Current Projects - International Mentoring

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.

The current “Partners in Publishing” relationships are:
  • Rolf Garborg and others of his family are deeply involved with a publisher in Ukraine. Since their first on-site visit in September 2006, sales are up 44 percent, new distribution channels are being pioneered, and a Ukrainian Christian Publishers Association has begun. Rolf and team return for a second visit October 2007.
    A few glimpses of GPA mentor Rolf Garborg at work in Ukraine

  • Tyndale House, with COO Jeff Johnson leading the way, are developing a mentorship with a publisher in Lagos, Nigeria.

  • Zondervan, with Verne Kenney (EVP of Sales) leading the way, are in the beginning stages of a mentorship with a house in the interior of China.

  • Bill Schultz (Abridge International, formerly of Gospel Light) is involved with a growing publisher in Beijing, China. (Rolf Garborg is also consulting here on a unique retail mechanism for the Chinese marketplace.)

  • Jonathan Merkh, formerly of Thomas Nelson and Guideposts Books, is beginning a mentorship with one of the few Christian publishers in French-speaking Africa, based in Ivory Coast. It helps greatly that Jonathan is a “missionary kid” who speaks French!

  • Kelly Gallagher, formerly VP of Business Development at ECPA and now General Manager of Business Intelligence with Bowker, is developing a mentorship with a long-established house in India. His first work trip there will happen this fall following Kelly’s trip to the Frankfurt Book Fair.

  • Dean Merrill, formerly VP of International Publishing with International Bible Society, is mentoring a denominational publisher in Nairobi, Kenya. His first work visit there will happen in early November.


  • B&H Publishers, with Steve Bond (editorial director for Bibles) leading the way, are in the beginning stages of a mentorship with a house in Israel.

NEEDED:a mentor for a Spanish-language mission publisher based in Mexico. It would be helpful if the mentor spoke Spanish, of course. But the process can also work through a translator.


Other possibilities are being scouted continuously. The benefits are two-way, in that the international publisher gains knowledge and expertise, while the American publisher gains a fresh perspective on the wider work of God’s kingdom around the world. For further information, contact the project manager, Dean Merrill, (a GPA board member), at deanmerrill@comcast.net.

Please read this recent article by Dean Merrill: Wanted: Your Expertise - GPA seeks publishers to act as international mentors.