You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.
(Revelation 5:9b–10 NIV)
The Christian faith is a global faith. But you wouldn’t get that impression if you were to step into a Christian bookstore in any two-thirds-world country where fewer than 10 percent of the books will be by local authors (bit.ly/1eCG2CO). And even if the books were in the local language, many would be translations of bestsellers from the West; translations of books by authors like Chuck Swindoll and Rick Warren. While the church in the two-thirds world has benefited much from such translations, something is still not quite right with this picture. If Christianity is truly a global faith we need to hear from the voices of the church global.
That is why one of the commitments of Graceworks Publishing, our small publishing company, is to give voice to authors from Singapore and Malaysia and from other countries in the region. That is why we partner with our friends in Media Associates International (MAI; littworld.org) whose mission is to equip and nurture talented men and women “with a passion for producing Christian literature for their own people” (bit.ly/17pj4es).
Since its founding in 1985, MAI has equipped local Christians in 63 countries on 5 continents. As a result, we’ve seen budding writers developed, publishing houses grown, periodicals begun and books and magazines produced that speak to the hearts of readers in their own languages. (littworld.org/page.asp?p=30&i=30).
That is why we are so excited by the upcoming book launch of Out of the Dark Night. This is a collection of stories from Vietnam. Originally written in Vietnamese, this is an English translation that seeks to make the stories available to a wider audience.
Our most important lessons about God and life are not learnt in the safety of our studies and our libraries. They are learnt in the crucible of life and of suffering. Our brothers and sisters in Vietnam have much to teach those of us who follow Christ in freer societies.
Here are the details of the launch. Hope you will join us. Please help us by putting the word out and by praying for us.
“ . . . every tribe and language and people and nation.” Let’s make this more of a reality.
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Graceworks invites you to the book launch and dedication of our latest release,
Out of the Dark Night.
When:
10.30am, Saturday, 28 September 2013
Where:
Multi-Purpose Hall, Level 2, True Way Presbyterian Church
156B Stirling Road, Singapore 148947
(next to Queenstown MRT)
Painstakingly compiled by the Hat Muoi team over the course of many years, this book is the result of two beliefs: that there are many precious lessons to be learnt in adversity, and that each of us has equal access to the Source of help and healing.
Out of the Dark Night features amazing testimonies about God’s divine intervention and healing. Every story in the book will unveil the Light that shines into the darkest of nights.
Please let us know if you will be joining us for this celebration as a simple lunch will be served. Drop us a note at enquiries@graceworks.com.sg.