COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 22, 2022) – NavPress announced today that they plan to extend their bestselling LifeChange Bible study series in September with three new studies, expanding the line into biblical topics of broad interest. “We’re excited to bring this next generation of LifeChange Bible studies to a new generation of Christians,” said Caitlyn Carlson, acquisitions and development editor at NavPress.

To date, nearly 3 million people have used the groundbreaking Bible study series. Starting in the early 1980s, over the course of forty-five titles, the series encompasses every book of the Protestant Bible. “The series focuses on learning the skills of Bible study by studying the Bible,” Carlson continues. “You discover new things in the Scriptures, and at the same time you’re discovering new questions to ask, new ways to look at the text.”

Who Jesus Is, The Fruit of the Spirit, and Christian Community are the first three titles to apply the distinct form and structure of LifeChange to studies that each look at a theme or topic spread throughout the Scriptures rather than focusing squarely on one book of the Bible.

“We adapted the LifeChange structure to accommodate this new direction,” said Jack Kuhatshek, publishing industry veteran and author of nineteen Bible studies. Kuhatshek wrote the first three LifeChange topical studies and worked with Carlson to establish the series template. “We wanted to take into account both the distinct demands of a study that seeks to understand what the Bible says about a particular subject and the changes over time to how people engage with the Bible and one another when studying Scripture together.”

Future topical LifeChange Bible studies will release regularly, starting with Women of the New Testament, written by Joyce Koo Dalrymple, releasing in summer 2023. “I’m excited to contribute to this new era for the LifeChange series,” Koo Dalrymple wrote. “These studies are an excellent tool for drawing people into the Scriptures and helping them grow more confident in their study.”

For more information and media inquiries, please contact Katie Dodillet, katiedodillet@tyndale.com.

The NavPress mission is to advance the calling of The Navigators by bringing biblically rooted, culturally relevant, and highly practical products to people who want to know and love Christ more deeply. Through The Message Bible and other insightful resources, NavPress seeks to bring positive spiritual movement to people’s lives. In January 2014, NavPress entered into an alliance with Tyndale House Publishers to strengthen and better position NavPress and its rich content for the future. NavPress provides books and other content that brings spiritual impact, fosters life transformation, and helps lead in the mission of making disciples.

NavPress and the NavPress logo are registered trademarks of NavPress, The Navigators, Colorado Springs, CO.

 

July 22, 2022 — WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that, effective July 1, 2022, Amy Kruis transitioned into the role of Director of Author Relations, Acquisitions Editor; and Lauren Susanto has been promoted to Director of Publicity.

In her new position, Kruis will serve Crossway’s authors as they move through the publishing process. In addition to engagement with authors, she will join Crossway’s Publishing Division in acquiring new book projects for publication. Kruis came to Crossway in 2008 and has been instrumental in the company’s marketing and publicity efforts for over a decade. She most recently served as Director of Communications—overseeing the publicity and copywriting teams, managing author relations regarding marketing initiatives and plans, and handling other responsibilities within Crossway’s Communications Division.

Susanto has served as Crossway’s publicist since 2015, establishing relationships with both authors and media to promote Crossway’s book and Bible products to varied audiences. In her new role, Susanto will oversee all of Crossway’s publicity efforts and the publicity team.

Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-based content to honor our Savior and serve his church. Crossway seeks to help people understand the all-encompassing implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s word—for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God alone. Crossway is the global publisher of the ESV® (English Standard Version®) Bible, more than 1,000 Christian books, and an extensive list of gospel literature. For additional information, visit crossway.org.

Contact: Lauren Susanto, lsusanto@crossway.org

Audiobooks and More – Paraclete Press announces state-of-the-art sound studio recording and editing services by Paraclete Audio

July 12, 2022 — Paraclete Press, a publishing house on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has expanded to include a full range of audio recording and editing services, including audiobooks, voiceovers for video and radio, solo and ensemble musical recordings, and more from Paraclete Audio.

With the flexibility to record in the workplace, at home, or in Paraclete’s recording studio, Paraclete Audio is perfectly fitted to aid publishing houses, authors, and podcasters with every step of the process from recording, to editing, to final mastering and file upload. Narrators are also available upon request.

For a full list of services, visit our website at https://paracleteaudio.com/

For more information or to inquire about a project, contact Dan Pfeiffer at danp@paracletepress.com.

I’m Going to Have a Good Day! book from viral video stars Scarlett Gray and Tiania Haneline releases January 24, 2023

Grand Rapids, MI – July 21, 2022 – Zonderkidz is pleased to announce that TikTok and YouTube sensations Scarlett Gray and Tiania Haneline will publish their first book together, titled I’m Going to Have a Good Day!, illustrated by Stephanie Dehennin, on January 24, 2023.

This uplifting book for kids ages 4-8 will teach kids that by reciting daily affirmations, they will be able to replace negative thoughts with positive ones, similar to how 5-year-old Scarlett and her mom Tiania have inspired millions around the world. The mother-daughter duo have been recording their affirmation routine while Tiana does Scarlett’s hair since 2020, garnering millions of fans on TikTok (5.8 million followers, with 247 million likes) and other media platforms.

“When our team first learned of Tiania and Scarlett through their videos on social media, we were so charmed by them both and drawn to their practice of daily affirmations,” says Megan Dobson, Vice President and Publisher of Zonderkidz. “It’s been a privilege to partner with them to create I’m Going to Have a Good Day!, and share a story that highlights the powerful impact daily affirmations can have on children, building their self-esteem and reminding them how truly special and loved they are. We hope so many families are inspired by this book to begin their own practice of daily affirmations with their children.”

The book is now available for pre-order anywhere books are sold. Scarlett and Tiania shared news about the book on their social platforms. Tour dates and appearances with Scarlett and Tiania will be announced this fall. A full-scale marketing, digital and publicity campaign for the book is in process.

Advance review copies will be available upon request; please contact Publicity Director Jessica Westra at jessica.westra@harpercollins.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK: 
I’m Going to Have a Good Day! Written by Tiania Haneline with Scarlett Gray Hardcover w/Jacket, $18.99 978-0310771296 40 pages On sale January 24, 2023 Media Contact: Jessica Westra Director of Publicity, Zonderkidz Jessica. Westra@harpercollins.com

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Tiania Haneline and Scarlett Gray Smith make up one of TikTok’s most positive (and self-lovecentric) mother/daughter duos. The East Coast-based pair is well-known for their sweet affirmation videos, with their most viral moments attracting the attention of Good Morning America, POPSUGAR, USA Today and more. Growing up in an affirming household herself, Tiania was determined to pass the same values onto Scarlett and her two sons, Walker and Reice. She began repeating affirmations with Scarlett while doing her hair every morning, teaching her to embrace the beauty of her skin, curls, kindness and every trait in between. With the power of TikTok, Tiania and Scarlett are spreading that joy and self-love to an audience of more than four million.

• TikTok: Scarlett and Tiania (@scarlettandtiania) Official TikTok | Watch Scarlett and Tiania’s Newest TikTok Videos
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ScarlettGraySmith
• Instagram: Tiania and Scarlett (@scarlettandtiania) • Instagram photos and videos Website: www.scarlettandtiania.com

Zonderkidz™, the children’s division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imaginative, innovative and educational resources that represent a Christian worldview and build up God’s children and teens. For additional information, please visit www.zonderkidz.com. Zondervan is a world-leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications.

Zondervan, as part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan’s offices are located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

A tenth anniversary of anything marks a very good time to reflect, to remember, to look ahead and, at times, to “re-package” the gift we’ve received over the prior decade. ECPA is doing just that for the 10th Annual Top Shelf Book Cover Awards, recognizing excellence in book design.

For this year’s 10th anniversary, ECPA is making two key changes to the submission and judging process – emphasizing industry involvement in celebrating the industry’s top book designs:

• First, nominated covers will be submitted into one of four categories this year: Non-Fiction, Fiction, Children’s, and Bibles.
• Second, rather than using outside designers as judges, this year
  each participating publisher will provide a designer to cast their ballots for the best entries (though votes cannot be cast for their own designs).

Submissions opened on April 15 for ECPA members with a deadline of August 15.  Visit TopShelfAward.org to submit your designs and learn more about this year’s program features.

ECPA will present the 2022 Top Shelf Awards at the ECPA PubU opening session, on November 16 at Lipscomb University in Nashville.  The event will also include a Design Track for industry designers, developed by Torrey Sharp, founder of Faceout Studios in Bend, Oregon.  Torrey has been a key Top Shelf partner throughout the award’s history.

ECPA president Jeff Crosby recently interviewed Sharp about the program and his advice on how participating publishers can best curate and select their nominated titles:

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CROSBY:  This is our 10th anniversary of the Top Shelf Book Cover Awards, and you have been a key partner with ECPA throughout these years. As you reflect back, what do you see as the notable achievement resulting from the presence of Top Shelf? What do you as an industry partner feel most grateful for?

SHARP: I’m grateful to be part of an ECPA community that is striving to produce meaningful and beautiful books. The Top Shelf Award program has given ECPA a vehicle for celebrating beauty, validating the work of artists and designers, and encouraging excellence in every facet of what we do. Each year’s winners are a testament to the quality design this industry is producing year in and year out. I am grateful that ECPA, as a leading voice in the industry, works hard to elevate great content (through other awards) and great design though Top Shelf. These efforts push us all to be better.

CROSBY: As we look ahead to the changes ECPA is making for Top Shelf’s 10th anniversary celebration in Nashville, including moving to four categories and having publisher designers as judges, what is your own take about these changes? What are the up sides? Are there any down sides, in your view?

SHARP: I think this is a fun change to take on this anniversary year. Over these last 9 years, we have worked hard with ECPA to find judges whose own work reflects excellence and who have the credibility and experience it takes to judge the merits of another’s work and then the conviction to narrow submissions down to a few winners. This is not easy for judges to do. There is inherent conflict in the process. It can only be done with integrity when completely absent of external factors such as, who the submitting publisher is, who the designer is, etc. As with any new panel of judges that come on board every year, it remains imperative they judge fairly based only on the merits of the design and nothing else.

CROSBY: What guidance would you give art directors and designers as they consider which of their titles to nominate, and how to thoughtfully curate their submission process, in order to stand the greatest chance of receiving a Top Shelf Award during the program this fall?

SHARP: All of us work at a rapid pace in this industry. When award seasons hit, it can be a scramble to remember all the work that has been done in the past year. The biggest advice I can give is to curate a submission list during the year as books release. Then, when you are ready to submit, run each possible submission through the Top Shelf criteria: appropriateness for the market / level of conceptual thinking / quality of execution.  Judges evaluate based on objective and subjective criteria. They seek to highlight exceptional work that meets the stated criteria and catches their individual attention in a special way. A unique aspect of Top Shelf is that each winning selection is accompanied by a judge’s comment. This helps inform everybody why certain winners rise to the top.

CROSBY: Many designers I’ve worked with throughout my career have told me they are always thinking about colors, textures, treatments, and other design elements well in advance of non-designers (like me) being aware of them. As you go about your work at Faceout Studio, what do you see on the horizon?

SHARP: Design is about communicating meaning and beauty. It serves a purpose. Naturally, as expectations, preferences, trends and other external factors change, the way we solve design problems needs to change. Motivated designers are constantly learning, exploring new methods and tools, observing trends and honing their craft. Some have described book design as similar to a name tag you might wear at an event or a cocktail party. It’s an introduction of sorts – in the case of books, an introduction to an idea or a story. However, book designs are serving bigger needs these days. They can be brand identities with extractable elements that are used in other mediums or NFTs. Branded elements often become important parts of the content mix experienced by those reading, watching or listening to what publishers and authors create and deliver to the market.

CROSBY:  Thank you, Torrey, for the counsel and expertise you’ve lent to this important industry program.  We look forward to these special features, and recognizing the winners with you in Nashville in November – as we, as an industry, celebrate the industry!

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For more information: TopShelfAward.org
Submission Info: ecpa.org/page/bookcovercriteria/

Conference will bring together publishers, manufacturers, and other suppliers to help foster collaboration and learning in the changing book industry

BRADENTON, FL—July 11, 2022—The Book Manufacturers’ Institute (BMI) is bringing back its industry event Book Manufacturing Mastered. The 2022 version will be held Thursday September 15^th at the Westin Chicago North Shore. The first event was held February 10–11, 2020 in New York City just prior to the pandemic.

Book Manufacturing Mastered 2022 will feature a morning “Paper School” that will cover all things paper. As it is one of the, if not THE, top challenges facing the industry today, attendees will learn how it’s made to its different properties, to the impact it has on the environment. After a networking lunch, the afternoon panel featuring both publishers and manufacturers will give everyone a lay of the land as it stands today. Then attendees will have the chance for roundtable discussions with publishers, printers and suppliers about the top challenges facing the industry today and how they can be addressed. Lastly, the day will end with a networking cocktail reception that will feature tabletop exhibits from printers and suppliers to allow publishers in attendance to speak directly with those that help bring their ideas to print.

Matt Baehr, Executive Director of BMI, said, “Book Manufacturing Mastered was a great success in 2020. We’ve been trying to find the best way to bring it back as we see the need to bring publishers and printers together during this changing environment. It is critical that publishers, manufacturers and suppliers are all on the same page to ensure the success of the industry. This event helps to foster learning between all three groups while also giving folks the opportunity to have those critical conversations.”

Working with BMI, Book Manufacturing Mastered is being produced in partnership with a number of other book related trade associations, including: the Book Industry Study Group (BISG), the Association of American Publishers (AAP), the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA), the Protestant Church-Owned Publishers Association (PCPA) and the New York Book Forum.

The event is organized by an advisory panel comprised of publishers, manufacturers and suppliers. Also assisting the event are sponsors HP, Maple Press and Midland Paper.

Registration is now open. All agenda, hotel and registration information can be found at www.bookmanufacturingmastered.com.

About the Book Manufacturers’ Institute
The Book Manufacturers’ Institute is a not-for profit trade organization that supports book manufacturing leaders in their work to drive the promotion, efficiency, and growth of book markets for readers and educators in North America.  Since 1933, BMI has provided tremendous value to its member companies and others associated with the book manufacturing industry. BMI member companies range from full-service book manufacturers to those specializing in the digital print market, specialty binderies, component printers, packagers, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers of a variety of materials and services.

Tuesday, July 12, 2022, New Kensington, Pa.—Whitaker House Publishers has signed a deal to publish a memoir by women’s abuse advocate Naghmeh Panahi, scheduled for release in 2023.

Millions who followed the story of Pastor Saeed Abedini’s imprisonment in Iran were shocked and confused when his wife, Naghmeh, halted advocacy in 2015, claiming abuse. After 7 years Naghmeh is ready to break her silence and tell her story. The book will give a behind-the-scenes look at Panahi’s personal story of abuse within her marriage to Abedini, whose imprisonment in Iran from 2012–2016 gained international attention. It also covers the larger problem of the role of religion in perpetuating abuse, an issue that has been widely reported on in the press, most recently in articles by the Washington Post and Christianity Today.

“God used Saeed’s imprisonment to free me that I can now be an advocate for and encourage those who have been or are in similar circumstances. This book will be a calling for the church to do better,” said Naghmeh. “I’m thankful Whitaker House is partnering with me to tell my story.”

In addition to speaking and advocating for other abused women as executive director at Tahriralnisa, Panahi works with the underground church in her home country of Iran.

“Naghmeh is a woman of integrity and undaunted faith despite enduring the unthinkable,” says Whitaker House publisher Christine Whitaker. “I know her story will be one of exposing the far-reaching repercussions of abuse while keeping her redemptive faith in Christ at the center. Whitaker House is honored to stand by Naghmeh in telling her story.”

Naghmeh is available for interviews to talk about her story. Contact Karen Campbell at karen@karencampbellmedia.com to schedule an interview.

 

 

Quest for the King’s Crown Marks Relaunch of Last Chance Detectives Series, Middle-Grade Suspense Fiction from Focus on the Family

Carol Stream, Ill. (July 12, 2022) — On November 8, 2022, in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, Focus on the Family will release Quest for the King’s Crown (978-1-64607-049-7), book seven of Robert Vernon’s Last Chance Detectives series for middle-grade readers (ages 8-12). Quest for the King’s Crown is one of three new additions to the original Last Chance Detectives series, which was first published in the mid-90s. Through engaging, suspenseful mystery stories, the series offers valuable lessons about friendship, forgiveness, overcoming fear, trusting God, and doing what is right.

In each book of the Last Chance Detectives series, young readers follow along with Mike, Winnie, Ben, and Spence—four friends who team up to solve exciting mysteries and learn important life lessons in the process. The original stories from the series are also available as DVD videos and audiobooks.

Robert Vernon is the creator of the Last Chance Detectives book series and was instrumental in writing and producing the accompanying video and audio series. As a founding member of Focus on the Family’s film department, Robert also wrote, produced, and directed several of the original Adventures in Odyssey video episodes.

For more information or for media inquiries, please contact Keilah Jude at keilahjude@tyndale.com.

Quest for the King’s Crown by Robert Vernon
Last Chance Detectives #7
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-64607-049-7 | $9.99 | November 8, 2022
https://store.focusonthefamily.com/quest-for-the-king-s-crown/

Last Chance Detectives Seven-Book Set
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-64607-054-1 | $69.93 | November 8, 2022
https://store.focusonthefamily.com/last-chance-detectives-seven-book-set/

Focus on the Family, which reaches about 38 million people in 120 countries, is a global faith-based ministry that helps families thrive. Tyndale House Publishers is pleased to partner with Focus on the Family to help provide trusted resources for strengthening believers in their faith and sharing the gospel; building resilient marriages that reflect God’s design; equipping parents to raise their children with a thriving faith; advocating for the preborn, orphaned and life at every stage; and engaging the culture through a biblical worldview. Visit Focus at FocusontheFamily.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $110 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world. Tyndale and Tyndale’s quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Ministries.

 

Carol Stream, IL. (July 12, 2022) — On September 20, 2022, NavPress (@navpress) will release The Message of Christmas, a pocket-size booklet that shares the biblical story of Christmas in the contemporary and engaging language of Eugene H. Peterson’s The Message Bible. A companion product, The Message of Easter, will release on January 10, 2023. Available individually and in packs of twenty for bulk ordering, these booklets are ideal for personal and church ministry outreach during the Christmas and Easter seasons.

The Message of Christmas and The Message of Easter include selected passages of Scripture to highlight these foundational narratives of the Christian faith. Additionally, both booklets succinctly present the gospel in a section titled “How We Can Know God.” Written in accessible language, these booklets are intended as a resource to help Christians share the hope of Christ with neighbors, church visitors, or anyone curious about the meaning of these Christian holidays.

“The Message Bible, as Eugene H. Peterson put it, ‘grew from the soil of forty years of pastoral work.’ It was written as a means of putting God’s Word in front of people who were either intimidated by the Bible or, frankly, bored with it,” says NavPress publisher Dave Zimmerman. “These are the same people who take a chance on church twice every year—on Christmas and Easter. The Message of Christmas (like its sibling, The Message of Easter) is a great, low-bar gift to help people to consider, or reconsider, who Jesus is and why we should care.”

Eugene H. Peterson is perhaps best known as the translator of The Message, a rendering of the Scriptures into contemporary language. Eugene always saw his principal vocation as that of a pastor, and his pastoral concern for the formation of his congregation was the driver of his unique translation of first the New Testament (in 1993) and later the Old Testament (in 2002). Having sold more than 20 million copies, The Message is one of the most significant versions of the Bible to be published in the past 50 years.

For more information or for media inquiries, please contact Keilah Jude, keilahjude@tyndale.com.

The Message of Christmas by Eugene H. Peterson
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-64158-667-2 | $4.99
20-pack ISBN: 978-1-64158-651-1 | $99.80
September 2022 release

The Message of Easter by Eugene H. Peterson
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-64158-561-3 | $4.99
20-pack ISBN: 978-1-64158-668-9 | $99.80
January 2023 release

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and also offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh, new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, contributing a majority of annual revenue—more than $110 million dollars throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

The NavPress mission is to advance the calling of The Navigators by bringing biblically rooted, culturally relevant, and highly practical products to people who want to know and love Christ more deeply. Through The Message Bible and other insightful resources, NavPress seeks to bring positive spiritual movement to peoples’ lives. In January 2014, NavPress entered into an alliance with Tyndale House Publishers to strengthen and better position NavPress and its rich content for the future. NavPress provides books and other content that bring spiritual impact, life transformation, and help lead in the mission of making disciples.

The Message Bible is a NavPress resource published in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers.

 

July 2022 | WESTMONT, IL—InterVarsity Press is pleased to announce that they will be following up the much-loved First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament (FNV) with the newly contracted First Nations Version: Psalms and Proverbs, to be released in 2024. The First Nations Version is a new translation, attempting to capture the simplicity, clarity, and beauty of Native storytellers in English, while remaining faithful to the original language of the Scriptures.

“The First Nations Version is a groundbreaking, fresh translation of the New Testament filled with vivid, evocative language and imagery,” said Al Hsu, senior editor for IVP. “We’re thrilled with how the FNV New Testament has been received and are excited to be developing the FNV Psalms and Proverbs as the sacred songs and words of the wisdomkeepers.”

As an example, the FNV translation of Psalm 1:1-3 says,

Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who do not walk the path of the bad-hearted. They do not stand with those who follow broken ways. They do not sit in a talking circle where others are spoken of with scorn and disrespect.

Instead, they take joy in Grandfather’s instructions. Throughout the day and night, they think deeply about his ways.

The ones who walk this path will be like trees planted by flowing waters. When the harvest moon comes, they will bear much fruit. Their leaves will not dry up, and all they put their hands to will go well for them.

The First Nations Version: Psalms and Proverbs will once again be authored by Terry M. Wildman with input from the First Nations Version Translation Council and Native reviewers. The First Nations Version is a collaborative effort that includes First Nations/Native Americans from over twenty-five tribes.

Wildman said, “You might call this a contextual translation in English, in the tradition of the storytellers of oral culture. While it is not tribally specific, it is intended to relate in a general way to all our First Nations people. The FNV is not only a gift to our First Nations people, but we also consider it an offering from First Nations people to the world. It is similar in concept to The Message by Eugene Peterson or The Living Bible by Kenneth N. Taylor. But it is different in the sense that it attempts to convey the rhythm and feel of an oral storyteller from our Turtle Island (North American) cultures.”

These projects were birthed out of a desire to provide an English Bible that connects, in a culturally sensitive way, the traditional heart languages of the over six million English-speaking First Nations people of North America. The First Nations Version Translation Council has been selected from a cross section of Native North Americans—elders, pastors, young adults, and men and women from differing tribes and diverse geographic locations. This council also represents a diversity of church and denominational traditions to minimize bias.

Megan Murdock Krischke serves as the director for Native InterVarsity, a ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She said, “The FNV has quickly become a go-to resource for Native InterVarsity across the nation. We are using it in our small group Bible studies, and it is influencing the words we choose when we invite students to the full life that Creator Sets Free (Jesus) offers. The word choices of the FNV not only resonate with Native students but are also offering a fresh hearing of Scripture for non-Natives. For example, when we talk about ‘sin,’ defenses and blinders go up immediately. But when the FNV talks about ‘bad hearts’ and ‘broken ways,’ people can see that in themselves and others. I would recommend the FNV to any Native person who wants to learn more about Jesus and any non-Native person who longs to be able to read Scripture with new eyes.”

The FNV is a retelling of the Creator’s Story—the Scriptures—following the tradition of the storytellers of these oral cultures. Many of the First Nations tribes still resonate with the cultural and linguistic thought patterns found in their original tongues. This way of speaking, with its simple yet profound beauty and rich cultural idioms, still resonates in the hearts of First Nations people.

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