Sri Lanka writing and editing training

Relevant, indigenous Christian publishing is vital to nurture the Sri Lankan church and to bring society a message of Christian hope and reconciliation. This nation of 21 million suffered from years of ethnic violence between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists. Plus Buddhist activities continue pushing for an "anti-conversion" bill prohibiting open evangelism.

MAI held successful writer and translator workshops in 2009 in Colombo and Kandy, by invitation of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance (NCEASL) and Lanka Bible College and Seminary (LBCS). Writer fellowships formed in both locations as a result of the workshops. Our trainers, Babu Verghese and George Koshy of India, and Jophen Baui of the Philippines, have provided continuing mentoring to participants.

“Almost all were from the creamy layers of Christendom in Sri Lanka,” said MAI trainer George Koshy, describing participants of the 2009 workshop (see photo).

Writers from war-ravaged areas were unable to attend the last workshops, so this follow-up training, initiated by LBCS, will include past participants and new ones this September. Dr. Miriam Adeney of the U.S. will lead the writing track, while Yna Reyes of the Philippines leads the editing track.

The workshop will enhance the publisher's ability to write and publish theological titles in local languages. LBCS has already released more than 200 publications written by faculty and students.