LittWorld 2024, the triennial global publishing conference organized by Media Associates International (MAI), took place in Puebla, Mexico, from November 3 to 8 with the theme “Publishing for Lasting Impact.” Half of participants were in the 20 to 30 age group, which bodes well for the industry’s future, according to outgoing MAI President John Maust.
Maust is retiring after 26 years in the role he’s handed to incoming MAI President Heather Pubols, with conference attendees lauding both leaders. He said the young age of the Christian publishing staff and writers at the event indicated the “continued hunger and need for the kind of training and networking offered by this unique global publishing conference.”
Pubols, who is also a current advisor and former Acting Managing Editor for Christian Daily International, also spoke of her excitement at seeing so many new people at the event and particularly “a good group of young people.”
“This demonstrates how the next generation is eager to be equipped to share words of hope that will impact their communities and beyond,” she added.
Pubols told Christian Daily International that many Christians worldwide never consider the importance of books and literature when they think about spreading the gospel. Yet a book written in the language and context of a community can be an incredible low-tech messenger of the gospel, she added.
“As more of the world's 7,000-plus language communities around the world gain access to translated Scriptures for the first time, they need a culture of reading to engage regularly with written Scriptures. This requires more than one book,” Pubols said.
What is needed for these communities of believers is literature in their own language, including theological books for pastors, Christian living books for their congregants, and other nonfiction books that help believers and non-believers alike delve into key issues and ideas, and quality fiction that engages the imaginations of the young and old alike.
“A translated Bible for a community with no other literature can quickly move from a cultural milestone to a cultural artifact,” Pubols explained.
“Most people won't read the Bible if it is their only book. No one wants all the effort to translate Scriptures to result in books that end up dusty on shelves in people’s homes or lost in the anthropology section of a university library, or worse... stacked in a warehouse.”
Apart from books, Pubols explained that written language forms the foundation for many other types of media, from scripts used in audio and video production, to texts used in social media.
“Written language helps the global Church spread the gospel of the kingdom of God to the ends of the earth,” she said.
MAI has developed literary professionals from the majority world since 1985, so far helping some 10,000 people from 90 countries with specialized training.
LittWorld presents an opportunity for interested parties to meet and learn together, with the event hosting important discussions about aspects of Christian publishing for current and aspiring writers, editors and publishers from across the globe.
The latest triennial event enjoyed Comix35 NextGen President José Carlos Gutiérrez M., a team from MILAMEX led by Sally Isáis and the newly formed MAI-América Latina Board serving as conference hosts.
“God’s creativity is evident in the diversity of his church, a fact that LittWorld showcases beautifully,” said editor Daniel Faria, from Brazil. “MAI has created a space for diverse perspectives within the Christian publishing world, allowing us to gain a broader understanding of the gifts and talents bestowed by the Holy Spirit on his church. I’m grateful to witness this in person.”
Delegates were challenged not only to be proactive in the general marketplace, but to create quality content for children. “Stories are the best way to tell [the] truth to young people,” said author and MAI-Europe Board Chair Janet Wilson. “Giving a child a book is like taking them to Jesus.”
“The experience has been inspirational and eye-opening,” agreed Shantal Artieda de Odicio of BCM Peru, whose ministry involves creating engaging content for children to grow in faith.
Awards on the final night of LittWorld included MAI’s “Distinguished Trainer Award” given to Keila Ochoa, herself a Mexican and an author of 20 books. She received the accolade in recognition of her tireless efforts to raise up Christian writers serving the global Church.
Meanwhile Célimène Bada of Benin became the first winner of the Judith E. Markham Editorial Legacy Award, an annual grant for the training and professional development of Christian editors in the Majority World. She is an editorial assistant with “Presses Bibliques Africaines (PBA)” and manager of her church library.
“Representatives from three generations are leading Certeza. Talk about publishing for lasting impact!” MAI Director of Publisher Development Ramon Rocha said, upon presenting the Robert B. Reekie Global Publisher Award to publishing house Certeza Argentina. Certeza is led by Beatriz Buono, who serves with her daughter, Daniela, and granddaughter, Flor.
“The globalization of publishing makes the MAI community more valuable than ever,” Beatriz said. “I thank God for you.”
About 40 speakers and workshop leaders from Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas led vision-building and “how-to” sessions for Christian communicators, weaving the conference theme “Publishing for Lasting Impact” into their sessions.
“Do you always wait until a new idea is safe before investing in it?” Mark Carpenter, CEO of publishing house Mundo Cristão in Brazil, asked rhetorically. “We’re protagonists in the marketplace. If we’re not innovating, we’re dying. Let’s engage all of society—not just the church—and create useful, delightful, transformational products.”
“A spirit of generosity should be at the heart of every author’s desire to write,” said Jeremy Taylor, President of Tyndale House Foundation. “I would love to see more local authors, writing in local languages, being published by local publishers, for the benefit of the local church.”
“Connecting God’s people together to do his work yields a greater harvest for his kingdom,” commented Pubols after the event. “LittWorld does just this as it connects Christian writers, editors, and publishers from across the world and amplifies their impact.”
