February 4, 2019 Edition

Dr. Gordon Smith to deliver keynote for ECPA Leadership Summit theme, “Beyond Borders: Expanding Our Mission”

Dr. Gordon Smith, President of Ambrose University and Seminary and author of “Institutional Intelligence,” will be the opening speaker at ECPA’s Leadership Summit, held April 30-May 1 in Chicago.  Conference speakers and sessions will inform Christian publishers in all the ways to strategically expand their mission and engagement beyond borders – geographically, culturally, racially, technologically, and more.  Other speakers include: Harold Smith and Mark Galli (Christianity Today), Tina Constable (Crown Publishing), Kristen McLean (NPD Book), Jackie Hill Perry (artist), Chris Horst (Rooting for Rivals), Phil Ryken and Theon Hill (Wheaton College), and more.

Register now at lowest early-bird rates
More at ECPALeadership.org

ECPA’s industry Awards Celebration will include first-time Audio Award

The 41st annual Christian Book Award® celebration and ECPA Awards dinner will be held the evening of April 30 at the Hilton Rosemont Hotel in Chicago, following the first day of programming of the ECPA Leadership Summit.  Books published by ECPA members in twelve categories, including the first-ever category for Audio, will be recognized for excellence in Christian nonfiction.  Gary Chapman (The 5 Love Languages® series) will be a featured speaker at that event.  Tickets are available via Leadership Summit registration.

ECPA presents Platinum Award to Tommy Nelson for sales milestone

The ECPA Platinum Award was recently awarded to Tommy Nelson for Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids by Sarah Young to honor its sales milestone of over one million sold. The ECPA Gold, Platinum and Diamond Awards recognize milestone achievements for sales of 500,000, 1 million and 10 million.  The year’s recipients will be honored at the annual ECPA Awards Celebration, April 30th in Chicago, during the industry’s Leadership Summit.

ECPA welcomes new members

• Planet 316 (small press member) specializes in digital media, mobile applications, and augmented reality of print content.
• Scriptum Publishing House (international member) is one of the largest evangelical Christian publishing houses in Romania.
• Interstudy (affiliate member) is a provider of interactive, relevant, and flexible technology that drives Christian growth in a constantly-shifting culture.

Zondervan author Lisa Leonard appears on the TODAY Show

Ahead of the release of Brave Love: Making Space for You to Be You (Zondervan) on January 29, 2019, Lisa Leonard appeared on the TODAY Show with her husband, Steve. The couple shared the challenges they’ve faced in their marriage, including parenting a child with special needs, and the exhaustion Lisa experienced by trying to be a perfect wife, mother, and businesswoman. Their marriage nearly fell apart—until Lisa found the courage to be honest about her own needs and to stop trying to be everything to everyone. Lisa is the founder of and designer for Lisa Leonard Designs, which, with her husband Steve, has become a multi-million dollar company. Lisa and Steve partner with nonprofit organizations and ministries to protect the vulnerable and serve those in need.

See the full segment.

Heisman Trophy winner and Thomas Nelson author Tim Brown joins Jesus Calling podcast

Tim Brown is a football player whose career spanned a record-breaking 17 years in the NFL. Tim’s motivation to succeed in life and in football was greatly driven by a desire to reconcile with his father, after a misunderstanding between them that happened when Tim was only 12 years old, that drove them apart for years. On this week’s episode of the Jesus Calling podcast, Tim recalls his early days with his family and that life-changing moment with his father that would define his path for over a decade. Brown’s book, The Making of a Man: How Men and Boys Honor God and Live with Integrity is available from Thomas Nelson.

Bible Gateway interviews Eryn Lynum, author of “936 Pennies”

How can a jar of 936 pennies transform our parenting? What can it teach us about making family time richer, not busier? When we practice “counting time,” as David penned in Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom,” God begins to bring new life to our home and family. Bible Gateway interviewed Eryn Lynum (@ErynLynum) about her book, 936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting (Bethany House, 2018).

Read this interview.

Bible Gateway interviews Jeannie Marie, author of “Across the Street and Around the World”

According to Barna research, only 17% of all churchgoers know what the Great Commission is. Jesus said it plainly: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” How is this commission to be lived out in our ordinary lives? With God bringing people from other countries and cultures into new neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools, how should we shift our perspective to align our hearts, minds, and everyday lives with God’s heart for the nations? Bible Gateway interviewed Jeannie Marie (@jeanniemmarie) about her book, Across the Street and Around the World: Following Jesus to the Nations in Your Neighborhood…and Beyond (Thomas Nelson, 2018).

Read this interview.