TBT started in 1989 with the publication of Kingdom Concerns, authored by Ken Gnanakan, which today has become a widely used textbook in theology of mission. Drs. Sunand Sumithra and Ken Gnanakan launched TBT as a registered trust that same year. Dr. A. Christdhas joined as one of the first full time editors. Since then some 56 titles have been published mainly from Indian and some Asian and Western writers.

Today TBT is the premier Indian published providing textbooks mainly for the Evangelical theological institutions, particularly those accredited by Asia Theological Association.

TBT is helping to motivate Indian Scholars to write for their context. While Indian scholarship is of a high caliber, opportunities have not been available for writing. Scholars with links with the West have written for the West and their books do not meet the needs of the Indian contexts.

TBT meets the need for relevant material: Indian Christians have been deprived of quality Christian material having to depend on expensive books from the West written by Westerners for the Western Context. Some have been forced to use books from the West as they have come as free gifts. Others have had old books donated, which have been outdated as well as irrelevant.

• TBT meets the need for contextual text books: Many bible Schools and colleges have had to depend on Western material mainly because those are the only text books available.
• TBT is helping to motivate Indian Scholars to write: While Indian Scholarship is of a high caliber, opportunities have not been available for writing. Time off from their busy teaching or ministry schedules is the main problem. The others have to do with publication programs to help publish their writings.

Our Objectives:

TBT offers publication program to help writers publish their writings for their own people. We will motivate and facilitate writings from Indian (and other Asian Scholars) with the following objectives.

• Identify textbooks that are required for theological institutions
• Identify issues and themes of relevance for the Christian community
• Identify writers, editors and contributors for these books
• To Print and publish books and Text books at low cost

The Objectives will be fulfilled through the following activities:

• Workshops and seminars to help identify writers and themes / subjects
• Short-term writing projects, sabbaticals, community-writing events
• Partnership with agencies internationally to meet these needs

The following outcomes are anticipated

• A more informed Church in India
• More opportunities for Indian writers
• More relevant textbooks
• Affordable textbooks for students

Our Strategy

TBT will motivate and facilitate writings from Indian (and other Asian Scholars) through the following means:

• Seek o provide scholarships and grants to assist writers for assigned projects
• Promote and market these books all over Asia and the world
• Identify funding sources to meet these needs
• Publish low-cost text books
• Publish TBT Journal

Management

TBT functions as a registered trust with Board consisting of the following:

Dr. Ken Gnanakan - Chairman
Dr. Emmanuel E. James (Chief Editor), Dr. Brian Wintle, Dr. Richard Gnanakan, Dr. Michael Srinivasan (Commercial Director), Dr. Paul Mohan Raj, Dr.(Ms). Leela Manasseh, Dr.(Ms). Marina, Behera, Rev. Hosea Mathew

A team of editors headed by Dr. Emmanuel E. James program the writing of the books. TBT has a full time team managing distribution and marketing these books under Dr. Michael Srinivasan. They work mainly through mail orders, but are using Bible Schools / Colleges as the retail outlets, apart from some Christian literature agencies like ELS, OM etc.

Services offered by TBT

• TBT publishes Text Books and books. We expect four books come out as a result of this Workshop.
• Books for other organizations, viz., Lausanne Committee for world Evangelization, Theological Commission, WEA, ICHE, ATA, ABC, individual authors

In addition to the above, we offer following services

• Web Page - If your Institution or Organization wants to develop a web page, we will be available to do it for you
• Brochures for your Institution or Organization
• Publicity Material for your Institution or Organization
• Annual Magazines for your Institution

TBT Community of Writers

TBT is committed to the fact that there are many quality writers in India. However, knowing that they need to be challenged and motivated, TBT will initiate the following programs.

This will be held each year on the ACTS Academy campus in Bangalore. A maximum of ten writers (and families if possible) will be invited. Writers will be carefully screened and approved. During the Workshop the community of writers will have carefully planned activities with adequate time. For writing on the project that is approved by TBT Editorial Board. There will also be time for group interaction as well as relaxation. special lectures or workshops and visits to libraries in the city will also be planned.

Short Term Writing Assignments

Writers will be encouraged to come to the ACTS Academy campus for writing assignments of a minimum of one month at any convenient time. For those who are given assignments board and lodge will be provided. Where justifiable, such assignments may be organized in any other institution conductive for the subject selected.

Various terms and conditions for these programs are being worked out and all prospective writers will be notified as soon as possible.

Collaborations

TBT is establishing links with institutions all over the world to help provide sabbaticals for deserving writers to work outside of India. candidates will be chosen according to the writing project proposal submitted to the TBT editorial board. In most cases these will be three to six month assignments only. Such collaborations will also be encouraged for individuals from anywhere in the world desiring to undertake a writing assignment in India.