MennoMedia press release
September 16, 2022
April Yamasaki named editor of Rejoice!
Harrisonburg, VA — MennoMedia has named April Yamasaki as the new editor of the quarterly devotional magazine Rejoice! Yamasaki replaces Leslie Hawthorne Klingler, who was the editor since 2013.
Yamasaki is well known in both Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA for her writing and insight. Previously the editor of Purpose, her published books include Sacred Pauses, Four Gifts, Christ Is for Us, and On the Way with Jesus. She is working on her fourth collection of sermons for publication in 2023.
“I love engaging with readers and writers and look forward to doing that on behalf of Rejoice!,” says Yamasaki. “I’ve read and written for Rejoice! for years and am now eager to learn more about the publishing side as editor.”
After 25 years of pastoral ministry at Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Yamasaki is now resident author with Valley CrossWay Church, a liturgical worship community in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Yamasaki writes on spiritual growth and Christian living online and in print publications and is a frequent guest speaker in other churches and settings.
“Rejoice! has been a staple in Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren homes for 50 years this fall,” says Amy Gingerich, publisher at MennoMedia. “It’s much beloved by readers, and it’s a pleasure to welcome April to the team and see how she gives shape to our devotional life going forward.”
“I pray that by reading Rejoice!, people will grow as followers of Jesus—deepening their faith in God, developing a closer connection with Christian community, and finding inspiration to pray and live out their faith in daily life,” Yamasaki says.
MennoMedia, the publishing arm of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada, began publishing Rejoice! in 1972.
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Nurture your soul through the quarterly devotional magazine, Rejoice! Each day’s entry features a Bible reading, a short inspirational message, and a prayer of response. The magazine also includes inspirational stories and poems, and daily prayer requests representing Mennonite mission workers, schools, and church agencies.
To subscribe, purchase single copies, or give a gift subscription, please see MennoMedia.
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Congratulations April. You couldn’t be more perfect for the job and I hope you enjoy it! I think I’m on Leslie’s list to do some writing again soon. Hope to hear from you!
Thanks, Melodie – I’m loving it so far! Leslie left her list of writers with me, so I will definitely be in touch. I look forward to working with you!
What a blessing – for you and the magazine too!
Good to see you here, Mary. Yes, the opportunity with Rejoice! is a beautiful blessing. It wasn’t something I at all expected, so I feel doubly blessed!
We read Rejoice daily and have always appreciated the devotional thoughts shared by you and others. May you be blessed in this new role. Thank you for all of wisdom you have shared in the past.
Thank you for being such a regular reader of Rejoice! And thank you for your words of blessing. I’m grateful for my new role and already learning a lot.