In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
The Word Guild is a growing community of Canadian writers, editors, speakers, publishers, booksellers, librarians and other interested individuals who are Christian. From all parts of Canada and many denominational and cultural backgrounds, we affirm a common statement of faith and are united in our passion for the written word.
Our Vision: The Word Guild has a vision to bring God’s hope, grace, and reconciliation in Christ through the written words of its members.
Our Mission: The Word Guild has a mission to organize and serve Canadians who communicate through the written word from a Judeo-Christian worldview, so that they can increase in faith and excellence and inspire all readers.
History of The Word Guild
For many years the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada organized a Christian writer’s conference called God Uses Ink (GUI). In 2001, it was announced that the conference would be discontinued. Long-time conference attendees and faculty members, N.J. Lindquist and Wendy Elaine Nelles believed that it was critical for Canadian writers and editors who are Christian to receive training and support in order to become more professional. To fill the void, in 2002 Lindquist and Nelles founded The Word Guild and launched the Write!Canada conference.
Lindquist, who is an award-winning author, an inspiring speaker, and a popular writing teacher and mentor, became the organization’s first Executive Director. An Award-winning journalist, writer, editor, and speaker, Nelles served as Associate Director. The two were recognized with the Leading Women Award for Excellence in Communications and Media in 2006 for starting The Word Guild
In 2008, Lindquist and Nelles co-edited Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stir the Heart and Warm the Soul, an anthology that showcases the work of 30 Canadian authors who are Christian. Hot Apple Cider achieved Canadian best-seller status and A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider was released in 2011.
The Word Guild began as a project of Imago, a registered charity that encourages the development of Christians in the arts. In 2008, The Word Guild merged with Christian Info Canada (CIC), a registered not-for-profit charitable organization..