October
20, 2000, Frankfurt, Germany
The following excerpts are taken from an award ceremony during the 2000
Frankfurt International Book Fair. Piotr Waclawik of Vocatio Publishing
House (Poland), presented Dr. Georgalyn Wilkinson with a special award
for Eastern European publishing:
"In the publishing business it is very easy to get caught in the
trap and magic of numbers. Margins, profits, incomes, royalties etc. Even
if we treat our work as a part of our ministry, it is the same. Income
means a success while its lack is a failure. It's all too easy to lose on
the way what is the most important: people.
"Three years ago we had the privilege to welcome in Warsaw an
American publisher - a woman. When I asked her about the previous year she
said it was wonderful because God had placed on her way a lot of new
people. She experienced love from many of them and she could give it to
many. 'People, not numbers,' she said, 'are the most important part of
this work.'
"And indeed, in her business letters, like in no others, there is
always a lot of care, warmth and friendship. All Eastern Europe publishers
who work with her would say the same. She is a part of God's special
blessing. This evening she is also with us, the First Lady of Christian
literature promotion in Eastern Europe, Georgalyn Wilkinson of Gospel
Literature International.
"Although Georgalyn doesn't like to speak about numbers, it is
under her leadership that GLINT has accomplished enormous expansion in
Eastern European countries. In each and every one of them dozens of
thousands of books give testimony to her intense commitment. There is no
way, however, to count how much love, support, prayer and good words have
flown on Eastern Europe through her phone calls, letters, journeys to many
countries of the former Eastern block.
"Georgalyn—Eastern Europe lays its thanksgiving before the
Throne of God for your love and work."
July
12, 2000, New Orleans, LA
The Evangelical Christian Publishers
Association (ECPA) presented its prestigious International Award during the Gold
Medallion Banquet at the national Christian Booksellers Association
Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The ECPA's International Award recognizes a very carefully chosen
individual who has made an outstanding contribution to help advance
international Christian publishing. It is given only if and when
exceptional achievements merit special recognition. Only eight people have
ever received the award. They share the company of previous Award winners
such as Dr. John Stott, rector of All Souls Church in London.
This year
ECPA President Doug Ross presented
the very special International Award to GLINT's own Dr. Georgalyn Wilkinson.
Her selection was a fitting testimony of her
personal leadership gifts and a remarkably fruitful ministry.
Georgalyn's pioneering spirit has built a strong GLINT team that is so
vital for an effective ministry. She has led the transformation of GLINT
into a comprehensive international Christian publishing organization that
now represents over 300 non-English language publishers who produce
materials in over 79 languages. Still, Georgalyn does not measure the true
effectiveness of her ministry by the quantities of books and Sunday school
curriculum that is published, but instead, by the changes in the lives
that they touch. Her tireless travels on GLINT's behalf take her to the
far corners of the world, where she consults with publishers, encourages
missions workers and mentors eager young leaders. Georgalyn surely lives
her life in God's "fast lane."
