The Evangelical Press Association (EPA) has officially acquired Magazine Training International (MTI), bringing the global Christian publishing training ministry under its organizational umbrella in a move aimed at expanding digital resources and online instruction for Christian magazine publishers worldwide.
The transition follows the planned retirement of MTI founder and president Sharon Mumper, who established the organization in 1989 to support Christian publishers in Eastern Europe after the fall of communism. Over the decades, MTI expanded its reach to more than 100 countries, offering training and resources in Africa, Asia, and Latin America through onsite conferences and an extensive online platform.
With the transfer of assets finalized, the EPA now owns MTI’s website, digital resources, and training programs, and will operate MTI as a division under its name, according to a join press release.
“I am both humbled and grateful for this opportunity to continue the legacy of MTI as a vital resource for Christian magazine publishers worldwide,” said EPA Executive Director Lamar Keener. “Sharon Mumper’s passion for decades has been to provide magazine training for those in less-resourced countries, and we don’t want that to end with her retirement.”
Commenting to Christian Daily International, Keener emphasized that the transition marks a strategic step for EPA as it seeks to extend its influence beyond North America.
“As we heard at our Branson convention this past April, Christianity is global and seeing phenomenal growth outside the United States,” Keener said. “Bringing MTI under our wing will enable EPA to become more global in our reach.”
Keener added that the core structure of MTI’s online training—used by thousands around the world—will remain intact. “We had already been partnering with MTI for online training, which has the ability to reach both U.S. and international audiences. That won’t change; it will just be under a different corporate umbrella.”
Founded in 1989, MTI has offered more than 70 onsite conferences in 20 countries, developed print and video training resources, and launched an online training program in 2013 that includes live workshops, ebooks, and self-paced video courses. Communications Director Jennifer Howard, who has overseen much of MTI’s online training, will continue leading the program under EPA.
“Years ago, EPA Executive Director Lamar Keener shared with us his vision for continued education for Christians in magazine publishing,” said Mumper. “Since then, we have worked together to provide professional training for EPA constituents in North America and our international colleagues. I’m thrilled this high-quality instruction will continue to be available to Christians in publishing worldwide.”
Keener noted that while publishing challenges are often universal—such as content strategy, digital adaptation, and budget constraints—publishers in many international contexts face additional obstacles.
“In some international communities, publishers face the additional challenges of religious persecution and struggling economies,” Keener said. “Our vision at EPA is to continue the ministry of MTI by providing digital resources and online training to magazine publishers everywhere in the world.”
The EPA will also continue MTI’s existing partnership with Media Associates International (MAI) to support magazine training at the triennial LittWorld conferences. Funding for the transition came in part from grant support, but EPA is encouraging continued donations through MTI’s website to sustain global training initiatives.
Founded in 1948, the Evangelical Press Association is a professional organization serving Christian print and digital publications through training, networking, and resources. With the addition of MTI, EPA aims to strengthen its global commitment to equipping the next generation of Christian communicators.
