Long-time Zondervan senior v-p and publisher receives industry’s top honor
Nashville, Tenn. (February 24, 2020) — HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) congratulates senior v-p, publisher, and Zondervan editor-in-chief, Stan Gundry, for being recognized as this year’s recipient of the Kenneth N. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award from the Evangelical Christian Publisher’s Association (ECPA), announced on February 17, 2020. The award will be presented at the ECPA Leadership Summit on May 5, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.
Recognized for his forty-year dedication to the Christian publishing industry as both a publisher and author of seven published works, Gundry’s name is synonymous with the Zondervan publishing program. Gundry joined Zondervan in 1980 to develop the Zondervan Academic publishing program, today one of the most highly recognized and world-renowned Christian theological imprints used in colleges, universities, and seminaries across the globe. Throughout his tenure, Gundry has acquired many leading Christian academic scholars including Wayne Grudem (Systematic Theology), Tremper Longman (Introduction to the Old Testament), D. A. Carson and Douglas Moo, (Introduction to the New Testament), Moises Silva (New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis), Willem VanGemeren (New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis), William Mounce (Basics of Biblical Greek), Daniel Wallace (Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics), and John R. Kohlenberger and Edward W. Goodrick (The NIV Exhaustive Concordance). Gundry also acquired numerous bestselling trade books including New York Times bestselling authors Rick Warren (The Purpose Driven Life) and Ben Carson (Gifted Hands).
Gundry consistently brings biblical and theological focus to the Zondervan brand, as well as vision to keep pace with technological changes in publishing. Under his leadership, the Zondervan Academic team has pioneered new developments in online education, becoming an industry-leader with nearly 100 online courses and streaming video studies now available. Over the past two years, Gundry has steered the development and launch of Zondervan Reflective, a new trade imprint specializing in books for thoughtful readers on topics related to leadership, ministry, and the intersection of faith and culture. It is home to authors including Andy Stanley (Deep & Wide), Jemar Tisby (The Color of Compromise), and Nabeel Qureshi (Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus).
Although Zondervan plucked Gundry out of academia forty years ago, he continues to impact the next generation of biblical scholars as an adjunct professor of historical and systematic theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.
“Stan Gundry is a pillar in the Christian publishing world,” said Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO of HCCP. “He has dedicated his life to our mission to inspire the world by meeting the needs of people with content that promotes biblical principles and honors Jesus Christ, and because of his dedication to his craft millions of lives have been introduced to or impacted by God’s Word. We are thrilled to see him receive this well-deserved honor.”
“I never planned or expected to go into publishing. At age 40 I had completed my formal education and was happily settled in as a college and seminary professor of theology,” said Gundry. “I expected that I would spend the rest of my career teaching, while occasionally doing a bit of editing and writing of my own. However, unbeknownst to me but providentially, everything in my background was leading toward and preparing me for something else – publishing. I am so honored that the ECPA has bestowed on me, the ‘accidental publisher,’ this prestigious recognition.”
The Kenneth N. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a leader from within the Christian publishing profession whose lifetime of achievement goes above and beyond: leading with exemplary Christian character, initiating innovative programs and products, and contributing to the mission and advancement of the Christian publishing industry. ECPA has presented Lifetime Achievement Awards since 1981 to those who have significantly impacted the industry. Recipients listed at ECPA.org/page/lifetime.
About HarperCollins Christian Publishing: The world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., comprises the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing groups, Olive Tree Bible Software, BibleGateway.com, FaithGateway.com and ChurchSource.com. The Company produces bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, academic resources, curriculum, audio and digital content for the Christian market space. Bible Gateway is the world’s largest Christian website with more than 20 million unique monthly visitors. HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, TN with additional offices in the U.S. and Mexico. For more information visit www.HarperCollinsChristian.com.
Contact: Chelsea Taff, Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications, 615.902.2137, Chelsea.taff@harpercollins.com
