2011, the first MAI-Asia Publishing Forum was held in Hong Kong. It was also the first time for me to be a plenary speaker at an MAI conference. I was so grateful to John for trusting me with that kind of involvement in MAI\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

I had no idea that by the end of the conference, I would be engaged in MAI\u2019s ministry at a deeper level. Grace Chong, a Filipino author, was Board Secretary of MAI-Asia at the time and finishing her term. She asked if I would consider taking her place. I said that I\u2019d be happy to.<\/p>\n

And so, when my dear sister Bernice Lee convened the Board a few hours after the closing of the publishing forum, I attended my first MAI-Asia Board meeting \u2013 and the rest is history!<\/p>\n

I had the pleasure of serving in the MAI-Asia Board for 14 years.<\/p>\n

What are some things you’ve found encouraging during your years on the MAI-Asia Board?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

What I\u2019ve found most encouraging was the humble, sacrificial, and joyful service of my fellow trustees. Each one of them is accomplished in their respective publishing professions, but they have given of their time, talent, and money to the ministry, without expecting to receive any credit for their contributions.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m also greatly encouraged by the body life of the Board. We\u2019ve grown close to one another especially in 2023 when we had a virtual meeting every month as we were planning and preparing for LittAsia 2024.<\/p>\n

Our interaction and fellowship went beyond the meetings as we shared bits and pieces of what\u2019s going on in our personal lives and our prayer requests through our WhatsApp group chat.<\/p>\n

And so, when we finally met face-to-face at the LittAsia in Bangkok, it was such a joyful time! We got to spend the next few days together, ministering to the participants of the conference and enjoying the wonderful fellowship.<\/p>\n

The Lord must have shown you many things over the years! What would you like to pass on for others involved in Christian publishing, and how did He show these to you?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Oh yes, the Lord has shown me many things over the years, but let me share just three for now.<\/p>\n

First, Christian publishing ministry is first and foremost the work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it will never flourish without our full dependence on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment.<\/p>\n

As I was beginning as a book editor in OMF Lit, I had a profound personal experience that opened my eyes to the power of the Holy Spirit to move one\u2019s heart and quicken one\u2019s spirit. I realized that I need to keep in step with the Spirit every day because my work involves the Word of God and the words of the men and women He called to write from His Word.<\/p>\n

The Spirit\u2019s role in OMF Lit\u2019s publishing ministry is captured in our logo which is a dove with wings spread out like the pages of an open book. Below our logo is the tagline \u201cPublishing Truth, Shaping Generations\u201d \u2013 an impossible goal without the Spirit\u2019s work in inspiring writers to write a biblical message, in enabling editors to help writers communicate that message effectively, and in illuminating the readers with the biblical truth printed on the pages of our books. Our goal to \u201ctake captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ\u201d (2 Corinthians 10:5) is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit through us book creators and through the books we publish.<\/p>\n

Second, as an editor, I learned that first and foremost I am a servant. I serve writers called by the Lord to convey His message to their own people through biblical teachings and compelling stories. And I can best serve them by helping them communicate clearly and preserving their voice as the author. I serve the publisher investing their resources to fulfill their God-given vision and mission. I serve the manuscript by handling it with care and excellence worthy of publishing into a book that will connect with its target readers. I serve the reader seeking God and truth and life in the books we publish.<\/p>\n

I first read about this call for editors to be a servant in an article by Judith Markham who\u2019s currently an MAI trustee. Our editorial team in OMF Lit studied her essay together in one of our weekly editorial trainings at that time. I hope I was able to set an example of servanthood to my fellow editors as I was following the example of our Lord Jesus who emptied Himself and took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7\u20138).<\/p>\n

Third, and last for now (because there are so many lessons!) \u2013 Engaging in the Christian publishing ministry involves \u201ca long obedience in the same direction\u201d (I\u2019m borrowing this phrase from the title of a book by Eugene Peterson).<\/p>\n

I served the Lord in OMF Lit for 32 years till my retirement from full-time work in 2022. Longer than that, I\u2019ve been part of the Christian Writers\u2019 Fellowship (CWF) which will celebrate its fortieth anniversary next year.<\/p>\n

Today, I\u2019m still doing publishing consultancy with OMF Lit and serving as adviser to CWF. Since I retired from OMF Lit, the Lord has expanded my ministry as I provide professional services to other Christian organizations and individuals. The Lord has also opened doors for me to write more devotional pieces and children\u2019s stories.<\/p>\n

There really is no such thing as retirement for Christians in publishing.<\/p>\n

In my early twenties, when I stepped in faith and responded to the Lord\u2019s call to fulltime ministry in OMF Lit as a book editor, I knew in my heart that Christian book publishing was the path set for me. So I took my work seriously, did my best in every project, and took every opportunity to keep learning. I considered every challenge that came my way as a call to obedience.<\/p>\n

There were times when I felt inadequate to take on a big task, but every time I did, the Lord provided all the help and resources needed to complete the assignment.<\/p>\n

By God\u2019s grace, every little step of obedience that I have taken has taught me a long obedience.<\/p>\n

Along the way, the Lord has blessed me with spiritual companions who encouraged me, trained and mentored me, prayed with me, grieved and rejoiced with me. He also led me to life-giving communities, like MAI, where I met wonderful people who have become my lifelong friends.<\/p>\n

With the MAI global network, I can confidently say I\u2019m in great company in this long obedience in the same direction.<\/p>\n

What’s next, and how can we pray?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

I\u2019m still serving OMF Lit as a publishing consultant, helping build a new editorial team, training a newly-hired junior editor and looking for a senior editor to hire. I\u2019m also driving a two-year publishing program to develop more children\u2019s books that OMF Lit can offer to public and private sectors locally and internationally. Pray for the enabling of the Holy Spirit as I take on these responsibilities.<\/p>\n

I have this desire to write more children\u2019s stories that will help young readers know Jesus more and discover the abundant life He has promised to God\u2019s children.<\/p>\n

The general Philippine population still considers our country to be the only Christian nation in Asia. But how many Filipinos are true followers of Jesus? There\u2019s still a lot of work to do and I think we need to start with the children, telling them about Jesus in engaging and memorable ways. Pray for the Lord\u2019s leading on what to write and for creativity in telling these stories.<\/p>\n

Why volunteer with MAI?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re a Christian writer, editor, or publisher and you have a gift and the desire to equip, encourage, and connect with other Christian writers, editors, or publishers, especially those serving in places that are indifferent, even hostile, to the gospel \u2014 then you should volunteer with MAI.<\/p>\n

If you believe that the Lord wants to be known by more people through materials written in their own heart language and local context, then you share the ethos of MAI.<\/p>\n

For sure you will thrive in your own ministry as you get more involved in MAI\u2019s global network.<\/p>\n

However, if you feel you\u2019re not yet ready to volunteer, make yourself available still, because MAI also provides training for potential trainers. You can start by taking part in an MAI-sponsored workshop in your country, and pray to join the next LittWorld conference!<\/p>\n

Related stories and resources<\/strong><\/h4>\n