Ada, Mich. (July 17, 2025)—Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group, announces the expansion and enhancement of its editorial staff.
Dustyn Elizabeth Keepers, who held the position of Acquisitions Associate, has been promoted to Acquisitions Editor. She earned her MDiv degree from Western Theological Seminary and her PhD from Wheaton College. She previously served for seven years as an ordained minister. Keepers stated, “Throughout my career, my passion has been to serve both the church and the academy in cultivating wisdom and human flourishing, and in my new role with Baker Academic, I look forward to partnering with authors to publish high-quality books toward that same purpose.”

Kristen Padilla has joined Baker Academic as an Acquisitions Editor. She earned her MDiv degree from Beeson Divinity School and is currently pursuing a PhD from Durham University. She offers years of experience in both seminary and publishing settings. “As a longtime admirer of Baker Academic, I’m honored to join this esteemed team and eager to partner with authors in creating outstanding resources for the classroom and academy,” said Padilla.

Jennifer Guo has joined Baker Academic as an Acquisitions Associate. She earned her MDiv and ThM degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and is a PhD candidate at the University of Notre Dame. She also holds an MS in accounting. “Baker Academic has long been one of my favorite publishers,” stated Guo, “and I’m thrilled to join the team and support the editorial process behind the kind of thoughtful, rigorous scholarship that has helped shape both the academy and the church.”
Executive Vice President of Academic Publishing Jim Kinney said, “I attribute much of Baker Academic’s success to the quality of the people we’ve been able to hire over the years. These three editors will enhance our team of skilled employees who work hard every day to serve authors and readers well.”
Baker Academic connects authors and readers across the broad academic and religious landscape by publishing books that explore various aspects of historic Christianity and its contemporary expressions.
Baker Publishing Group (Bethany House, Revell, Baker Books, Chosen, Brazos Press, and Baker Academic) is a leading producer of Christian resources that give insight and inspiration to readers worldwide. Our divisions reflect the broadest scope of topics, which includes fiction, self-help, inspiration, professional books, Christian living and academic titles.
Contact: Karen Steele, (616)676-9185 x100, ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup.com
A two-week vacation to the Florida Keys meant Mary and Jameson Sr. could share the beauty of their favorite turquoise-blue waters with their four children. On that serene day at Looe Key Reef, their oldest, ten-year-old Jameson Jr., was swimming among the marine life, capturing breathtaking footage of a sea turtle when a massive bull shark attacked.
Seasoned explorer and author Bear Grylls is embarking on one of his greatest challenges yet: to make known to the world the life story of a man who altered the course of history. In The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eyewitness Account – which will be published globally in summer 2025 – the much-loved adventurer retells the astonishing story of Jesus as you have never heard it before in a thrilling, fast-paced narrative.
The Greatest Story Ever Told publishes in the US on 22 July 2025 and in the UK on 19 June 2025. In the UK, the book was pre-launched by Bear at Flame 2025 at Wembley Arena London on 15 March to an enthusiastic reception from over 10,000 young people and youth leaders. It will be featured at Spring Harvest in April 2025, as well as at other events and conferences in the UK and the US during 2025.
Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group is delighted to announce the expansion of its marketing and creative services departments with the addition of two new staff members.
PRH Christian welcomes Emily Loper to the creative services department as its new Marketing Designer, starting July 14, reporting to Kristopher Orr, Creative Director. Loper comes from Lifeway Christian Resources where she developed a wide variety of marketing materials in support of Lifeway, as well as B&H Books. Previously, Loper worked at Colorado Christian University as a Graphic Designer on a variety of digital and print materials. Beginning her design career at John Brown University, Loper earned her bachelor’s degree in graphic design in 2021. Her bright spirit, ambitious work ethic, and design finesse will be a great asset in PRH Christian’s exciting marketing design program. Emily resides in Denver, Colorado.
JULY 2025 | LISLE, IL—Building on the June 24 release of the
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 11, 2025) — Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul by Jennifer Tucker has officially sold over 250,000 copies, a significant milestone for the devotional that has resonated with readers around the world seeking spiritual calm in anxious times.
July 14, 2025 — Lakeside Book Company invites members of the media to join state and local officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony tomorrow at its Willard facility to celebrate the installation of a state-of-the-art manroland Goss LITHOMAN press. This press installation reinforces Lakeside Book’s industry leadership in North America and is a significant investment in the future of Lakeside Book Company in Willard, OH.
The third book in the Comfort for Children in Hard Times series, addressing difficult experiences that children commonly face and offering gospel hope and help, A Big Change Happened: Helping Children Through Upheaval by Darby A. Strickland will release September 8 by New Growth Press.
JULY 2025 — The Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) has announced the finalists for the 17th Annual Golden Scroll Awards and the 6th Annual Christian Market Book Awards, honoring excellence in Christian publishing. Winners will be revealed at the Golden Scroll Awards Banquet on August 10, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at The Westin Hotel in Duluth, Georgia. See 




