SparkLit

08/10/2026

“I was born into a poor family. My mother worked while my father stayed at home drinking. He strongly desired a son. As a daughter, I disappointed him. I felt unwanted and rejected. When I was five, my mother died, and I went to live with strangers. I was abused, threatened and sexually harassed. I began to fear and distrust all men. I felt broken, worthless and filled with shame.”

“In 2014, a Christian woman who had also suffered abuse told me how God had healed her. She told me that I am neither forgotten nor forsaken. She told me that Jesus loved me enough to die on the cross for me. This truth broke the chains of my rejection and fear. Everything changed. I gave my life to Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Jesus gave me an identity, wholeness and hope. In Jesus, I found the love I had been searching for all my life.”

“While working at a Christian school in Bandung, I was required to teach from a biblical perspective. This experience stirred in me a deeper calling. I realised that I wanted to study theology, both to grow personally and to serve others.”

“Bandung Theological Seminary went beyond deepening my biblical knowledge. It provided a space for healing and spiritual formation. In this community, I learned to trust and build healthy relationships, to see myself as God sees me, and to allow the Holy Spirit to redeem my suffering.”

“While working on my thesis about trauma, books were not just academic resources. They also became instruments of healing. Books helped me discover the heart of God for the broken and how Jesus is present in our pain. Through reading, I found a language for my wounds and formed a theology of suffering.”

“I dream of serving Jesus by walking alongside other young women who have also experienced rejection or abuse. I want to listen to their stories and show them that Jesus can restore even the most broken heart.”

“Please pray that I will remain faithful, grow in grace and wisdom, and serve the broken-hearted with compassion and truth. Pray that my life might reflect the healing love of Jesus.”

Read Desint’s story: https://sparklit.org/2026/10/05/the-lord-is-my-shepherd/

$4k will provide new titles for Bandung Theological Seminary’s digital library in Indonesia. To put books of hope and healing into the hands of students like Desint, donate here: https://sparklit.org/donate/

Please pray that our Heavenly Father would use these books to nourish and equip young church leaders as they seek to serve others with patience, wisdom and compassion.

23/09/2026

“I entered the seminary, not of my own desire, but because of my father’s unfulfilled dream to be a priest. My parents always took me to church. My father was a lay minister. I was active in the youth group. I learned to play the guitar so I could join the music team. My week wasn’t complete without going to church.”

“At St Andrew’s Theological Seminary in Manila, I encountered many difficulties. I studied in my second language with people from diverse backgrounds. I was often sick and there were times when I felt like giving up. Yet, because there were people who believed in me, helping me and guiding me, I continued my journey.”

“Courses in pastoral care and preaching provided me with frameworks and practical tools. I learned how to counsel people through crises. I learned how to prepare a sermon that is both scripturally sound and engaging. I learned the importance of self-care to avoid burnout.”

“During my seminary years, I got to serve in different churches. I enjoyed my whole field experience. This made me wonder. Might this really be God’s calling for me after all?”

“After completing my studies I was hesitant to seek ordination. I expect that serving Jesus and his people will be challenging. How will I stay humble and teachable under criticism? Living far away from home and family will be a sacrifice. However, priests in our church saw my potential. With their prayers and encouragement, I decided to give it a try.”

“During my training, books moulded me and deepened my understanding of my vocation. While I may have finished my academic journey, I still need books. Books will be my primary means of lifelong learning. Books will be my mentors. Books will be vital for maintaining a posture of humility.”

Read Perlyn’s story by following this link: https://sparklit.org/2026/09/14/we-must-surrender-to-the-holy-spirit/

Your gift of $70 will provide a Bible dictionary and commentary to a graduate from St Andrew’s Seminary in Manila. Donate here: https://sparklit.org/donate/

Please pray that the Holy Spirit will use these tools to guide, equip, and empower graduates like Perlyn to face challenges with faithfulness, wisdom, and endurance.

18/09/2026

16/09/2026

“It is bad manners to have more clothes than books!” 📚

Meet Maggie Gathuku, editor of Timazi Christian magazine in Kenya.

“Books must compete with social media, online videos, computer games and other fast-moving digital content. Yet we believe that young people need more opportunities to slow down, engage with important ideas, and discover how Christian literature can help them understand their faith and live it with purpose.”

This conviction led to the Timazi National Readership Challenge.

“Each year, we publish an edition of a relevant Christian book and put it in the hands of high school students across Kenya. Students read the book, reflect on its message and submit a written report for assessment. During our annual awards gala, prizes are presented to celebrate their reading, thoughtful engagement and spiritual growth.”

Through Timazi, Maggie is helping young people use books to discover the joy of reading, grow in wisdom, and deepen their understanding and application of God’s word.

SparkLit subsidises the publication of the Timazi Readership Challenge text. In 2027, SparkLit will sponsor the publication of the first title in the Library of African Christian Biography. Thousands of high school students across Kenya will read and respond to these books.

“Please pray with us that the Holy Spirit will awaken in young people a hunger for truth, a love for reading and a desire to live purposely for Christ.”

Praise God for the vision and enthusiasm of Maggie Gathuku.

You can support the work of SparkLit and our project partners in difficult places. Your gift will put life-giving Christian books into the hands of young people where commitment is strong but resources are scarce.

Donate here: https://sparklit.org/donate/

07/09/2026

Welcome to SparkLit! 🌟

With our annual Australian Christian Literature Awards, SparkLit celebrates and encourages Australian Christian writers and publishers.

This year’s awards were presented during the 2026 SparkLit Awards Night on 20 August.

On every other day of the year we work to encourage Christian writers and publishers where the church does not enjoy the resources we take for granted.

📕 SparkLit advances God's kingdom by empowering Christian writers, publishers and distributors in difficult places around the world.

📙 SparkLit nurtures emerging publishers and equips publishing professionals by directing funds, expertise and energy where Christian writing is needed most.

📗 SparkLit makes Christian books available, accessible and affordable where commitment is strong but resources are scarce.

Our ministry of encouragement depends on the prayer and generosity of Christians who understand the power of words.

Watch our story video to discover more!

04/09/2026

Enjoy the excitement, inspiration and encouragement of the 2026 Australian Christian Literature Awards. 💫

Introducing promising teen writers, interviews with shortlisted authors and the presentation of the 2026 Australian Christian Book of the Year!

Watch the 2026 SparkLit Awards Night livestream on YouTube now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zPdSlMOino

21/08/2026

Matt Dodd and Thom Bransdon’s project “God’s Very Special Letters: The Epistles for Kids. Volumes 1-3; Philippians, Colossians & Philemon, 1 Peter” is the 2026 Australian Christian Book of the Year.

This is what the judges had to say:
“Four New Testament letters have been brought to life for readers of all ages. This new translation uses direct and plain language and is a joy to read. The text is complemented by illustrations that advance the narrative, remind us of the culture and fortunes of the original readers, and ensure that people remain the focus of complex theological ideas. This unprecedented and wonderful initiative makes these epistles accessible to children and offers older readers a fresh encounter with familiar and favourite parts of Scripture. Why hasn’t this been done before?”

Read the judges’ comments for all shortlisted and winning works here: https://sparklit.org/awards/

Photo: Translator Matt Dodd and illustrator Thom Bransdon with SparkLit National Director Michael Collie. Photo by Sybil Gazzard.

21/08/2026

Hanna Pheh (Mount Waverley, Victoria) wins First Prize in the 2026 Australian Christian Teen Writer Award for her story “The Unintended Race”. Congratulations, Hanna.

Read this excerpt from her novel “The Unintended Race”.

Just hours ago at dinner, Pearl and her siblings had worried that Pa wouldn’t make it.

Ma, however, hadn’t dismissed them yet. She still had something to say. And she seemed to struggle to say the words.

Finally, she simply said, “Spending will have to be cut down. The hospital fees aren’t too large, since the hospital is government-run, but the daily expenses are a lot, and Pa isn’t working.”

The truth was out. But Pearl wasn’t particularly affected by it. It didn’t matter if their family didn’t have enough money for luxuries. Anything that was necessary was enough.

As they left the bedroom, Pearl’s eyes rested on the ancestral altar, and she instantly looked away. She remembered that Pa had been planning to go to the temple in Ipoh when the accident had occurred.

So! He’d been stopped. Stopped dramatically. It was strange. Was it a
coincidence? The temple and the accident? Together!

Somehow Pearl knew that Pa had been stopped from going to the temple.

~
Read the judges’ comments for all winning works on our website: https://sparklit.org/actwa/

Contact us at [email protected] if you would like to read the unpublished manuscripts in full.

21/08/2026

Aoife Martin (Brunswick West, Victoria) wins Second Prize in the 2026 Australian Christian Teen Writer Award for her story “Neither Height nor Depth”.

Read an excerpt from “Neither Height nor Depth”.

“Oh Phoebe, we thought that you’d been mugged, or worse,”

“The woman hastily wrapped her arms around me before muttering, “We’re so glad you’re okay. There’s someone here to see you. He sounds important and wants you to do something for him. He wanted to wait for you to get back before explaining more. He’s in the dining room … when you’re ready.”

My eyebrows furrowed. I wasn’t totally surprised. Being a deacon, many people came to ask me to heal sick children, or seek favours or financial assistance, most of which I did, but someone of importance wasn’t usually good news.

I slipped out of my sandals, shrugged off my overcoat, and walked through the rooms. I saw some of my brothers and sisters in Christ congregating in a circle,

talking in hushed tones, but there were two people who I didn’t immediately recognise: a bald, squat man and a tall man with thinning brown hair.

Someone in the circle met my gaze, and with wide, alert eyes informed the mystery guests that I had arrived. The bald man calmly nodded, and spun around, presenting me with a face I knew well and an assertive character that turned and shook heads wherever he went.

The corners of my mouth turned up, and my tense shoulders relaxed. It was only Paul.

~
Read the judges’ comments for all winning works on our website: https://sparklit.org/actwa/

Contact us at [email protected] if you would like to read the manuscripts in full.

21/08/2026

Steffan Sween (Chirnside Park, Victoria) wins Third Prize in the 2026 Australian Christian Teen Writer Award for his story “The Night Watch”.

Read an excerpt from “The Night Watch”.

Apart from the boat’s dreadful rocking, the stench on board was beyond anything I experienced in London.

On my left I saw a fella reading a book with faded pages bound in leather.

“Trying to sleep?” I joked.

“Can’t sleep with seasickness. I wanna read a chapter or two before cap’n comes down and threat’ns us to sleep.” He had a strong eastern cockney accent.

“I own … er got a similar looking book … well, kind of own.” I hesitated before deciding to take the book out of my satchel and show it to him. “You want it? It’s useless to me. Can’t make head or tails of it.”

“Why, it’s no ‘ifferent at all!” His blue eyes lit up. He turned my copy to the same page he was on and read slowly, “‘By faith, Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.’ What’s your name lad?”

“Alfie.”

“You ever ’eard about Jesus, Alfie?”

~
Read the judges’ comments for all winning works on our website: https://sparklit.org/actwa/

Contact us at [email protected] if you would like to read the manuscripts in full.