NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 2022 — Thomas Nelson, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, in partnership with Bible.org/Biblical Studies Press announces The NET Study Bible, the first translation-based study Bible created for the New English Translation (NET).  Slated for release in 2027, David Dockery, PhD, Interim President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, will helm the project as general editor. It will contain more than 750,000 words of in-depth study material.

“I am genuinely excited about the prospects for The NET Study Bible project. This wonderful resource will serve new believers, small group leaders, laypersons interested in the serious study of Scripture, pastors, and church leaders,” Dockery states. “I am truly grateful for the remarkable group of scholars and practitioners who have been assembled as contributors for this effort. What a joy it is to work closely with Philip Nation, Scott Duvall, Danny Hays and others on this important project.”

Widely known for its transparency, no other translation is so openly accountable to the worldwide church or has been so thoroughly vetted. Throughout the New English Translation’s uniquely transparent translation process, every working draft was made publicly available on the internet. Scholars, ministers, and laypersons from around the world logged millions of review sessions. Then the NET Translation Committee — comprised of over 25 of the world’s leading biblical language scholars– filtered every question and suggestion through the very best in linguistics, textual criticism, and their unwavering commitment to following the text wherever it led. The result was then crystallized into more than 62,000 translator notes highlighting every major decision, alternative view, and difficult choice. The NET version of Scripture is hailed as accurate and readable; while offering full access to the translators’ choices through the extensive notes.

“We are honored to have Dr. Dockery lead this work. He is well-known for his deep contributions to the theological community and his work on study Bible editions. He was my first choice to serve as general editor and I’m thrilled to work with him on this project,” said Vice President and Publisher of Bibles for Thomas Nelson, Philip Nation, Dmin. “Adding The NET Study Bible to our offerings is historically-significant and will bolster it’s place as a preferred version for modern Bible readers.”

Thomas Nelson began commercially publishing NET editions in 2019. Learn more about the New English Translation.

About Thomas Nelson:  Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational products for more than 200 years. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, cookbooks, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson, is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Contact:  Amy Bigler, Senior Manager of Publicity, amy.bigler@harpercollins.com

Dove Award-winner Phil Wickham’s first book, On Our Knees: 40 Days to Living Boldly in Prayer, charts at number #25 on the Hardcover Nonfiction list from Publishers Weekly

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 10, 2022) – Phil Wickham has achieved bestselling author status after his new devotional climbed the ranks of the Publishers Weekly Hardcover Frontlist Nonfiction chart. Peaking at #25 the week of October 10th, On Our Knees: 40 Days to Living Boldly in Prayer is Wickham’s first book. The book also debuted at #36 on the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s (ECPA) Bestsellers list in October 2022. Both the Publishers Weekly and ECPA lists are based on weekly and monthly sales data from NPD Bookscan, a division of NPD Book.

“The response to On Our Knees has been overwhelming and humbling,” says the Dove Award-winner and best-selling recording artist. “I set out to create something that could be a resource for anyone who’s looking to connect with God or grow deeper in their faith.”

Wickham treated fans in Los Angeles, CA, to a special launch event at Barnes & Noble on September 27, 2022. Over 100 people packed the bookstore located at The Grove to hear the musician talk about the new book. Also on release day, readers who pre-ordered the book tuned in to an exclusive livestream for a book discussion, Q&A, and mini concert with Phil.

“Phil Wickham has created a beautiful way to guide people in worship through prayer in On Our Knees,” said K-LOVE Books publisher Dave Schroeder. “It’s a daily reminder in prayer that the battle does indeed belong to God–we are thrilled by the response from readers.”

Phil will continue to promote the book alongside his new music when he hits the road for his Behold Christmas Tour in December and the Singalong Tour in 2023.

PHIL WICKHAM is a Dove Award-winning modern worship music artist whose songs have been sung in churches around the world. From his Gold-certified singles “This is Amazing Grace” and “Living Hope,” to his latest project, 2021’s Hymn of Heaven, Wickham’s music has received hundreds of millions of streams across his catalog and platforms and recently won a Dove award for Worship Album of the Year.  Wickham’s discography includes eight full-length projects, multiple Christmas releases, and a series of popular Singalong records. This new devotional on prayer, inspired by his best-selling song “Battle Belongs,” is his first book.

K-LOVE BOOKS is an imprint of EMF Publishing. Educational Media Foundation (EMF) is the parent organization of K-LOVE and Air1 radio and the AccessMore podcast network.

CAROL STREAM, Ill. (October 27, 2022)—Tyndale House Publishers announced today their impending 2023 launch of Tyndale Elevate, a new imprint focused on expanding its catalog of books that address Christian worldview topics and apologetics. The imprint’s “ask. seek. find.” tagline reflects Tyndale Elevate’s dedication to elevating the conversation around what matters most and helping people explore the issues, assumptions, and worldviews behind pressing challenges to the Christian faith in the twenty-first century.

Tyndale Elevate authors are committed to understanding the spirit of our times and how the perennial wisdom of the Scriptures can free and empower people to be who God created them to be. Their focus will be to provide content rooted in the timeless wisdom of biblical and historic Christianity, with a passion to empower and encourage believers. Their collective goal will be to equip Christians with a wide range of resources to build vibrant communities of faith focused on helping people see and experience God at work in their lives.

Tyndale Elevate will feature authors who

• examine questions about—and challenges to—the Christian faith,
• offer a convenient and easy on-ramp to a deeper and more fruitful study of Scripture,
• explore and explain various worldviews and the unique coherence of the Christian worldview,
• equip and energize leaders within local churches,
• revitalize apologetics for the twenty-first century, and
• inspire and encourage believers to join God’s work within their own communities.

Regarding this new imprint, Jon Farrar, nonfiction acquisitions director, shared that over the past year, Tyndale House Publishers has seen a sharp increase in interest in books focused on worldview topics, with prominent releases of Another Gospel? and Live Your Truth and Other Lies by Alisa Childers, as well as Sean McDowell’s A Rebel’s Manifesto and Guillaume Bignon’s Confessions of a French Atheist.

In 2023, Tyndale will add Justin Brierley, the host of the Unbelievable? radio show and podcast, to the Tyndale Elevate line with his seminal book The Surprising Rebirth of Belief of God. Brierley’s book will explore how secular thought leaders are rediscovering how crucial the Christian worldview is for our society. The imprint has also partnered with Preston Perry, who hosts a popular YouTube apologetics channel, on his upcoming debut book.

Commenting on the new imprint, Sarah Atkinson, vice president and publisher of Tyndale Books, said, “With the success of the Tyndale Refresh and Tyndale Momentum imprints, our team is now energized to introduce Tyndale Elevate, continuing our strong pattern of success in publishing thoughtful, discerning books that equip the church to have meaningful conversations. I’m excited to see the launch of Tyndale Elevate and the publishing vision it represents.”

Tyndale Elevate expects to release six titles a year. Books addressing Christian worldview topics and apologetics that were previously published under Tyndale Momentum, including titles by popular authors such as Sean McDowell, Alister McGrath, and Mark Mittelberg, will be rebranded with Tyndale Elevate when they are reprinted.

For media inquiries, please contact Katie Dodillet, katiedodillet@tyndale.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 substantial portion of annual revenue—millions of dollars per year—through corporate donations and the work of Tyndale House Foundation. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

Contact: Katie Dodillet, Director of Public Relations, katiedodillet@tyndale.com

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Tyndale and Tyndale’s quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Ministries.

WESTMONT, IL—IVP Kids is pleased to announce that The Celebration Place by Dorena Williamson was selected as the winner of the 2022 Jerry Pinkney Children’s Book Award in the Religious/Faith category.

The Jerry Pinkney Children’s Book Awards are sponsored by the National Black Book Festival (NBBF) and were established in honor of the late Jerry Pinkney, a world-renowned children’s book illustrator. Nominated titles for the award must be copyrighted in 2021 or 2022 and be either written by an African American author or have an African American theme.

Williamson said, “Jerry Pinkney was a familiar name when I curated representation for my young children. His work is a legacy of diverse children’s literature and an example to follow. This award is an incredible honor as we approach the one-year anniversary of the release of The Celebration Place.”

Written by Williamson and illustrated by Erin Bennett Banks, The Celebration Place: God’s Plan for a Delightfully Diverse Church is told in a delightful rhyme. This colorfully illustrated children’s book also includes tools to help parents engage in conversation about the book’s theme of God’s vision for justice and unity.

“We were so pleased to sign Dorena as one of our first acquisitions for IVP Kids because The Celebration Place casts such a beautiful vision for the church as a community of inclusion and celebration,” said IVP Kids editor Elissa Schauer. “But it was also significant to us that Dorena incorporated Dr. King’s message of justice and unity, pointing out that the dream that Dr. King preached is simply what God intended for the church. I can’t think of a more profound message for us today!”

Natalie Grant, singer, songwriter, and cofounder of Hope for Justice, said, “Dorena has such a beautiful yet compelling way of writing about these most important topics of justice and unity. Yes, The Celebration Place will inspire children to walk this message out better than the generation before them did. But I also believe it will help challenge the parents, teachers, and leaders of these children that it’s not too late to do the same.”

The award winners in each category were announced on October 22 at the 2022 National Black Book Festival in Houston. More information about the Jerry Pinkney Children’s Book Awards is available at www.jerrypinkneybookawards.com.

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

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (October 28, 2022) – NavPress announced today that on October 3, Trevor Hudson, author of numerous books, including his most recent Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard, was presented with the inaugural Richard J. Foster award in Spiritual Formation. Foster, author of the seminal bestseller A Celebration of Discipline, traveled to George Fox University to present the award to Hudson.

Hudson, a Methodist minister and spiritual director, traveled from his home in South Africa to Portland, Oregon, to receive the award. Hudson frequently visits the United States as a lecturer at Fuller Seminary and a speaker and trainer in spiritual formation.

The Foster Award is presented to people “whose intellectual and practical work helps others come into an ongoing transformational relationship with Jesus Christ,” according to George Fox University. Hudson’s long career is a manifestation of that value. He has published more than twenty books, with Seeking God having been released by NavPress in September. It served as the opening book in this year’s annual book club hosted by Renovare, a ministry of spiritual formation founded by Foster. Hudson has recently signed an agreement with NavPress to be the North American publisher of his follow-up book on discernment.

“Trevor’s Pauses for Lent was my devotional reading in the weeks before Easter this year,” said NavPress publisher David Zimmerman. “He characterizes the fruit of the Spirit in his writing and his relational presence alike—loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, and on and on. It’s no surprise to me that Trevor would be honored with an award like this.”

“I am thrilled to see Trevor being honored in this way,” said Deborah Saenz Gonzalez, editor of Seeking God. “It is a testament to his life’s work and ministry. Very well deserved.”

Seeking God has a companion video discussion guide created by Conversatio Divina, made available through the Martin Institute for Spiritual Formation at Westmont College.

NavPress is the book publishing arm of The Navigators. With a rich catalog of bestselling books, ministry resources, and The Message® Bible, NavPress supports readers as they know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same.®

Since 2014 NavPress has been in a publishing alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, one of the largest independently owned Christian publishers in the world. NavPress resources are sold, distributed, and marketed worldwide through Tyndale House Publishers.

Contact: Katie Dodillet, katiedodillet@tyndale.com

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

WESTMONT, IL— Karin DeHaven, publicist for IVP Academic, was named a PW Star Watch honoree. DeHaven is one of forty-one honorees selected for the 2022 awards, which identify and celebrate innovators in book publishing. The group of honorees includes representatives from the Big Five publishers, independent houses, comics publishers, literary agents, booksellers, and others who influence books that get read.

As the publicist for IVP Academic, DeHaven works to secure book reviews and author interviews online and in magazines and journals. DeHaven has been at IVP for seven years and carries a wealth of knowledge about the inner workings of the theological academy to her work. She holds an MA from Wheaton College and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.

“Having worked with Karin for more than five years, I have come to appreciate her attention to detail and her knowledge of academia and the publishing industry,” said Krista Clayton, associate director for publicity at IVP. “Through her experience at IVP, and because of her eagerness to learn, she has gained a detailed understanding of the overall publishing process at IVP, which informs her role and the overall work of the publicity team. Amazingly, in addition to working full time, she has managed to juggle master’s classes and earn a degree from Fuller.”

From among the forty-one honorees, five finalists will be announced on October 26, 2022, and one “Superstar” will be revealed at the in-person celebratory reception on November 15, 2022, to be held in New York. Publishers Weekly magazine will feature a profile of the honorees in its October 31, 2022, issue.

Nearly two hundred nominations were vetted by the PW Star Watch jury, with attention paid to the standouts of the publishing world. Last year’s Superstars were Madison, Wisconsin, booksellers Gretchen Treu and Wes Lukes, co-owners of A Room of One’s Own.

Krista Rafanello, senior marketing director for Publishers Weekly, said, “Continuing the PW Star Watch tradition is an honor in itself, and knowing we’ll be coming together in person to celebrate the entire pool of honorees makes it even sweeter.”

PW Star Watch was founded in 2015 by Publishers Weekly, originally in partnership with Frankfurter Buchmesse; Publishers Weekly is now the sole sponsor and manager of the awards. PW Star Watch honors innovative and inspired “rising stars” of the US and Canadian publishing communities.

Now celebrating its 150th anniversary, Publishers Weekly is the international news platform of the book publishing industry. Founded in 1872 and published weekly since then, the magazine boasts 1.23 million social media followers; publishes ten e-newsletters, BookLife (a website and weekly supplement), two blogs, a mobile edition, digital editions, apps, and podcasts; and features a thriving website that reaches 14 million unique visitors annually.

WESTMONT, IL—InterVarsity Press is pleased to announce that sociologist and pop-culture expert Nancy Wang Yuen will return as host of the fourth season of The Disrupters podcast. The first episode, featuring New York Times bestselling author Jemar Tisby, will release on October 31.

Yuen is the author of Reel Inequality: Hollywood Actors and Racism and coeditor of Power Women: Stories of Motherhood, Faith, and the Academy. She has appeared on PBS, NPR, MSNBC, BBC World, and Dr. Phil. She is a guest writer at CNN, Elle, Los Angeles Times, NBC, Newsweek, and Vanity Fair.

The first two seasons of The Disrupters were hosted by Esau McCaulley, author of Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope, associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, and a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. Interviews with guests such as Beth Moore, Sho Baraka, Tish Harrison Warren, Dominique Gilliard, and others focused on a specific disruption—a break, interruption, or disturbance—in the church.

With the return of Yuen for season four of The Disrupters, IVP benefits from a successful host series pivot. In season three, Yuen shifted focus from a negative disruption of the evangelical church to a more positive posture of disruption of the secular workplace. By speaking with guests who were actively living out their faith in places of cultural importance, this season demonstrated how faith can be lived out in peaceable but nonetheless disruptive ways to improve the world.

Season three asked the question, Is it possible to be a faithful Christian in the face of overwhelming problems such as racism and sexism within the US church?

Season four follows up an affirmative answer with a simple follow-up question: How? Through both her life experiences and interviews, Yuen will explore the nature of Christian spirituality in the real world. Guests will include people with experience, insights, and advice in doing just that.

Yuen said, “This season, I invite listeners to join me on my spiritual journey toward liberation. Each week, a new guest will help me process the foibles of evangelicalism, teach me how to heal from spiritual trauma, and share fresh new ways of doing faith.”

Confirmed guests for season four of The Disrupters include the following:

October 31
Jemar Tisby is the author of the New York Times bestselling book The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism. His writing has been featured on CNN, the Washington Post, The Atlantic, and the New York Times. He is the founder and president of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, and the cohost of the Pass the Mic podcast.

November 7
Jon Ward is chief national correspondent at Yahoo News, author of Testimony and Camelot’s End, and host of The Long Game podcast.

November 14
Michael Te Pei Chang is a former professional tennis player and coach. He was the youngest man in history to win a singles major, winning the 1989 French Open at age seventeen. Chang won a total of thirty-four top-level professional singles titles and reached a career-best ranking of number two in the world in 1996. Chang was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2008. He is also the author of Holding Serve: Persevering On and Off the Court.

November 21
Christina Barland Edmondson is the cohost of the Truth’s Table podcast and Get in the Word with Truth’s Table, and is the coauthor of Faithful Antiracism: Moving Past Talk to Systemic Change. Edmondson is also a certified cultural intelligence facilitator, public speaker, mental health therapist, and consultant in the areas of ethics, equity, and Christian leadership development.

This season will also include a four-part Christmas miniseries releasing on November 28, December 5, 12, and 19. The series will feature Yuen and Tisby, who will be discussing the Christmas-Industrial Complex.

The Disrupters podcast will be available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast distributors. For a sneak peek, check out the trailer for the fourth season of The Disrupters at ivpress.com/disrupters.

Learning that Thankfulness Is a Choice

Why Do We Say Thank You? is the second book in Thornton’s Why Do We Say? series

Often, kids (and grownups too) don’t feel thankful. It’s easy to complain about things, even when there are so many wonderful blessings all around us. But in the Bible, God says “in everything give thanks.” The young boy in Why Do We Say Thank You?: Learning to be Grateful (New Growth Press/October 17, 2022) by award-winning author Champ Thornton learns that thankfulness is a choice—it’s about paying attention to God and the glory of the world he has made.

On a fine, frosty day, in the small town of Kent,
There awoke a young boy who was never content.
“This is boring,” he’d say. As if nothing was good.
In this heart, he would never thank God as he should.

From the moment he wakes up, the young boy complains about everything. The sun is too bright, his pancakes are icky, and everything is so terribly boring. He can’t see why everyone else is having such a wonderful time—until he has a dream that opens his eyes to the wonder of God’s world. Now he begins to see all the great things he’s missed and learns to be grateful.

“Boredom, complaining, and ingratitude often go hand in hand. Helping your child overcome these bad attitudes involves two things—seeing the wonder and goodness of what God has created and trusting the forgiveness we have in Jesus,” Thornton shares.

Thornton wrote this book to help children recognize God as the source of all joy and contentment. Written for ages 4–7 and illustrated by Brad Woodard, Why Do We Say Thank You? is sure to become the go-to book when the kids are grumpy or complaining of boredom. A section at the end of the story for parents, “Helping Your Child Learn to be Thankful,” will help families continue the conversation far beyond the last page.

Thornton writes, “Why Do We Say Thank You? uses a fun and fantastical dream to help your child visualize the connection between the goodness of the Creator and the goodness of his creation. In day-to-day life, outside this book we don’t actually see the beams of light illustrating this connection. But your child can use their senses to experience God’s creation and see the connection between God and his world through faith.”

According to Focus on the Family President, Jim Daly, “If ‘I’m bored!’ is your child’s favorite phrase, this is the book for you! The comical, colorful main character whines and wears a massive scowl . . . until he finally revisits his day through the lens of gratitude for God’s kindness and creativity. Then ‘I’m bored’ becomes ‘Oh wow! Look!’ Champ’s story deftly demonstrates the power of perspective—to kids and their parents!”

Why Do We Say Thank You? is the second book in Thornton’s Why Do We Say? series. Also available is Why Do We Say Good Night?: When You Are Afraid of the Dark.

Why Do We Say Thank You?: Learning to be Grateful
By Champ Thornton, Illustrated by Brad Woodard
October 17, 2022 / Retail Price: $16.99
Print ISBN 978-1-64507-214-0
Religion / Christian Education / Children & Youth

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
Champ Thornton is an acquisitions editor at Crossway and the author of a number of books for kids and families, including The Radical Book for Kids, Pass It On, Radically Different, Why Do We Say Good Night, Wonders of His Love, The Serpent Slayer and the Scroll of Riddles, and Why Do We Say Thank You?. Thornton has pastored churches in Delaware and South Carolina and served as director of SOMA, a ministry training school in Columbus, Ohio. Thornton enjoys hanging out with his family and friends, drinking coffee, listening to music, doing genealogical research, and reading theology, biographies, and fiction. Thornton and his wife, Robben, have three children and live in Newark, Delaware. Visit www.champthornton.com to learn more. He can also be found on Twitter (@champthornton) and Instagram (@thorntonchamp).

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: 
Brad Woodard, BFA, has been illustrating his entire life, but decided on a major in graphic design at college. Post-college, while working as a designer, he rediscovered his love for illustration. Eventually and naturally, Brad’s illustrating and design fused together. He and his wife now run their own design and illustration studio, Brave the Woods. In addition to working with major brands, Brad shares his expertise via lectures, workshops, and online courses. He is the illustrator for Finding Jesus on Upside Down Days and Why Do We Say Thank You?.

For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com – 903.874.8363

• Record number of entries to result in record number of winners >> announced at ECPA PubU next month
  

• Record number of judges — 28 industry art directors — evaluated the entries in four debut categories

Design professionals in Christian Publishing invited to gather at PubU on Nov. 16-17 in Nashville for two days of sessions and the 10th anniversary celebration of the year’s best book and Bible designs.

TEMPE, ARIZ., OCTOBER 24, 2022 – Design professionals and art directors across the Christian publishing industry are invited to attend ECPA PubU for DESIGN FORWARD, a special program that celebrates the impact of their work, and gathers them for six design track sessions on key topics in design.

ECPA PubU will be held on November 16-17 at Lipscomb University in Nashville.
Registration is still open at ECPAPubU.org.

At the PubU opening session, a record number of Top Shelf Design Awards will be presented in four categories:  Non-Fiction, Fiction, Children’s, and Bibles.  In this 10th anniversary year, the program expanded to four categories and a 28-member cadre of judges from the industry – as each submitting publisher nominated a design professional to the judging pool.  This resulted in a record number of entries, in which a record number of winning designs will be announced on November 16.

“In the last nine years, 171 book and Bible designs have won this prestigious award, reflecting the amazing work of so many teams in our industry,” stated ECPA president Jeff Crosby.

“Each year, this program showcases the incredible scope and concentration of design talent in Christian publishing – all dedicated to adding the highest form of beauty, to the truth and goodness our publishers produce.  We look forward to adding more designers and designs to the award’s compendium.”

Included with the award presentations, will be a special celebration of the program’s 10th anniversary – with the sharing of a fun video featuring contributions from designers, publishers, and judges, reflecting on 10 years of design excellence in Christian publishing.

“At first blush, Top Shelf is about celebrating book cover design. But every department speaks into the creative process in some way,” expresses Torrey Sharp, owner and principal of Faceout Studio and consultant for the program.

“Great design flows from great writing and sound strategy. Producing and delivering beautiful and meaningful books is a team sport. Top Shelf acknowledges well-crafted books that seek to make a difference out there. We all play an important role in this effort and get to celebrate together!”

Sharp was also involved in developing the design track offered at PubU called DESIGN FORWARD, gathering design professionals around six sessions offered the afternoon of November 16 and the morning of November 17 at Lipscomb University:

• Books as Brands with Matt Lehman (Matt Lehman Studios)
• Design Huddle on Big Topics with Kristen Andrews (Hachette) and Torrey Sharp (Faceout Studio)
• Perfectly Pitched with Ashley Spear (5by5) and Victor Huckabee (5by5)
• What Makes Type Driven Designs Effective with Chandler Saunders (Passion City Church and Passion Publishing)
• Practical Creativity & Other Oxymorons with Tim Green (Faceout Studio)
• Right Mind At Work: Finding Common Ground Across Generational Gaps with Jose & Nikolle Reyes (Metaleap)

In particular the session, Right Mind at Work: Finding Common Ground Across Generational Gaps, has huge implications across all disciplines in publishing, addressing how we can best work together across generations — millennials alongside Gen X, Boomers, or later.

Sharp continues: “I can’t wait to catch up with clients, friends and peers at this year’s PubU. Especially after the isolation of these past couple of years due to the pandemic, I’m excited to reconnect in person, hear new ideas, challenge old perspectives, and peer into the future about where our industry is moving.  I invite all my design colleagues in the industry to join me.”

Registration for ECPA PubU is still open at ECPAPubU.org.  Also available on the event site are group rates at Nashville area hotels, a full program schedule, speakers, session info for training tracks in design, marketing, editorial, and production & operations, plus a Children’s Book Summit available to all attendees the afternoon of November 17.  Those with interest and roles in Christian fiction are invited to stay for The Christy Award Gala that evening, preceded by the Art of Writing sessions — all listed on the website and accessible via PubU registration.

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The ECPA Top Shelf Award program is managed by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) in order to recognize design excellence in the Christian publishing industry. Through programs, events, communications, recognition and research, ECPA strengthens publishing communities within the industry.  The ECPA Design E-Community, PubU Design training sessions, and Top Shelf Awards are among several ECPA-driven opportunities that designers have to network, stay informed, and be recognized within the industry. For more information on the Top Shelf Book Cover Design Award program, visit TopShelfAward.org.

ECPA PubU has delivered training, connection, networking and inspiration to the industry’s frontline practitioners since 2004.  Industry leaders develop the program to invest in the expertise of their colleagues, and train up the next generation of leaders.  For more information, visit ECPAPubU.org.

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. ECPA.org

Media contact:  Jeff Crosby, ECPA president and CEO, jcrosby@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998

 

Marty Machowki’s The Light Before Christmas provides families with a devotional and churches with a curriculum for the holiday season

The Light Before Christmas: A Family Advent Devotional (New Growth Press/October 10, 2022) is a new four-week devotional by Marty Machowski, best-selling author of the popular Prepare Him Room Advent devotional and curriculum, and many other family favorites. The Light Before Christmas combines devotions on the theme of light and darkness with the story of eleven-year-old Mia and her grandmother as they prepare for Christmas.

Every year, Mia loves to spend the month of December with Grandma getting ready for Christmas. Grandma loves to share her faith, especially at Christmas time, and although she is blind, she can see the light of Jesus shining bright and helps Mia—and children of all ages—to do the same. This year, they read a special devotional, The Light Before Christmas, together.

Machowski brings families into their devotional time, sharing the story of Christmas. Through a Bible study of light and darkness, readers will discover how the theme of light weaves its way through the Christmas story and God’s plan of salvation.

“Light is the most amazing element of God’s creation and people have long celebrated its beauty at Christmas time. Christmas lights decorate our windows and doorways, our houses, and trees. Though many have lost the meaning behind the light, they marvel at the twinkle of Christmas lights as they shine forth in the darkness in beautiful arrays of color. Children celebrate when they see a well-lit Christmas decoration and the lights of Christmas on a dark night cheer up the weariest soul,” Machowski writes. “Once you know the story of light and its place in the Christmas story, the lights that decorate homes at Christmas will bring a deeper joy to you.”

The Light Before Christmas contains thirteen devotionals—three for each of the four weeks of Advent and one more for Christmas. Each devotional includes a Scripture for the day, an object lesson, a question to discuss as a family, a song to sing together, and a prayer.

For churches looking for a fresh take on their children’s curriculum this year, Machowski has also written The Light Before Christmas: An Advent Sunday School Curriculum. The four-weeks of lessons guide children in learning about the reason we celebrate Christmas. Using the same theme as the family devotional, each lesson points to Christ, the Light of the World who came to save us from the darkness of sin.

“From before the dawn of creation through the eternal light of God’s glorious throne, God’s light has always shone bright. Long before the twinkle of a star directed the wise men to Jesus, God planned to send his only son to rescue God’s children from the darkness of sin and bring them all into the glorious light of his presence,” Machowski points out.

This two-level (preschool and elementary) digital curriculum consists of lessons that include Scripture readings, dramas, object lessons, discussion questions, activity pages, crafts, and songs. Lessons include:

• Week 1: A Great Light in a Land of Deep Darkness (Isaiah 9:2–7)
• Week 2: Jesus the Light of Men (John 1:1–18)
• Week 3: Glory to God in the Highest (Luke 2:1-20)
• Week 4: A Light to the Gentiles (Luke 2:21–35)

Designed for families to be able to study in church and at home together, the devotional and curriculum can be used independently. Together, the devotional and curriculum will help families see the light of Jesus shining bright not only in the Advent season, but all year long.

Bob Lepine, longtime cohost of FamilyLife Today® and author of Build a Stronger Marriage, writes, “Almost every family I know is looking for fresh help in keeping the focus of Christmas where it belongs—on the birth of Jesus. That’s what makes The Light Before Christmas so special. Now parents and churches have a way to team up to recapture the wonder and excitement of the moment when heaven came to earth and Jesus was born.”

The Light Before Christmas: A Family Advent Devotional
Print ISBN 978-1-64507-292-8
October 10, 2022 / Retail Price: $16.99

The Light Before Christmas: An Advent Sunday School Curriculum
Digital ISBN 978-1-64507-294-2
October 10, 2022 / Retail Price $59.99
By Marty Machowski, Illustrated by Sarah Bland-Halulko
Religion / Christian Education/ Children & Youth

About the Author:
Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for thirty years. Machowski leads Promise Kingdom, the gospel-centered children’s ministry of Covenant Fellowship. He is also the Executive Editor for Children’s Resources at New Growth Press. He is the author of a number of family devotionals, Sunday School curriculums (including the Gospel Story Curriculum), children’s books, and parenting titles. His latest releases include The Light Before Christmas, Darkest Night Brightest Day, and Build on Jesus (coauthored with Deepak Reju). Machowski and his wife, Lois, have six children and several grandchildren. They reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania.  Learn more at www.martymachowski.com. He can also be found on Instagram (@martymachowski) and Twitter (@MartyMachowski).

About the Illustrator:
Sarah Bland-Halulko lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and identical twin daughters. Sarah’s imaginative style was crafted by her mentors and life experiences. Her favorite forms of artistic expression include pen and ink drawing, watercolor, and photography. Sarah is the illustrator for the Prepare Him Room advent devotional and curriculum, as well as The Light Before Christmas advent devotional and curriculum.