January 2026 | LISLE, IL—The New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Norris has signed a second contract with IVP Formatio for the fall 2027 release of Finding God in the Desert: How Monastic Spirituality Revived My Faith.

“It is an honor to be working with Kathleen Norris on a book exploring her long journey reading the work and wisdom of the desert mothers and fathers,” said Cindy Bunch, vice president of IVP Editorial. “As always, Norris intertwines this teaching with reflection on how their work is being written into her own life. Kathleen is a writer for whom both craft and spirituality shape her work in equal parts.”

In her first book with IVP, Rebecca Sue: A Sister’s Reflections on Disability, Faith, and Love, Norris ventures into new territory, sharing an intimate portrait of her younger sister, whose life was shaped by lifelong mental and physical disabilities. Weaving her memories with Becky’s own words drawn from her letters and journals, Norris examines parts of her own story, the strength of familial bonds, the complexity of caregiving, and the myriad ways God works in our lives.

Norris said, “When Rebecca told me, ‘You should write a book about me, so I can be famous like you,’ I recognized it as a call. It’s been an honor to explore my relationship with my sister and try to present her in all her complexity.”

In Finding God in the Desert Norris returns to themes that build on her previous books as she invites readers to rediscover the works of the early monastics, men and women seeking a more honorable and fulfilling life.

Alexander Field, Norris’s agent at The Bindery, said, “Her goal in writing this book is to introduce readers to the people known as the ‘desert mothers and fathers’ of the early Christian church. She also wants to share the insights encapsulated in their sayings, a wonderful literature that has mostly been relegated to the realm of monastic studies.”

Norris writes: “It’s been a joy to demonstrate how the wisdom of these early Christians has great relevance for readers today. I talk about how their stories have been formative in my life and the lives of others. I even talk about how the trust in God demonstrated by these early monastics helped me face the Covid pandemic.”

Kathleen Norris is the award-winning poet, writer, and author of The New York Times bestselling books The Cloister Walk; Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer’s Life; Dakota: A Spiritual Geography; Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith; The Virgin of Bennington; and several volumes of poetry. Exploring the spiritual life, Norris’s work is at once intimate and historical, rich in poetry and meditations, brimming with exasperation and reverence, deeply grounded in both nature and spirit, sometimes funny, and often provocative.

Widowed in 2003, Norris now divides her time between South Dakota and Honolulu, Hawaii, where she is a member of an Episcopal church. She travels to the mainland regularly to speak to students, medical professionals, social workers, and chaplains at colleges and universities, as well as churches and teaching hospitals. For many years she was the poetry editor of Spirituality & Health magazine. She serves as an editorial adviser for the monthly Give Us This Day from Liturgical Press and writes for a weekly e-newsletter, Soul Telegram: Movies & Meaning with her friend and Irish storyteller Gareth Higgins.

Contact:  Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

January 2026 | LISLE, IL—On January 28 InterVarsity Press (IVP) will kick off the third season of The Digital Examen podcast. Hosted by pastor and author Jay Y. Kim, the podcast aims to guide listeners in “Living at the Pace of Peace.”

The idea for The Digital Examen was developed in response to the exhaustion so many people are experiencing amid the noise of the modern digital age, where peace is scarce and self-reflection is infrequent. Building upon the themes of listening, peace, slowness, and noticing God in everyday life explored in the show’s first two seasons, season three seeks to explore the goal of a deeply formed life: joy and delight with God.

Kim will join an array of writers, educators, artists, and theologians—including Malcolm Guite, Hakeem Bradley, David Taylor, Jon Guerra, Tish Harrison Warren, and many others—to explore the many gifts God offers just beneath the surface of our frenzied lives, often hidden in plain view.

“Like many people these days, I often find myself overwhelmed by the chaos of the digital age—so much frenzy, so little peace,” Kim said. “My hope is that The Digital Examen will offer people not only a learning experience but also an invitation into stillness with God as we slow down enough to listen as much as we learn.”

Releasing on Wednesday, January 28, the first episode of The Digital Examen will have Kim introduce the podcast season and pose questions surrounding what it means to live a deeply formed life. As the lead pastor at WestGate Church in Silicon Valley, Kim has experienced the digital church in all its splendor and writes about it in his books, Analog Church, Analog Christian, and the forthcoming The Pace of Peace. Kim has also written on the topic of the digital age for Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Missio Alliance, and Relevant Magazine. 

New episodes of The Digital Examen release weekly on Wednesdays starting January 28 through April 15. Kim’s guests for season three of The Digital Examen include:

Episode 1, January 28

Jay Y. Kim introduces season three.

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Episode 2, February 4

Tish Harrison Warren is a priest in the Anglican Church in North America. She has been a regular contributor for the New York Times and a columnist for Christianity Today. She is also the author of Prayer in the Night, Liturgy of the Ordinary, and What Grows in Weary Lands. She is also the coauthor (with Katy Bowser Hutson and Flo Paris Oakes) of the IVP Kids book Little Prayers for Ordinary Days.

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Episode 3, February 11

Hakeem Bradley is a biblical scholar, teacher, speaker, blogger, professor, consultant, and researcher. He holds a Master’s in Theological and Biblical Studies from Western Seminary and is a PhD candidate in New Testament Studies at Ridley College (Melbourne). He previously worked as an associate scholar at BibleProject and is now launching a new venture, “Sacred Patterns,” to develop biblical literacy resources for children.

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Episode 4, February 18

Malcolm Guite is the chaplain at Girton College, Cambridge, where he also teaches in the Faculty of Divinity. He is a priest, poet, and songwriter, and he travels and speaks regularly throughout the UK and North America. He is the author of Faith, Hope and Poetry as well as several collections of poems, including Parable and Paradox, Waiting on the Word, The Word in the Wilderness, and Sounding the Seasons.

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Episode 5, February 25

Karynthia Glasper Phillips has been bivocational as an ordained minister and a physician assistant in family medicine for over two decades. She is a conference speaker, adjunct professor, and the author of Press Pause. Her concern for the continuity of care to prevent and restore the health of spirit, mind, and body catalyzes her messages. She demonstrates that self-preservation can be lost in the rush of productivity. She gently reminds her patients and audience of the importance of loving themselves enough to harness the value of intentionality for personal well-being in quiet time.

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Episode 6, March 4

Isaac Serrano serves as lead pastor at South Valley Community Church in Gilroy, California. He also serves on the leadership team of the ReGeneration Project and is an adjunct professor teaching theology and ministry at Western Seminary. Serrano is the author of When Life Feels Empty.

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Episode 7, March 11

Ronald Rolheiser is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, and author of the books The Restless Heart, Forgotten Among the Lilies, The Shattered Lantern, and Against An Infinite Horizon. He is a community-builder, lecturer, and writer, and his weekly column appears in more than ninety Catholic publications. 

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Episode 8, March 18

Grace Pouch is content manager for Renovaré, where she curates and produces resources for spiritual renewal. She previously served as a seminary professor and Christian education specialist for elementary school children. She is the author of Savoring Childhood.

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Episode 9, March 25

Jon Guerra is a singer-songwriter who writes devotional music, less Sunday morning worship music and more Monday morning prayer music. His debut album, Little Songs, released in 2015. He also composed music for Terrence Malick’s 2019 film, “A Hidden Life.” His first album of devotional music is Keeper of Days, followed by Ordinary Ways in 2023. His most recent EP is American Gospel.

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Episode 10, April 1

David O. Tayloris associate professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary and the author of several books, including Prayers for the Pilgrimage, A Body of Praise, and Glimpses of the New Creation. He also co-editedNaming the Spirit with Daniel Train. In addition to a range of popular essays, he has published articles in the Calvin Theological Journal, Christian Scholar’s Review, Worship, Theology Today, and Image Journal, among others. An Anglican priest, he has lectured widely on the arts, from Thailand to South Africa. In 2016 he produced a short film on the Psalms with Bono and Eugene Peterson.

Phaedra Jean Taylor is an encaustic, watercolor, and illustration artist, in Austin, Texas, where she lives with her husband, David, and two children, Blythe and Sebastian. Together they make creative liturgical resources for families and church communities.

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Episode 11, April 8

Will Chung, along with his wife, Andrea, are new church planters of Beloved Church and founders of The Meeting Place. Will is also an associate of Leadership Network and Exponential, on the core team of Initiative Network, and an Advisory Board Member for The Arrow Movement and the United States National Prayer Council.

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Episode 12, April 15

Jay Y. Kim wraps up the season with a look back at the conversations, themes, and ideas that emerge from season three of The Digital Examen.

 

The Digital Examen podcast is available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast distributors. Check out the IVP YouTube page for a peek at The Digital Examen trailer.

Contact:  Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

Charlotte, NC—The Good Book Company is delighted to announce the appointment of Jonathan Pountney as their new Head of Editorial, starting February 1.

Jonathan brings over a decade of experience in publishing, having worked in academia, as a writing consultant, and most recently as Editorial Director at 10ofthose, where he helped acquire and edit authors such as David Platt, Alistair Begg, and Colin Smith. He will oversee the continuing growth of TGBC’s offering for both adults and children, managing the editorial team to provide biblical, accessible, and relevant resources for the local church.

“I’ve admired Jonathan’s work for several years,” said Carl Laferton, Publisher and Co-CEO at TGBC. “But more than that, I’ve appreciated his graciousness and kingdom-hearted approach whenever our working lives have brought us into contact. Every author with whom I’ve spoken who has worked with Jonathan speaks very highly of his work, and I have no doubt that he will further enhance our reputation for providing expert, dedicated partnership to our authors at every point of the book-writing journey.

“Jonathan is joining us at an exciting time as we continue to enjoy rapid growth, and I’m excited to get to work with him and to see how the Lord will use his passion for publishing and his heart for people in his new role here.”

Jonathan said, “I am delighted to be joining TGBC. I have used their resources for much of my life and love their passion for creating biblical, relevant and accessible books. I am grateful to 10ofthose for the thirteen years of opportunities to grow in my own skills and knowledge of publishing while contributing to their mission of creating trustworthy, gospel-focused resources. I’m looking forward to this new chapter of serving the Lord through the work and ministry of The Good Book Company.”

ABOUT THE GOOD BOOK COMPANY
Founded in 1991, The Good Book Company (TGBC) is an employee-owned international Christian publisher. Their Bible studies, books, devotionals, videos, tracts, evangelistic courses, and training materials are used throughout the English-speaking world, and in translation in over 35 languages worldwide. Everyone at TGBC is passionate about the Lord Jesus, His word, His church, and His gospel of grace. They create and publish biblical, relevant, and accessible resources that will encourage Christians to keep going, keep growing, and keep sharing their faith.

 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., January 2026 — Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is celebrating a significant milestone for the NIV Application Bible, which has now surpassed 100,000 copies sold since its release just last year. In conjunction with this achievement, Zondervan is also pleased to announce that Dr. Joel Muddamalle will serve as the season two host of the NIV Application Bible Podcast and ambassador for the NIV Application Bible, helping expand its reach and impact among readers, pastors, and church leaders.

The NIV Application Bible brings together the trusted scholarship of the bestselling NIV Application Commentary series—which has sold over 2 million copies worldwide—in a single, accessible Bible designed to help readers understand Scripture in its original context and thoughtfully apply it to their everyday experiences. Notably, the Bible launched exactly 30 years after the release of the first NIV Application Commentary volume, marking three decades of Zondervan’s commitment to bridging biblical meaning and modern life.

“The response we’ve seen to the NIV Application Bible has been incredibly encouraging,” said Melinda Bouma, VP and Associate Group Publisher for Bibles at Zondervan. “Reaching 100,000 copies sold within a year of its release affirms that readers are hungry for Scripture engagement that is both faithful to the text and deeply relevant to our modern world. We’re also thrilled to welcome Joel Muddamalle as our next representative for this Bible; he is a voice who embodies our same commitment to thoughtful, lived theology.”

Built on the award-winning methodology of the NIV Application Commentary series, the NIV Application Bible features thousands of study notes organized around two of the NIV Application Commentary’s core pillars: Original Meaning notes help readers understand the historical, literary, and cultural context of the biblical text, and Application notes guide readers in integrating Scripture into their personal, communal, and vocational experiences. This approach equips readers not only to comprehend Scripture, but to live it out with wisdom and discernment.

Following in the footsteps of bestselling author and Bible teacher Lisa Harper, who served as the first podcast host and ambassador, Joel Muddamalle will help lead conversations that reflect the heart of the NIV Application Bible—exploring how biblical theology intersects with discipleship, culture, leadership, and everyday faithfulness. A theologian, speaker, and respected voice in the church, Muddamalle brings both academic depth and pastoral clarity to the role, making him uniquely suited to engage a broad audience seeking thoughtful engagement with Scripture.

“The NIV Application Bible is designed to help people move from reading Scripture to being formed by it,” said Muddamalle. “I’m honored to partner with Zondervan in inviting readers into deeper reflection on how God’s Word speaks meaningfully into our lives today.”

Available in a range of print and digital formats, the NIV Application Bible continues to serve pastors, students, and everyday readers looking for a reliable and accessible resource for personal study, teaching, and discipleship.

For more information about the NIV Application Bible, visit nivapplicationbible.com, and to watch the podcast, visit nivapplicationbible.com/podcast.

Joel Muddamalle, PhD, is the director of theology and research at Proverbs 31 Ministries and cohosts the Therapy and Theology podcast with Lysa TerKeurst and licensed professional counselor Jim Cress. Joel speaks frequently at churches, conferences, and events and is the author of The Hidden Peace and upcoming new release with Zondervan Reflective, The Unseen Battle. Stay connected with Joel through his social media @muddamalle or online at www.muddamalle.com.

About Zondervan
Zondervan, a worldwide leading Christian publisher of books and Bibles, is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Its publications include a variety of Bible translations for all ages; books in numerous genres and subject areas; academic and reference works; curriculum resources; and books for children and young adults. Zondervan is based in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, visit zondervan.com.

About the NIV
The New International Version (NIV) is the world’s bestselling modern-English Bible translation—accurate, readable, and clear, yet deeply faithful to the detail of the original languages. For over 50 years, the Committee on Bible Translation has overseen the work of scholars from around the world to ensure the NIV remains accessible, relevant, and authoritative. Every NIV purchased helps Biblica translate and distribute Scripture to people around the globe. Learn more at thenivbible.com.

To schedule interviews with Joel Muddamalle or for more information, contact: 
Serena DeKryger, Manager, Publicity & Reader Engagement at serena.dekryger@harpercollins.com

NASHVILLE, TN (January 7, 2026) – HarperCollins Christian Publishing today announced that Wes Jakacki was named Vice President of Marketing for HarperChristian Resources (HCR). Jakacki will begin his new role on February 9 and will report to John Raymond, VP and Publisher, HarperChristian Resources.

SHIPPENSBURG, PA (January 2026) — Nori Media Group (NMG) today announced two strategic leadership promotions designed to strengthen its publishing operations, expand author impact, and accelerate growth across its imprints.

Effective January, 2026, Larry Sparks has been promoted to Vice President of Publishing, providing senior-level oversight and direction to strengthen acquisitions and publishing development across Destiny Image and Harrison House, while expanding high-impact media partnerships and mentoring emerging publishing leaders.

Effective January, 2026, Shaun Tabatt has been promoted to Publisher of Destiny Image, Inc., serving as the senior day-to-day publishing leader for the Destiny Image imprint—responsible for identifying, acquiring, developing, and executing high-impact publishing projects within the Spirit-filled / Charismatic space, while stewarding author relationships and the acquisitions pipeline.

Strengthening the Publishing Team for the Next Season of Growth

In his new role, Sparks will focus on developing major author projects, broadening strategic media opportunities, and supporting cross-imprint growth—while empowering internal leadership to manage day-to-day execution.

Tabatt will lead Destiny Image’s publishing execution with a mandate to ensure strong author relationships, a thriving acquisitions pipeline, and operational alignment across production, marketing, sales, and media. The Publisher role operates under the strategic oversight of the VP of Publishing, ensuring the imprint remains prophetically aligned, culturally relevant, and commercially successful.

“Larry’s author relationships, publishing instincts, and media expertise have helped shape the strength of our catalog for years,” said Don Nori, Chief Executive Officer of Nori Media Group. “As VP of Publishing, he will provide high-level strategic leadership across our imprints while continuing to build an exceptional lineup of projects and partnerships.”

Nori continued, “Shaun has demonstrated outstanding leadership and discernment in serving authors and advancing our mission. As Publisher of Destiny Image, he will drive day-to-day publishing excellence, strengthen acquisitions, and help position Destiny Image for sustained growth and global influence.”

About Nori Media Group
Nori Media Group is a publishing and media company serving faith audiences through mission-driven content and author partnerships. NMG is home to imprints including Destiny Image and Harrison House, delivering books and multi-format resources designed to inspire, equip, and impact readers worldwide.

 

January 2026 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is thrilled to announce the honoring of two IVP titles in the 2025 Englewood Readers’ Best Awards. Beauty and Resistance: Spiritual Rhythms for Formation and Repair received an honorable mention and Remissioning Church: A Field Guide to Bringing a Congregation Back to Life won the overall award.

The Englewood Review of Books was launched in 2008 with a mission of “covering books related to the themes of community, mission, imagination, and reconciliation, and hope.” They champion a way of reading that is “driven by an attentiveness to the communities in which we are embedded: church, family, neighborhood, workplace.”

The 2025 Englewood Readers’ Best Awards celebrates the highest-ranking favorite books among Englewood readers for books with an initial publication in 2025.

Written by pastor Josh Hayden, Remissioning Church offers practical tools and field-tested methods for church leaders to resurrect their congregations. Hayden runs remissioning trainings through `Iwa Collaborative across various denominational, non-denominational, and global networks. He is the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Ashland, Virginia.

In Beauty and Resistance, Jonathan P. Walton provides the spiritual scaffolding needed to sustain both interior formation and outward engagement. Walton introduces practices and frameworks for a rooted life, where the pursuit of justice flows from a place of authentic restfulness, not reactivity.

Walton leads Beauty and Resistance Cohorts, writes The Crux on Substack, and is a senior resource specialist for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship focusing on political discipleship and civic engagement. He has written five books, including Twelve Lies That Hold America Captive.

The Englewood Review of Books is published by Englewood Christian Church, located on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis. From fall 2010 to spring 2020, Englewood published a quarterly print magazine.

For a complete list of IVP award-winning titles, visit https://www.ivpress.com/award-winners.

Contact: Eva Pankratz, epankratz@ivpress.com

January 2026 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce that Birth of the Chosen One: A First Nations Retelling of the Christmas Story by Terry M. Wildman has received a 2025 Northern Lights Book Award in the religious/spiritual category.

The Northern Lights Book Awards considers children’s books to be an art form and honors books that excel in aesthetic and literary qualities with an emphasis on permanency. Judges comprise industry experts in the fields of education, publishing, and writing.

In addition to this award, Birth of the Chosen One has been honored with an American Fiction Award, an Illumination Award, and a Moonbeam Award. It is also a 2025 Children’s Book Council (CBC) Teacher and Librarian Favorite and an Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorite.

This unique children’s picture book is an Indigenous translation of the Creator’s Story told in the tradition of Native oral storytellers. With text from the bestselling First Nations Version (FNV) and stunning illustrations by Native artists Hannah and Holly Buchanan, Birth of the Chosen One is a picture book that illuminates the Christmas story in a fresh and new way.

“Birth of the Chosen One weaves together Indigenous artwork and storytelling in a beautiful way that encourages our youngest siblings to know the love of Creator Sets Free,” said Amy N. Allan, PhD student with NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community. “This fresh presentation of a familiar story inspires imagination, worship, and awe, especially during the seasons of Advent and Christmastime. Native American names and images invite all to the circle to join the drumbeat celebrating the arrival of the Chosen One.”

The FNV is a dynamic equivalence translation of Scripture that captures the simplicity, clarity, and beauty of Native storytellers in English while remaining faithful to the original language of the Bible. IVP’s published FNV titles currently include Birth of the Chosen One, First Nations Version: An Indigenous Bible Translation of the New Testament and the First Nations Version Psalms and Proverbs. The FNV Old Testament will be released in four phases over the next ten years. Genesis through Joshua will release in 2029, Judges through Esther in 2032, the Major and Minor Prophets in 2034, and the full FNV Bible of both the Old and New Testaments together in 2035.

For a complete list of IVP Kids award winners visit ivpress.com/award-winners.

Contact:  Anna Tjernstrom, atjernstrom@ivpress.com

 

December 2025 | LISLE, IL— Lutheran Church Charities has received a $4,894,190 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life 2025 for the Good Samaritan Stories Project—that will include key roles by Spiritual First Aid, Values Partnerships, InterVarsity Press (IVP), and the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College.

Lutheran Church Charities is one of sixty organizations from across the United States that have received grants through the initiative since 2024. The groups include media organizations, denominational judicatories, church networks, publishers, educational institutions, congregations, and other nonprofit charitable organizations.

The Good Samaritan Stories Project will share moving accounts of neighbors helping one another during and after disasters in the United States, inviting audiences to know and love God through stories of care and resilience. Rooted in the biblical call to love God and neighbor, the stories will seek to engage and transform—toward deeper faith and more active compassion. The project will consist of a multi-platform campaign that connects a national TV/streaming docuseries, three books, and curricular resources for churches, classrooms, and small groups. Together, these products will form a coordinated storytelling initiative with broad reach and lasting impact.

“We need compelling stories that invite and inspire us—not just abstract exhortations that tell us—to love God and our neighbors,” says Kent Annan, the Good Samaritan Stories Project Director, who is also Co-Founder of Spiritual First Aid and Co-Director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute. “With deep social fragmentation and skepticism toward institutions, I believe (and our team’s initial audience research shows) that people with a range of faith perspectives want credible, embodied examples of Christian faith in action. Well-told, theologically-grounded stories can bridge divides, spark imagination, and invite people into a living encounter with the God who ‘became flesh and lived among us’ (John 1:14).”

The key roles on this team of complementary partners include: Lutheran Church Charities as the grantee providing fiscal management, on-the-ground community support through their K-9 team, and church engagement through their network; Spiritual First Aid providing project leadership, developing the curricula, and co-executive producing the docuseries; Values Partnerships as the production company for the docuseries and leading outreach efforts; InterVarsity Press publishing books and engaging readers; and the Humanitarian Disaster Institute leading evaluation. Additional partners have already and will continue to contribute to this project in important ways.

“We’re deeply grateful for Lilly Endowment Inc.’s vision and generosity,” says Chris Singer, President and CEO of Lutheran Church Charities, “that has enabled this team to begin working as partners dedicated to loving and serving our neighbors around the country through storytelling.”

The aim of Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative on Christian Faith and Life is to help organizations identify, produce and share with a wide variety of audiences compelling stories that portray the vibrancy and hope of Christian faith and life.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A primary aim of its grantmaking in religion is to deepen the religious lives of Christians, principally by supporting efforts that enhance congregational vitality and strengthen the leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment values the broad diversity of Christian traditions and endeavors to support them in a wide variety of contexts. The Endowment also seeks to foster public understanding about religion by encouraging fair, accurate and balanced portrayals of the positive and negative effects of religion on the world and lifting up the contributions that people of all faiths make to our greater civic well-being.

Contact:  Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – December 16, 2025 – Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODBM) has received a grant of $5M from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support its Witness & Wonder: Everyday Encounters with God initiative – a four-year storytelling initiative designed to help young adults (ages 18–34) encounter, know, and love God through real-life stories of vibrant faith. The project is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life 2025.

“The gap between faith and everyday life for young adults continues to widen,” said Dr. Matt Lucas, CEO of Our Daily Bread Ministries. “Witness & Wonder steps directly into that gap with honest, emotionally resonant stories that show how God meets people in the middle of real questions, struggles, and hopes. Our desire is to help a new generation see that Christian faith is deeply relevant and spiritually transformative in today’s world.”

As part of the initiative, ODBM will produce and distribute more than 200 original multimedia storytelling resources and more than 600 social media resources. These will include short-form videos, podcasts, thematic Bible content, digital Bible engagement tools and derivative media designed for platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Featuring people from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, life experiences, and cultures, each resource is crafted to reflect the questions, struggles, and spiritual hunger of today’s young adults.

“Many in this generation are navigating big questions about meaning, purpose, and truth,” said Dave Gavette, Vice President of Media Programs. “With innovative media and multi-tiered content journeys, Witness & Wonder features everyday people whose faith shapes their choices, relationships, and daily rhythms. These stories reveal how God is at work in ordinary moments and invite young adults to encounter Him in meaningful, personal ways.”

ODBM is one of 60 organizations from across the United States that have received grants through the initiative since 2024. The groups include media organizations, denominational judicatories, church networks, publishers, educational institutions, congregations and other nonprofit charitable organizations.

The aim of Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative on Christian Faith and Life is to help organizations identify, produce and share with a wide variety of audiences compelling stories that portray the vibrancy and hope of Christian faith and life.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A primary aim of its grantmaking in religion is to deepen the religious lives of Christians, principally by supporting efforts that enhance congregational vitality and strengthen the leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment values the broad diversity of Christian traditions and endeavors to support them in a wide variety of contexts. The Endowment also seeks to foster public understanding about religion by encouraging fair, accurate and balanced portrayals of the positive and negative effects of religion on the world and lifting up the contributions that people of all faiths make to our greater civic well-being.

About Our Daily Bread Ministries
Our Daily Bread Ministries is a donor-supported, global Bible engagement ministry with a staff of 700 serving in 32 offices to distribute more than 60 million resources each year in 58 languages throughout 150 countries. Often known for its global devotional, the ministry produces long- and short-form Bible content across print, video, audio, and digital platforms to help people connect with God every day in every way. For more than 87 years, the ministry’s mission has remained the same: to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.