WATERLOO, ON – May 30, 2017 – Blessing: Dictionary.com says it’s a special favor, mercy, or benefit (Dictionary.com); and Merriam-Webster says it’s a thing conducive to happiness or welfare (Merriam-Webster). In Canada, blessing is something Graf-Martin Communications (GMC) and Baker Publishing Group (BPG) love doing for Canadian churches. In early 2017, the two companies partnered to launch Blessing Box, an initiative to connect new, valuable Christian books and resources with deserving churches across Canada.

Four times a year, pastors, church staff, and congregation members can nominate their church to receive a Blessing Box valued at over $300 each. Ten churches from across Canada will be chosen as recipients each season, with a grand total value of $12,000 of resources sent to Canadian Churches each year. Each Blessing Box is curated to include Baker Publishing Group’s new and best-of resources that facilitate conversations, and inspire opportunities for enriched congregational community.

With the loss of many Christian bookstores across Canada over the past decade, leaving many communities without a local Christian store, connecting points for churches looking for curriculum and resource recommendations have shifted. Graf-Martin Communications’ President, Ellen Graf-Martin is clear on the purpose of Blessing Box. “Ultimately, our organization exists to resource the Canadian church, as we support Christian content creators. I’m so glad to have found another simple way to make both these pieces of our mission come to life.”

This May & June, churches will have the opportunity to win a Blessing Box specifically curated to support and inspire Women’s Ministry Leaders. This season’s Blessing Box is packed with books and small group Bible study materials from leading female Christian communicators including:

• Holley Gerth, You’re Already Amazing book, DVD and LifeGrowth Guide
• Lisa Bevere, Without Rival
• Susie Larson, Your Powerful Prayers
• Debbie Lindell, She Believes
• Suzanne Eller, Come with Me
• Renee Swope, A Confident Heart

Baker Publishing Group’s Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, Dave Lewis, says, “We are enthusiastic about partnering with Graf-Martin Communications on this new initiative. Baker Publishing Group has chosen to invest deeply in Canada since 2008, and we see this as an excellent new way to connect life-changing resources with churches across the country.”

With topics ranging from prayer and simplicity in a hectic age, to confidence and meaningful friendships, to Christian women in history, the May Blessing Box is sure to inspire and empower Church and ministry leaders across the country as they read and lead. For more information on The Blessing Box and the May current giveaway, visit www.blessingbox.ca .

Founded in 2008, Graf-Martin Communications Inc. is the leading public relations and marketing agency serving Christian audiences across Canada. With decades of combined experience, our expert creative team has earned a reputation for reliably excellent work, and our clients have included the world’s top Christian publishers (Thomas Nelson, Baker Publishing Group, Tyndale House), film companies serving Christian audiences (Sony, eOne, Lionsgate, PureFlix, Elevation Pictures, Mongrel Media) and a number of Canada’s largest Christian charities (World Vision, Compassion Canada, Power to Change, Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.)

Baker Publishing Group, who celebrates their 78th anniversary this year, seeks, through its various divisions, “to publish high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of [the Church]”. Their customer base spans most Christian denominations, to which they provide theologically enriching and inspiring Christian fiction and non-fiction resources. They desire to equip and empower the body of Christ to more fully understand the Word of God and its practical application in our world, through the power of knowledge and reading.

Media contact: Tara Hoyte, Graf-Martin Communications
tara@grafmartin.com  519-342-3703 x 105

 

WESTMONT, IL—InterVarsity Press is pleased to announce the appointments of David Fassett to art director and Jeff Gissing to academic marketing manager.

Fassett joined IVP as a marketing designer in 2009, and was promoted to senior graphic designer in 2014. During his time at IVP he has worked closely with Cindy Kiple, who retired in May after fifteen years as art director. Fassett designed several award-winning book covers, including Death Before the Fall and The Radical Pursuit of Rest. He also redesigned IVP’s marketing catalogs and contributed to the design of IVP’s new website.

IVP publisher Jeff Crosby said, “We look forward to the versatile design capabilities and technological know-how that David will bring to IVP as art director.” Fassett moved into his new role on May 1.

Gissing will begin his work as academic marketing manager on June 12. He previously served as the pastor for discipleship atFirst Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. Gissing was also on campus staff for nearly a decade with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in the Graduate and Faculty Ministries department. He has a BA in philosophy and religion from Samford University, an MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary, and is also working on his master of theology at Westminster.

“We are delighted that Jeff Gissing will be joining our team in the role of academic marketing manager,” said Helen Lee, IVP’s director of marketing. “He spoke our language from the start with his love for and knowledge of our academic line, and we also appreciated his deep understanding of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship through his years of service on the Graduate and Faculty Ministries team. We have no doubt he will contribute a great deal to the furtherance of our academic line in the years to come.”

Gissing said, “IVP books have had a significant impact on my own intellectual and spiritual development, and so the prospect of joining the press brings me great joy!”

Founded in 1947 as an extension of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, InterVarsity Press serves those in the university, the church and the world by publishing thoughtful Christian books that equip and encourage people to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord in all of life.  For more information, visit ivpress.com.

Media Contact:  Krista Clayton, 630.734.4013   kclayton@ivpress.com