Over 1.6 Million Copies Sold
[COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — July 7, 2025] WaterBrook celebrates with Joanna Weaver the 25th anniversary of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, her beloved and bestselling book that has sold more than 1.6 million copies, been translated into 10 languages, including Spanish, and ministered to the hearts of women around the globe. Originally released in July 2000, this powerful and grace-filled message has continued to resonate with readers who long to balance the demands of daily life with a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus.
Weaver’s timeless classic has become a touchstone for Christian women’s spiritual growth. Through the New Testament story of Mary and Martha, the book offers a profound invitation for women who feel overwhelmed by expectations and exhausted by a world that demands they be everything to everyone. With honesty, wisdom, and humor, Weaver reminds us that Jesus’s invitation to Martha still stands today—for all of us to choose “the better part,” a life of intimacy with Him.
“I’m so grateful that God continues to use this book to speak to the hearts of women of all ages,” Weaver said. “I get notes from high school and college students as well as women in their 80s (sometimes from the same Bible study!) telling me how the book has transformed their walk with Jesus. All praise goes to Him!”
“Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World has stood the test of time because it speaks to the soul of every woman trying to live faithfully in a fast-paced world,” said Campbell Wharton, Publisher, Penguin Random House Christian. “Joanna Weaver’s message of grace, balance, and intimacy with Christ continues to inspire generation after generation, and we are honored to celebrate this incredible milestone alongside her. This book is not only a spiritual classic—it’s one of WaterBrook’s most enduring backlist titles and remains an important part of our program.”
Over the years, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, along with its 10-week video Bible study and participant guide, has become a cherished companion for women’s ministries, small groups, and individual readers seeking transformation at the heart level. As we celebrate 25 years of impact, WaterBrook honors the book’s ongoing legacy: to call women into deeper devotion, more joyful service, and a life shaped not by hustle, but by holy relationship.
Joanna Weaver is the bestselling author of several books and Bible studies, including Having a Mary Spirit, Lazarus Awakening, and the devotional, At the Feet of Jesus. A beloved speaker and teacher, Joanna’s ministry has helped women worldwide grow spiritually and embrace God’s extravagant grace.
For more information, please contact:
Beverly Rykerd, VP, Publicity Director, brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com
WaterBrook is an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC
