Logan M. Isaac, veteran, advocate, teacher, and award-winning writer, invites readers of all political and denominational stripes into a more thoughtful conversation and meaningful community with soldiers and veterans.

In his honest and vulnerable new book, Logan Isaac offers an opportunity for GIs, veterans, and those close to them to read Christian traditions as a soldier would—by and through the lived experiences of military service.

This well-researched, meditative guide for Christians who have served their country delves deep into the Bible, while Isaac shares his own beliefs and thoughts on the life-altering experiences of battle. He attempts to fill the void most Christians in the military feel by providing theological resources to discern a better way of discipleship for GIs, affirming the nuance and complexity of armed service and the gifts GIs extend to Christians around the world.

If Jesus is God, then God is a grunt—the humble, hardy folk placed at the bottom of the social hierarchy who are relied on to accomplish the dirtiest, most difficult (and most thankless) work.

This is good news for millions of Christian soldiers and veterans in the U.S. because they have had to make an impossible choice, with no perceivable middle ground, between patriot and pacifist.

LOGAN M. ISAAC spent more than six years in the United States Army as an artilleryman, including a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. He was discharged as a Noncommissioned Officer in 2006 and went on to earn a BA from Hawaii Pacific University and a Master of Theological Studies from Duke University. Logan spent a year teaching at Methodist University in North Carolina before leaving to study at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, from which he received a Master of Letters in Systematic and Historical Theology in 2015. 

After returning to a teaching position at Duke University, he went on to earn a Certificate in Business Administration from Georgetown University and start Pew Pew HQ, a social enterprise based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Logan is the sole author, as Logan Mehl-Laituri, of Reborn on the Fourth of July (InterVarsity, 2012) and For God and Country: In That Order (Herald, 2013). His first book received a Publishers Weekly Starred Review and he has served as a consultant or contributing author of nearly twenty additional publications, including books such as The Gospel of Rutba (Orbis, 2012), and Jesus, Bombs, & Ice Cream (Zondervan, 2012). He has been featured on the cover of Christianity Today Magazine and was awarded an Evangelical Press Association award for Best Article Series for “Ponder Christian Soldiers” in 2016. He lives in Maryland.

Carol Stream, Ill. — (April 18, 2022) — Designed to Last, written by Ashley and Dino Petrone, which released on April 5, 2022, from Tyndale Momentum, quickly skyrocketed to bestseller standing. In its release week, the title debuted at #11 on the Publishers Weekly Bestsellers list in the hardcover nonfiction category.

In their much-anticipated debut book, Instagram sensations (@arrowsandbow) Ashley and Dino Petrone invite readers into their home and relationship, employing their trademark honest and hilarious storytelling, sharing their journey of building an intentional home, growing in faith, and finding joy in the in-between.

The Petrones are the first to say that they don’t have all the answers, but in their book, they share the struggles and successes that come from intentionally staying committed to God and each other. They are convinced that when you build with faith, creativity, and love as the foundation . . . you build something designed to last.

Senior Acquisitions Editor Kara Leonino shared, “Seeing the excitement of readers around Designed to Last is such an encouragement to us because this book is a beautiful example of how trying something new, of blending the creativity of design with spiritual truth told through the lens of a couple who deeply care about helping others in their own journeys, can create a significant impact. Here are just a few of the things readers are saying:

• ‘Just finished your book. What a beautiful testimony to the goodness of God and His faithfulness in the lives of those He loves.’
• ‘I love how open and honest you are! . . . Your book has me smiling and definitely helped lift my spirits.’
• ‘Your book is amazing. It has inspired me to cherish my husband more.’”

Leonino continued, “Ashley and Dino and this book continue to be an incredible picture of what an inspired, fun, loving marriage and home can be.”

Ashley and Dino Petrone have been married since 2006 and make their home in Florida with their four kids: Gabe, Gavin, Quinn, and Foxi. Ashley began her popular Instagram account @arrowsandbow as a way to document her home-design journey. It took off during the seventeen months their family lived in the 180-square-foot trailer she’d transformed from an outdated RV into a bright and welcoming home. Dino is a senior engineer and Ashley is a full-time mom, blogger, and interior designer. Visit them online at arrowsandbow.com.

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.

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

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced that four IVP titles are among the finalists for the 2022 Christian Book Award® program.

“As a community of people committed to excellence in publishing, we don’t invest in the challenging and complex work that brings books, Bibles and other resources to people throughout the world merely to win awards,” stated ECPA president Jeff Crosby. “Rather, we publish to fulfill our distinctive, gospel-advancing missions. And yet the annual Christian Book Awards provide a vital way of celebrating, recognizing, and expanding the awareness of significant works in a variety of categories. On behalf of ECPA, I extend my hearty congratulations to each of the authors and publishers who make up our list of finalists.” 

The IVP finalists include the following:

Audio

God Speaks Through Wombs: Poems on God’s Unexpected Coming written and narrated by Drew Jackson, produced by Christian Audio, a division of Recorded Books, published by IVP

Jackson is the founding pastor of Hope East Village in New York City. He also writes poetry at the intersection of justice, peace, and contemplation, with a passion to contribute toward a more just and whole world. In this dynamic collection of poems, Drew Jackson explores the first eight chapters of Luke’s Gospel.

“With undeniable depth and brilliant creativity, Drew Jackson offers a powerful poetic tour through the Gospel of Luke,” said Rich Villodas, lead pastor of New Life Fellowship and author of The Deeply Formed Life. “Drew joins poignant cultural analysis with biblical faithfulness, and does so in a way that kept me captivated throughout.” 

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Christian Living

Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep by Tish Harrison Warren

Framed around a nighttime prayer of Compline, Tish Harrison Warren explores themes of human vulnerability, suffering, and God’s seeming absence. When she navigated a time of doubt and loss, the prayer was grounding for her. She writes that practices of prayer “gave words to my anxiety and grief and allowed me to reencounter the doctrines of the church not as tidy little antidotes for pain, but as a light in darkness, as good news.”

“This book is the rare combination of beautiful prose and weighty theological reflection,” said Esau McCaulley, author of Reading While Black. “It paints a picture of a faith that is still there on the other side of trite, easy answers that do not satisfy, a picture of hard-won belief. This is not just a book about prayer; at times the book becomes a prayer in its own right. It is, in the end, a reflection on what it means to be a Christian in the midst of losses large and small.”

Warren was honored with the Christianity Today Book of the Year Award for Prayer in the Night in 2021, and also for Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life in 2018. She is a weekly contributing newsletter writer for the New York Times and writes a monthly column for Christianity Today. She has worked in ministry settings for over a decade as a campus minister with InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministries and as the writer-in-residence at Church of the Ascension in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her articles and essays have appeared in the New York Times, Religion News Service, Christianity Today, Comment Magazine, The Point, and elsewhere.

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Ministry Resources

Lead Like It Matters to God: Values-Driven Leadership in a Success-Driven World by Richard Stearns

After stints as CEO of Parker Brothers and then Lenox, Richard Stearns accepted the invitation to leave his corporate career to become the president of World Vision US, where he became the longest serving president in their seventy-year history. During his tenure there he implemented corporate best practices, lowering overheads while tripling revenues. His leadership in calling the American church to respond to some of the greatest crises of our time, notably the HIV and AIDS pandemic and the global refugee crisis, challenged Christians to embrace a bold vision for compassion, mercy, and justice. In Lead Like It Matters to God, Stearns shares the leadership principles he has learned over the course of his remarkable career.

As a leader who has navigated both secular and sacred spaces, Stearns claims that the values Christian leaders embrace in their workplaces are actually more important than the results they achieve—that God is more concerned about a leader’s character than a leader’s success. 

Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, said, “For years, I have hoped that Rich Stearns would write this very book. The sad predicament is not simply that the Christian world often outdoes the ambient culture in defining success as winning, displaying, and image maintenance. The end result is exhaustion and cynicism. In this enlivening book, Rich Stearns shows a different way: the way of integrity. Very few people have ever served in such wide-ranging positions of experience as Rich Stearns. Here he guides us through the lessons he has learned along the way. This book will equip and inspire you as you lead, in whatever place God has put you, by enabling you to listen to a battle-tested leader who has earned our trust.” 

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Ministry Resources

Tempered Resilience: How Leaders Are Formed in the Crucible of Change by Tod Bolsinger

“Tod Bolsinger is brave enough to admit that leadership is grueling,” said Amy Sherman, author of Agents of Flourishing. “If you want to be a good leader, he teaches, prepare yourself for emotional pain, sacrifice, and the very hard work of becoming a more grounded, mature, and humble person. But accompanying this bracing challenge is a refreshingly practical guide to the kinds of disciplines the aspiring leader can exercise to become that kind of person. Those pursuing pastoral ministry will especially benefit from Bolsinger’s insights and candid reflections on his own experiences. Tempered Resilience is neither abstract nor academic. It’s a relentlessly honest book of wisdom from a devoted Christ follower that’s meant to be applied in the real world.”

Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains, is uniquely positioned to explore the qualities of adaptive leadership in contexts ranging from churches to nonprofit organizations. He deftly examines both the external challenges we face and the internal resistance that holds us back.

Bolsinger writes, “To temper describes the process of heating, holding, hammering, cooling, and reheating that adds stress to raw iron until it becomes a glistening knife blade or chisel tip.” When reflection and relationships are combined into a life of deliberate practice, leaders become both stronger and more flexible. As a result, these resilient leaders are able to offer greater wisdom and skill to the organizations they serve.

Bolsinger is a speaker, executive coach, former pastor, and author who serves as associate professor of leadership formation and senior fellow for the De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Seminary. 

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The Christian Book Award® program recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards program in the religious publishing industry. Finalists and winners are selected in twelve categories. The winners will be revealed and finalists/winners celebrated at an awards celebration held in conjunction with the ECPA Leadership Summit in Philadelphia on May 3.

For a complete list of IVP award-winning titles visit ivpress.com.

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

CHARLOTTE, NC– The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced Finding My Father by Blair Linne, and Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer, written by Laura Wifler and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri, as finalists for the 2022 Christian Book Award®.

Finding My Father (The Good Book Company, October 2022) is a finalist in the New Author category. Written by spoken word artist Blair Linne, the book has been featured on Our American Stories and Life Today. Linne has also received the TGC Book Award for First-Time Author.

Any Time, Any Time, Any Prayer (The Good Book Company, September 2021) is a finalist in the Children’s category. It is the first children’s book by Risen Motherhood co-founder Laura Wifler and is a part of the popular Tales That Tell the Truth series, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri. The title was also awarded the 2022 Children & Youth Book of the Year by Christianity Today.

Finding My Father: How the Gospel Heals the Pain of Fatherlessness written by Blair Linne
This book helps readers to shift their eyes from what they do not have in their earthly fathers (who, whether present or absent, loving or the opposite, can never be perfect) to what they do have in their eternal Father, who will never disappoint, reject, or abandon them.

Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer: A True Story of How You Can Talk With God written by Laura Wifler, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri
In this beautifully illustrated Bible storybook, children will learn a biblical understanding of prayer, why it’s amazing, and that they can enjoy talking with God about anything, anytime, anywhere.

For media inquiries and access to promotional assets, contact: publicity@thegoodbook.com.

ABOUT THE GOOD BOOK COMPANY
Founded in 1991, The Good Book Company (TGBC) is an 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.

WESTMONT, IL—The Academy of Parish Clergy Inc. has honored First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament with the Reference Book of the Year Award.

“Congratulations to Terry Wildman and all those who contributed to this project,” said Al Hsu, senior editor for IVP. “The First Nations Version is a groundbreaking, fresh translation of the New Testament filled with vivid, evocative language and imagery. It helps modern readers discover the power of Scripture by conveying the biblical story through the sensibilities and cadences of Native oral storytelling tradition. We experience the kingdom of God as walking Creator’s Good Road, and we encounter Jesus as Creator Sets Free, the Chosen One. It has been an honor to partner with Terry Wildman and the FNV team in heralding the great story to new peoples.”

Wildman (Ojibwe and Yaqui) served as the lead translator, general editor, and project manager of the First Nations Version. “You might call this a contextual translation in English, in the tradition of the storytellers of oral culture,” Wildman said. “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.”

Many First Nations tribes communicate with the cultural and linguistic thought patterns found in their original tongues. The First Nations Version (FNV) recounts the Creator’s Story—the Christian Scriptures—following the tradition of Native storytellers’ oral cultures. This way of speaking, with its simple yet profound beauty and rich cultural idioms, still resonates in the hearts of First Nations people.

The FNV is a dynamic equivalence translation of the New Testament that captures the simplicity, clarity, and beauty of Native storytellers in English, while remaining faithful to the original language of the Bible. The culmination of a rigorous five-year translation process, this new Bible translation is a collaboration between organizations like OneBook and Wycliffe Associates, Indigenous North Americans from over twenty-five different tribes, and a translation council that consisted of twelve Native North American elders, pastors, young adults, and men and women from different tribes and diverse geographic locations.

Wildman said, “My greatest hope comes from First Nations people who have read this translation and have said it opened their eyes to who Creator Sets Free (Jesus) truly is. It has already broken down some of the walls that exist because of the horrific way the gospel was most often forced on our Native peoples. I hope stories like this will multiply as more people read the First Nations Version.” 

The Academy of Parish Clergy, an inclusive community of professional religious leaders, supports and promotes excellence in spiritual, scholarly, and relational ministry

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

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

CAROL STREAM, Ill.—April 8, 2022—Tyndale House Publishers is pleased to announce that six THP  titles and authors have been named finalists for 2022 Christian Book Awards. The Christian Book Award honors excellence in Bibles and Christian books.

According to their website, “The Christian Book Award® program recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards program in the religious publishing industry. Presented annually to the finest in Christian publishing since 1978, the Christian Book Award® program honors the “best of the year” in 12 categories.”

On April 7, 2022, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced the finalists for the 2022 Christian Book Awards.

Tyndale House Publishers’ authors and titles were named finalists in the following categories:

Audio

• Enemies and Allies, Joel C. Rosenberg; narrated by Michael Beck, produced by ONE Audiobooks & Verity Audio Productions, published by Tyndale House Publishers

Bible Study

• Now That Faith Has Come: A Study of Galatians, Beth Moore and Melissa Moore, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781735890906

Biography and Memoir

• Food Saved Me: My Journey of Finding Health and Hope through the Power of Food, Danielle Walker, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496444745
• Peacebunny Island: The Extraordinary Journey of a Boy and His Comfort Rabbits, and How They’re Teaching Us about Hope and Kindness, Caleb Smith, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496452474

Children

• My Arms Will Hold You Tight, Crystal Bowman and Teri McKinley; illustrated by Anna Kubaszewska, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496446220

New Author

• The Well-Watered Woman: Rooted in Truth, Growing in Grace, Flourishing in Faith, Gretchen Saffles, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496445452

In response to this significant honor, Ron Beers, Publisher of Tyndale Book Group shared, “Tyndale is so blessed and grateful for all of our authors who join with us in carrying out the mission of ministering to the spiritual needs of people through great books. Our authors do that passionately and with excellence. We congratulate these authors whose works have been chosen as finalists for this significant award, and pray that the profound messages from each of these books makes a great impact in people’s lives for years to come.”

For more information on Tyndale titles, please visit www.tyndale.com.

The Christian Book Award program has recognized the absolute highest quality in Christian books since 1978, when it was called the Gold Medallion Award. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and impact, the Christian Book Award program is the oldest and among the most prestigious awards in the religious publishing industry.  ChristianBookAwards.com

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. For more information about ECPA: info@ecpa.org, ECPA.org.

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.

Contact: Katie Dodillet, katiedodillet@tyndale.com, 630.784.5275

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—April 8, 2022—NavPress is pleased to announce that Embracing the New Samaria: Opening Our Eyes to Our Multiethnic Future, written by Alejandro Mandes, has been named a finalist in the Faith & Culture category for the 2022 Christian Book Awards. The Christian Book Award honors excellence in Bibles and Christian books.

According to their website, “The Christian Book Award® program recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards program in the religious publishing industry. Presented annually to the finest in Christian publishing since 1978, the Christian Book Award® program honors the ‘best of the year’ in 12 categories.”

On April 7, 2022, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced the finalists for the 2022 Christian Book Awards. NavPress author Alejandro Mandes and his title have been included as finalists as follows:

Faith & Culture

Embracing the New Samaria: Opening Our Eyes to Our Multiethnic Future, Alejandro Mandes, NavPress, 978-1-64158-434-0

In response to this significant honor, NavPress Publisher David Zimmerman shared, “We’re so excited for Alex to be given this recognition. His book reflects a long-held and hard-fought passion for the church in our time to reflect the eternal vision of God: that every tribe, tongue, and nation come together in true worship and authentic community.”

For more information on NavPress titles, please visit www.NavPress.com.

The Christian Book Award® program has recognized the absolute highest quality in Christian books since 1978, when it was called the Gold Medallion Award. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and impact, the Christian Book Award program is the oldest and among the most prestigious awards in the religious publishing industry.  ChristianBookAwards.com

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. For more information about ECPA: info@ecpa.org, ECPA.org.

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.

Contact: Katie Dodillet, katiedodillet@tyndale.com, 630.784.5275

 

Ada, Mich. (April 6, 2022)—Baker Academic and Brazos Press is pleased to announce that three titles were honored by the Academy of Parish Clergy Inc. as part of its 2022 Book of the Year Awards. On the Spectrum by Daniel Bowman Jr. received top honor as Book of the Year.

In its announcement, the Academy of Parish Clergy Inc. said “This year the committee has selected Daniel Bowman Jr.’s book On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, and the Gifts of Neurodiversity, which was published by Brazos Press (2021). Bowman is an associate professor of English at Taylor University, codirector of the university’s Making Literature Conference, and editor of Relief: A Journal of Art & Faith. The Book of the Year Award is given by the Academy of Parish Clergy to the book published in the prior year (2021) [that] the committee believes best speaks to the needs and interests of parish clergy.”

On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, and the Gifts of Neurodiversity by Daniel Bowman Jr. (Brazos Press, ISBN 9781587435065, ebook ISBN 9781493431120, $19.99p)

This book debunks myths about autism and autistics with a realistic yet hope-filled deep dive into the heart, mind, and life of an autistic Christian.

The Congregation in a Secular Age by Andrew Root (Baker Academic) made the Top Ten Book List for Parish Ministry and The Lord Is My Shepherd by Richard S. Briggs (Baker Academic) made the Reference Book Top Five List.

The Congregation in a Secular Age: Keeping Sacred Time against the Speed of Modern Life by Andrew Root (Baker Academic, ISBN 9780801098482, ebook ISBN 9781493429721, $26.99p)

A leading practical theologian articulates why congregations feel pressured by the speed of change in modern life and encourages an approach that doesn’t fall into the negative traps of our secular age.

The Lord Is My Shepherd: Psalm 23 for the Life of the Church by Richard S. Briggs (Baker Academic, ISBN 9781540961853, ebook ISBN 9781493432127, $24.99c)

Briggs offers an exposition of Psalm 23, showing how this classic and beloved text can speak afresh to the life of the church today.

Recognition of these important contributions to the spiritual and professional development of religious professionals will be given in two Zoom events that will be simulcast on the Academy of Parish Clergy Facebook page. The Book of the Year announcement takes place on Friday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m. EDT (https://www.facebook.com/apclergy). The time of the Reference Book of the Year Award announcement is to be determined.

For more information about the Academy, please go to www.apclergy.org.

Contact: Lydia Koning, (616) 676-9185, lkoning@BakerPublishingGroup.com

Iron Stream Media is overjoyed to announce eight finalists in six different categories for the 2022 Selah Awards that will be presented at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in June. According to the awards staff, there were more entries than ever before this year with well over 400 entries. The First Novel and Fiction: Mystery/Suspense categories were particularly large this year.

The finalists are:

Audio Books

• Soul Strong, Lucinda Secrest McDowell, Oasis Audio
• The Stars in April, Peggy Wirgau

Christian Life

• Messy Hope, Lori Wildenberg

Children’s Literature

• Puppy Dog Devotions, Michelle Medlock Adams & Wendy Hinote Lanier

First Novel

• Tempest, C J Campbell
• The Endling, Deborah Maxey

Fiction: Mystery/Suspense

• Hoax, Leanna Sain

Fiction: Speculative

• Tempest, C J Campbell

Iron Stream Media derives its name from Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”  This sharpening describes the process of discipleship, one to another. Iron Stream Media provides a variety of solutions for churches, missionaries, and nonprofits that include in-depth Bible study curriculum, Christian book publishing, and consultative services. Iron Stream Media is the home of Iron Stream Books, Iron Stream Fiction, Iron Stream Harambee Press, Iron Stream Kidz, and Brookstone Creative Group. Through the popular Life Bible Study and Student Life Bible Study imprints, they also provide web-based, full-year and short-term Bible study teaching plans as well as printed devotionals, Bibles, and discipleship curriculum.

Book these authors as guest speakers or for book signings by contacting Kim McCulla at kim.mcculla@ironstreammedia.com. Limited supply of giveaway copies available for special events and interviews. Books can also be ordered through your distributor or visit www.newhopepublishers.com.

Ada, Mich. (March 28, 2022)—Beth Allison Barr, author of the bestselling The Making of Biblical Womanhood, has signed a new contract with Brazos Press to publish two new books. Becoming the Pastor’s Wife will release in Fall 2024, and Losing Our Medieval Religion is slated for Fall 2026. Brazos has exclusive world rights. The projects were agented with Giles Anderson with the Anderson Literary Agency. “Beth Allison Barr captures exactly what we want Brazos to be: scholarly yet accessible, connecting historical Christian faith to contemporary issues in the church and the world,” said editorial director Katelyn Beaty. “Our team is thrilled to partner with her again.”

Becoming the Pastor’s Wife
A Baylor historian and Baptist pastor’s wife traces the history of the role, showing how it rose to prominence at the same time that women’s ordination became forbidden in many Protestant circles.

This book builds on the premise of Barr’s runaway hit, The Making of Biblical Womanhood, resembling its successful blend of historical research and personal narrative. It moves this conversation forward, both uncovering for evangelicals the historical origins of the pastor’s wife role as well as revealing how its emergence has contributed to evangelicals forgetting the historical reality of ordained women.

Losing Our Medieval Religion
A medieval historian traces church history to show the depth of amnesia within the American church and the impact it has had on contemporary theology and practice.

Beth Allison Barr (PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) is James Vardaman Professor of History at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she specializes in medieval history, women’s history, and church history. She recently served as president of the Conference on Faith and History (2018–2021) and is an active supporter of Christians for Biblical Equality. Barr is a regular contributor to The Anxious Bench, the popular Patheos website on religious history, and has written for Christianity Today, the Washington Post, Religion News Service, The Dallas Morning News, Sojourners, and Baptist News Global. Her work has been featured by NPR and The New Yorker. She is also a Baptist pastor’s wife and the mom of two great kids.

Contact: Shelly MacNaughton, (616) 450-5560, smacnaughton@bakerpublishinggroup.com