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Global Publishers Alliance FAQs
What is the mission of Global Publishers Alliance?
Global Publishers Alliance exists for the purpose of developing high potential Christian publishing leaders around the world so that Christian books and media are available in all strategic regions and languages by 2015. These strategic regions include China, the Middle East, Africa, and India.
As a sister organization to the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, GPA is strategically positioned to provide valuable training, resources, and connections to both emerging and experienced Christian entrepreneurs in developing countries with a heart for spreading the gospel message to their own people through the publishing and distribution of Christian materials.
With vital programs in China, Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, GPA is engaged in self-sustaining projects focused on four strategic pillars:
What are the origins of GPA?
Sixteen years ago, after the crumbling of the Communist government and the toppling of the Berlin wall, a handful of Christian publishing leaders grasped a strategic opportunity to get scripture back into the hands of ordinary Russians. Led by then President of Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Doug Ross, three major organizations pooled their energies and influence to launch what became The Moscow Project. Through their respective constituencies, Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, Christian Booksellers Association, and International Bible Society raised a total of four hundred thousand dollars. The money was used to print and distribute one million Russian language New Testaments in the former Soviet Union.
A light went on in the minds of several industry leaders. Many initiatives designed to satisfy the spiritual hunger of various groups around the world are beyond the reach of any individual company. It became clear that an industry-wide collaboration offered the best hope for accomplishing these goals.
The success of The Moscow Project was the springboard for the creation of Evangelical Christian Publishers Outreach. Launched in 1993, ECPO (later renamed Global Publishers Alliance) became a vehicle for energizing and focusing the collective ministry efforts of members of ECPA outside of North America.
What factors determine the selection of GPA projects?
Projects considered for support by GPA are required, in varying degrees, to meet the following criteria:
How is the work of GPA funded?
GPA initiatives are funded through a variety of sources including the member companies of ECPA and by events organized for the specific purpose. GPA also receives grants from individual donors and foundations, as well as both one-time and monthly contributions from regular Christians who recognize the imp
We also host an annual golf tournament that serves as a key fundraising opportunity. The 2007 GPA Invitational Golf Tournament raised over 50,000 dollars.
What are some of GPA’s most successful past projects?
Since 1994, Global Publishers Alliance (GPA formerly ECPO) has broken down cultural and political barriers to distribute Christian literature and establish Christian publishing programs throughout the world.
The Moscow Project
Pre-dating ECPO and creating the momentum for focused publishing developmental efforts, ECPA worked with Christian publishers, retailers, and Bible distributors to distribute four million Russian language New Testaments into Moscow, Russia. That seed project eventually resulted in the establishment of Christian publishing programs in Russia and throughout Eastern Europe, many of which are thriving today.
Magazine Training Institute (MTI)
In partnership with ECPA members in the U.S., including Christianity Today International, MTI over the last ten years has trained over two hundred leaders in various countries to develop Christian magazine publishing programs.
Project Baghdad: Streams in the Desert
A regional publishing summit in Bulgaria led to the establishment of an Eastern Europe Publishing Association patterned after ECPA. Additional regional summits for Christian publishers in Korea, Nigeria, Pan-Africa, India, and Manila are contemplated.
International Forums at Key Industry Events
GPA has helped establish international forum events for networking opportunities among international publishers at industry events such as CBA International Retail Show, ECPA Publishing University, the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Beijing Book Fair, and Book Expo America.
What are some of GPA’s current projects?
The GPA board has affirmed four regions of the world as strategic to the spread of the gospel and the growth of the church. The four strategic regions are China, Nigeria, India, and the Middle East. The following projects reflect that regional focus.
How can I support the work of GPA?
The fulfillment of GPA’s current programs, and many future opportunities, is only possible through the generosity and support from those in developed and thriving countries who want to expand Christian literature worldwide.
A financial commitment to GPA helps build self-sustaining Christian publishing businesses in impoverished regions. More importantly, it enables the dissemination, through ongoing culturally appropriate programs, of the gospel message to impoverished hearts throughout the world.
Donations may be made via many different methods:
You are also invited to become personally involved in the work of GPA. If you or a group of your family or friends are interested in participating in some part of the GPA program, we would be pleased to discuss the possibilities. Contact John Eames: john@eamesliterary.com.
- What is the mission of Global Publishers Alliance?
- What are the origins of GPA?
- What factors determine the selection of GPA projects?
- How is the work of GPA funded?
- What are some of GPA’s most successful past projects?
- What are some of GPA’s current projects?
- How can I support the work of GPA?
What is the mission of Global Publishers Alliance?
Global Publishers Alliance exists for the purpose of developing high potential Christian publishing leaders around the world so that Christian books and media are available in all strategic regions and languages by 2015. These strategic regions include China, the Middle East, Africa, and India.
As a sister organization to the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, GPA is strategically positioned to provide valuable training, resources, and connections to both emerging and experienced Christian entrepreneurs in developing countries with a heart for spreading the gospel message to their own people through the publishing and distribution of Christian materials.
With vital programs in China, Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, GPA is engaged in self-sustaining projects focused on four strategic pillars:
- Training
- Information and Data Sharing
- Connections and Networking
- Direct Strategic Initiatives
What are the origins of GPA?
Sixteen years ago, after the crumbling of the Communist government and the toppling of the Berlin wall, a handful of Christian publishing leaders grasped a strategic opportunity to get scripture back into the hands of ordinary Russians. Led by then President of Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Doug Ross, three major organizations pooled their energies and influence to launch what became The Moscow Project. Through their respective constituencies, Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, Christian Booksellers Association, and International Bible Society raised a total of four hundred thousand dollars. The money was used to print and distribute one million Russian language New Testaments in the former Soviet Union.
A light went on in the minds of several industry leaders. Many initiatives designed to satisfy the spiritual hunger of various groups around the world are beyond the reach of any individual company. It became clear that an industry-wide collaboration offered the best hope for accomplishing these goals.
The success of The Moscow Project was the springboard for the creation of Evangelical Christian Publishers Outreach. Launched in 1993, ECPO (later renamed Global Publishers Alliance) became a vehicle for energizing and focusing the collective ministry efforts of members of ECPA outside of North America.
What factors determine the selection of GPA projects?
Projects considered for support by GPA are required, in varying degrees, to meet the following criteria:
- Publish, in the broadest sense, information which is Christian in terms of source, content, and motivation. This is publishing with intent to evangelize and build faith, inspire hope for the future, and stimulate love for God and people.
- Have the potential to impact a reasonably broad audience
- Be culturally sensitive to local and national realities
- Conform to letter and spirit of local laws
- Result in local financial and leadership control
- Result in local professional and/or vocational skills training
- Involve local as well as western financial resources
- Pursue outcomes consistent with ECPA and GPA mission and strategic objectives
- Financial participation to accomplish a specific task, involving a specific amount of money, with clearly articulated outcomes, a specific termination point, and a specific plan for moving toward financial independence and self-sustainability
How is the work of GPA funded?
GPA initiatives are funded through a variety of sources including the member companies of ECPA and by events organized for the specific purpose. GPA also receives grants from individual donors and foundations, as well as both one-time and monthly contributions from regular Christians who recognize the imp
We also host an annual golf tournament that serves as a key fundraising opportunity. The 2007 GPA Invitational Golf Tournament raised over 50,000 dollars.
What are some of GPA’s most successful past projects?
Since 1994, Global Publishers Alliance (GPA formerly ECPO) has broken down cultural and political barriers to distribute Christian literature and establish Christian publishing programs throughout the world.
The Moscow Project
Pre-dating ECPO and creating the momentum for focused publishing developmental efforts, ECPA worked with Christian publishers, retailers, and Bible distributors to distribute four million Russian language New Testaments into Moscow, Russia. That seed project eventually resulted in the establishment of Christian publishing programs in Russia and throughout Eastern Europe, many of which are thriving today.
Magazine Training Institute (MTI)
In partnership with ECPA members in the U.S., including Christianity Today International, MTI over the last ten years has trained over two hundred leaders in various countries to develop Christian magazine publishing programs.
Project Baghdad: Streams in the Desert
- Special Assignment Seed Grants that have helped develop a Christian literature center in Iraq and distribution centers in Africa and Brazil, with many similar projects pending further funding.
- Translation & distribution in the Middle East of Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and Steps to Peace with God by Billy Graham in cooperation with Zondervan Publishing House and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
A regional publishing summit in Bulgaria led to the establishment of an Eastern Europe Publishing Association patterned after ECPA. Additional regional summits for Christian publishers in Korea, Nigeria, Pan-Africa, India, and Manila are contemplated.
International Forums at Key Industry Events
GPA has helped establish international forum events for networking opportunities among international publishers at industry events such as CBA International Retail Show, ECPA Publishing University, the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Beijing Book Fair, and Book Expo America.
What are some of GPA’s current projects?
The GPA board has affirmed four regions of the world as strategic to the spread of the gospel and the growth of the church. The four strategic regions are China, Nigeria, India, and the Middle East. The following projects reflect that regional focus.
- International Publishing Curriculum
The International Publishers Training Project is designed to meet the critical need of international publishing ministries for practical education in building a viable, self-sustaining business. This comprehensive training curriculum covers all facets of publishing, from manuscript development to marketing and selling. Delivered in an on-line format for greater accessibility, the curriculum will be contextualized for the international market and translated into six languages. GPA’s goal for this curriculum is to help international companies build their capacity to provide the locally generated, culturally appropriate Christian literature needed to build the Kingdom in their own countries. Developed by publishing experts, this curriculum is unique. There is no other comprehensive, web-based training available for international Christian publishers. It is our privilege to provide this critical capacity-building resource to our brothers and sisters in Christian publishing ministries around the world. GPA is talking to two potential providers for possible delivery-by-distance learning technology. In addition, we are evaluating the utilization of Wiki to encourage both global learning and publishing community development.
- 2008 Beijing International Book Fair
For the last three years, GPA has encouraged the development of closer relationships between U.S. and Chinese Christian publishers by sponsoring a venue for the display of Western Christian product, networking, and contract negotiation with interested Chinese publishers.
- Partners in Publishing
GPA is matching experienced U.S. publishers with Christian publishers in the developing world who show the potential to grow and become self-sufficient. This happens through one-to-one mentoring—short visits in person as well as through e-mail.
While seminars and books have value in teaching the complicated world of publishing, there is nothing quite like up-close dialogue with a professional who knows the pitfalls to avoid and is willing to invest time in personal training. There are currently seven Partners in Publishing projects underway or poised for launch in China, Israel, Nigeria, Ukraine, Kenya, and India. Requests from three other countries are being vetted for suitability. One outcome from the Ukraine relationship is the planned launch of an ECPA organization in that country.
- Arab Language Internet Project – Dar Manhal al Hayat
An e-commerce web site to provide for the distribution of Arab Language Christian product to Arab speaking Christians world-wide is underway. Web-site development, warehousing, and fulfillment capabilities have been arranged in Beirut and Cairo.
- Arab Language Product Development –Dar Manhal al Hayat
This project will provide Arab-speaking Christians with a core list of curriculum or books in Arabic. The body of work will retain as much original content as possible and will educate believers immersed in the current volatile religious climate of the Middle East on living the Christian life in the Muslim context. This core list is 20-25 books (or curricula) and will be published in a variety of formats: print, PDF, on-line, and audio. Sixteen authors and titles have been selected by a combined seminary and publishing editorial team in Beirut, Lebanon. Four of the selected works are in original Arabic, while the rest are translated from English.
- Arab Language Publishing Curriculum Project
This adaptation of the international publishing curriculum will be introduced as part of the curriculum for a Christian liberal arts college scheduled for launch in Beirut in 2008.
- China Colportage—Proposed project, still in research phase
The concept of this project is to mobilize a cadre of colporteurs (sellers of religious books) from the underground church to do the work of evangelism using primarily Christian literature as the vehicle in door-to-door sales, sharing their faith as they have occasion and the freedom to do so while providing the seller with a living wage. Research concerning the legal, regulatory, financial, and structural issues is being conducted in three major cities.
How can I support the work of GPA?
The fulfillment of GPA’s current programs, and many future opportunities, is only possible through the generosity and support from those in developed and thriving countries who want to expand Christian literature worldwide.
A financial commitment to GPA helps build self-sustaining Christian publishing businesses in impoverished regions. More importantly, it enables the dissemination, through ongoing culturally appropriate programs, of the gospel message to impoverished hearts throughout the world.
Donations may be made via many different methods:
- One time contribution
- Monthly support
- Building a legacy of support through an ongoing grant program
- To a specific region: Asia, Africa, the Middle East, or other
- To a specific project
- Where it is most needed at this time
You are also invited to become personally involved in the work of GPA. If you or a group of your family or friends are interested in participating in some part of the GPA program, we would be pleased to discuss the possibilities. Contact John Eames: john@eamesliterary.com.