MAY 2023 | WESTMONT, IL—IVP Academic has announced promotions for three members of its editorial team, including Rebecca Carhart to associate academic editor, Colton Bernasol to associate project editor, and Zach Gordon to associate academic managing editor.

Jon Boyd, associate publisher and academic editorial director, said, “I’m thrilled about the editorial team we’ve assembled for IVP Academic—truly a new kind of team with a diversity of expertise, publishing experience, backgrounds, and academic specialties.”

Rebecca Carhart joined IVP in 2012 as an editorial associate, and since 2018 has been in a project editor role for IVP Academic, working with authors and shepherding books through the production process. As an associate academic editor Carhart will develop new books and work closely with authors to strengthen their academic titles throughout the process to publication. “I’ve been fortunate enough to work very closely with Rebecca for years. She makes everything she touches better,” Boyd said. “She’s so productive that she’s always looking for opportunities to work with more authors on more books. This move positions her for that.”

Colton Bernasol was a research assistant at Wheaton College and a graduate assistant in multicultural student affairs for the Latino/a/e community at Northwestern University before he joined IVP in June 2022 as academic assistant project editor. Bernasol will now have an expanded role to concentrate on working with scholars in theology and philosophy to acquire, develop, and publish their books. Boyd said, “Everyone who gets to work with Colton—authors and IVP colleagues alike—will count their blessings. He brings a deeply knowledgeable passion for theology and philosophy along with a Christian integrity that’s inspiring.”

Zach Gordon completed his MA degree in theological studies from Regent College, Vancouver, in May 2021 before he joined IVP in August 2021. In his new role as associate academic managing editor Gordon will add to his project portfolio a number of academic series, notably the Reformation Commentary on Scripture (RCS). Boyd said, “Zach has been managing IVP Academic titles through production for quality, timely delivery, and he’s got the theological and biblical chops to contribute to their development throughout the editorial process, too. The RCS is in great hands.”

Together, Boyd adds, these three changes puts the academic editorial team in a place to grow the line that has been such a rich and substantial part of IVP’s history. He said, “The ‘new news’ today is about these particular promotions, but the three new roles should systemically strengthen the whole team, in fact, and give us new opportunities collectively. We’re better positioned than ever, I think, to acquire and develop great books across the range of university disciplines.”

Contact: Krista Clayton | 630.734.4013 | kclayton@ivpress.com

Nashville, Tenn., May 2023 – Zondervan Books, a renowned publisher of Christian literature, is delighted to announce the acquisition of John Inazu’s new book, Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect. Represented by Susan Andreone of Legacy Management, Inazu’s unique insights into the intersections of law, faith, and empathy are drawn from his rich personal and professional experience, including as Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. His poignant, thought-provoking, and often humorous stories  will captivate readers while sharpening their skills for honest and effective engagement with those different from them, and enrich Zondervan Books’ thought-provoking catalog. Webster Younce, Vice President and Publisher at Zondervan Books secured world rights to the book. Accompanying the project as Editor is Paul Pastor, a skilled professional known for his expertise in crafting compelling narratives.

Learning to Disagree promises to be a stimulating exploration of how adopting a lawyer’s mindset of seeing multiple perspectives at the same time can foster empathy in an increasingly divided world. Inazu’s expertise and engaging storytelling will shed light on the transformative power of understanding our differences. Charitably engaging hard topics such as critical race theory, responses to sexual assault, campus protests, and clashes over religious freedom, this book will provide readers with valuable insights for engaging meaningfully in a diverse society. This book is scheduled to release in April 2024.

“In our polarized culture, voices of empathy and reason feel like a breath of fresh air. John Inazu is such a voice, and we at Zondervan look forward to sharing this insightful, entertaining, and inspiring book with readers.” – Paul Pastor, Sr. Acquisitions Editor at Zondervan Books

Zondervan Books’ commitment to publishing literature that inspires, challenges, and encourages aligns perfectly with the vision and purpose behind Learning to Disagree. This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to bridge divides and promote constructive dialogue in faith and public life.

Zondervan is a HarperCollins Company and part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Zondervan is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian communications. The company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

Contact: Devin Duke, Senior Publicity Manager of Zondervan Books, Devin.Duke@HarperCollins.com

 

Bloomington, MN (May 30, 2023)—Popular Bible teacher and podcaster Tara-Leigh Cobble’s new book, Israel, joined the Wall Street Journal’s bestseller list on April 29, 2023. Israel has claimed the No. 10 spot on WSJ‘s hardcover nonfiction bestseller list and the No. 9 bestseller placement on Publishers Weekly’s hardcover frontlist nonfiction list.

Israel combines thirty-one biblically rich devotionals with 350 photos of modern-day Israel into a spectacular coffee table book, revealing the beauty of this country in a way rarely depicted on the printed page. Cobble, creator of The Bible Recap, has led boutique teaching tours of Israel since 2014. The book gives readers an unforgettable tour of the Holy Land, unveiling Israel’s features, flora, and people, all while making deeper connections with its biblical stories and truth.

Whenever Cobble visits Israel, she is always struck by the contrast between the dusty ruins that people picture in their minds and the vibrant colors and contrasts she experiences in real life. Israel truly is a gorgeous destination, worth visiting for its beauty as well as its historical significance.

But more than anything, Cobble wants to connect readers to the God who makes flowers bloom in the desert and who came as a human to this incredible corner of the world.

Israel is available everywhere books are sold.

Tara-Leigh Cobble’s zeal for biblical literacy led her to develop an international network of Bible studies called D-Group (Discipleship Group). Every week, over 300 men’s and women’s D-Groups meet weekly in homes and churches around the world to study Scripture. She also writes and hosts a daily radio feature called The God Shot and a daily podcast called The Bible Recap designed to help listeners read and understand the Bible in a year. The Bible Recap podcast has been downloaded more than 230 million times, and thousands of churches around the world have joined their reading plan to know and love God better.

For more information:
taraleighcobble.com | thebiblerecap.com | mydgroup.org
Social media: @taraleighcobble | @thebiblerecap | @mydgroup

Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, seeks to uplift readers’ families, faith, and free time with our library of industry-leading fiction and bestselling, Christ-centered nonfiction.

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers. Learn more at bakerpublishinggroup.com.

Contact: Rebecca Schriner, (952) 829-2512, rschriner@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Ada, Mich. (May 30, 2023)—Baker Publishing Group honors the legacy of Mrs. Elizabeth Sherrill, who passed away Saturday, May 20, 2023. Elizabeth and her husband, John, who died in 2017, launched Chosen Books in 1970.

A faithful follower of Christ and servant to many, Elizabeth responded to John’s idea of beginning a publishing company with, “Why not? It would be fun.”

Corrie ten Boom’s bestselling memoir, The Hiding Place, first published in 1971, was co-written by Elizabeth and John with Corrie herself. The book continues to reach generations today with sales surpassing 3.5 million copies and climbing.

Elizabeth was a supremely gifted writer and editor who produced more than 30 books and 2,000 articles throughout her lifetime. Ever the wordsmith, she brought to life the stories of David Wilkerson (The Cross and the Switchblade), Brother Andrew (God’s Smuggler), and George G. Ritchie (Return from Tomorrow).

In its earliest days, Chosen Books operated out of a refurbished Quaker schoolhouse in Lincoln, Virginia. Eventually, in 1992, it was acquired by Baker Publishing Group. Jane Campbell, now-retired editorial director of Chosen, worked closely with Elizabeth and remembers, “Elizabeth was a Christlike model of a writer-editor who was fastidious and top-notch in her work, yet unfailingly kind and gracious in her relationships.”

In May 2018, the ECPA presented to Elizabeth the Kenneth N. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of Elizabeth and John’s contributions to Christian publishing and global impact for the cause of Christ.

Chosen Books continues to publish 30 new titles a year under the leadership of publishing veteran Kim Bangs, editorial director since 2021. Kim acknowledges her team is standing on strong shoulders and wholeheartedly agrees, “Yes, Elizabeth, it is fun.”

Chosen Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, publishes well-crafted books that recognize the gifts and ministry of the Holy Spirit and help readers live more empowered and effective lives for Jesus Christ.

Contact: Deirdre Close, (952) 829-2529, dclose@bakerpublishinggroup.com

CPH Reads, a summer reading program all about Jesus, begins May 31, 2023.

ST. LOUIS—Many families are looking for extended learning activities for their children during the summer. With Concordia Publishing House (CPH) ’s summer reading program, CPH Reads, kids will be challenged to dig into books and learn about Jesus’ grace. From May 31, 2023, through August 11, 2023, everyone who completes the reading challenge will be eligible for a chance to win prizes.

This program encourages children to read Christ-centered books all summer. With the newly updated program rules, readers will be able to log minutes spent reading any book. But readers are encouraged to choose CPH’s selection of books, which will help them find hope in God’s Word. Those interested in participating can register and learn more about how to log minutes by visiting cph.org/reads.

According to the Children’s Bureau of Southern California, reading every day has been proven to benefit a myriad of developmental habits in children, including improved language skills and increased concentration. While any book is eligible for earning minutes in this challenge, CPH provides participants with a list of CPH books categorized by age. Readers can also take the CPH Reads quiz to find their next book.

For more information about participating in CPH Reads, contact CPH Public Relations Specialist Erica Sontag.

About Concordia Publishing House
Concordia Publishing House (CPH) is the publishing arm of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. For more than 150 years, CPH has been providing individuals, churches, and schools with products that are faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. From books and Bibles to church supplies, curriculum, and software, CPH offers more than 10,000 products to support the proclamation of the Gospel worldwide. Visit CPH online at cph.org.

Contact: Erica Sontag, Public Relations, 314-268-1303, Erica.Sontag@cph.org

Elizabeth Sherrill received the Kenneth N. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018

June 5, 2023 — In 2018, ECPA presented to Elizabeth the Kenneth N. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her, and her late husband John’s, contributions to Christian publishing.

ECPA president and CEO Jeff Crosby recently reflected:

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Elizabeth Sherrill’s work, alongside that of her husband John and two of their friends as they formed Chosen Books in 1971, dramatically elevated the profile and the impact of Christian publishing throughout that decade and beyond. From the company’s first book by Corrie ten Boom to other major releases such as Charles Colson’s Born Again, David Wilkerson’s The Cross and the Switchblade and Brother Andrew’s God’s Smuggler, Elizabeth’s gifts as a manuscript stylist, editor, and publisher were enormous. She knew how to tell a story with power and with an economy of words, and the books she touched were brought to a mass market audience.

I was privileged to chair ECPA’s recognition committee the year it awarded her and, posthumously, John Sherrill with our Kenneth N. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. And as a bookseller in the 1980s, I marveled at the way the books she touched and inspired readers toward belief.

Elizabeth Sherrill passed away Saturday, May 20, 2023. Her husband, John, passed away in 2017.  Elizabeth produced more than 30 books and 2,000 articles throughout her lifetime.

Needed Guide for Gender Identity Issues Among Women

This is an important and well-researched book that remains wonderfully accessible. It begins. with contemporary controversies over recent gender theories, traces their history, places them in biblical perspective, and sets forth a better and more glorious vision of God’s design of the natural body. If you’re looking for a compassionate and convictional resource that shines light on the confusion of our times, this is where you should begin.
—Trevin Wax, vice-president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board, author of The Thrill of Orthodoxy, Rethink Your Self, and Gospel Centered Teaching

NASHVILLE, TN.—In her groundbreaking new book, To Be a Woman:  The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond, author and women’s ministry director, Katie J. McCoy PhD addresses a topic that is everywhere in the news – gender identity. We are living in a cultural moment where the definition of “woman” eludes the keenest of thinkers and brightest of scientists. In To Be a Woman, McCoy covers every angle, from social, philosophical, relational, biological, to theological, utilizing her extensive research, powerful illustrations, and solid Biblical truths to shed light on the views of gender in today’s society.  To Be a Woman will quickly become a trusted resource for anyone who seeks to  understand  this complex topic.

“A generation of young women and girls have been swept away by the current of gender ideology, and we are only beginning to see its effects. Behind the headlines, social media campaigns, and political agendas are vulnerable, confused, and often hurting adolescents searching for what it means to be a woman. Only when we confront dominant cultural beliefs with the whole-person vision for humanity in God’s image can we hope to turn the tide. “ says McCoy.

In the case of gender identity, knowledge is power, and in her book, McCoy has fully equipped anyone from parents to family to teachers to youth workers.  From the beginning chapter, to glossary, to the extensive recommended reading list at the end, McCoy provides a clear and helpful guide to help so many that wonder how to think, respond, and react to the people around them. Readers will appreciate McCoy’s thorough and sensitive  work on the topic of gender identity. To Be a Woman educates, but more than that brings faith and hope to a very difficult subject.

To Be a Woman by Katie J. McCoy PhD
B&H Publishing | ISBN13: 9781087784441 | June 6,  2023 | Softcover | 208 pages | $17.99

Katie J. McCoy holds a PhD in Systematic Theology, former seminary professor, and serves at Texas Baptists.  McCoy teaches and writes on the intersection of theology, culture, and women’s issues, and has co-authored a work on the doctrine of humanity as part of the Theology for the People of God series (B&H Academic). Included among her research is discovering the pattern of justice for women in Old Testament laws. You can find Katie online at blondeorthodoxy.com.

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources, is a team that believes Every Word Matters®. We seek to provide intentional, biblical content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, cultivating lifelong relationships with Jesus Christ. We publish (print and digital) in the trade, church and academic markets, as well as the CSB translation.

Media Contact:  Jeane Wynn, 918-630-9695, Jeane@wynnwynnmedia.com 

Carol Stream, Ill. (June 5, 2023) NavPress will release the next two installments in the Storyline Bible Study series by Kat Armstrong in August 2023. The fifth and sixth offerings in the series are titled Sinners and Saints.

Each study contains five lessons and can be paired with its thematic partner for a seamless ten-week study to fit in a church semester. Every study features

• a gospel presentation at the beginning of each Bible study;
• full Scripture passages included in the study so that you can mark up the text and keep your notes in one place;
• insights from diverse scholars, authors, and Bible teachers; and
• free resources for preaching and leading small groups.

Sinners: Experiencing Jesus’ Compassion in the Middle of Your Sin, Struggles, and Shame
In Sinners, we will discover God’s tender compassion on anyone––regardless of their social status, troubled past, or the labels placed upon them. And we are going to notice the counterintuitive ways “sinful” people respond to Jesus in righteous acts of faith. You’ll start to see a theme unfold: The people considered sinful often act with greater faith than the most religious people of Jesus’ day.

Saints: Enjoying a Relationship with Jesus When You’re Disillusioned with Religion
In Saints, we will look at characters and themes that are cautionary tales for Christians and Christian leaders. None of us are above the actions described in the Bible, and all of us are in need of the redemption and restoration of God.

Sinners | ISBN: 978-1-64158-596-5 | Softcover: $16.99 | August 8, 2023
Saints | ISBN: 978-1-64158-600-9 | Softcover: $16.99 | August 8, 2023
NavPress.com 

NavPress is the book-publishing arm of The Navigators. With a rich catalog of bestselling books, ministry resources, and The Message® Bibles, NavPress supports readers as they know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same.®  Since 2014 NavPress has been in a publishing alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, one of the largest independently owned Christian publishers in the world. NavPress resources are sold, distributed, and marketed worldwide through Tyndale House Publishers.

Contact: Natalie Wierenga, nataliewierenga@tyndale.com, 630.784.5211

Dark Traffick scheduled to release in Spring 2024 

New Kensington, PA, May 19, 2022 — Whitaker House is pleased to announce its agreement with co-founder and CEO of Zero Trafficking, Noel Thomas. The publishing company will release his book, tentatively titled Dark Traffick in Spring 2024.

“Dark Traffick is the book that ushers the public into the next phase of anti-trafficking efforts to stop what has evolved into a $150 billion industry involving a complex network of organized crime trafficking sex, labor, and human organs,” says Thomas who has led United States law enforcement and the judicial system into the new battleground, where high-tech data analysis is changing how criminals are caught and prosecuted.

Whitaker House publisher Christine Whitaker said, “Whitaker House is honored to partner with Noel Thomas. Noel’s story of how he became aware of the magnitude of trafficking in this country is proof that it has grown and changed drastically. We’re looking forward to helping him change our perceptions of trafficking and teaching us the most effective ways we can identify and help stop the trafficking that occurs in our own neighborhoods.”

“As a government employee, defense contractor, and CEO, I’ve gained amazing insight into the world of trafficking, but Dark Traffick comes directly from my heart as a Christian,” says Thomas. “My hope is that, ultimately, the story of trafficking will become one of redemption—not just for victims but also for the perpetrators.”

Thomas is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary.

About Whitaker House
With headquarters just east of Pittsburgh, Whitaker House is part of Whitaker Corporation, which also includes Anchor Distributors, Whitaker House Español, and Word Alive, our Canadian distribution division. A Christian, family-owned business established in 1970, Whitaker Corp. is dedicated to proclaiming the gospel to the lost and flooding the world with life-changing media of eternal value.

Contact: Karen Campbell, karen@karencampbellmedia.com

On October 3, 2023, WaterBrook will publish Damaged But Not Destroyed: From Trauma to Triumph, the third book from #1 New York Times bestselling Author and Pastor Michael Todd. Through perspective-shifting insights gained by overcoming his own significant challenges, Todd offers encouragement to anyone seeking to trade the pain of past mistakes and trauma for a healed and victorious life.

“When readers put this book down, I want them to be anchored in the truth, way down deep in their bones, that their contents—their spirit, their core, their eternal essence—was handcrafted with love and purpose by the Creator of the universe,” said Todd.

“WaterBrook is thrilled and honored to be collaborating with Pastor Mike in bringing this powerful message of truth and transformation to readers,” added Random House Christian Publishing’s Executive Vice President and Publisher Tina Constable. “We feel this theme of finding our rightful value in God is especially needed in today’s age when so many people are searching for hope. We are thankful for the overwhelming response to Pastor Mike’s first two books, Crazy Faith and Relationship Goals, and we are so excited to be part of what God accomplishes through this next work.”

Todd’s books have sold more than a million copies since his publishing debut in 2020 with Relationship Goals and followed by Crazy Faith in 2021.

Michael Todd is the lead pastor of Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he shares his passion of RE-presenting God to the lost and found for transformation in Christ with over 250,000 in attendance both in-person and online. With a 6.3M+ and growing social following, Todd speaks at a variety of influential churches, events, and conferences each year and has been featured on many prominent media outlets such as The Today Show, Fox & Friends, Forbes, Ebony, The 700 Club, and the Tamron Hall Show. Originally preached in April of 2017, his sermons for “Damaged But Not Destroyed” remain one of Todd’s most popular, with more than 2 million views.

WaterBrook is an imprint of the Random House Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.