Four Additional Crossway Titles Earn Distinction

December 16, 2022, WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is excited to announce that Overcoming Apathy: Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care by Uche Anizor has been named Book of the Year in Christianity Today’s 2023 Book Awards.

Overcoming Apathy takes a fresh look at the widespread problem of apathy and its effect on spiritual maturity, offering practical, biblical advice to break the cycle. This short book is an excellent resource for those struggling with apathy and parents, mentors, and friends who want to support someone in need. “It’s a worthy choice for CT’s Book of the Year,” writes Matt Reynolds, Christianity Today’s books editor. “Across the board, the judges who read and evaluated it commended Anizor for putting his finger on a problem that routinely flies under the radar, even as it sinks so many of God’s people into a spiritual quagmire.”

Justin Taylor, Crossway’s executive vice president of book publishing, writes, “We give thanks to God that Uche Anizor’s first book with Crossway has been recognized as Christianity Today’s Book of the Year. As a gifted theologian and teacher, Dr. Anizor has given the church a real gift with this book, helping us to diagnose and address the problem of spiritual apathy toward the things of God. We offer him hearty congratulations on the occasion of this well-deserved recognition.”

Four additional Crossway titles received awards and honorable mentions within their categories:

• No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions (Crossway, February 2022) by Matt Rhodes, winner in the Missions and Global Church category
• The Dragon and the Stone (The Dream Keeper Saga Book 1) (Crossway, May 2022) by Kathryn Butler, award of merit in the Young Adults category
• Why Believe?: A Reasoned Approach to Christianity (Crossway, June 2022) by Neil Shenvi, finalist in the Apologetics and Evangelism category
• Scribes and Scripture: The Amazing Story of How We Got the Bible (Crossway, October 2022) by John D. Meade and Peter J. Gurry, finalist in the Bible and Devotional category

The Christianity Today Book Awards are presented to books in fifteen different categories, including Theology, Christian Living and Spiritual Formation, and Biblical Studies. According to Christianity Today’s website, winners are nominated for their “capacity to awaken slumbering souls, whether they ring out with theological wisdom, literary beauty, pastoral warmth, or everyday encouragement.”

Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-based content to honor our Savior and serve his church. Crossway seeks to help people understand the all-encompassing implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s word—for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God alone. Crossway is the global publisher of the ESV® (English Standard Version®) Bible, more than 1,000 Christian books, and an extensive list of gospel literature. For additional information, visit crossway.org.

Contact: Lauren Susanto, lsusanto@crossway.org

December 2022 | Bellingham, WA — This month, Lexham Press received six recognitions in Christianity Today’s 2023 Best Book Awards list.

Two titles won Award of Merit in their respective categories:

• Jesus and Gender: Living as Sisters and Brothers in Christ by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher (Christian Living / Spiritual Formation). This book shows how Jesus’s example speaks to all areas of our lives as men and women and helps bring unity rather than power plays.
• Faith in the Wilderness: Words of Exhortation from the Chinese Church, edited by Hannah Nation and Simon Liu (Missions / Global Church).

Four other titles were finalists in their categories:

• On Earth as in Heaven by Peter J. Leithart (Church / Pastoral Leadership)
• Justification by the Word by Jack D. Kilcrease (Academic Theology)
• Uncommon Unity by Richard Lints (Politics and Public Life)
• Virtuous Persuasion by Michael Niebauer (Missions / Global Church)

Lexham Press also celebrates other award wins from 2022.

Southwestern Journal of Theology Book Awards named Christian Theology by Adam Harwood “Book of the Year” and A Bond between Souls: Friendship in the Letters of Augustine by Coleman Ford also won an award in the Discipleship/Spiritual Formation category.

Northern Lights Book Awards awarded the FatCat children’s book series the winner of their Best Series category.

American Book Fest named three books as 2022 Best Book Award finalists in the Children’s Religious category—The Apostles’ Creed: For All God’s Children, The Lord’s Prayer: For All God’s Children, and The King of Christmas: All God’s Children Search for Jesus.

Earlier this year, The Lord’s Prayer: For All God’s Children won the 2022 Gold Moonbeam Children’s Book Award in the Religion category.

Todd R. Hains, Associate Publisher of Acquisitions and Development, commented, “We love our books and authors, and so we’re always delighted to see that our books resonate with others.”

To learn about Lexham Press, visit lexhampress.com.

Media: Lindsay John Kennedy – Publicity Strategist – lindsay@lexhampress.com

Praise for FatCat series swells

December 2022 | Bellingham, WA — Praise for the FatCat series swells.  Northern Lights Book Awards awarded the FatCat series winner of the Best Series category and American Book Fest named three FatCat books 2022 Best Book Award finalists in the Children’s Religious category—The Apostles’ Creed: For All God’s Children, The Lord’s Prayer: For All God’s Children, and The King of Christmas: All God’s Children Search for Jesus.

Earlier this year, The Lord’s Prayer: For All God’s Children won the 2022 Gold Moonbeam Children’s Book Award in the Religion category.

January 2023 sees the release of the next FatCat book: The King of Easter: Jesus Searches for All God’s Children. The book reminds children of Jesus’s power to save. In The King of Easter, FatCat follows Jesus— from his birth to the cross, resurrection, and beyond—as Jesus seeks and saves the lost. Characters from the Gospels and Acts join in the procession. The Ten Commandments: For All God’s Children is currently in production.

The FatCat series emphasizes the church’s catechism—the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. These teach and unite Christians across traditions and generations. To keep the catechism approachable and fun, the series features a character named FatCat (“cat” being short for “catechism”). FatCat, a striped gray feline, can be found throughout the book’s pages, learning along with the readers. Each book includes a family devotional and suggested scriptures for further reading.

For more about FatCat, visit http://www.lexhampress.com/FatCat

Media: Lindsay John Kennedy – Publicity Strategist – lindsay@lexhampress.com

CHARLOTTE, NC – Christianity Today has announced The Air We Breathe by Glen Scrivener and Who Am I and Why Do I Matter?, written by Chris Morphew and illustrated by Emma Randall, as winners of the 2022 Christianity Today Book Awards. The Air We Breathe is also a winner in The Gospel Coalition 2022 Book Awards.

The Air We Breathe (The Good Book Company, June 2022) won the award in the Apologetics & Evangelism category for both the 2022 Christianity Today Book Awards and The Gospel Coalition 2022 Book Awards. Author Glen Scrivener is an evangelist and the Director of Speak Life, an organization that exists to share the love of Jesus through creative communication. His book  was also awarded an ECPA Top Shelf Cover Award.

Who Am I and Why Do I Matter? (The Good Book Company, March 2022) won the Young Adults category for the Christianity Today Awards. Chris Morphew is also the author of other books in the Big Questions series, including What Happens When We Die? and Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?. Who Am I and Why Do I Matter? also recieved an honorable mention in the Rooted’s 2022 Book Awards: Best New Books for Teenagers, and a nomination in the Christian Resources Together Award in the Young People category.

Additionally, Read This First by Gary Millar won the Best Book For Teenagers Award from Rooted’s Book Awards. Queen Elizabeth II, a kids’ biography by Alison Mitchell, also received a nomination for the Christian Resources Together Award in the Children category).

The Air We Breathe written by Glen Scrivener
This is a book for both believers and skeptics—giving Christians confidence to be open about their faith and showing non-Christians the ways in which the message of Jesus makes sense of their most cherished beliefs.

Who Am I and Why Do I Matter? written by Chris Morphew, illustrated by Emma Randall
In this warm, empathetic book, author Chris Morphew shows children how to embrace and enjoy their identity as those loved by God and made in his image

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

ABOUT THE GOOD BOOK COMPANY
Founded in 1991, The Good Book Company (TGBC) is an international Christian publisher. Their Bible studies, books, devotionals, videos, tracts, evangelistic courses, and training materials are used throughout the English-speaking world, and in translation in over 35 languages worldwide. Everyone at TGBC is passionate about the Lord Jesus, His word, His church, and His gospel of grace. They create and publish biblical, relevant, and accessible resources that will encourage Christians to keep going, keep growing, and keep sharing their faith.

Ada, Mich. (December 16, 2022)—On Tuesday, December 13, Christianity Today announced their list of winning titles for the 2023 Book Awards, which included a Baker Academic title: Jesus and the God of Classical Theism by Steven J. Duby.

In addition to this winning title, two Baker Academic titles were named a finalist in their category, and two Baker Academic titles received an award of merit.

Every year Christianity Today reviews numerous titles and compiles a list of books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture. To view the complete list of winning titles, please visit Christianity Today’s 2023 Book Awards.

Theology (academic)

Jesus and the God of Classical Theism: Biblical Christology in Light of the Doctrine of God by Steven J. Duby
(ISBN 9781540967114; $50.00, Ebook ISBN 9781493420575; $55.00)
This work of serious dogmatics by a Reformed theologian explains why Christology should be connected to a robust doctrine of God.

Apologetics/Evangelism (Award of Merit)

Is God a Vindictive Bully?: Reconciling Portrayals of God in the Old and New Testaments by Paul Copan
(ISBN 9781540964557; Ebook ISBN 9781493437993; $27.99)
Leading apologist and scholar Paul Copan examines challenging Old Testament texts, placing them in their larger historical and theological context to help readers reconcile the seemingly disconnected natures of God portrayed in the Old and New Testaments.

Biblical Studies (Finalist)

The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary by David F. Ford
(ISBN 9781540964083; Ebook ISBN 9781493432271; $52.99)
One of the world’s leading Christian theologians invites readers into a fresh, profound encounter with Jesus through the Gospel of John in this comprehensive theological commentary.

History/Biography (Finalist)

A History of Contemporary Praise & Worship: Understanding the Ideas That Reshaped the Protestant Church by Lester Ruth and Lim Swee Hong
(ISBN 9780801098284; Ebook ISBN 9781493432547; $44.99)
Two worship experts provide the first comprehensive history of Contemporary Praise & Worship, offering insight into where it began and how it reshaped the Protestant church.

Theology (academic) (Award of Merit)

Trinitarian Dogmatics: Exploring the Grammar of the Christian Doctrine of God by D. Glenn Butner Jr.
(ISBN 9781540962232; Ebook ISBN 9781493436491; $29.99)
This introduction draws on the breadth of the Christian tradition to present a biblically grounded, globally informed, and conceptually precise account of the doctrine of the Trinity.

 

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.

Contact: Lydia Gustafson, (616) 676-9185 x347, lgustafson@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Ada, Mich. (December 12, 2022)—Baker Book House Company’s board of directors announced today that Jesse Myers will become the chief executive officer (CEO) on May 1, 2023, following Dwight Baker’s retirement, which was announced last June.

Dr. Kathryn Scanland, chair of the board of directors, said, “When Dwight announced his retirement, our board was tasked by the Baker family to search for and select the next CEO. After a rigorous six-month process, our board unanimously and enthusiastically selected Jesse Myers to assume this important role. We believe Jesse is the ideal person to carry Baker’s rich legacy as the leading independent Christian book publisher into the future.”

Speaking on behalf of the Baker family, Dwight Baker said, “We are grateful for the diligent work of our board in selecting Jesse as our next CEO. We believe that Jesse is the right person to lead our company in the midst of both challenges and opportunities facing Christian publishing today. We warmly welcome Jesse and commit to praying for him as he assumes his new assignment.”

Jesse has over ten years of experience in Christian publishing, including roles in sales, marketing, and editorial, and exudes a passion for excellence. He is currently the publisher of Lexham Press and the director of original content for Faithlife, the makers of Logos Bible Software. He holds a degree in English literature from the University of Saskatchewan and an MDiv from Providence Theological Seminary. He is married to Dr. Marilyn Myers, and they have two children, Alistair and Rose.

Jesse said, “I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to join Baker in the role of CEO. Baker is highly respected throughout the industry with a well-earned reputation for excellence in Christian publishing. Baker was founded 83 years ago by Herman Baker selling books at a storefront in Grand Rapids. All these years later it’s an industry-leading publisher serving readers around the world. I look forward to working with the Baker teams in West Michigan and Bloomington, Minnesota, to build on that remarkable legacy.”

Founded in 1939, Baker Book House Company includes Baker Publishing Group and the Baker Book House retail store in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Baker Publishing Group is the world’s largest independent publisher of Christian books and is composed of six divisions: Bethany House, Revell, Baker Books, Chosen, Brazos Press, and Baker Academic. For more information, visit http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com.

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

Plans to Invest in New MarCom Positions and Budgets in Coming Months

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Dec. 5, 2022—After 145 years in the publishing industry, David C Cook has set out to take the business to new heights. The company has internally reorganized and rebuilt a new matrix marketing organization, hiring a stream of heavy hitters to advance the strategy and the vision of the brand.

To lead and energize the process, David C Cook engaged marketing consultant Stuart Foster of Chief Outsiders. “David C Cook is on a mission for growth. This new marketing organization will position the ministry to accelerate its business and increase global impact I am excited to see where this takes us,” said Foster, who is serving as David C Cook’s interim Chief Marketing Officer.

Since the launch of this process in September, David C Cook has hired Christopher Baggett (VP of Marketing Strategy), Jason Jones (VP of Visual Communication), Rob Annese (Senior Director of Digital Marketing) and Jonathan Schneck (Director of Digital Strategy and Growth at Integrity Music). Together, these new hires bring decades of experience in marketing and brand development. In all, David C Cook plans to add 17 new MarCom positions to the new marketing team to help build its capabilities of insights, strategy, communication, digital marketing and creative.

In his new role, Baggett will oversee marketing strategy for the entire David C Cook portfolio. Baggett has extensive experience in leadership, analytics, digital marketing, creative direction and design. He has served in various contexts, developing strategies and operating systems to increase employee engagement and organizational performance. With Baggett bringing his knowledge into this role, the company can expect to see a drastic advancement of branding and reach through data analysis and strategy.

Jones is being promoted to the newly created role of VP of Visual Communications after excelling in his role as Senior Director of Visual Communications at Integrity Music. Since stepping into the role in 2015, Jones has cultivated an innovative team of creatives to support the marketing efforts of an international roster of artists. He brings 17 years of industry experience in leading cross-disciplinary teams.

Annese comes to David C Cook with expertise in executive 21^st-century digital marketing capabilities across a variety of industries. He has deep digital chops in the areas of data and analytics, performance marketing, web technology and performance, and customer relationship management (CRM). Annese has built extensive digital marketing capabilities and teams with proven success. His highly collaborative role will focus on innovation and implantation in the context of long-term and digital strategies for the ministry.

Schneck, Director of Digital Strategy and Growth at Integrity Music, joins the team with an extensive background in digital marketing in the Christian music industry. Schneck brings extensive experience in performance marketing, web technology and CRM experience to Integrity Music. His role will focus on developing the online strategy and driving growth of Integrity Music’s digital presence.

By hiring top-tier executives to step into these critical roles, David C Cook is poised to leverage a customer-centric approach to its content business that uses data and insights and turns them into effective strategies that efficiently drive growth and scale.

About David C Cook
David C Cook is a global nonprofit ministry equipping individuals and church leaders with vital learning and worship resources. David C Cook’s desire is for individuals and faith groups to experience the transforming power of the gospel through music and media that fit the culture, language and spiritual needs of their communities.  David C Cook was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1875 by David Caleb Cook, a businessman who began publishing pamphlets on lessons and songs that equipped local churches for ministry to children displaced by the Great Chicago Fire. Over the years, David C Cook has grown from a Sunday school curriculum publisher to one of the world’s largest providers of dynamic and relevant media, as well as music designed to equip the global church and individuals with creative, Christian content.

Media Note: For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Katherine Epp at 678.360.9894.

New release and four backlist titles, including The Diva Principle, to be released throughout 2023 and 2024

New Kensington, PA, December 6, 2022 — Whitaker House is pleased to announce its agreement with best-selling author Michelle McKinney Hammond. The publishing company will release Hammond’s new book, tentatively titled Next: What to Do When Shift Happens, in the fall of 2023. Additionally, Whitaker House will rerelease four of Hammond’s previous titles in 2024: The Power of Being a Woman; Sassy, Single, and Satisfied; Secrets of an Irresistible Woman; and The Diva Principle.

Hammond has authored over 40 books in her storied career, selling more than two million copies worldwide. She was the Emmy Award-winning cohost of the television talk show Aspiring Women for ten years and was featured on TCT’s 3D Woman for eight seasons. She has most recently appeared in Roma Downey and Mark Burnett’s productions of Women of the Bible on Lifetime, and A.D. The Bible Continues. Michelle presently hosts inspirational “Truth but Fair” segments on Downey and Burnett’s new network Lightworkers.com and LIGHT TV.

The powerful faith leader presently resides in Ghana, West Africa, traveling the globe from her home base. She is the president of US-based Michelle McKinney Hammond (MMH) Ministries and DivaCor LLC. In addition to being a well-known recording artist and leading her own music ministry, Michelle has been featured on Bill Maher and Fox & Friends, as well as in the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times, among a long list of mainstream media coverage.

Publisher Christine Whitaker said, “Whitaker House is thrilled to begin this new relationship with Michelle McKinney Hammond as she continues to present an unwavering message of encouragement, empowerment, and faithful witness to women throughout the globe. We are all experiencing waves of transition in an ever-shifting world. Michelle’s distinct voice is one of wisdom and patience to walk out this season of change with an undiminished hopeful view—one that sees new opportunities for growth. We are inspired by her message and excited to partner with her.”

“I am so happy to become a part of the Whitaker House family!” said Hammond. “It already feels like home. It is the perfect setting for my new book and truly the next chapter in publishing and ministry for me. As the world seeks for answers on ‘what to do when shift happens,’ I am looking forward to sharing the exciting news that although life as you know it may seem as if it’s over, there is always a ‘next’!”

Hammond is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary.

About Whitaker House
With headquarters just east of Pittsburgh, Whitaker House is part of Whitaker Corporation, which also includes Anchor Distributors, Whitaker House Español, and Word Alive, its Canadian distribution division. A Christian, family-owned business established in 1970, Whitaker Corp. is dedicated to proclaiming the power of the gospel and ministering to the spiritual needs of people around the world.

Contact: Karen Campbell, karen@karencampbellmedia.com

WaterBrook and Multnomah is pleased to announce that DREW DIXON is joining its editorial team as Executive Editor.

With more than fourteen years of editorial experience, Drew most recently served as Team Leader for Lifeway Christian Resources, where he managed a team of editors, designers, and writers to produce three Bible study curriculum brands.  He has worked with a wide range of bestselling and influential authors, including Priscilla Shirer, J.D. Greear, Stephen and Alex Kendrick, and many others.

An accomplished freelance writer and editor, he has published articles with Relevant, Christ and Pop Culture, World Magazine, Christianity Today, and Paste Magazine. Drew also is the author of the recently released book Know Thy Gamer.

WaterBrook and Multnomah are imprints of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

Carol Stream, IL December 8, 2022 – Christianity Today has received a grant of $1,000,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to equip preachers in bringing their message to life and create opportunities for them to engage God, their peers, their congregations, and the world through them. The grant will fund efforts through Christianity Today’s popular digital resource, PreachingToday.com.

Since 1999, PreachingToday.com has supported and equipped preachers to fulfill their vital calling of preaching that helps to develop healthy churches and flourishing communities.

Christianity Today’s Publisher Jacob Walsh shared, “Our recent research showed the growing unique challenges and incredible demands of this role in our cultural climate. Thanks to the generosity of Lilly Endowment, we will be able to take what we’ve heard and develop content that meets the needs of the moment, with an emphasis on resources and tools that will make a lasting spiritual impact and foster a greater sense of community and shared learning for preachers.”

This PreachingToday.com project is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative. Christianity Today is one of 32 organizations receiving funding in an invitational round of grants for the initiative, which is designed to help Christian pastors strengthen their abilities to proclaim the gospel in more engaging and effective ways.

“We are excited about the work that these organizations will do to foster and support preaching that better inspires, encourages and guides people to come to know and love God and to live out their Christian faith more fully,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “Their programs will serve a significant number of aspiring and current preachers who are working to reach and engage increasingly diverse audiences both within and beyond congregations.”

The Compelling Preaching Initiative is part of the Endowment’s longstanding interest in supporting projects that help to nurture the religious lives of individuals and families and foster the growth and vitality of Christian congregations in the United States.

About Lilly Endowment
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. The principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. In addition, the Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of diverse religious traditions by supporting fair and accurate portrayals of the role religion plays in the United States and across the globe.

About PreachingToday.com
PreachingToday.com is a resource from Christianity Today that seeks to inspire preachers to cultivate their craft in order to faithfully and creatively proclaim God’s word. Through Preaching Today, preachers communicate the gospel in all its richness and power and the church is matured through the inspired preaching of God’s word.

Contact: Cory Whitehead, 630.384.7223, cwhitehead@christianitytoday.com