rush-to-press
The Week's News in Christian Publishing
  • Industry News
  • Milestones
  • Media Announcements
  • Product News
  • Other News

Book by ECPA president Jeff Crosby releases this week: “The Language of the Soul”

FOR RELEASE: May 23, 2023

A beautiful literary exploration of the spiritual longings of our souls that guide us to meet our heart’s true home—God—in their midst.

For over fifteen years, writer Jeff Crosby has been searching for a language of the soul—a way to articulate our deepest longings. Through the years he gathered clues from within global music styles, from different cultures, from his own Christian tradition and its sacred texts—and from deep within himself.

A lover of words, he sought not only to translate our longings into words but to understand why these seemingly universal yearnings have long remained unnamed. In The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of Our Hearts (May 23), Crosby gifts us with those so-often-untranslatable desires of our hearts, guiding us to finally find the words and luminous insights for our own longings for home, for friendship, for forgiveness, and for transformation–and how God meets us in the midst of these longings. Eschewing easy answers, Crosby begins the naming process, helping us to make connections–and to recognize, within ourselves and our faith, our heart’s true home.

The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of Our Hearts
By Jeff Crosby
Foreword by Susan Stabile
US $26.99 | Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5 | 978-1-5064-8054-1
Publication date: May 23, 2023

Jeff Crosby is an organizational leader in the world of words, ideas, and book publishing. Currently president and CEO of ECPA, a trade association of publishers, he has served in various executive roles, including as vice president at Ingram Book Company, and at IVP, a publisher in the Chicago area. He combines a background in journalism, leadership studies, and business with a love of language and insight from several fields in exploring faith and spirituality in light of applied practice. He and his wife of more than forty years, Cindy, have two grown children and six grandchildren.  

Media Contact: Jana Nelson, Publicity Manager, nelsonja@1517.media / 612-330-3220


Praise for The Language of the Soul:

“Open-hearted, accessible, and drawn from deep wells of reflection, this lovely book about the longings we know but can some-times barely name offers solace and hope. We are not alone in our longings; they are what we share most deeply. And the beginning of fulfillment lies in the longing itself. Jeff Crosby’s years of wide reading and rich conversation with Christian writers are reflected in the moments of encounter and voices he invokes in story after story about longings that have brought both the ache of the “not yet” and the assurance of things not seen that enables us to rejoice in the midst of our waiting and wondering. This book is worth reading slowly, as an invitation to feel and reflect on our own deepest longings and where they may lead us.”
—Marilyn McEntyre, author of Where the Eye Alights and Word by Word

“This is one of the finest books I have ever read. Crosby’s humility and insight, along with his vast expertise and diverse interests, point the way toward authentic transformation and hope. Here you will find embodied, practical wisdom located in place, music, story, literature, friendship, nature, faith, and spirituality.”
—Mark R. McMinn, coauthor of A Time for Wisdom

“What appears to be untranslatable in our interior lives is broadly and wisely interpreted here in this important book: We long to be loved. If God is love, we long for God. Read with gratitude as Jeff Crosby guides us to fully understand our spiritual, physical, and emotional longings.”
—Christopher de Vinck, author of The Power of the Powerless: A Brother’s Legacy of Love and Simple Wonders

“Sometimes our longings and discontent make us feel like we are not growing spiritually—when will we ever be satisfied?—but Jeff Crosby’s work in The Language of the Soul reframes longing as a way to grow. With transparency and wisdom, Crosby walks us through the longings that show we are human and reminds us of the God who meets us right in those very spots, and often through the beauty of community. Pay attention to your saudade. Then read this lovely book.”
—Karen Stiller, author of The Minister’s Wife: A Memoir of Faith, Doubt, Friendship, Loneliness, Forgiveness, and More, senior editor, Faith Today magazine, Ontario, Canada

“Through multiple references the author implicitly opens up channels for the reader to see, name, and ponder how the ten longings he describes shape the reader’s own life. This is a book to cherish, re-read, and discuss in small groups, it is especially suited for those who are humbly honest about their own longings, and who want to understand, and perhaps even refine them.”
—Gregory Clapper, author of When the World Breaks Your Heart

“Writing a book that seeks to define an undefinable word takes someone who is willing to rely on God’s wisdom and not their own, who can trust the small voice that speaks to them as they write and above all who is kind to their readers and themselves in the process. Jeff Crosby is such a person. In The Language of the Soul he introduces us to a new word that describes an ancient and ever new experience: the longing, burning heart.”
—Michael Card, singer/songwriter and author of A Sacred Sorrow

Sign Up To Receive Industry News Each Week

Subscribe

This Month’s Bestsellers

VIEW BY GENRE
1 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
2 PRACTICING THE WAY
JOHN MARK COMER
3 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
GARY CHAPMAN
4 FORGIVING WHAT YOU CAN'T FORGET
LYSA TERKEURST
5 LIVING FEARLESS
JAMIE WINSHIP
6 HOLY SPIRIT
DAVID DIGA HERNANDEZ
7 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
8 THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY
JOHN MARK COMER
9 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
LEE STROBEL
10 IMAGINE HEAVEN
JOHN BURKE
View All
1 SINCERELY, STONEHEART
EMILY WILSON HUSSEM
2 SLOW BURN
DAWNCHERE WILKERSON
3 BLESSED ARE THE SPIRALING
LEVI LUSKO
4 EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE
KYLE IDLEMAN
5 THE FIGHT FOR US
REBEKAH LYONS AND GABE LYONS
6 NEVER GIVE UP
MAX LUCADO
7 THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME
DENISE HUNTER
8 JESUS LISTENS LARGE TEXT WITH FULL SCRIPTURES
SARAH YOUNG
9 UNLOCK YOUR DELIVERANCE
KATHRYN KRICK
10 TWO SECONDS TOO LATE
DANI PETTREY
View All
1 WHERE SECRETS LIE
COLLEEN COBLE AND RICK ACKER
2 THE SUMMER OF YES
COURTNEY WALSH
3 REDEEMING LOVE
FRANCINE RIVERS
4 WHEN CRICKETS CRY
CHARLES MARTIN
5 HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES
HANNAH HURNARD
6 VANISHED
DAVID JEREMIAH WITH SAM O'NEAL
7 THE HIDDEN PRINCE
TESSA AFSHAR
8 THE SHACK
WILLIAM PAUL YOUNG
9 A LINEAGE OF GRACE
FRANCINE RIVERS
10 WHAT NOT TO DO ON VACATION
RACHEL MAGEE
View All
1 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
2 PRACTICING THE WAY
JOHN MARK COMER
3 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
GARY CHAPMAN
4 FORGIVING WHAT YOU CAN'T FORGET
LYSA TERKEURST
5 LIVING FEARLESS
JAMIE WINSHIP
6 HOLY SPIRIT
DAVID DIGA HERNANDEZ
7 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
8 THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY
JOHN MARK COMER
9 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
LEE STROBEL
10 IMAGINE HEAVEN
JOHN BURKE
View All
1 THE ACTION BIBLE
SERGIO CARIELLO
2 THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
3 THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE
SALLY LLOYD-JONES
4 GREAT AND SMALL PRAYERS FOR BABIES
PAMELA KENNEDY
5 THE WORLD NEEDS WHO YOU WERE MADE TO BE
JOANNA GAINES
6 THE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BIBLE
JANICE EMMERSON
7 GOD GAVE US YOU
LISA TAWN BERGREN
8 MOSTLY WHAT GOD DOES IS LOVE YOU
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE
9 THE BIGGEST STORY BIBLE STORYBOOK
KEVIN DEYOUNG
10 WHEREVER YOU GO, I WANT YOU TO KNOW...
MELISSA B. KRUGER
View All
1 THE HARBINGER: A GRAPHIC NOVEL
JONATHAN CAHN
2 SINGLE, DATING, ENGAGED, MARRIED
BEN STUART
3 LIVE ON PURPOSE
SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF WITH BETH CLARK AND TAMA FORTNER
4 THE 5-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY FOR TEEN GIRLS
CAREY SCOTT
5 DO HARD THINGS
ALEX HARRIS AND BRETT HARRIS
6 GOD IS WITH YOU EVERY DAY
MAX LUCADO
7 THE CASE FOR CHRIST STUDENT EDITION
LEE STROBEL WITH JANE VOGEL
8 FLOURISH
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
9 OUTDATED
JONATHAN POKLUDA AND KEVIN MCCONAGHY
10 INTERCESSORY PRAYER
DUTCH SHEETS
View All
1 THE GOSPEL STORY
MARY WILEY
2 ONE-MINUTE INSIGHTS FOR MEN
JIM GEORGE
3 365 READ-ALOUD BEDTIME BIBLE STORIES
DANIEL PARTNER
4 KNOW YOUR BIBLE
PAUL KENT
5 ONE-MINUTE INSPIRATIONS FOR WOMEN
ELIZABETH GEORGE
6 3-MINUTE DEVOTIONS FOR MEN
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
7 BIBLE PROMISE BOOK - KJV
BARBOUR PUBLISHING
8 199 PROMISES OF GOD
PUBLISHING, BARBOUR
9 77 MEMORY VERSES EVERY KID SHOULD KNOW
CHRISTIAN ART KIDS
10 BIBLE PROMISES FOR MOMS
HEIDI ST JOHN
View All
1 KJV GIANT PRINT FULL SIZE BIBLE
CHRISTIAN ART PUBLISHERS
2 ESV CHURCH BIBLE
CROSSWAY
3 NIV ADVENTURE BIBLE, Hardcover
ZONDERVAN
4 KJV LARGE PRINT PERSONAL SIZE REFERENCE BIBLE
HOLMAN BIBLE PUBLISHERS
5 CSB SHE READS TRUTH BIBLE, GREY
RAECHEL MYERS AND AMANDA BIBLE WILLIAMS
6 NIV THE WOMAN'S STUDY BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
7 NKJV PERSONAL SIZE LARGE PRINT REFERENCE BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
8 ESV STUDY BIBLE
J. I. PACKER, MARK DEVER AND JOHN PIPER
9 NLT LARGE PRINT PREMIUM VALUE THINLINE BIBLE, Brown
TYNDALE
10 ESV JOURNALING BIBLE
CROSSWAY BIBLES
View All
1 ESV ECONOMY BIBLE
CROSSWAY
2 ESV ECONOMY HOLY BIBLE FOR KIDS
CROSSWAY
3 NIV LARGER PRINT HOLY BIBLE, ECONOMY EDITION
ZONDERVAN
4 ESV LARGE PRINT ECONOMY BIBLE
CROSSWAY
5 NLT LARGE PRINT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY OUTREACH EDITION
TYNDALE
6 KJV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
7 NIV ECONOMY BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
8 NIV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, Pink
ZONDERVAN
9 NIV OUTREACH BIBLE STUDENT EDITION
ZONDERVAN
10 NLT ECONOMY TEXT BIBLE
TYNDALE
View All
1 English Standard Version
2 New International Version
3 King James Version
4 New Living Translation
5 New King James Version
6 Christian Standard Bible
7 Reina Valera
8 New International Reader's Version
9 Nueva Version International
10 New American Standard Bible
View All
1 LOS 5 LENGUAJES DEL AMOR EDICION REVISADA
GARY CHAPMAN
2 PERDONA LO QUE NO PUEDES OLVIDAR
LYSA TERKEURST
3 UN ANO CON DIOS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
4 UNA VIDA CON PROPOSITO
RICK WARREN
5 UNA MUJER SABIA
WENDY BELLO
6 EL PODER DE LA MUJER QUE ORA
STORMIE OMARTIAN
7 JESUS TE LLAMA
SARAH YOUNG
8 EL DESAFIO DE 30 DIAS DE ORACION PARA HOMBRES
JESS MACCALLUM
9 DESTINADO AL EXITO
DANTE GEBEL
10 VIVIENDO SU VOLUNTAD
SEBASTIAN FRANZ
View All
1 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Negro
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Negro tapa dura
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TAMANO MANUAL EDICION TIERRA SANTA
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
4 RVR1960 BIBLIA DEL PESCADOR LETRA GRANDE, Caoba
LUIS ANGEL DIAZ-PABON
5 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Rosa
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
6 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Turquesa
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
7 RVR1960 SANTA BIBLIA EDICION PORTATIL CON CREMALLERA
RVR 1960- REINA VALERA 1960
8 RVR60 SANTA BIBLIA LETRA SUPERGIGANTE CON CIERRE
RVR 1960- REINA VALERA 1960
9 RVR1960 BIBLIA DE APUNTES
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
10 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TAMANO MANUAL CON INDICE
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
View All
1 LA GRAN HISTORIA DEL EVANGELIO
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 PREOCUPATE MENOS Y ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
3 365 HISTORIAS BIBLICAS PARA LA HORA DE DORMIR
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
4 EL SECRETO DE LA PAZ PERSONAL
BILLY GRAHAM
5 DEVOCIONALES DE 3 MINUTOS PARA HOMBRES
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
6 UN HOMBRE CONFORME AL CORAZON DE DIOS
JIM GEORGE
7 JESUS SALVA AL MUNDO
VIDA
8 DEMASIADO BENDECIDA PARA ESTAR ESTRESADA
DEBORA M. COTY
9 ESTRESATE MENOS, ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
10 3:16 EVANGELIO DE JUAN
MAX LUCADO
View All

Upcoming Events

ECPA webinar: Communicating Appreciation in the Workplace
August 8 | 10 am central
ECPA Asia Rights & Export Fair
September 1-2, 2025 | Bangkok, Thailand
ECPA C-Suite Symposium
September 7-9, 2025 | Tucson, Arizona
ECPA PubU Online
Oct 31 through Nov 14, 2025
ECPA LOGO
submit icon

Submit a News Item

Submit industry related news releases to rushtopress @ecpa .org for consideration. Rush to Press is sent every Monday and eligible releases must be received by end of day Friday prior to the Monday’s publication.

announce icon

Career Posts

To announce a job opening in Rush to Press, post it first at the ECPA Career Center and your announcement will appear in the next issue.

subscribe icon

Subscribe

To receive Rush to Press, along with other industry updates from ECPA, please follow the instructions here to create or modify your ECPA community profile. To subscribe to Rush to Press without using a profile, subscribe here.

unsubscribe icon

Unsubscribe

If you would like to be removed from the Rush to Press distribution list, please edit your ECPA profile preferences or email info @ecpa .org.

advertise icon

Advertise

If you would like to reach over 3,300 industry subscribers and media contacts each week, consider advertising in Rush to Press. Contact sponsorship @ecpa .org for more information.

More news at RushtoPress.org. #RushtoPress @ECPA
This is a publication of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. For more information about ECPA, contact info@ecpa.org or visit ECPA.org.
Copyright © 2025 · ECPA