WESTMONT, IL—Throughout its seventy-five years of publishing, InterVarsity Press (IVP) has been intentional about providing books that address issues of justice, race, ethnic identity, and other topics that speak to the culture and the church as a whole. During Black History Month in February, IVP will celebrate its legacy by remembering the many IVP authors who have written and are writing boldly and prophetically about the history, and the future, of the Black experience.

From classic titles such as Free at Last? (1995), More Than Equals (1993), and The Heart of Racial Justice (2004) that are now part of the IVP Signature Collection to more recent award-winning titles such as Reading While Black (2020), Healing Racial Trauma (2020), and The Beautiful Community (2020), IVP has intentionally published and pursued authors of colors and topics surrounding Black history for decades.

According to Heart. Soul. Mind. Strength.: An Anecdotal History of InterVarsity Press, 1947-2007 by former IVP editors Linda Doll and Andrew T. Le Peau, one of the earliest books on the topic of racism and Christianity was Your God Is Too White by Columbus Salley and Ronald Behm (originally published in 1970 and reissued in 1981 under the title What Color Is Your God?). “Its thesis that Christianity in America has historically been allied with slavery, segregation and indifference was (and still is) radical,” wrote Doll and Le Peau.

From that striking beginning, IVP began to grow its list of books about multiethnic issues and by authors of color. Beginning in 1979, four titles were published by African American leader Bennie Goodwin (Pray Right! Live Right!, How to Be a Growing Christian, The Effective Teacher, and The Effective Leader). Other key books in the eighties were Carl Ellis’s Beyond Liberation (published in 1983 and revised as Free at Last? in 1995) and Thom Hopler’s A World of Difference (1981, revised as Reaching the World Next Door in 1993).

IVP continued to expand its range of titles with books such as King Came Preaching by Mervyn Warren (2001) and On the Jericho Road by J. Alfred Smith (2004). Its bestselling title in this arena was More Than Equals by Spencer Perkins and Chris Rice (1993, revised 2000), selling over forty thousand copies.

Since 1970, IVP has published well over one hundred titles on topics of multiethnic interest or by authors of color. With well over 60 percent of these still in print, IVP has remained dedicated to changing culture and the course of Black history for years.

“Working with authors of color at IVP has been one of my greatest joys,” said Cindy Bunch, IVP Vice President, Editorial. “I have had an opportunity to learn from authors such as Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil, Paul Tokunaga, Alex Gee, Manuel Ortiz, Ed Gilbreath, Juanita Rasmus, Marlena Graves, Sheila Wise Rowe, and many others through multiple writing projects. I have learned also from our publishing consultations with people of color as we’ve brought in current and potential authors for a two-way conversation about serving communities of color. In these contexts it has been an extraordinary gift just to be able to listen in to the needs and struggles of writers of color. The journey is ongoing, and I am eager to continue to grow our publishing program to serve BIPOC authors and readers.”

Looking ahead, IVP will carry on the legacy that was started decades ago with a number of new titles releasing in spring 2022. Once again, these books will contribute to conversations about division, change, and the next generation: 

• Young, Gifted, and Black: A Journey of Lament and Celebration by Sheila Wise Rowe
• Beyond Racial Division: A Unifying Alternative to Colorblindness and Antiracism by George A. Yancey
• Faithful Antiracism: Moving Past Talk to Systemic Change by Christina Barland Edmondson and Chad Brennan
• Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit by Esau McCaulley

IVP will also build on initiatives that started several years ago to practically invest in authors of color. In October of 2020, IVP launched the Every Voice Now (EVN) initiative, which was set up to contribute to IVP’s commitment to authors of color. EVN features a sizable fund underwritten jointly by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and IVP for the purpose of supporting the development, marketing, and sales of books by authors of color as well as aiding in the recruitment of diverse staff and the deepening of the organization’s cultural competency.

In addition to the fund, the initiative launched or underwrote several podcasts featuring voices of color: The Every Voice Now Podcast, hosted by IVP’s Maila Kim and Helen Lee and IVP author Ed Gilbreath (Reconciliation Blues, Birmingham Revolution); The Disrupters, hosted by IVP authors Esau McCaulley and Nancy Wang Yuen; and Get in The Word with Truth’s Table featuring IVP author Christina Barland Edmondson and Ekemini Uwan as hosts.

“At IVP, we’ve established a legacy of supporting voices of color and creating pathways to showcase Black experiences, education, and excellence,” said Helen Lee, IVP’s director of product innovation. “The Every Voice Now initiative and our recent podcasts are complementing our core business of book publishing as ways to help us meet the needs of a changing population both demographically and with regard to reading habits. In these ways, we hope to connect with audiences that want to not just read Black authors but also hear Black voices each and every day.”

From Latasha Morrison, author of the award-winning New York Times bestseller “Be the Bridge,” two new nonfiction works to WaterBrook

In the first book, “Brown Faces, White Spaces,” tentatively slated for release in Spring 2023, the diversity expert and founder of Be the Bridge considers the historic and contemporary circumstances feeding the systemic racism that impacts the daily experience of Brown and Black people and offers practical prompts to help readers reverse the effects of the injustice baked into a variety of institutions and spaces, from the legal system to entertainment to housing to churches.

A second work, as yet untitled, will follow.

Laura Barker acquired world rights in an exclusive submission by Mike Salisbury at Yates & Yates.  For rights queries, please contact Denise Cronin, decronin@prh.com.

WaterBrook is an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC

Moody Publishers is excited to announce the launch of a new online ministry, Bibletolife.com. This virtual library exists to help people at all stages of their lives better understand, engage, and love God’s Word.

“Our hope with BibletoLife.com is that we’ll be able to actively and nimbly serve our readers by using both original pieces and curated content from our books to point them right back to the Bible. Chris Martin and our team here have worked diligently to identify the core questions and needs so many of our readers have and the result is Bible to Life! It’s essentially a digital product… that never gets finished! We want to provide answers to questions, hope in the midst of anxiety, and direction toward Jesus in the chaos of our world,” said Randall Payleitner, Associate Publisher at Moody Publishers.

Christians, people curious about matters of faith, and others are going to the internet to find answers to their questions with as much if not more frequency as their local church or faith leaders. The problem is that a lot of the answers people find atop their Google search results simply aren’t trustworthy. Even if some of the top search results aren’t clearly wrong, it can be difficult to discern who is behind the websites and whether or not their answers should be trusted.

The Bible to Life content is written by trusted authors, vetted by Moody Publishers in the publishing process. Find articles from people like pastors Tony Evans, Alistair Begg, or John MacArthur, authors like Priscilla Shirer, Hannah Anderson, and Trillia Newbell, Moody Bible Institute professors Michael Rydelnik, Sanjay Merchant, and Kevin Zuber.

Contact: Kathryn Eastham, Kathryn.eastham@moody.edu, 312-329-2140

(Nashville, Tenn.) January 4, 2022—Zondervan is honored to have three books awarded in the 2022 Christianity Today Book Awards, which were announced on December 14. Annually, Christianity Today chooses books in thirteen main categories that are “most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture.”

The following Zondervan titles were recognized:

• Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel edited by Eric Mason – Book of the Year (Apologetics and Evangelism) Zondervan Reflective 
• A Theology of Paul and His Letters: The Gift of the New Realm in Christ by Douglas Moo – Book of the Year (Biblical Studies) Zondervan Academic 
• God of All Things: Rediscovering the Sacred in an Everyday World by Andrew Wilson – Book of the Year (Spiritual Formation) Zondervan Reflective

“We are pleased and honored that three of our titles were selected for the Christianity Today Book Awards,” commented Stan Gundry, senior v-p, Group Publisher, and Zondervan editor-in-chief. “Each of these titles requires hours of hard work and dedication from everyone involved and represents a strong collaborative effort between our authors, editors, and our entire team. While it is rewarding to see that hard work recognized, our hope is that these works will serve the needs of scholars, pastors, students, and lay people for years to come.”

To read the full 2022 Book of the Year Awards announcement from Christianity Today, please click here.

Zondervan, a worldwide leading Christian publisher of books and Bibles, is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Its publications include a variety of Bible translations for all ages; books in different genres and subject areas for the general reader; curriculum for individual and group Bible study; books for children and young adults; academic resources including textbooks and reference books; ministry resources; and books on faith and culture. Zondervan is based in Grand Rapids, MI.  For more information, visit www.zondervan.com.

Contact:  Chelsea Taff, Manager, Corporate Communications, 615.902.2137, Chelsea.Taff@harpercollins.com

Co-Founder Bob Pritchett Transitions to Executive Chairman, Promotes Vik Rajagopal as CEO

BELLINGHAM, Wash., Jan. 6, 2022 – In honor of its 30th anniversary, Faithlife, the leading Church technology company and makers of Logos Bible Software, is restructuring its leadership team as it continues to meet the needs of Christian leaders worldwide. Co-founder and current CEO Bob Pritchett is transitioning to the new role of Executive Chairman while Vik Rajagopal, current CFO, moves into the CEO role.

“January marks 30 years from Faithlife’s formal incorporation and my official start date as CEO, and I’m proud to say today we are positioned to grow faster and to serve even more Bible students and churches than ever before,” said Pritchett. “This transition to Executive Chairman allows me to focus on company-wide initiatives and new products and services while positioning Vik to take the reins and further Faithlife’s ability to impact our customers. I’m excited about this new season and how it will allow us to make an even bigger difference in the world as we help individuals grow in the light of the Bible.”

Pritchett developed his first Bible software program, which allowed users to search a digital King James Bible, at age 15. In 1991, Pritchett and a friend created the first version of Logos Bible Software and in 1992 founded Logos Research Systems, which would later be rebranded as Faithlife. Today, Faithlife offers an array of innovative apps, software, books and educational tools that foster growth in churches and individuals by keeping Scripture at the center.

Rajagopal steps into the CEO position with extensive leadership experience and a passion for equipping and serving the global Church. Before joining Faithlife in December 2020 as Chief Financial Officer, Rajagopal spent 10 years at Amazon where he held leadership roles across finance, retail leadership and product management. Prior to Amazon, Rajagopal was an investment banker in Wells Fargo Securities’ middle-market group. Rajagopal earned his B.A. in History from Yale University and MBA. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.  He serves as an advisor to Petros Network, a Christian nonprofit that equips indigenous leaders in developing nations to lift their unreached communities through spiritual, social and economic transformation.

“I am honored to move into this role, particularly as now more than ever Church leaders are in need of digital tools to engage and disciple their communities,” said Rajagopal. “For three decades, Bob has invested his time and expertise into growing this company, and I am excited to work together with him to find continued ways to serve the Church through technological solutions built on the Bible. It’s been a pleasure working with Bob and the Faithlife team over the last year, and I look forward to continuing to find new and differentiated ways to meet the needs of our customers and serve the global Church.”

The formal transition took place on Jan. 1, 2022. To learn more about Faithlife, visit https://faithlife.com/.

About Faithlife
Faithlife, based in Bellingham, Washington, with offices in Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Mexico, has been using technology to equip the Church to grow in the light of the Bible for more than 25 years. Since 1992, Faithlife has developed a full suite of church management tools, academic study resources, smart digital books, and Logos Bible Software, all part of its integrated ministry platform that automates tasks and simplifies workflows.
For more information, visit faithlife.com.

Media Contact: Kristin Cole, 972-267-1111, Kristin@alarryross.com

Ada, Mich. (January 7, 2022)—Baker Publishing Group today announces that Dr. Vicki Crumpton, Executive Editor for Revell Books, will retire effective February 11, 2022.

“Vicki’s arrival was a turning point for our publishing program,” said Dwight Baker, president of Baker Publishing Group. “At a time when our trade book divisions were understaffed and discouraged, Vicki boldly entrusted her career to our company. Soon her experience and talent generated visible results in our trade releases, and over the following decades she has continually set a high standard for the rest of us.”

Crumpton joined Baker Publishing in 2001, first acquiring for both Baker Books and Revell, then moving exclusively to Revell. She acquired several NY Times bestsellers, including the mega-seller 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper and Cecil Murphey. Crumpton is the winner of three Editor of the Year Awards from American Christian Fiction Writers and the Advanced Writer’s and Speakers Association, and her acquisitions have garnered many awards, including the Rita, Carol, and many ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.

“I’ll miss the team at Baker Publishing Group and particularly my amazing colleagues in the Revell division. Our acquisitions team works from four different states, but I don’t believe there’s a closer team anywhere even if they share an office. My authors . . . what can I say about them? I love being among the first to read new books. I love when the words are so beautiful, the editor is without words herself. Over the years, I’ve worked on everything from academic texts to children’s books. All these years later, I still learn something from every book, and that’s one of the things I’ve loved about my job.”

Prior to joining Baker Publishing, Crumpton’s thirty-two-year career in publishing included thirteen years at B&H. She holds an MDiv and PhD from Southwestern Seminary and is a Mensa member.

Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. Whether through fiction, Christian living, self-help, marriage, family, or youth books, each Revell publication reflects relevance, integrity, and excellence.

Contact: Karen Steele, (616)676-9185 x100, ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Zonderkidz author Laura Sassi connected with Jessika Sanders, of the non-profit ministry Praying Through the NICU this fall on social media. A 15-book donation of the seasonal favorite Goodnight, Manger from the author and Zonderkidz grew into an idea which got funding support from ministry supporters around the country and resulted in 771 books being presented to hospitals with NICUs and PICUs in 16 states this Christmas.

Sassi did a Facebook Live reading of the book with Sanders: https://www.facebook.com/events/958750131514688

For more detail on how this collaboration came to be, see the author’s blog:
https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/2021/12/20/special-event-christmas-in-the-nicu-author-reading/

“As a NICU mother myself  — my 24-week, 1 lb, 9 oz. preemie is now in college — my heart goes out to the 770+ families who will be receiving the books and notes.  It is, most certainly, a dark and scary time. But there is hope… and light… and LOVE to be found in our Lord God. He is the Great Comforter and what better time to celebrate that than at Christmas,” says Sassi. “This Thursday, December 23rd at 7pm Eastern on the Praying Through Ministries Facebook page, we will be having a special Facebook LIVE “Christmas in the NICU” Reading.  Jessika and I will be there together to share some Christmas love with families — current and past — who have journeyed through the NICU or PICU with their precious ones or who are in the midst of the journey now.”

For more information on Praying Through Ministries:
www.facebook.com/prayingthroughministries and www.prayingthroughministries.org

 

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Kregel Academic & Ministry, an imprint of Kregel Publications, is pleased to announce that two titles have made the “Book of the Year” list in the Southwestern Journal of Theology (SWJT), the theological academic journal of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS), Editor David S. Dockery announced on December 1, 2021.

Santa Rosa, CA – Janet Kobobel Grant, founder and president of Books & Such Literary Management, announced on January 3, 2022 that Debbie Alsdorf, speaker, author, and writing mentor, has joined the agency of now seven Books & Such agents serving the Christian publishing industry.

Janet Grant says, “Debbie brings substantive skills to the tasks of agenting, making her a natural at this complex job. Her sales and marketing experience, being a writing coach and author of 14 books, all set her up for success. She’s a welcome addition to our team.”

With more than 20 years’ experience leading teams, creating programs, and shepherding women as the Director of Women’s Ministries in mega-churches, Debbie Alsdorf has long been known as a “champion for other people and a cheerleader of hope.” Her wide range of interests and background includes having been a featured speaker at women’s events and writers conferences, which enables her to help writers develop their ministries through public speaking.

“Serving as a pastoral counselor, certified life coach, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors prepares me to help authors ride the roller coaster of publishing as well as gives me an understanding of readers’ felt needs,” Debbie says.

After raising a blended family in Northern California, Debbie and her husband moved their empty nest and two little dogs to Arizona.

Debbie acquires adult nonfiction projects that speak to real life and is looking for proposals in these categories: Christian Living (with a bent toward spiritual growth and lifestyle change), devotionals, mental health, inner healing and recovery, physical health, marriage and family, blended family and step-parenting, lifestyle (décor, home, diet, food), purpose and identity, leadership, and discipleship.

Books & Such Literary Management was founded in 1996 as one of the first agencies to serve the Christian market. The agency’s tagline—Distinguishing Literature—conveys the spirit of the team of seven agents. Books & Such’s focus remains on high-quality writing and manuscripts that make important contributions to culture’s ongoing conversations.

Books & Such Literary Management

NEW DEVOTIONAL, EDITED BY TREVIN WAX, GOES BACK TO PRESS

NASHVILLE, TN (December 17, 2021) — Holman Bible Publishers announces that the first printing of a new hardcover devotional, Psalms in 30 Days: CSB Edition, has sold out in less than 30 days. Demand for the embossed, hardcover prayer guide has been powerful, and the publisher has ordered a second printing which will arrive in 2022.

Author and Bible teacher Trevin Wax edited Psalms in 30 Days: CSB Edition, a unique guide to praying the Psalms over the course of a month. All 150 Psalms are presented in thrice-daily readings, paired with songs from Scripture, confessions of faith and ancient prayers of the faithful.

“I’m so glad to see how well received the first printing of Psalms in 30 Days has been— to see it in so many hands and homes,” says editor Trevin Wax, vice president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board and a visiting professor at Wheaton College. “My hope is that this prayer journey will result in the psalms being pressed into our hearts, so that we come to know and love God more.”

“Reader reception for Psalms in 30 Days has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic,” says Andy McLean, Publisher, Holman Bible and Reference. “We knew walking into this project that the Psalms have this unique ability to speak both to us and for us in difficult times, which is partly why we wanted to publish a resource with Trevin that would provide a guided reading and prayer journey through the Psalms in 30 days. Over the course of that 30-day journey, participants get to share in a common practice done throughout church history by turning to this ancient songbook and letting its individual prayers and petitions, historical reflections, and theological overtones to fill their hearts and minds, allowing God’s Word to encourage, offer grace, and speak directly to any fears during this time.”

The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is a highly trustworthy, faithful translation that is proven to be an optimal blend of accuracy and readability. It’s as literal to the original as possible without sacrificing clarity. The CSB is poised to become the translation that pastors rely on and Bible readers turn to again and again to read and to share with others.

Holman Bibles is the oldest Bible publisher in North America, publishing high quality Bibles and reference resources that are trustworthy, accessible, and useful for the pursuit of lifelong discipleship. Print and digital releases include the CSB Tony Evans Study Bible as well as the Tony Evans One Volume Commentary, The She Reads Truth Bible, and the Rainbow Study Bible with over 3 million copies sold. Holman Bibles is a subsidiary of B&H Publishing Group.

Media Contact: Pamela McClure, 615-294-5073 Pamela@mmpublicrelations.com