On February 6, 2024, Joseph (“Joey”) Eugene Paul, known and loved by an extended family of creatives in the world of Christian publishing, passed on to be with His Lord and Savior. His loving wife, Sharon, was faithfully at his side as she had been for more than 40 years.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, May 24, 1945, Joey graduated from Mobile College (now University of Mobile), earned a master’s degree from Southwestern Seminary, and began working on a doctoral degree at Baylor University. In 1970 while a grad student at Baylor, he went to work part time at Word, Incorporated in Waco, as a copy editor. His graduate work, however, was interrupted in 1971 when the President of Word, Jarrell McCracken, asked him to come to work full time to be a part of the new educational film curriculum department. That was at a time when Word was largely defined by innovative contemporary Christian music, including such artists as Rich Mullins, The Imperials, Petra, Carman, and The Gaithers.
In 1976 Joey was impressed with what he heard and saw in the beginnings of Dr. James C. Dobson’s ministry and radio show, Focus on the Family, then based in Southern California. Working on behalf of Word, Joey connected with Dr. Dobson and managed the production and distribution of what was to become the innovative, seven-part, Focus on the Family Film Series. Film series rentals began in 1978 and, over the next half-dozen years, it was screened by thousands of churches across North America, winning an award from the Christian Film Distributors Association (CFDA).
In November of 1988 Word was relocated from Waco to Las Colinas, Texas. This move triggered the complete reorganization of Word Books by Byron Williamson, its new Executive Vice President, Executive Publisher. Joey was promoted from his role as Director of film/video to Vice President of Word Books, reporting to Kip Jordon, Publisher.
In this new role at Word, Joey’s impact on the Christian book industry mushroomed. He worked creatively with such bestselling authors as Billy Graham, James Dobson, Josh McDowell, Anne Graham Lotz, Barbara Johnson, Charles Swindoll, Tony Campolo, David Jeremiah, and many more.
In 2001 Joey left Word joined Byron Williamson in the start-up of Integrity Publishers, serving as Vice President, Editorial. In short order the Integrity team published Sarah Young and her multi-million copy bestselling Jesus Calling. At Integrity Publishers Joey worked with many well-known authors such as Beth Moore, Max Lucado, David Jeremiah, Emerson Eggerichs, Henry Cloud and John Townsend, Gary Smalley, Jerry Jenkins, Pat Robertson, Roma Downey and T.D. Jakes, in addition to Sarah Young.
Integrity was acquired by Thomas Nelson at the end of 2006. Joey made the transition back to Nelson, serving as Vice President of Editorial and Acquisitions. But Joey left Nelson again in 2008 to join Nashville-based FaithWords, a division of Hachette Book Group USA. As Executive Editor, he worked with such authors as David Jeremiah, Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen.
In 2017 Joey returned to Thomas Nelson, which by then was a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP), as an Executive Editor. “With over forty-six years of industry experience when he returned to Nelson, Joey was an invaluable asset not only to the editorial process, but to our business as a whole,” said David Moberg, former Senior Vice President and HCCP Group Publisher.
“Throughout his career in Christian publishing,” says Byron Williamson, “Joey Paul was known as a person who took his faith seriously, working so creatively with a broad list of best-selling authors, whose books sold millions of copies around the globe.”
When they heard of Joey’s passing, these leading Christian authors said of him:
“Cynthia and I loved Joey Paul. We had a great relationship with him for so many years. Our hearts go out to Joey’s wife Sharon as she does her best to press on without him.”
Chuck Swindoll
“I loved working with Joey on several of my books over the years. He was always so very creative as we worked together. I will never forget that it was through Joey’s wonderful creativity that we came up with the idea for one of my most successful books, The Book of Signs. Joey’s brilliance was all over that very effective book. We will all miss Joey.”
David Jeremiah
“Joey Paul loved books, loved publishing, and loved authors. And, since I’m an author, I benefitted from his loyalty and advice. He was an ever-ready source of encouragement and good counsel. Always a phone call or flight away, he made himself available at all times. He is irreplaceable. I will miss him very much.”
Max Lucado
“In my fifty years of publishing and creative work, I have collaborated with many publishers, producers, and writers. One of my favorite colleagues was Joey Paul. I have loved this man like a brother, and I will miss him in the days ahead.”
James Dobson
And, industry veteran, Rolf Zettersten, had this to say about Joey:
“It was my privilege to work with Joey beginning very early in both our professional careers. Over those 50 years that our work with Christian publishing overlapped, Joey and I worked together with many authors and books, and many others working in Christian publishing. I knew him as a loyal, devoted, and dedicated teammate. He loved golf, fishing, and a robust Cabernet. Our relationship became much more than as professional colleagues, we became close personal friends as well. My thoughts and prayers his wife Sharon until she and Joey are reunited in eternity.”
On behalf of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Mark Schoenwald, CEO and President, stated:
“HarperCollins Christian Publishing mourns the passing of Joey Paul, whose work helped to shape the Christian publishing landscape of the past several decades. Joey was a masterful editor, acquiring and shaping remarkable books over his more than 50-year career in Christian Publishing. His work impacted and enriched millions of lives.”
Doing life with Joey Paul is one of the most important relationships of my life. He and I also shared the joys of the Scriptures, golf, a glass of excellent wine, sushi, reading great authors, fishing on the waters of the deep, and family. Joey loved the authors he had the privilege to advise, edit and serve. But Joey’s greatest joys were found in Jesus, Sharon, and his son, daughters, and grandchildren. He was a great father, a true man of God and a lover of the Word of God. He blessed so many so well, and so many will miss him dearly. It is certain I will! I am also certain that as Joey stepped into heaven, Kip Jordon, Ernie Owen and Brian Hampton were right there at the pearly gates ready to sing, dance and play a round of golf with their old friend!
Joey is survived by his wife Sharon, son Jeffrey, daughters Kimberly and Kristen, sisters Susan and Sylvia, and seven grandchildren.
Article composed and submitted by Sealy Yates, founding partner of Yates & Yates, Literary Agency, and Joey Paul’s longtime friend.
