February 2026 | LISLE, IL— InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce the release of Honest Conversations: Seeing Race, Speaking Truth, an eight-session streaming video series that invites Christians into courageous conversations about race, justice, and reconciliation.

IVP publisher Terumi Echols said, “The gospel invites us into honest, faithful engagement with the realities of our world. Honest Conversations creates space for that work, helping Christians see more clearly, listen more carefully, and speak truth with humility and courage.”

Hosted by pastor and author Travis Collins, and featuring a diverse group of pastors, scholars, and ministry leaders, the series blends biblical teaching, personal storytelling, and practical wisdom to address some of the most pressing questions about race and reconciliation facing the church today. Each episode explores a different dimension of racial justice and unity—moving from history to hope, from lament to action, and from individual good intentions to structural change.

“Over the past few years, I’ve learned a great deal—and that learning continues. The guest mentors I had the privilege of interviewing graciously opened my eyes to so many important truths,” Collins said. “I long for all of us to better understand what fairness truly looks like and what genuine unity really means, regardless of the hue of our skin or the accent of our tongues. And I invite you to join me on this meaningful pilgrimage of learning and growth.”

The eight streaming sessions and featured authors are:

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Why this hard conversation?

Irwyn L. Ince Jr. is the interim lead pastor at Grace Mosaic Church in Washington, DC. He also serves as Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Theology for Reformed Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Beautiful Community and Hope Ain’t a Hustle.

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We don’t know what we don’t know

David Swanson is the pastor of New Community Covenant Church, a multicultural congregation in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. He helps lead New Community Outreach, a nonprofit that collaborates with the community to reduce sources of trauma, and he speaks around the country on the topics of racial justice and reconciliation. He is the author of Rediscipling the White Church and Plundered.

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Good feelings and bad structures

Soong-Chan Rah (ThD, Duke Divinity School) joined Fuller Theological Seminary’s faculty in 2021 as the Robert Boyd  Munger Professor of Evangelism. Prior to his appointment at Fuller, Rah served as the Milton B. Engebretson Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary. His books include The Next Evangelicalism, Unsettling Truths, and Prophetic Lament.

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Informed by yesterday

Walter R. Strickland II (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is associate professor of systematic and contextual theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has coauthored or contributed to several books, including For God So Loved the World and the two Swing Low volumes on the history of Black Christianity in the United States. He is a host of the White Horse Inn podcast and founder of Cultural Engagement and Aptree Learning.

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The Bible and making things right

Christina Edmondson (PhD, Tennessee State University) is a higher education instructor, organizational consultant, and cohost of Get in The Word with Truth’s Table and the Truth’s Table podcasts. She is the coauthor, with Chad Brennan, of Faithful Antiracism and has served in a variety of roles including as the dean for intercultural student development at Calvin University. She is also a certified cultural intelligence facilitator, public speaker, mental health therapist, and a consultant in the areas of ethics, equity, and Christian leadership development.

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Lamenting and repenting

Mariah Humphries is a citizen of the Mvskoke Nation, writer, lecturer, and speaker whose work explores the intersections of spiritual formation and justice. Drawing from her lived experience navigating both Native and White American contexts, Mariah invites audiences to consider how faith can confront inequity and embody justice.

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Pastors and politics

Chris Butler is the senior leader of the Chicago Embassy Church Network and has been involved in several efforts to improve educational equity in Chicago. He serves as the founder and executive director of Parent Power Chicago as well as the founder of the Chicago Peace Campaign, which organizes churches and other faith-based institutions to build peacemaking networks in local communities. He is the coauthor, with Justin Giboney and Michael Wear, of Compassion (&) Conviction.

Justin Giboney (JD, Vanderbilt University) is the cofounder and president of the AND Campaign, a Christian civic organization focused on raising civic literacy, promoting civic pluralism, and equipping Christians to engage politics with the love and truth of Jesus Christ. An ordained minister, attorney, and political strategist, Giboney has been featured in publications such as the New York Times and Christianity Today and is the author of Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around.

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Caveat and hope

Jamaal Williams (DEdMin) serves as lead pastor of Sojourn Church Midtown in Louisville, Kentucky, and as president of the Harbor Network. In addition, he regularly consults churches on leadership matters and issues related to building healthy multiethnic churches. He is the coauthor, with Timothy Paul Jones, of In Church as It Is in Heaven.

Echols said, “I am deeply grateful to Travis Collins and his guest teachers for shaping this thoughtful path forward for individuals and communities who want to address race with theological depth, grace, and hope rooted in the reconciling work of Christ at a time when there is a deep and urgent need for healing and restoration within the church. We are grateful for the opportunity to share this resource in this moment.”

Honest Conversations is available for purchase through Seminary Now. Learn more at ivpress.com.

Contact:  Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

Rediscover the wonder of God with this small but mighty book that reminds readers of all religions, spiritual paths, and faiths that we are not (and never have been!) alone.

On the morning of November 11, 1995, Patrice Karst woke from a dream with the words “God Made Easy” appearing before her. From this unexpected moment comes a divinely inspired book that invites readers to rediscover the wonder of God.

Millions of pages have been written and published about God, and the length and complexity of these pages can be overwhelming. In God Made Easy, originally published in 1997, bestselling author Patrice Karst (The Invisible String) uses simple, user-friendly language to invite readers of all religions, spiritual paths, and faiths (or those with no faith at all) to embrace the universal truth that God (called by many different names) is everywhere—eager to listen, ready to answer, and accessible to us all. This truth runs deep in Patrice’s heart, and her warm, conversational style will appeal to those searching for answers beyond traditional religious dogma. With a beautiful full-color design and new introduction and author’s note, this book is ideal for gift-giving or personal reflection—a small but mighty celebration of the Divine that readers can turn to again and again to remind themselves they are not (and never have been!) alone.

Patrice Karst is the author of the bestselling, contemporary classic The Invisible String, which has sold over 2 million copies and been translated into 21 languages. Patrice has also written The Invisible Leash, The Invisible Web, You Are Never Alone, The Invisible String Workbook, The Invisible String Backpack, The Invisible String Family Celebration, How Jackson Found His Joy Again, The Smile That Went Around the World and Ruby and Lonely. Patrice has been on a lifelong mission to spread the message that love transcends time and space and is the most powerful force in the universe. She lives in Santa Barbara where she is working on her memoir. Learn more at www.patricekarst.com.

“But as for me, I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the faithfulness of God forever and ever.” Psalm 52:8

Nashville, TN, February 10, 2026 – In a world grappling with relentless headlines and widespread turmoil, bestselling author and renowned Bible teacher Christine Caine releases her timely, transformative new book this week, The Faith to Flourish: God’s Design for a Rooted, Resilient, and Fruitful Life (Nelson Books/Thomas Nelson). As more people turn to faith for stability and hope, Caine draws on her global ministry experience and steadfast belief to offer readers a roadmap for spiritual flourishing amid life’s most daunting challenges. Packed with practical insights and biblical wisdom, this powerful guide equips readers not only to weather life’s storms but also to grow stronger, more resilient, and deeply rooted in their faith.

Inspired by the biblical symbolism of the olive tree, The Faith to Flourish shows how to build a faith that can endure life’s storms, like the olive tree, known for its extraordinary resilience, thrives and produces fruit despite scorching heat, rocky soil, and long droughts. With roots extending deep into the ground to absorb nourishment even in the toughest seasons, the olive tree remains a powerful symbol of faith that endures and prospers through every challenge.

Caine provides practical guidance on recognizing spiritual stagnation, understanding God’s process of pruning for restoration, and cultivating inner peace and joy through deliberate shifts in perspective. It serves as a transformational guide for anyone aiming to move from a season of languishing to one of vibrant growth and fruitfulness.

“I wrote this book because I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed by life and to question if it’s possible to keep going, let alone flourish,” says Caine. “It’s so important to me because I’ve seen firsthand how God’s love and truth can transform our hardest seasons into unexpected growth and fruitfulness. My hope is that every reader will discover that they truly can thrive, no matter what they face.”

About the Author
Christine Caine is a speaker, activist, and bestselling author who inspires people worldwide to discover their God-given purpose and live transformed lives for Jesus. Christine and her husband, Nick, have two daughters, Catherine and Sophia. Together, they founded A21, a global anti-human trafficking organization that works to prevent exploitation, recover victims, and empower survivors to rebuild their lives. She also started Propel Women, an initiative that encourages women to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and live confidently in their God-given purpose. You can listen to Christine’s Equip & Empower podcast for practical insights and encouragement, drawing hope from Jesus wherever you are. To learn more about Christine and her resources, visit www.christinecaine.com.

About Nelson Books
Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, is an industry leader in Christian nonfiction publishing. Nelson Books publishes a diverse array of leaders, experts, and creatives, crafting biblically informed and spiritually fresh books from a Christian perspective that enliven, educate, and encourage readers. The Nelson Books roster of bestselling authors includes Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, Tim Tebow, John Mark Comer, John & Stasi Eldredge, Jennie Allen, Jefferson Bethke, Bob Goff, Ruth Chou Simons, Tyler Staton, Jason Wilson, Christine Caine, Zach Windahl, and Carlos Whittaker.

For more information, contact:  lisa.beech@harpercollins.com

On Sale February 10, 2026
Nelson Books/Thomas Nelson / ISBN: 9781400255252

February 2026 | LISLE, IL—On Tuesday, February 17, InterVarsity Press (IVP) will kick off the first of seven Just Show Up Book Clubs (JSU), where you simply show up to read, listen, and discuss books with others. No homework, no pressure—just meaningful conversations and shared learning. This season will feature books that fall into one of two themed tracks: justice and spiritual formation.

The IVP JSU Book Club is made possible through a grant from the Grace and Mercy Foundation, an organization that partners with nonprofit organizations to promote lifelong learning through JSU Book Clubs and the Public Reading of Scripture (PRS).

“The mission of Grace and Mercy and the Just Show Up Book Club is also the mission of IVP,” said Terumi Echols, president and publisher at IVP. “We both strive to get life-changing books into the hands of readers so they can read, discuss, and grow in their understanding of faith and the world around them. We are so grateful for their support in offering a format like the IVP Just Show Up Book Club that will bring people together to read and discuss transformative resources.”

The following schedule lays out the titles in each upcoming book club track. Attendees can join all seven book clubs or select just one. Visit ivpress.com to learn more and to sign up for the IVP JSU Book Club.

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JUSTICE TRACK

Tuesdays at 12 p.m. Central, starting February 17 (11 weeks)

Roadmap to Reconciliation 2.0: Moving Communities into Unity, Wholeness and Justice by Brenda Salter McNeil

We can see the injustice and inequality in our lives and in the world. We are ready to rise up. But how, exactly, do we do this? How does one reconcile? What we need is a clear sense of direction.

Based on her extensive consulting experience with churches, colleges, and organizations, Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil has created a roadmap to show us the way. She guides us through the common topics of discussion and past the bumpy social terrain and political boundaries that will arise. If you are ready to take the next step into unity, wholeness, and justice, then this is the book for you.

Tuesdays at 12 p.m. Central, starting May 5 (17 weeks)

Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate by Matthew Soerens, Jenny Yang, and Leith Anderson

Immigration is one of the most complicated issues of our time. Voices on all sides argue strongly for action and change. Christians find themselves torn between the desire to uphold laws and the call to minister to the vulnerable.

In this book, World Relief immigration experts Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang move beyond the rhetoric to offer a Christian response to immigration. They put a human face on the issue and tell stories of immigrants’ experiences in and out of the system. With careful historical understanding and thoughtful policy analysis, they debunk myths and misconceptions about immigration and show the limitations of the current immigration system. Ultimately, they point toward immigration reform that is compassionate, sensible, and just as they offer concrete ways for you and your church to welcome and minister to your immigrant neighbors.

Tuesdays at 12 p.m. Central, starting September 1 (11 weeks)

Compassion (&) Conviction: The AND Campaign’s Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement by Justin Giboney, Michael Wear, and Chris Butler

Have you ever felt too progressive for conservatives, but too conservative for progressives?

The authors of this book represent the AND Campaign, which exists to educate and organize Christians for faithful civic and cultural engagement. They insist that not only are we called to love our neighbors through the political process but also that doing so requires us to transcend the binary way the debates are usually framed. In simple, understandable language, they lay out the biblical case for political engagement and help Christians navigate the complex world of politics with integrity, from political messaging and the politics of race to protests, advocacy, and more.

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SPIRITUAL FORMATION TRACK

Tuesdays at 12 p.m. Central, starting February 19 (10 weeks)

The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows by James Bryan Smith

We all have ideas that we tell ourselves about God and how he works in our lives. Some are true—but many are false. James Bryan Smith believes those thoughts determine not only who we are, but how we live. In fact, Smith declares, the most important thing about a person is what they think about God. The path to spiritual transformation begins here.

Turning to the Gospels, Smith invites you to put your ideas to the test to see if they match up with what Jesus himself reveals about God. Once you’ve discovered the truth in Scripture, Smith leads you through a process of spiritual formation that includes specific activities aimed at making these new narratives real in your body and soul as well as your mind.

Tuesdays at 12 p.m. Central, starting April 30 (11 weeks)

Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren

Framed around one typical day, this book explores life through the lens of liturgy—small practices and habits that form us. In each chapter, Warren considers a common daily experience, like making the bed, brushing her teeth, and losing her keys. Drawing from the diversity of her life as a campus minister, Anglican priest, friend, wife, and mother, Warren opens up a practical theology of the everyday.

Tuesdays at 12 p.m. Central, starting July 16 (6 weeks)

The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery by David G. Benner

In this exploration of Christian identity, psychologist and spiritual director David G. Benner illuminates the spirituality of self-discovery. He exposes the false selves that you may hide behind and calls you to discover the true self that emerges from your uniqueness in Christ. Freeing you from illusions about yourself, Benner shows that self-understanding leads to the fulfillment of your God-given destiny and vocation.

Tuesdays at 12 p.m. Central, starting August 27 (13 weeks)

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene H. Peterson

Since Eugene Peterson first wrote this spiritual formation classic more than forty years ago, hundreds of thousands of Christians have been inspired by its call to deeper discipleship.

As a society, we are still obsessed with the immediate, but Peterson’s time-tested prescription for discipleship remains the same—a long obedience in the same direction.

Long obedience requires a deepening life of prayer. Peterson finds encouragement for today’s pilgrims in the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120–134), sung by travelers on their way to worship in Jerusalem. With prophetic and pastoral wisdom, Peterson shows how the psalms teach us to grow in worship, service, joy, work, happiness, humility, community, blessing, and more.

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Contact:  Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

SPCK Group has promoted Lauren Windle to Publishing Director, effective from 1st January 2026.

Windle joined SPCK Group in 2024 as Commissioning Editor. Prior to this, she was a TEDx speaker and freelance journalist, heading up the digital opinion section at Woman Alive magazine and writing for titles including Vogue, HuffPost, Marie Claire, Red, Mail Online, The Daily Star and Church Times. 

SPCK has been active since 1698 and is the UK’s third-oldest publishing house. Under CEO Sam Richardson, the company merged with IVP UK in 2015 and acquired Lion Hudson in 2021, becoming the largest Christian publisher in the country.

Windle has published three books with SPCK: Notes on Love: Being Single and Dating in a Marriage Obsessed Church (June 2021), Notes on Feminism: Being a Woman in a Church Led by Men, (March 2024), and Drawing as Prayer: Connect with God Through the Bible and Sketching (October 2025).

Windle will continue to report to Wendy Grisham, Deputy CEO of SPCK Group.

Grisham says: “Lauren’s outstanding editorial judgement, creative expertise, and instinct for commissioning exceptional titles make her an ideal fit for the role of Publishing Director at SPCK. Her impressive combination of enthusiasm, insight, and experience, together with a keen sensitivity to emerging trends across both the Christian and mainstream markets, will be an invaluable asset in this new leadership position.”

Sam Richardson, CEO of SPCK Group, says:  ‘With our increasing momentum in global, digital and core-list sales, I’m delighted to see Lauren step up as SPCK Publishing Director. Lauren has been an excellent addition to our talented team since joining SPCK as Commissioning Editor in 2024, and I am confident her new role will strengthen our list for further growth”.

Windle says: “I am absolutely delighted to be stepping into the role of publishing director at SPCK. Over the last two years, I’ve loved settling into the business and working with our talented team. Now I’m ready to continue building on SPCK’s incredible reputation as the UK’s biggest Christian publishing house working with our world-renowned authors and developing new voices.”

For further information, please contact:
Emily Beater ebeater@spck.org.uk, Lauren Windle, lwindle@spck.org.uk 

Warrenville, IL — February 16, 2026 — Lakeside Book Company is pleased to announce that Todd McGarity has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Business Development, Book Services. In this role, Todd will support Lakeside Book’s continued growth across its services platform and help strengthen relationships with publishing partners through its warehousing and distribution capabilities.

Todd brings more than 20 years of experience in publishing, distribution, and corporate strategy. He joins Lakeside Book from Hachette Book Group, where he served as Vice President of Corporate Business Development & Strategy. In that role, Todd led U.S. business development initiatives, working closely with publishing partners to expand distribution programs and enhance service offerings. Earlier in his career, Todd held business development roles at Random House, Pearson, and Harcourt Brace College Publishers.

Todd holds an MBA from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College and a BA in Economics from Penn State University. He also proudly served for a decade as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves.

In his new role, Todd will report to Michael Shea, President of Book Services, and will focus on advancing Lakeside Book’s Distribution Services business, while supporting the company’s continued investments in technology and operational excellence. His industry experience and collaborative approach will help Lakeside Book continue delivering high-quality, flexible solutions to publishers and partners.

“Todd’s experience and perspective are a strong addition to our leadership team,” said Michael Shea, President Book Services. “His understanding of the evolving distribution landscape will help us better serve our customers and support their long-term growth.”

About Lakeside Book Company
Lakeside Book Company is the premier book printing, fulfillment, and distribution company in North America that helps publishers to print, store, and sell their books. The Company has a rich legacy of innovation in crafting quality books enjoyed by readers all around the globe since 1864. As the decades passed, the company expanded its services, acquiring multiple complementary organizations that share our passion and commitment to the book industry. The company’s mission states, “We are committed to crafting books and services that are meaningful. We take pride in the challenge of fulfilling our customers’ visions.”
For more company information, visit www.lakesidebookcompany.com.

For Information Contact:  Rajeev.balakrishna@lakesidebook.com

 

Abilene, TX —Everyone used to think that kids would come back to church when they grew up. But, after they left for college, they never looked back. Every year, hundreds of churches that were once filled with young families are closing their doors forever. What happened?

Instead of bridging generational language gaps, many churches have insisted on maintaining a one-size-fits-all approach to ministry – usually optimized for older generations. But, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Speaking Their Language will lead you through a research-based, field-tested process to help you translate the never-changing truth of Jesus into the ever-changing language of younger generations. Your congregation should be laser-focused about who you’re trying to reach and have a viable plan for how you’ll do it.

While many church revitalization books offer best practices, this book focuses on the best process—because it leads to right-sized outcomes that fit your context.

Jason Tucker (MDiv., DMin.) is the lead pastor of Tower Hill Church, in Red Bank NJ, which has grown into one of the largest Presbyterian churches in the state – through a turnaround process he shares in Speaking Their Language. He believes that any church, regardless of size, can use this research-based, field-tested, process to grow healthier and reach younger generations for Christ. He has worked with dozens of churches (of all sizes), and denominational groups across the country to help them develop their own renewal plans. His church revitalization podcast, The Reclaimed Leader, has been a go-to resource for many pastors and change-leaders since 2017.

Media Contact:  Kaylin Graves, publicity@leafwoodpublishers.com

February 2026 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce the release of the Get in The Word with Truth’s Table Video Bible Studies. This set of four streaming videos features Dr. Christina Edmondson and Ekemini Uwan, the hosts of the popular podcasts Truth’s Table and Get in The Word with Truth’s Table. Each hour-long study features the teaching of a Black guest expert who provides an overview of a particular biblical book, followed by insightful and engaging conversation about the text with Edmondson and Uwan.

“One of the constant pain points I hear from Black Christians is the lack of biblical resources created by people of African descent,” says Uwan. “That gap presents an evangelistic and discipleship opportunity, so it was an honor to co-create the Get in The Word with Truth’s Table Video Bible Studies alongside my friend and ministry partner, Dr. Christina Edmondson. I hope this serves as an interactive Bible commentary that leaves the viewers with a deeper desire to get into the Word, because God’s got something to say.”

“I am deeply honored to have participated in the development of this video series with InterVarsity Press,” says Edmondson. “This work has been a sacred journey marked by intentional gathering around the Word of God so that together we might discern and learn what God is saying to us in this moment. This project creates space for Scripture to be engaged not in isolation but in community, where faithful study, honest conversation, and spiritual formation meet. It has been especially meaningful to partner with African American biblical scholars and our friends at IVP to develop timely, theologically-rich content that speaks to real questions.”

The four studies and guest experts are:

• Get into Genesis with Truth’s Table, Part 1: Rev. Dr. Mika Edmondson
• Get into Genesis with Truth’s Table, Part 2: Rev. Dr. Quonekuia A. Day
• Get into Ephesians with Truth’s Table: Dr. Tyran Laws
• Get into the Book of John with Truth’s Table: Rev. Dr. Esau McCaulley

The Get in The Word with Truth’s Table Video Bible Studies is the next step for IVP to continue its expansion into video offerings, most recently through its IVP Bible Study Experience books that come bundled with accompanying video curriculum. IVP also has an ongoing partnership with Seminary Now that has resulted in nearly fifty co-produced video courses since the platform launched in July 2020. Seminary Now serves as the distribution partner for this new streaming series, which is available for purchase at IVP’s website, with additional video products to come in the following months.

“The launch of Get in The Word with Truth’s Table Video Bible Studies marks a meaningful step forward for IVP as a publisher and a ministry. These video Bible studies reflect our commitment to stewarding Scripture with theological depth, cultural awareness, and humility,” says IVP publisher Terumi Echols. “We are deeply grateful for the wisdom, care, and theological leadership of Dr. Christina Edmondson and Ekemini Uwan and the pastors and scholars who entered the text with faithfulness and generosity, inviting the church into faithful engagement with God’s Word and its application for today. We see this work not merely as a new format, but as a natural extension of IVP’s calling to serve the church with wisdom, integrity, and hope.”

Edmondson adds, “We trust that this project will nurture faithful imagination and spark deeper engagement and encouragement, particularly among novice students of the Bible and emerging leaders. Together we approached Scripture with reverence and joy, trusting the Holy Spirit to shape us as we gathered at the table. My hope is that all who engage in these studies will encounter God afresh, be strengthened in faith, and be formed for faithful witness through the shared work of discerning God’s Word together.”

The Get in The Word with Truth’s Table Video Bible Studies are available at two price points, for either up to nine users or for ten or more users. Each study comes with a free supplemental guide that can be tailored for individual or group use. More details about these studies can be found at the IVP website or by contacting Helen Lee, director of strategic initiatives (hlee@ivpress.com).

Contact | Krista Clayton | kclayton@ivpress.com

A Top Seller for Six Years Straight

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. —February 5, 2026— The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World, by New York Times bestselling author John Mark Comer, has surpassed one million copies sold across all formats, marking a major milestone for the long-running title. First published in October 2019 by WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry has become one of the most influential Christian books of the past decade. Since publication, the book has appeared monthly on the ECPA Bestseller List, has been translated into 19 languages, and continues to rank among the top bestselling titles in the Christian market and beyond.

“Reaching one million copies sold is a remarkable achievement, and a testament to the enduring relevance of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry,” said Campbell Wharton, SVP and Publisher, PRH Christian. “This milestone affirms what we’ve seen over the past several years—that the book is not a momentary bestseller, but one with lasting influence. John Mark Comer has helped shape how a generation thinks about faith, formation, and the pace of life.”

“It’s humbling to see how God can turn our weaknesses into strength; my personal struggle to live at the pace of Jesus has been redeemed beautifully by this book’s warm and wide reception, and for that I am incredibly grateful,” says Comer.

In The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Comer examines the emotional and spiritual costs of modern life’s relentless pace and offers a compelling invitation to live differently. Through a blend of personal narrative, cultural observation, Scripture, and practical insight, the book has encouraged readers to rethink their priorities and cultivate a more grounded, present, and spiritually attentive way of life.

The book initially shipped 13,000 copies in October 2019 and now has been reprinted 34 times. Sales have continued year over year with fourth quarter sales for 2025 up 35 percent from the year prior.

Reader reviews reflect the book’s broad and sustained appeal, consistently describing The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry as “a book that changed the way I think about my life and faith” and “something I find myself returning to again and again,” underscoring the depth of its impact and continued word-of-mouth momentum.

About the Author
John Mark Comer is the New York Times bestselling author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Live No Lies, Practicing the Way—awarded ECPA’s 2025 Christian Book of the Year—and four previous books. He is also the Founder and Teacher of Practicing the Way, a simple, beautiful way to integrate spiritual formation into your life and community. Prior to starting Practicing the Way, he spent almost 20 years pastoring Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, and working out apprenticeship to Jesus in the post-Christian West. Most importantly, he is husband to Tammy and father to Jude, Moses, and Sunday.

About WaterBrook
WaterBrook is an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. In 2026, WaterBrook is celebrating 30 years of publishing books that inspire and help readers thrive as they follow Jesus amid the complexities and opportunities of life today.

Available April 2026, journalist Elise Ann Allen and PRH Christian release the new biography of Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (February 5, 2026)—As global attention turns to May 8, the one-year anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election, journalist Elise Ann Allen will release Pope Leo XIV: The Biography (on sale April 28, 2026; Image; ISBN 9798217155705). The biography arrives as journalists, policymakers, religious leaders, and laypeople alike undertake a worldwide assessment on what Pope Leo XIV’s first year in office signals for global public life.

Allen, a Crux correspondent who first met the man formerly known as Robert Prevost in 2018, includes exclusive transcripts from his first-ever public interview as pope, as well as stories and reflections from those who know him personally.

PRH Christian Senior Vice President and Publisher Campbell Wharton said,

“Elise Ann Allen’s rare, firsthand access to Pope Leo XIV makes this biography especially insightful. She wasn’t observing Robert Prevost from a distance, but spent years in the room with him—listening and asking hard questions before the world watched him become the first American pope. What emerges is a portrait rooted in humility, and a vision of leadership that is going to help the Church rethink authority, community, and moral responsibility in a fractured world. The book is a fascinating front row seat into Pope Leo’s life and thinking, and how these might influence the ways he is potentially going to shape the Catholic church for the next generation.”

Based on years of reporting and extensive conversations, Pope Leo XIV: The Biography offers an inside account of the man behind a papacy that has drawn global attention. Allen uses her unprecedented access to trace Prevost’s childhood in Chicago, his years as an Augustinian priest and a missionary in Peru, and the influential role he came to play in the Vatican as head of bishops—which ultimately led to his unexpected election in the 2025 conclave. She shares the consistency of Prevost’s character before and after his appointment, writing, “I was especially impressed by his humbleness, frankness, tranquility, and sense of transparency that he conveyed in our conversations.”

Allen positions Pope Leo XIV as a voice whose influence extends beyond leading the spiritual life for 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. The book highlights Leo XIV’s expanding role as a global statesman. Allen examines how he’s joined other world leaders in shaping international conversations on moral authority, inequality, political division, labor, and technological disruption, while also advancing internal Vatican reforms.

Originally published in Spanish in fall 2025 as El Papa León XIV: Ciudadano del mundo, misionero del siglo XXI (ORIGEN), the book now reaches English-language readers in time for Pope Leo XIV’s first papal anniversary.

Pope Leo XIV: The Biography will release in hardcover, e-book, and audio formats from Image, a Catholic imprint of Penguin Random House, on April 28, 2026.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Elise Ann Allen is a correspondent in Rome for the specialized media outlet Crux. Before joining Crux, Allen worked with Catholic News Agency, first as a multimedia and content management assistant in Denver, Colorado. She holds a degree in philosophy and communication from the University of Northern Colorado.

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER:
Image—an imprint of PRH Christian, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC—has been dedicated to publishing solid, unswerving, admirable Catholic resources for over fifty years. The quality of books published by Image is unparalleled and each offering is sure to deepen the Catholic reader’s faith. Notable authors include Pope Francis, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Bishop Robert Barron, Brant Pitre, Flannery O’Connor, and Henri Nouwen.

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