NASHVILLE, TENN., May 10, 2019—B&H Publishing is proud to announce its acquisition of pastor, author and former NFL player Derwin Gray for a two-book deal.
Gray is the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church (TC), one of the fastest growing churches in America as recognized by “Outreach Magazine.” TC is a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, mission-shaped community with three campuses near Charlotte, N.C. After graduating from Brigham Young University, Gray played professional football in the NFL for five years with the Indianapolis Colts (1993-1997) and one year with the Carolina Panthers (1998), after which he went into full-time ministry.
Gray’s first book is tentatively slated for publication in June 2020 and will focus on Jesus’ surprising teachings about happiness from Matthew 5:3-12. Gray’s second book will be on the Lord’s Prayer and is tentatively slated for publication in the fall of 2021. Gray will also write a complementary Bible study on happiness, published by LifeWay’s Groups Ministry.
“I’m humbled, honored and excited to join the B&H family of authors, and to partner with their talented team to launch my next two books,” said Gray.
Gray’s previous books include “Hero: Unleashing God’s Power in a Man’s Heart (2010),” “Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future (2013),” “Crazy Grace for Crazy Times Bible Study (2015)” and “The High-Definition Leader (2015).”
“Anyone who has witnessed Pastor Derwin Gray’s ministry knows that he loves to preach and teach the Bible,” said Taylor Combs, Associate Publisher of Christian Living and Leadership. “God has so clearly gifted him in this area, which is why we’re thrilled to publish two books by Derwin that will expound the teachings of Jesus from the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer.”
Gray’s contract was negotiated by his literary agent, Alex Field of The Bindery, with worldwide rights. For more information, visit bhpublishinggroup.com.
Dr. Derwin L. Gray is the founding and Lead Pastor of Transformation Church (www.TransformationChurch.tc), a multiethnic, multigenerational, mission-shaped community in Indian Land, S.C., just south of Charlotte, N.C. Transformation Church has been recognized by “Outreach Magazine” as one of the fastest growing churches in America.
Gray met his wife, Vicki, at Brigham Young University (BYU). They have been married since 1992 and have two adult children. After graduating from BYU, he played professional football in the National Football League for five years with the Indianapolis Colts (1993-1997) and one year with the Carolina Panthers (1998).
In 2008, Gray graduated from Southern Evangelical Seminary magna cum laude, with a Master of Divinity with a concentration in apologetics, where he was mentored by renowned theologian and philosopher Dr. Norman Geisler. In 2018, Gray received his Doctor of Ministry in the New Testament in Context at Northern Seminary under Dr. Scot McNight. In 2015, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Southern Evangelical Seminary.
Gray is the author of “Hero: Unleashing God’s Power in a Man’s Heart” (2009), “Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future” (2013), “Crazy Grace for Crazy Times Bible Study” (2015) and “The High-Definition Leader” (2015).
B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources, is a team of mission minded people with a passion for taking God’s Word to the world. Because we believe Every Word Matters® we seek to provide intentional, Bible-centered content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, inspiring them to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. Among our print and digital releases for the trade, church and academic markets, titles include “The New York Times” No. 1 bestsellers “The Love Dare” and “The Vow,” No. 1 CBA bestseller “I Am a Church Member,” as well as the newly-revised Christian Standard Bible (CSB) version.
