The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to the layoff of dozens of employees at Loveland-based Group Publishing, according to company leaders.

Thom Schultz, company president, said 62 staff members were notified last week that their positions will be eliminated in July. He said the reduction, about 45 percent of the U.S. staff, is directly due to conditions related to the coronavirus.

Group Publishing creates resources for churches, including educational curriculum for all ages. The company’s leading product is children’s summer programming material, including vacation Bible school curriculum. Schultz said that since most churches have been restricted from gathering during the pandemic, children’s resource sales have dropped dramatically.

In addition, most churches across the nation have reported recent drops in donations, leading to spending freezes, Schultz said.

Schultz said, “Though some states are allowing big box stores and other establishments to open, they’ve been slower to accommodate church activities.” As a result, he said, thousands of churches recently canceled their summer children’s programming. “That was unforeseen,” Schultz said. “In addition, many churches say they will remain closed for children’s activities even if authorities allow them to open.”

Some churches will deliver this summer’s vacation Bible school and Sunday school through the internet, as an at-home experience. Group Publishing is providing a free guide to adapt its curriculum for at-home use, Schultz said.

Staff affected by the announced layoff will work through July 1, according to Schultz. The reduction includes personnel in every department in the company, from content creation to distribution, he said.

“This is the most difficult time in our history,” Schultz said. “It is excruciating. We will be saying good-bye to great, great people, many of whom have been with us for decades.”

Schultz founded the company in 1974. It produces resources for Christian churches, organizations, families and individuals throughout the country and around the world. Group’s curriculum, books, music and films are distributed directly and through bookstores and other retailers, many of which have been forced to cease operations as a result of coronavirus restrictions, Schultz said.

“Throughout our 45-year history we never anticipated anything that would prohibit all churches from gathering,” Schultz said. “But now we’re doing everything we can to help churches adapt and continue to serve their people during these challenging times. Unfortunately, we’ll have to do that with fewer people.”

Contact: Thom Schultz, tschultz@group.com, 970-292-4422

JEFF KINLEY AND TODD HAMPSON CELEBRATE SUCCESSFUL PROPHECY PROS  PODCAST SEASON WITH GUEST AMIR TSARFATI

ATLANTA, Georgia (June 1, 2020) – The Prophecy Pros Podcast, hosted by Bible prophecy experts Jeff Kinley and Todd Hampson, concluded its first inspiring season with guest and best-selling author Amir Tsarfati. The duo launched the Prophecy Pros Podcast on a mission to empower listeners and reach the upcoming generation with the hopeful message found in Bible prophecy and eschatology.

The Prophecy Pros Podcast is an inviting place to begin learning about Bible prophecy. The goal of the hosts is to simplify the often-confusing topic of prophecy while also explaining the importance and relevance of prophecy for today. Featuring various Bible prophecy experts such as Amir Tsarfati, Phil Cooke, Dillon Burroughs, and Billy Hallowell, prophecy scholars will also find this podcast beneficial. 

Two experts. One topic. No confusion.

The Prophecy Pros Podcast, which is produced, edited, and developed by Unmutable, can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and on the Prophecy Pros Podcast website at Prophecy Pros Podcast

About Prophecy Pros Podcast: Two experts. One topic. No Confusion. Show hosts Jeff and Todd are on a mission to reach the next generation with the inspiring, hopeful message found in Bible prophecy. 

About Jeff Kinley: Jeff Kinley empowers people with God’s Vintage Truth. He is the author of more than 30 books and speaks all across America, motivating Christians to live for Christ and to prepare for His soon coming. Like those first-century Christians who received the life-changing message of Revelation, Jeff will persuade you to live with a sense of urgency and hope as you await the Lord’s return. His Wake the Bride book is a great call to holy living, while his other recent works, As It Was in the Days of Noah and Uncovering the Secrets of Bible Prophecy, equip, challenge, and inspire you with prophetic truth. His weekly Vintage Truth Podcast is heard in over 80 countries.

About Todd Hampson: Todd Hampson is a best-selling author, speaker, illustrator, and animation producer. Todd has a burden to reach the next generation with the gospel through the convincing proofs of Bible prophecy and apologetics—the very things that led to his salvation as a teenager. In 2003 Todd founded Timbuktoons, LLC, an award-winning animation company that develops and produces cartoons for well-known children’s ministry resource providers, global mission organizations, Christian entertainment companies, and curriculum developers. His books The Non-Prophet’s Guide™ to the End-Times and The Non-Prophet’s Guide™ to the Book of Revelation have opened up the world of Bible prophecy and eschatology to a new generation of truth seekers.

CHARLOTTE, NC—As our world adjusts to a new normal due to the Coronavirus, Christians have unique opportunities to stand out and represent Christ in everyday life. Whether we’re conversing on social media, searching depleted grocery store aisles, or video chatting with friends about the news or recent movie releases, we are called to engage culture as good witnesses. In Beautifully Distinct, fifteen godly women share insights, ideas, and encouragement for reflecting Christ in diverse areas of life and culture.

Edited by Trillia Newbell, Beautifully Distinct features well-known authors and speakers such as Jen Wilkin, Jackie Hill Perry, Dannah Gresh, and Courtney Reissig. Each chapter focuses on a different area of life or culture that women encounter on an everyday basis, whether there is a global pandemic or not. Topics include food, social media, race, hospitality, work, and telling your story.

Newbell explains this book, “won’t provide all the answers, but it will be a helpful guide for us on our quest to be sanctified by truth. This is the beginning of a conversation meant to get you

and me thinking and asking questions as we engage the culture around us. Have you considered how what you read affects what you believe? What about the movies you watch? Who have you had in your home lately? Is there a way for you to communicate your own story compellingly for the Lord to use for his glory and the good of others?”

Offered in partnership with the Southern Baptist’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission , these messages embrace the freedom Christians have in Christ and encourage readers to be thoughtful, to listen well, and to speak well so that Christ will be glorified through everyday life. The unique combination of topics and contributors cultivates honest conversations on faith, life, and culture.

Ruth Chou Simons, the author of GraceLaced and Beholding and Becoming, commended the book, saying, “If it’s true that what we chase shapes our race, then how we see the world around us really matters. Beautifully Distinct is a much-needed resource that directs the way we engage with culture as women of God, and I’m grateful to these sisters for lending their wisdom—for such a time as this.”

As a result of Coronavirus, many people desire to make changes to their lifestyles. Many people are moving forward feeling more aware of their priorities, including sharing their faith. Beautifully Distinct will create opportunities, provoke thought, and inspire readers to make standing out as a representative of Christ part of their new normal.

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.

In March 2020 as the coronavirus started to spread and experts emphasized the importance of handwashing, Terence Lester, author of IVP’s I See You and executive director of the nonprofit Love Beyond Walls, took notice of the homeless population. How would they wash their hands? 

Lester came up with the idea to set up portable washbasins that are sold for RVs and camping. With the help of Grammy-winning artist Lecrae and Reach Records, Love Beyond Walls set up the first fifteen handwashing stations in Atlanta. Since early April, the Love Sinks In campaign has expanded to fifteen states, seventeen cities, and is supported by twenty-five partners. The inspiring story caught the attention of media outlets around the world, including CNN, Good Morning America, Today, Disney, The Weather Channel, International Business Times, NY Daily News, USA News Hub, MSN, Reader’s Digest and countless others. Most recently, Love Beyond Walls was also selected by AbbVie, a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, as one of twenty-six nonprofits to be supported by their Community Resilience Fund. Because of this, Lester and Love Beyond Walls will be able to place one thousand handwashing stations across the United States.

Starting June 1, IVP will also join the campaign to help “see” and address the needs of the homeless population during this time by donating a portion of all proceeds from Lester’s book, I See You, to the Love Sinks In initiative.

 “In his book I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes to Invisible People, author Terrence Lester conveyed a powerful message calling us all to open our eyes to invisible people,” Jeff Crosby, IVP’s publisher, said. “The Love Sinks In campaign, designed to bring portable handwashing stations to the areas of our country with a high population of homeless persons who are especially vulnerable during the pandemic, is a tangible expression of the work we are called to do and of the people we are called by Scripture to see and serve. I am grateful for the chance to partner with Terrence by donating a portion of the proceeds of the sales of I See You to the Love Sinks In campaign during this time of great need in our world.”

Having been homeless as a teenager, Lester knows the challenges of living on the streets. In an interview on The Bright Side with Katie Couric, he said, “My experiences with homelessness resulted in my life calling. . . . I feel very grateful each day I get up and I get a chance to do this work. I’ve devoted my entire life to this service.”

Lester writes about his call to help the overlooked in I See You, in which he also calls us to see the invisible people around us. He writes about personal encounters and real-life stories with the “invisible” in an effort to challenge others to become more informed about poverty and homelessness, and to see the poor as Jesus does. Al Hsu, senior editor at IVP, said, “When the world is paralyzed, Terence Lester acts. And his creative and compassionate actions inspire the rest of us to follow his lead.”

Lester said, “Covid-19 has presented us with many challenges but has also presented us with a huge opportunity to see the people that have been invisible and overlooked in society and culture. It has awakened us to the realities that have persisted for far too long for people living on the streets and experiencing poverty in our country. We are being called now to affirm the value that each image-bearer possesses no matter where they live in society. God has called us to build longer tables and destroy higher walls.”

Lester told Good Morning America, “Recognizing those experiencing homelessness as ‘people’ and not ‘problems’ is important. I hope this leads us to think about how we can adequately address this issue nationally.”

You can contribute to Love Sinks In by purchasing a copy of I See You and by donating directly to Love Sinks In at LoveBeyondWalls.org.

[NASHVILLE, TENN., June 1, 2020—] A global pandemic, being quarantined with family members and navigating interrupted schedules is a recipe for conflict in many relationships. Pastor and author Tony Merida helps Christians apply biblical principles to their current stressful situations and find more peace in their relationships in his latest book, “Christ-Centered Conflict Resolution: A Guide for Turbulent Times” (B&H Publishing, June 2, 2020).

“There’s not a day I’m not dealing with some kind of relational conflict, either in my own life or in my ministry to others. That’s life in a fallen world. This pandemic has intensified this reality for some people, due to added time together and closer proximity to those in one’s immediate sphere of relationships. I hope this book will help individuals, couples, friends and families apply basic biblical truths to their situations, in order that peace may be maintained and enjoyed,” Merida said.

Merida’s book focuses on the pattern and power of Christ, our ultimate Peacemaker (as revealed in Scripture), and equips readers to apply key biblical texts to their conflicts with others. Merida writes with a burden that Christians be known for peace and compassion in today’s world, which is often characterized by hostility and tribalism. His goal is to see Christians reconciled and engaged in loving relationships.

“A lot of Christians are good at doctrine but terrible at relationships. But this is unacceptable, as our faith is lived out in the context of relationships. In order to enjoy healthy relationships, we need to be grounded in key biblical passages, and we need to be eager to apply those passages for the enjoyment of peace with others. Such reconciliation and harmony glorify God and put the gospel on display,” Merida said.

Written from a pastoral perspective, Merida’s book is applicable to conflicts readers may be experiencing—especially during the stress of living in close quarters while quarantined.

“Personally, I needed this book. It’s really amazing how many Bible passages speak about healthy relationships, calling us to peace, harmony and reconciliation—all of it flowing from deep affections for the Lord Jesus Christ,” Merida said. “Writing this book helped and convicted me, and I trust it will bear fruit. I pray it will do the same for others.”

“Christ-Centered Conflict Resolution” encourages readers to pursue peace, forgiveness and reconciliation in their relationships, in order to grow personally and help others grow, which glorifies God and powerfully embodies his great gospel to those who need to see it with their own eyes.

Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, N.C. He has written four books and serves as a general editor and as contributor to the “Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary” series (B&H Publishing Group), along with David Platt and Danny Akin.

“Christ-Centered Conflict Resolution” is available now for purchase on LifeWay.com in paperback format and on Amazon for Kindle. For more information about “Christ-Centered Conflict Resolution,” visit bhpublishing.com.

Tony Merida is Pastor for Preaching and Vision of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, N.C. He’s also the Dean of Grimké Seminary and Director for Theological Training for Acts 29. Merida has written several books including “The Christ-Centered Expositor,” “Ordinary” and multiple volumes in the “Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary” series. He’s happily married to Kimberly, and they have five children.

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources, is a team of mission minded people with a passion for taking God’s Word to the world. Because we believe Every Word Matters® we seek to provide intentional, Bible-centered content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, inspiring them to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. Among our print and digital releases for the trade, church and academic markets, titles include “The New York Times” No. 1 bestsellers “The Love Dare” and “The Vow,” No. 1 CBA bestseller “I Am a Church Member,” as well as the newly-revised Christian Standard Bible (CSB) version.

Lexham Press Offers Free Downloads of “Christ and Calamity: Grace and Gratitude in the Darkest Valley”

BELLINGHAM, Wash., June 3, 2020 – Lexham Press has partnered with Harold L. Senkbeil, reverend and author of the best-selling and award-winning book “The Care of Souls,” to release a new and timely resource, “Christ and Calamity: Grace and Gratitude in the Darkest Valley.” The book, which offers biblical wisdom and encouragement for any type of crisis, including the current COVID-19 pandemic, will be freely available for digital download on June 3 via Lexham Press, a publishing imprint of Faithlife.

Drawing from his four decades of pastoral experience, in “Christ in Calamity,” Senkbeil reminds readers who may be grappling with suffering and uncertainty of God’s constant and faithful grace to us.

“We’re living through a global calamity, but we all live through our own small calamities,” writes Senkbeil in “Christ in Calamity.” “There are many things about the ways of God we cannot understand. However, we do know this much: we have a God who is at his best when times are at their worst.”

Senkbeil is author of numerous books including Lexham Press’ “The Care of Souls,” which is a 2020 ECPA Christian Book Award Winner for Ministry Resources, 2020 Christianity Today Book Award Winner for Church/Pastoral Leadership and 2019 TGC Ministry Book of the Year Winner. Senkbeil’s credible reputation in pastoral work of walking alongside those dealing with personal calamities, upheaval and times of grief has inspired church leaders around the world.

“Calamities come in many different sizes, and God addresses them all in his word and by his Spirit,” said Senkbeil. “Even when we don’t see or feel it, God is always faithful.”

While Lexham recognizes “Christ and Calamity” is relevant and useful during the current COVID-19 season, the book can also serve as a long-term source of encouragement for the people of Christ.

“This is a book to read and to read again whenever we need it, a book to give away to people who are hurting. This book will be a classic,” said Gene Edward Veith, provost emeritus of Patrick Henry College and author of “The Spirituality of the Cross.”

To learn more about the book, visit lexhampress.com/christ-and-calamity.

About Lexham Press:  Lexham Press seeks to increase biblical literacy, thoughtful Christian reflection, and faithful action around the world by publishing a range of Bible study materials, scholarly works, and pastoral resources. For more information, visit https://lexhampress.com/.

Media Contact:  Heidi McDow, 972-267-1111  heidi@alarryross.com

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(Nashville, TN) May 19, 2020—Today HarperCollins Christian Publishing is remembering the life and influence of long-time author, apologist, global speaker and ministry leader Ravi Zacharias. Zacharias passed on May 19, 2020, after a brief battle with sarcoma. He was 74. Zacharias is survived by his wife of 48 years, Margie; daughters, Sarah and Naomi; son, Nathan; and five grandchildren.

“Today, my thoughts and prayers are with Ravi’s wife, children, and extended family members as well as friends, colleagues, and the millions of lives who have been forever changed by his life’s work to bring people to Jesus,” said Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO, HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “Though saddened by the loss, we will continue to celebrate his legacy. His books, research, and ministry will continue to impact how the world understands Christianity for years to come. We are grateful to have been his publisher for many years, but more importantly we are grateful for his ability to inspire the world.”

Zacharias was the author, co-author, general editor, or co-general editor for more than 20 titles published by Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. His first book with the company “Can A Man Live Without God” (Thomas Nelson) originally published in 1994 and has since been published in 21 different languages and/or territories across the globe. His content has sold more than two million copies in the English language. His latest title, “Seeing Jesus From the East: A Fresh Look at History’s Most Influential Figure” co-authored with Abdu Murray (Zondervan), released in April 2020 and offers readers a picture of Jesus through Ravi’s unique perspective from growing up in the eastern world.

Zacharias spent the past 48 years commending the Christian faith and was a recognized and respected figure in the academic community around the world for his ability to address life’s existential questions backed by research, in a comprehensible and digestible manner. For more than 35 years, Zacharias dedicated his life to sharing the gospel and leading people to follow Jesus Christ through Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, where he launched a global team of nearly 100 Christian scholars and authors who continue to speak, resource, train and address the questions of millions around the world.

“Over forty years ago, I had the privilege of having Ravi in a course on Ecclesiology and Eschatology I taught as an adjunct professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School,” said Stan Gundry, SVP and publisher, Zondervan Academic and Zondervan Reflective. “Even then he was a striking figure and I remember him as a student who asked very insightful questions. Many years later, I had the privilege of becoming his primary publisher at Zondervan. It was a great honor to see one of my former students develop into a global Christian leader, and someone I very much respected.”

“I had the unique privilege of working with Ravi Zacharias for more than twenty-five years, acquiring and editing twelve of his books including the bestseller, ‘Can Man Live Without God’ with Word Publishing in 1994, then an imprint of Thomas Nelson,” commented Joey Paul, senior acquisitions editor at Thomas Nelson  and Zondervan. “Over the years we developed a close friendship that enabled me to witness his brilliance as a world-renowned Christian apologist, and to know him as man that loved his family deeply. He was well-respected in his field and wanted the logic of believing in the existence of a personal God to lovingly and respectfully lead people to Jesus.”

Recent public responses have been flooding social media channels under the hashtag #ThankYouRavi, including tributes from Christine Caine, Tim Tebow, Lee Strobel, Lecrae and many more.  During this time, the teams at HarperCollins Christian Publishing are celebrating his life and his works. For a full list of his available works with Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, please click here. For the latest information from Ravi Zacharias Ministries, please visit https://www.rzim.org/page/newsroom.

About HarperCollins Christian Publishing:
As the world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., comprises the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing groups, Olive Tree Bible Software, BibleGateway.com, FaithGateway.com and ChurchSource.com.  The company produces bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, academic resources, curriculum, audio and digital content for the Christian market space.  HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, TN.

Contact:
Casey Harrell, Sr. Director, Corporate Communications, 615-902-1109 casey.harrell@harpercollins.com

‘NINE: THE ENNEAGRAM DOCUMENTARY’ TO RELEASE IN THEATERS FALL 2020

DOCUMENTARY MARKS FIRST FILM PRODUCED BY THE PUBLISHER

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (May 20, 2020) – Zondervan announces the first-ever Enneagram film, NINE: THE ENNEAGRAM DOCUMENTARY, will debut in North American theaters fall 2020, featuring internationally renowned Enneagram expert and bestselling author Christopher L. Heuertz.

The documentary, produced in association with Sandoval Studios, marks Zondervan’s first foray in producing a film. Zondervan sees film as a way to broaden key messages from its authors to reach a wider audience and is actively exploring this format.

“Chris Heuertz is an unequaled authority on the Enneagram,” said Zondervan Books Associate Publisher Stephanie Smith. “Through his books and in-person training, he has helped thousands on their journey to self-discovery and acceptance. With this documentary, Zondervan hopes to share his compelling vision for how the Enneagram can bring hope and compassion into our lives with an even larger audience.”

The companion book by Heuertz, titled The Enneagram of Belonging: A Compassionate Journey of Self-Acceptance, with a foreword by bestselling author Brené Brown, released yesterday. Heuertz is also the author of The Sacred Enneagram, that released in 2017 and has sold over 100,000 copies.

“We are proud to partner with Zondervan to create and release this important film about the journey of self-discovery through the lens of compassion,” said Mani Sandoval, director of NINE and founder of Sandoval Studios.

NINE follows Heuertz as he journeys across America speaking to people from each of the nine Enneagram profile types, including Morgan Harper Nichols, Ryan O’Neal of Sleeping at Last, Christina Perri, Shirley Chung, and Father Richard Rohr. The diverse guest list is comprised of people from all walks of life – chefs, musicians, labor trafficking survivors, parents, teachers, religious leaders, and more.

Opening in theaters this fall, NINE will leave viewers in awe of the intricacies and beauty of the essences of humanity. In doing this, Heuertz believes the “Enneagram reveals both the ways you get lost and the ways you find your way home to your True Self and to God.”

More details about the film release will be announced soon via the website enneagram.movie, where you can sign up for email updates.

About Zondervan:
Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

About Christopher L. Heuertz:
Christopher L. Heuertz was first introduced to the Enneagram in the slums of Cambodia. Since then he has trained under some of the great living Enneagram masters, and now teaches the Enneagram in workshops around the world as an International Enneagram Association Accredited Professional. Nine: The Enneagram Documentary features Chris on a journey across America to introduce the essence of the nine profile types. Chris is the host of Enneagram Mapmakers podcast and bestselling author of The Sacred Enneagram (Zondervan) and The Enneagram of Belonging (Zondervan). He and his wife, Phileena, and their sweet dog, Basil, live in Omaha, and you can follow his work at gravitycenter.com.

About Sandoval Studios:
Sandoval Studios is a rising American film and animation studio, creating stand out original content that entertains and inspires the imagination. Founded by the Sandoval Brothers, the team behind the award-winning Sandoval Agency, Sandoval Studios has a slate of documentaries, feature films and animated series coming soon. sandovalagency.com

Media Contacts: 
Jennifer Willingham, EPIC, jennifer@epic.inc; 615-483-4729
Robin Barnett, Zondervan, robin.barnett@harpercollins.com; 616-698-3251