What does it mean to be blessed?  Are Christians entitled to happiness, fulfillment, and perfect peace?  Holy Unhappiness (Worthy, July 18, 2023, ISBN: 9781546001928) explores these questions and challenges the false beliefs many in the church hold about “the good life” and what it means to walk in communion with God.

American Christians have developed a long list of expectations about what life with God will feel like.  Many Christians rightly deny the Prosperity Gospel—the idea that God wants you to be healthy and wealthy— but instead embrace its more subtle spin-off, the Emotional Prosperity Gospel, or the belief that God wants you to always experience happiness and fulfillment. Our society has become increasingly averse to sadness and emotional discomfort. Too often, people of faith assume that difficult feelings are a result of either God’s judgment or our own lack of spiritual maturity.  Some even equate happiness with holiness.

In Holy Unhappiness, Amanda Held Opelt, author of A Hole in the World, grapples with her own experience of disillusionment when life didn’t go the way she expected.  She examines some of the historic, religious, and cultural influences that led to the idolization of positive feelings and the marginalization of negative feelings.  Unpacking nine elements of life that have been tainted by the message of the Emotional Prosperity Gospel – including work, marriage, parenting, calling, community, and church – she points to a new path forward, one that reimagines what the “blessed” life can be like if we release some of our expectations and seek God in places we never thought to look.

While Opelt acknowledges the dignity of desiring happiness, she ultimately pleads for the normalization of sadness, anger, grief, disappointment, and other uncomfortable feelings as a part of the Christian experience, making a case that there is holiness to be found even in our unhappiness.

Leyland, UK – From August 2023, Reformation Lightning, 10Publishing’s fiction imprint, will publish the first series in S. D. Smith’s renowned children’s fiction saga, The Green Ember, in the UK and Commonwealth (excluding Canada).

The Green Ember is a bestselling adventure saga aimed at 9-12s, with over 1 million books sold across all three series. Families in the UK have been longing to get hold of the novels that follow rabbitkind as they try to liberate themselves from oppressive preylords. And now they will be able to.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Story Warren in this way,” said Editorial Director of 10ofThose, Jonathan Pountney. “Much like our other Ref Light novels, The Green Ember series is Christ-honouring, quality writing that has sprung from the author’s biblical worldview. The Christian themes have been holding out gospel hope to many children in the US and we’re excited to extend that opportunity to children in the UK and Commonwealth too.”

He continued, “This partnership will help us continue to fill the gap in the Christian trade space with quality Middle Grade and YA fiction that presents the truth and beauty of the gospel.”

Reflecting on the licensing, S. D. Smith said, “We are delighted to be sharing The Green Ember stories with readers in the UK and beyond alongside our partners at Reformation Lightning. These are truthful, faithful, thrilling adventures and it’s an absolute privilege to share them in the birthplace of so many figures of literature who have delighted me as a reader and inspired me as an author.”

The first two books in the first series, The Green Ember and Ember Falls, about rabbit siblings Heather and Picket, will be available from 10ofThose in August, with the second two books following in March 2024.

As well as the addition of The Green Ember, Ref Light is releasing six new titles from September 2023. Notably, a three-book series about Siamese kittens for 5 – 8-year-olds by Michael Haykin, professor at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a novella in H. R. Hess’ popular Callenlas Chronicles.

About 10ofThose
10ofThose is a publisher, distributor and retailer, and provides the bookshops for many major conferences. They are based in Leyland, UK and Louisville, KY.  Their publishing imprints include 10Publishing, Evangelical Press and Reformation Lightning.

Natalie Runion’s Raised to Stay and Bryan Clark’s God’s Not Like That rank near top of USA Today’s bestseller list

July 14, 2023 — COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – Christian publisher David C Cook celebrates author Natalie Runion’s first book Raised to Stay: Persevering in Ministry When You Have a Million Reasons to Walk Away successfully placing on USA Today’s bestseller list, garnering the #1 spot in the religion category, ranking 21^st in all books, #5 in nonfiction.

Additionally, Raised to Stay made the Publisher’s Weekly bestseller list, placing #23 in the trade paperback frontlist category.

Bryan Clark’s book, God’s Not Like That: Redeeming Inherited Beliefs and Finding the Father You Long For placed at #2 in the religion category, #9 in the non-fiction category, and #37 in all books on USA Today’s list. Both books released on July 4, 2023.

In Raised to Stay, Runion explores the disappointment many are feeling and the hurt experienced in the Church today. With leaders and laypeople leaving churches across American in droves, the message is clearly resonating with faith audiences, as well as readers across genres. She invites Christian pastors and volunteer leaders to acknowledge “the hurt and the hard” of ministry so they can move toward “hope and healing.”

“I feel so blessed to share the message of hope and healing with so many who have experienced hurt within the Church—a heartbreak I myself walked through personally,” said Runion. “I am humbled and overcome with gratitude for every Stayer who has committed to keep their eyes on our good Father who is faithful to complete every work He begins in us.”

Bryan Clark’s book, God’s Not Like That, is a practical guide for overcoming barriers and experiencing the abundant life Christians long for, but often struggle to find. Clark does this by helping readers identify the wrong beliefs about God we receive from our families of origin and replace them with truth.

“It’s not a question of if you learned about God from your family of origin. It’s a question of what you learned about Him—and a faulty view of God will always be a barrier to a satisfying spiritual life,” writes Clark. “Finding abundant life has nothing to do with money or prosperity or a life free from pain. It has everything to do with a right view of God that sustains us in the best of times and the worst of times.”

Bryan Clark is Senior Pastor Emeritus of Lincoln Berean Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. His voice is familiar to thousands across the country as a Bible teacher for Back to the Bible radio. He also has a podcast with Dan Whitney (a.k.a., Larry the Cable Guy) called “Talk’n Truth” under the Back to the Bible brand.

“The fact that both of these books are resonating with Christian readers is no surprise to us,” said David C Cook Executive VP, Chadd Miller. “Many Christ followers today are looking for healing and ways to deepen their spiritual life. Both Natalie and Bryan draw from their own personal experience coupled with scripture to offer hope to a generation that is struggling to find renewed faith and connection within the Church.”

For interviews or more information, please contact Cathy Herholdt, VP of Communications, at cathy.herholdt@davidccook.org.

David C Cook is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping the global church with leadership, discipleship, and worship resources to help Christians grow in faith and pass it along to the next generation. Read more about David C Cook and its global ministry outreach at www.davidccook.org.

Media Contact: Cathy Herholdt, VP of  Communications, cathy.herholdt@davidccook.org, 719.533.3011

Legendary authors Janette Oke and Davis Bunn will keynote Winners Gala on November 16

The Art of Writing webinar series presented Thursday evenings, October 19 to November 9

July 17, 2023, Tempe, AZ – The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced the program for THE CHRISTY AWARD online fall events that include webcasts announcing the finalists and winners of the industry’s top award for Christian fiction – and a four-part ART OF WRITING series for writers, publishers, creatives, and fans.

To be more accessible, the events will return to a virtual format this year in order to extend the opportunity for more authors and fans to participate.  The event will return to an in-person affair next year and will be held in Chicago following ECPA PubU.

The Christy Award finalists will be revealed in a free webcast on Thursday morning, October 12th at 11am CT with host, radio announcer, and award-winning author Chris Fabry.

Hosted by Christy Hall of Fame author Chris Fabry, The Christy Award Winners Gala will be held Thursday, November 16th at 7pm CT via free webcast to recognize the finalists and announce the winners of The Christy Award in nine categories, Book of the Year, and Amplify Award.

The event will feature two literary greats, Christian fiction legacy authors JANETTE OKE and DAVIS BUNN.

Award presenters will include Christy winning authors Amanda Cox, Toni Shiloh, Nicole Deese, Patricia Raybon, Jocelyn Green, Sarah Sundin, Terri Blackstock, Karen Witemeyer, Sharon Hinck, and Kara Swanson.

Leading up to the Gala, a series of weekly Thursday evening webinars on October 19, 26 and November 2 and 9, will be presented as the ART OF WRITING conference.  The four-part series will bring together writers, creatives, and publishing curators for training and connection around these topics:

• Dispelling the Myths Around Christian Fiction
• Going Deep with Award-Winning Authors
• How Great Books Can Improve Your Novel and Your Life
• Publishing Doesn’t Have to Terrify You!

“It’s always a joy to host an event that both honors excellence in Christian fiction and offers the creative community practical instruction, encouragement, and light on the path of the writing life,” Jeff Crosby, ECPA president, said. “The Christy Gala and Art of Writing sessions will do that and more.”

For more information and to sign up to receive updates about these programs, visit TheChristyAward.com. Registration for all events will open next month.

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Janette Oke is the bestselling author celebrated for her significant contribution to the Christian book industry. Her novels have sold more than 30 million copies, and she is the recipient of the ECPA President’s Award, the CBA Life Impact Award, the Gold Medallion Award, and The Christy Award. Janette and her husband, Edward, live in Alberta, Canada.

Davis Bunn is the award-winning author of numerous national bestsellers, with sales totaling more than 8 million copies. His work has been published in 20 languages, and his critical acclaim includes four Christy Awards for excellence in fiction. He and his wife, Isabella, live in England. www.davisbunn.com

Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality. He has written more than 80 books for adults and children and is a member of the Christy Award Hall of Fame. He is host of the daily radio program Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. His latest novel is Saving Grayson, to be released November 7. Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children.

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The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. ECPA.org

The Christy Award® is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999, and is named for Catherine Marshall’s novel, Christy, which has sold over 10 million copies since its publication in 1967. ECPA assumed ownership and administration of the award in 2017 to focus and grow the unique opportunity of fiction in Christian publishing. TheChristyAward.com FB ChristyAward TW @ChristyAward  IG @thechristyaward

Media contacts:
Jeff Crosby, ECPA President and CEO, jcrosby@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998 ext. 101
Cindy Carter, ECPA Awards & Recognition Manager, ccarter@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998 ext. 103

Greg Atkinson Draws from Personal Experience with Mental Illness, Church Hurt, and Childhood Abuse to Encourage Readers to Choose Kindness 

PLANO, Texas (June 6, 2023) – Bestselling author, speaker, and pastor Greg Atkinson challenges readers to be the kind of change they want to see in the world in his new book, The Secret Power of Kindness: 10 Keys to Unlocking Your Capacity to Change the World, available now from Invite Press.

Recognizing we live in a world that values kindness but struggles to actually be kind, Atkinson helps readers overcome unforgiveness and division, cultivate inner qualities of kindness toward self and others, and make the world a better place starting from the inside out.

“The secret power of kindness, when released, can solve most of our problems, not only personally but as a nation collectively,” said Atkinson. “We have the power within us to be extraordinarily kind, to be the people of God we were meant to be, to demonstrate over-the-top kindness that goes the extra mile, to start a ‘kindness movement’ that spreads and multiples. But first, we must learn to tap into that ‘secret’ place within us where kindness, love, and peace dwell.”

Throughout the book, Atkinson shares vulnerably about his own pain in his life, from being deeply hurt and abused by his father and suffering childhood sexual abuse at the hands of a daycare worker to struggling with mental health and losing his job as a pastor because of it. Through each example, he proves that kindness begins with forgiveness, both for yourself and others.

“How you deal with the trauma and pain in your life—including how you respond to it—will shape your life presently and in the future,” said Atkinson. “The bottom line is that you have a choice—you can become bitter or better. Kindness is the remedy, and forgiveness is the antidote.”

Each chapter of The Secret Power of Kindness is dedicated to a different key of kindness, beginning with forgiveness and followed by generosity, composure, acceptance, rest, wisdom, empathy, patience, love, and unity. Atkinson encourages readers to embrace each to be part of a movement to change the world and make it a better place.

The Secret Power of Kindness includes a foreword by Mark Batterson, New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker, and is endorsed by leaders including Bob Goff, Dr. Richard Blackaby, Jon Gordon, Faith Eury Cho, and Danielle Strickland, to name a few. The book already landed on several Amazon bestsellers lists even prior to its official June 6 release, including claiming No. 1 in both the “Christian Families” and “Christian Dating and Relationships” categories.

“Kindness may seem old-fashioned, but in truth, it’s omnirelevant,” writes Batterson in the foreword. “As Greg so aptly points out, be kind to yourself. We often forget that the Great Commandment is three-dimensional. We know we need to love God and love people. But it’s hard to love others if you don’t like yourself. The hardest person to forgive is the person who stares back at you in the mirror every day! Be kind to that person, and you’ll be kinder to others.”

For more information about The Secret Power of Kindness, visit secretpowerofkindness.com.

Greg Atkinson is a bestselling author, speaker, pastor, coach, and consultant who has worked with churches of all sizes, including some of the largest and fastest growing in the country, as well as organizations such as Josh McDowell Ministries. He is a contributor to many magazines and websites, including Relevant Magazine, Christianity Today, Pastors.com, ChurchLeaders.com, and Outreach Magazine, as well as a member of the Forbes Coaching Council and a Forbes featured contributor. Atkinson is the Founder of the First Impressions Conference and Worship Impressions and Co-Founder of the Social Media Church Conference. His website is gregatkinson.com.

Invite Press is a premier publisher of books to help readers grow in their Christian faith. It publishes books that matter to the everyday life of following Jesus as well as those that apply to the work of full-time ministry. Invite Press is an imprint of Invite Resources, which exists to build a like-hearted community of influencers who are high on Jesus, low on politics, and biased toward innovation. Visit inviteresources.com for more information.

New Book Examines How the Bible, a Book Written Nearly Two Millennia Ago, Still Speaks to a Current Generation of Readers

JULY 10, 2023 — Book design firm, Faceout Studio, has updated its logo and launched a new website this week. “The letters are playful and the look is sort of mid century with a contemporary twist. It’s a fun and engaging celebration of the printed book in all of its glory, standing confidently, face out,” says creative director, Tim Green.

Most books are arranged side-by-side in a book store with only the spine showing. The studio’s name reflects those unique books that get featured “face out” in the store. This term captures this idea of standing out on a crowded book shelf, and also of looking outward and forward toward bright possibilities.

“We’re excited to embark on a new season of growth following our brand re-fresh. We’ve been in business for over 25 years, but continue to identify things we can improve on and new areas of opportunity. It’s not easy finding time for internal projects of this size and scope. But finally … here we are. New brand logo, new website, new collateral, new store items and some new service offerings we’ll be rolling out these next couple weeks, including some AI tools,” says principal, Torrey Sharp.

Faceout Studio has designed well over 12,000 books since its founding in 1996. The studio works with hundreds of the world’s top media companies, mid-size publishers, university presses and individual authors. Over the years their work has been recognized by Communication Arts, the AIGA, Print magazine, Eye magazine, Graphis, CMYK, Graphic Design: USA, ECPA, The Chicago Book Clinic, the New York Book Show, the AUP and the American Advertising Federation.

For more information, please contact:
Torrey Sharp, Owner / Principal, Faceout Studio, torrey@faceoutstudio.com

https://www.faceoutstudio.com/
https://www.instagram.com/faceoutstudio/

These three upcoming releases are part of The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series published in partnership with Serge. Each book in the series examines how the gospel story is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

Galatians: Navigating Life in the View of the Cross by McKay Caston
In his Galatians Bible study, McKay Caston guides participants in keeping the gospel as the “true north” compass for their lives, allowing them to break free from religious rule-keeping and live with freedom and joy.

Readers will be equipped to fix their eyes on Jesus from every point on the map, especially in those moments when waves of legalism threaten to steal their joy and hijack freedom. Paul’s message to the church in Galatia serves as a gospel compass for navigating life with the cross of the risen and reigning Jesus as their focus and guide.

Galatians: Navigating Live in View of the Cross completely turns the tables on what most people think religion is. Keeping the gospel compass visible in each lesson helps readers rediscover how gloriously central God’s saving, sustaining, and sanctifying grace is to the entire Christian life.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI & LINCOLN, NE – July 5, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODBM), a global nondenominational nonprofit, announced today it has acquired the Center for Bible Engagement (CBE), the  research division of Nebraska-based Back to the Bible (BttB). This acquisition further solidifies ODBM’s  commitment to Bible engagement and follows the recent absorption of the Bible Literacy Coalition into  the ministry.

“The Center for Bible Engagement will help us achieve our goal of creating meaningful spiritual growth  journeys as we seek to fuel a global Bible engagement movement,” said Dr. Matt Lucas, president and  CEO of ODBM. “We are a ministry with a legacy of helping people grow in their faith through engaging  the Bible. This acquisition, building on the great work of BttB, will enable us to serve the global church  with researched-informed biblical content and practices.”

Leading up to the acquisition, ODBM partnered with CBE to conduct a comprehensive survey of the  spiritual lives of the general population in the United States as well as six other countries. Research  findings established a baseline from which to compare ODBM’s constituents — those who read, watch,  and listen to its content as well as those following/supporting the ministry. The data and information gleaned by the CBE research revealed the critical factors that significantly impact spiritual growth and a  person’s relationship with God. According to Dr. Lucas, ODBM plans on doing many more studies and  freely sharing the findings with the global church. “We fully expect that bringing CBE into the ministry  will create new and exciting research opportunities, not just for us, but for other Christ-centered  entities.”

“The Center for Bible Engagement’s passion has always  been developing methods, tools, and resources that will engage people with the Bible and fuel life transformation,” commented Dr. Arnie Cole, BttB’s CEO. “Our Daily Bread Ministries’ acquisition of our Center for Bible Engagement and its intellectual properties guarantees that many people will now be engaging the Bible more.”

Under the leadership of Dr. Lucas, ODBM will work closely with Dr. Cole and BttB to ensure a smooth  transition of research methodologies and technologies into the ministry. “We look forward to working  together to conduct global studies on trends in Bible engagement and more importantly identify ways to  improve motivation and strengthen our content so we can help foster a lifelong love of the Bible,” said  Dr. Lucas.

For 85 years, Our Daily Bread Ministries’ mission has been to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible  understandable and accessible to all. With the acquisition of the Center for Bible Engagement comes the  ability to now apply research-based content strategies and user journeys in pursuit of that goal — helping people grow closer in their relationship to God, become more like Jesus, and respond to God’s  Word through the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

About Our Daily Bread Ministries:
Our Daily Bread Ministries is a global ministry with staff and volunteers in 32 offices working  together to distribute more than 60 million resources in 150 countries. With more than seven million global social media followers, the ministry also broadcasts podcasts such as God Hears Her, Where Ya From?, and Discover the Word, has a robust YouTube Channel with more than 375,000 subscribers, and offers a learning community via Our Daily Bread University. For 85 years, the ministry’s purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. For additional information, visit odb.org.

About the Center for Bible Engagement:
The Center for Bible Engagement (CBE) began in 2003 and has become a major world center addressing  Bible engagement and spiritual growth. Since its inception, the CBE has surveyed more than 750,000  people around the world about their spiritual lives. The CBE has partnered with churches and para  church organizations such as the American Bible Society, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary,  National Religious Broadcasters, Nazarene Denomination, the Jamaica Broilers Foundation, McLean  Bible Church, Hope Media, Light FM, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, African Strategic Discipleship  Movement in order to build an empirical understanding of life transformation through a relationship  with Christ and engaging Scripture.

Contact: Londa Alderink, 616.566.4936, londa.alderink@odb.org