Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 15, 2021) —The Bindery is pleased to announce they have added a new member to their team in veteran Literary Agent, Andrea Heinecke, formerly of Alive Literary. Andrea has a literary and commercial sensibility honed over years of working as both a book editor and literary agent, and representing an array of influential books and authors.

“We’re delighted to welcome Andrea and her authors to The Bindery,” says Alex Field, Principal & Founder of The Bindery Agency. “She will guide some important new books into the world in the coming years, and I know our entire team and all the authors we represent will benefit from her talent, experience, and good work.”

Andrea brings a broad publishing background to every project she represents, having worked as an editor, publicist, and literary agent with award-winning authors of both fiction and nonfiction, adult, youth, and children’s books. She represents bestselling and critically acclaimed authors—thoughtful and diverse women and men who contribute to the culture and the dialogue in our world. She has worked as a literary agent for over a decade, negotiating hundreds of contracts on behalf of her wonderful clients, including The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust, Eugene Peterson, Valorie Burton, Brian Zahnd, Rebecca St. James, Winn Collier, Alister McGrath, Caleb Wilde, and more.

Her love for the written word began early in life and took her to Seattle Pacific University where she majored in English Literature. She has served within her community and industry as a board member for the Henri Nouwen Society, a Girl Scout Leader and a member of the Coronado Junior Woman’s Club. She lives in California with her husband, Matt a teacher and musician, and their two children, Ella and Luke. Andrea can be reached at her new email address, aheinecke@thebinderyagency.com.

At The Bindery, Andrea joins Managing Director, Ingrid Beck, and Literary Agents Trinity McFadden, John Blase, and Estee Zandee. Field launched The Bindery in 2017 after more than 18 years of work in journalism and book publishing. The Bindery serves a wide variety of content creators, guiding the authors they represent through every step of the publishing process, from inspiration to bookshelf. Currently, they represent authors in the categories of Commercial Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Biography & Memoir, Parenting, Pop Culture, Personal Growth, Business & Leadership, Christian Living, Science Fiction & Fantasy, and more. The Bindery currently represents authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins, Michael Todd, Ainsley Arment, Sam Acho, Ashley Lemieux, Propaganda, Sean Dietrich (known as “Sean of the South”), Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, Sally Clarkson, Dr. Derwin L. Gray, Rich Villodas, Carlos Whittaker, Mandy Hale, Danielle Strickland and more. To learn more, visit www.TheBinderyAgency.com.

CONTACT: Alexander Field, The Bindery Principal & Founder, afield@thebinderyagency.com 719-351-4897

 

NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 — With the release of SIMPLY CHRISTIAN in 2006, New Testament scholar and Anglican bishop N.T. Wright revived the tradition of books like C.S. Lewis’s seminal work Mere Christianity.  SIMPLY CHRISTIAN articulates the essence of Christianity for a new generation, written with generosity, humanity, and remarkable clarity. It quickly became Wright’s best-known work. Now, fifteen years after its initial publication and as a testament to its enduring legacy, SIMPLY CHRISTIAN: Why Christianity Makes Sense (HarperOne | March 8, 2021) is available in paperback for the first time.

Like Lewis, Wright favors contemporary, conversational language, rendering the loftiest of theological concepts accessible to the modern reader. Drawing on his robust knowledge of Christianity—Newsweek has hailed him “the world’s leading New Testament scholar”—Wright provides guidance to both Christian theory and practice. With insight and candor, Wright illuminates the ideals that form the religion’s foundation, the teachings of the church, and rituals such as worship and prayer that sustain an individual’s relationship to the faith. And with the addition of a discussion guide for groups and individuals, the paperback edition of SIMPLY CHRISTIAN engages the reader even more fully.

Writing with authority, but without any trace of didacticism or condescension, Wright’s narrative is as accessible to agnostics, atheists, and avowed skeptics as it is to seekers and lifelong believers. He recognizes obstacles some face in embracing Christianity, such as the difficulty of reconciling one’s scientific beliefs with the miracle of resurrection, and the off-putting perception that Christian doctrine is punitive and restrictive. SIMPLY CHRISTIAN addresses such barriers with substance and thoughtfulness.

This edition arrives at a moment of historic significance. Religious affiliation and practice are on the decline worldwide. In the United States, the number of self-identified Christians has plummeted, particularly among younger Americans. Poised to reach a new generation of readers who may have been driven away from the church, SIMPLY CHRISTIAN cuts through the noise and reveals truths about the Christian faith that prove its perennial relevance.

Though Wright relies on a pristine, highly readable style, he also writes with bursts of stunning lyricism. SIMPLY CHRISTIAN is dotted with moments of marvel; meditations on beauty and nature; and, throughout, an unmissable sense of wonder that is itself a profound attestation to the work of God. A volume of quiet and unusual power, SIMPLY CHRISTIAN investigates basic inquiries—Why do humans have an inherent passion for justice? Why do we crave relationships with others?—and finds, each time, that the answer lies in the divine.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
N.T. Wright is the former bishop of Durham in the Church of England and one of the world’s leading Bible scholars. He serves as Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University as well as being professor emeritus of the New Testament and Early Christianity at the School of Divinity at the University of St. Andrews. Wright has been featured on ABC News, Dateline, The Colbert Report, and Fresh Air. His award-winning books include the Christian Origins and the Question of God series, Paul: A Biography, Broken Signposts, Surprised by Hope, Simply Jesus, The Case for the Psalms, How God Became King, After You Believe, and Scripture and the Authority of God,. He is also the translator of The Kingdom New Testament.

SIMPLY CHRISTIAN: Why Christianity Makes Sense
By N.T. Wright
Trade Paperback Reprint
HarperOne | March 2021 | $17. 99 | 256 pages
ISBN 978-0060872700

CONTACT: Courtney Nobile, 212-207-7127, Courtney.Nobile@harpercollins.com

Five Zondervan titles selected in the Also Recommended category

Grand Rapids, Mich. (March 9, 2021) – Zondervan congratulates the nine authors recognized by Outreach magazine, four as Resource of the Year and five in the Also Recommended category.

For 18 years, Outreach magazine has highlighted resources that “can help churches better engage in effective outreach to share the gospel and reach their communities for Christ.” This year they received over 150 submissions for resources in 12 categories, with an expert in each category evaluating and choosing the winners.

The four Zondervan resources chosen for Resource of the Year are:

• How to Talk About Jesus (Without Being THAT Guy): Personal Evangelism in a Skeptical World by Sam Chan (Zondervan Reflective) – Evangelism and Apologetics
• The Sacred Overlap: Learning to Live Faithfully in the Space Between by J.R. Briggs (Zondervan Reflective) – Discipleship
• Evangelical Theology: A Biblical and Systematic Introduction by Michael Bird (Zondervan Academic) – Theology and Biblical Studies
• Tiny Truths Wonder and Wisdom: Everyday Reminders from Psalms and Proverbs by Joanna Rivard and Tim Penner (Zonderkidz) – Kids and Youth

The five Zondervan resources chosen for Also Recommended are:

• Reclaimed: How Jesus Restores Our Humanity in a Dehumanized World by Andy Steiger with Sheri Heibert (Zondervan Reflective) – Evangelism and Apologetics
• Telling a Better Story: How to Talk About God in a Skeptical Age by Josh Chatraw (Zondervan Reflective) – Evangelism and Apologetics
• Leading Small Groups that Thrive: Five Shifts to Take Your Group to the Next Level by Ryan T. Hartwig, Courtney W. Davis and Jason A. Sniff (Zondervan Reflective) – Discipleship
• From Social Media to Social Ministry: A Guide to Digital Discipleship by Nona Jones (Zondervan Reflective) – Discipleship
• Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets: 5 Questions to Help You Determine Your Next Move by Andy Stanley (Zondervan Reflective) – Leadership

“Congratulations to the nine authors recognized by Outreach magazine for their excellent work in equipping the church through their writing,” said Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “I am also proud of the publishing teams across Zondervan who work each day to produce excellent content that inspires the world by meeting the needs of people with content that promotes biblical principles and honors Jesus Christ.”

The resources are featured in the March/April 2021 issue of Outreach magazine. Visit the Outreach website for more information.

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

After a year of travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders, author Amanda Hope Haley’s latest book offers a much-needed chance to travel vicariously and visit the settings where the Bible’s greatest events took place. Join this Harvard-trained biblical archaeologist as she and her family explore the history that brings the Bible to life. The Red-Haired Archaeologist Digs Israel is here to delight and educate anyone longing to experience new places and cultures while gaining a fuller understanding of God’s Word.

Amanda has been fascinated by archaeology since she saw Indiana Jones as a child, but she fell in love with the science in graduate school, when she visited Israel and dug at Ashkelon for the first time. Fifteen years later, she has returned to Israel to record her adventures digging at Tel Shimron while introducing her family to the sites and people she loves in Israel and Palestine.

“We should all be archaeologists, ‘digging’ into history and Scripture and learning about each other’s cultures,” Amanda encourages. Her latest book has given her the opportunity to share both. While the travel adventures she shares—from mishaps with customs agents, to indulgent experiences with international cuisine, to trials-by-fire while driving on the streets of Nazareth—will engage and entertain, The Red-Haired Archaeologist Digs Israel also vividly illustrates the histories of the land and its people. Readers will learn to…

• use archaeological findings to better understand Israel’s past
• shed their Western mindsets and engage with the Bible in its cultural context
• make sense of today’s ongoing religious conflicts in the Holy Land from a historical—rather than political—perspective

Amanda’s heart for The Red-Haired Archaeologist Digs Israel is to encourage readers to seek out the history that illuminates the Bible, while also inspiring them to celebrate the people and places of God’s chosen land. “What begins as a quest to better understand the contexts and meanings of Scripture and better know the One who made them just might end with a better understanding of our neighbors and how Jesus would have us love them today,” she says. Even in this homebound time, Christians can continue to grow in their capacity to love and serve all of God’s people—even those on the other side of the globe.

Count It All Joy: The Ridiculous Paradox of Suffering Releases September 2021

Chicago, IL, March 11, 2021: Dr. John M. Perkins is one of the leading evangelical voices to come out of the American civil rights movement, and is an author and international speaker on issues of reconciliation, leadership, and community development. Moody Publishers is privileged to publish Count It All Joy (September 2021), Dr. Perkins’ legacy message on the profound joy that comes from deep suffering.

“It has been an honor of a lifetime to walk with Dr. Perkins as he talked candidly about the panoply of suffering that has been his almost since birth. Most people think of the horrific beating he suffered at the hands of the sheriff in Brandon, MS. But with the death of his mother when he was seven-months-old, the murder of his sister when he was thirteen, the murder of his brother at the hands of a Sheriff’s deputy when he was sixteen, the death of two of his sons, repeated bouts with cancer, coming to the brink of suicide, the illness of his beloved wife, and so much more – he is a worthy guide through suffering’s valley. And somehow — by the end of the journey — he has helped your eyes to shift heavenward. And there it is….Joy!” says Karen Waddles, Contributing Writer at Moody Publishers.

In Count It All Joy Dr. Perkins shares more intimately than ever about his own personal sufferings. He sees endurance in suffering as a virtue that makes people more like Christ and that ultimately produces uncommon joy in the heart of the sufferer who trusts in Him. Dr. Perkins helps people see that suffering is good, and is sometimes God’s way of getting our attention and preparing us for His purposes.

In many ways Dr. Perkins’ response to suffering at the hands of a white sheriff in the Brandon, Mississippi jail became the platform that God used to put him in front of US Presidents, international leaders, and church leaders. God alone is able to take that which the enemy means for evil and transform it into a powerful witness for His glory.

“Count It All Joy completes Dr. Perkins’ three book “manifesto” as he likes to call them with Moody Publishers. Beyond being the last trade book he intends to publish, it’s also a work conceived in suffering as he battled cancer in his 90th year along with other formidable challenges he is facing,” says Duane Sherman, Acquisitions Editor at Moody Publishers. “Working with Dr. Perkins has shown us deep joy can be found right alongside deep suffering as we learn to more fully rest in our Savior’s care.”

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

Ada, Mich. (March 10, 2021)—Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is pleased to welcome Stephanie Duncan Smith and Patnacia Goodman to their editorial team. Stephanie will serve as senior acquisitions editor and Patnacia will serve as acquisitions editor.

Stephanie brings twelve years of experience in the publishing industry to the Baker Books team. She most recently served as an associate publisher for the Zondervan Books team, where she had the privilege of developing a number of bestselling and award-winning authors. Stephanie is currently working through her master’s in theology at Western Theological Seminary.

Patnacia most recently served as an acquiring editor for Bethany House. She is excited about her new role as an acquisitions editor for the Baker Books team and states, “My excitement about joining Baker Books cannot be overstated. We have a talented group of authors, and I am glad to add my perspective to the amazing work the Baker Books team has been doing for years.”

“We’re delighted to welcome Patnacia and Stephanie to our acquisitions team,” said Rebekah Guzman, editorial director for Baker Books. “They both bring unique publishing experience, successful track records, and exceptional talent to our team and position Baker to continue providing superior service to our authors and readers.”

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Baker Books has a vision for building up the body of Christ through books that are relevant, intelligent, and engaging.

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

Sharon Hodde Miller, Trillia Newbell and Wendy Widder provide wisdom and insight in honor of Women’s History Month

BELLINGHAM, Wash., March 11, 2021 – Christian authors, speakers and writers Sharon Hodde Miller, Trillia Newbell and Wendy Widder joined Faithlife, makers of integrated church technology products including Logos Bible Software, yesterday for a live discussion in honor of Women’s History Month about women, theology and the Church.

The discussion, hosted by Jennifer Grisham, a Faithlife content strategist and former church leader, included a number of topics including the overall value of women and their unique service to the Church.

“Generally speaking, women have a different perspective (from men) and a different set of life experiences,” said Widder, an author and educator with a Ph.D. in Near Eastern studies, an M.A. in Hebrew and Semitic Studies, and an M.Div. with an emphasis in educational ministries. “We see the world differently – as everyone does – but the Church misses that when they don’t hear us.”

Newbell, Acquisitions Editor at Moody Publishers and author of numerous titles including A Great Cloud of Witnesses, Sacred Endurance, If God Is For Us, Fear and Faith, and the children’s books, Creative God, Colorful Us and God’s Very Good Idea, noted that women are part of the Body of Christ and valuable to God and one another.

“We have to have a women’s perspective because we want to serve people in all the various ways and circumstances people find themselves in,” Newbell said. “There are situations a male can’t speak into well without that female perspective. Period. They just can’t.”

The speakers noted the unique calling on women’s lives and encouraged women to embrace and discover their God-given giftings.

“Calling looks different for everyone. There is not one single narrative of calling,” said Miller, who leads Bright City Church in Durham, North Carolina, with her husband Ike and has a Ph.D. on women and calling. “The one thing I encourage people to do as they are assessing their calling, is to utilize the greatest resource God has gifted you, which are the people in your life who love the Lord and listen to the Holy Spirit. Ask them, ‘What gifts do you see in me?’ They know you better than anyone.”

Widder affirmed Miller’s advice, noting women should take opportunities to serve in a variety of ways. “You find your place of calling by serving, trying and failing, filling in where you’re needed and discovering that’s not the place for you,” Widder said. “You will find God steers you in certain ways. In the end, God’s calling might be different than what you think. That doesn’t mean you missed the call, but we don’t always get the full picture God has for our lives.”

The leaders also challenged the Church to make space for women to serve by developing a culture of stewardship in terms of people’s unique gifts churchwide.

“Don’t miss the opportunity to say ‘I see this in you.’ God will use that to direct them to the place God has for them,” said Miller. “Make this a part of your culture. Name the gifts of women around you. Honor your tradition but give women the opportunity to use their gifts for the Church.”

Finally, though, the leaders applauded the uptick of women attending seminary and graduate school. Newbell, who does not have formal training, reminded viewers that growing in theological knowledge does not have to include attending school.

“Theology is important because it is what we believe about God,” Newbell said. “You can read books and be educated where you are and you should. We are called to make disciples of all nations. We are called to train and teach. When we do this, it strengthens the Body because we are part of the church.”

In order to assist women with growing in their biblical knowledge, Faithlife offers a number of books and coursework from the three featured speakers and other notable female theologians, at fl.vu/womenintheology. The company also offers a free version of Logos Bible Software available for download at logos.com/basic.

“There has never been a time with such access to resources. There is a glut of resources and material and a whole lot of it is free,” said Widder. “If you take the time and put in the effort, you can probably educate yourself in a whole lot of ways without ever leaving your desk or your couch.”

To view the full live event discussion with Newbell, Miller and Widder, visit fl.vu/womenintheology. Additionally, during Women’s History Month in March, Faithlife is giving away bundles of resources created by women to women currently in seminary or on church staff. Entry details can also be found at fl.vu/womenintheology.

About Faithlife:  Faithlife, based in Bellingham, Washington, with offices in Arizona 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.

PORTLAND, Ore., March 11, 2021 — After a three-year battle with lung cancer, evangelist Luis Palau died peacefully early this morning at his home in Portland, Oregon. He was 86 years old.

For more than 65 years Palau played an influential role in Christian missions and worldwide evangelism as a powerful speaker, teacher, and author. His work took him to more than 80 nations and his campaigns allowed him to present a clear case for Christianity to an audience of more than 1 billion people through television, radio, print, and live events.

Standing strong for issues of faith and the importance of a vibrant, healthy spiritual life according to the teachings of the Bible, Palau was well regarded by leaders around the globe, including presidents, nobility, business leaders, and church clergy.

Originally from Argentina, Palau was born on November 27, 1934, in Ingeniero Maschwitz, a small town outside Argentina’s capital of Buenos Aires. He became a follower of Jesus Christ at the age of 12, just two years after his father’s untimely death. Palau began preaching on street corners as a teenager and hosting his own Christian radio program by the age of 19. He was invited to the United States in 1960 by Ray Stedman, a pastor and missionary leader from Palo Alto, California, who met Palau while in Argentina and began mentoring him shortly thereafter. While studying at Multnomah School of the Bible (now Multnomah University) in Portland, Oregon, Luis met his wife, Patricia Scofield, and together they embarked on a life of missions – first going to Latin America and eventually to more than 80 nations around the world.

“I have no regret in pouring out my years, from the time I was a boy, for the sake of the Good News. If I was given a thousand lifetimes, I would dedicate them all to the same calling.” — Luis Palau

Early on in ministry, Palau served as an intern with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, occasionally helping as the late Reverend Billy Graham’s Spanish translator. Mr. Graham and his team played a significant role in opening doors of opportunity for Palau as he launched out with his own ministry efforts, and eventually helped him start his own evangelistic organization in 1978. Throughout their lives Palau and Graham stayed close friends.

With a special heart for his home country of Argentina, and Latin America as a whole, much of Palau’s work over the years focused on the Spanish-speaking world. His two daily radio programs in Spanish, Cruzada con Luis Palau and Luis Palau Responde, have aired in millions of homes for decades. He had the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ personally with dozens of Latin presidents, dictators, and heads of state. He was regularly called upon by leaders and media alike to share words of wisdom and insight during times of crisis. And his Spanish-speaking festivals and gatherings throughout the Latin world will forever be known as some of the largest, most historic of their kind.

Palau’s heart for the world and passion for sharing the life-changing message of Jesus pushed him beyond Latin America as well. Over his decades of worldwide ministry, Palau and his team have held more than 500 evangelistic campaigns, festivals, and rallies in more than 80 nations, including historic campaigns in leading world cities such as New York City, Buenos Aires, London, Madrid, Singapore, Hong Kong, Cairo, and Mexico City.

During the ’70s and ’80s, Palau was one of the few foreign preachers allowed to hold spiritual campaigns within the old Soviet Union, and when the iron curtain came down in 1991, he was among the first to hold open-air stadium campaigns in the region. Similar campaigns in seemingly “closed” nations in the Middle East and Asia also helped break down barriers and set new standards for mass evangelistic efforts. As a result, the name Luis Palau is now synonymous with innovation, collaboration, and cutting-edge evangelistic models that challenge stereotypes and reach all levels of society.

In addition to citywide evangelistic festivals, Palau’s worldwide ministry has grown to include three international daily radio programs in both Spanish and English, reaching more than 48 nations; a Global Network of Evangelists, inspiring and encouraging thousands of evangelists around the world; a City Gospel Movements effort, focused on training and equipping city leaders to better engage with their community; extensive television outreaches; and a digital evangelism effort which reaches millions of individuals each year through social media.

Through all these efforts, Palau and his team have partnered with tens of thousands of churches to lead millions of individuals in decisions to follow Jesus Christ.

As an author, Palau published dozens of books and booklets throughout his lifetime. Some of his most well-known books, including God is Relevant, ¿Con quién me casaré? (Whom Shall I Marry?), Where is God When Bad Things Happen?, and Say Yes!, have been translated into dozens of languages and distributed into the hundreds of thousands. His Bible commentary in Spanish is recognized as one of the best in the field. His Starting Point Study Bible (published with Zondervan) was a 2003 Gold Medallion finalist for best Bible of the year. His video courses in Spanish have helped train tens of thousands of pastors and church leaders. And more than 10 million copies of his most popular booklet, What is a Real Christian?, have been distributed in over 60 nations.

Palau was president of OC International (previously known as Overseas Crusades) in the late 1970s. He served on the boards of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, and Multnomah University. He also served as an elder in his home church of Cedar Mill Bible Church in Portland, Oregon, and has been the recipient of several honorary doctorates from institutions such as Wheaton University and Talbot School of Theology.

In 2019, Palau published Palau: A Life on Fire, a deeply spiritual and intimate biography tracing his faith journey from humble beginnings on the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina, to sharing the Good News with millions around the world. In the same year a feature-length movie about his life was also released in theaters throughout North and South America.

For the past several years, Palau’s sons have run the day-to-day operations of the ministry based in Portland, Oregon. Kevin Palau serves as the president and CEO. Keith serves on the Development team. And Andrew, Palau’s third son, has followed in his father’s footsteps as a well-respected evangelist, leading similar evangelistic campaigns around the world. Stephen, Palau’s youngest son, faithfully serves as an elementary school teacher in the Portland area.

Luis Palau is survived by his wife, Patricia; his sons Kevin, Keith, Andrew, and Stephen; his daughters-in-law Michelle, Gloria, and Wendy; his sisters Matilde, Martha, Catalina, Margarita, and Ruth; his brother Jorge; 12 grandchildren; and many beloved extended family. A private memorial service will be held in Luis’ home town of Portland, Oregon, and will be livestreamed for the general public at www.LuisPalau.org. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the ongoing ministry of the Luis Palau Association, online at www.palau.org, or via mail, sent to the Luis Palau Association, PO Box 50, Portland, OR 97207.

Notes of remembrance can be left at www.LuisPalau.org.

CONTACT: Jay Fordice, 503-341-2297, jay.fordice@palau.org

David C Cook Creates New Position to Manage and Develop The Action Bible^® Family of Products

Colorado Springs, CO (March 1, 2021) – Since its 2010 release, The Action Bible^® has become the best-selling comic-based version of the Bible as well as a fixture on national bestseller lists. The Action Bible family of products now includes more than a dozen resources, such as illustrated Bibles, curriculum, video, and devotionals, with 82 million units in print across 41 languages. To ensure the brand’s long-term growth and success, publisher David C Cook has appointed Amy Konyndyk to a newly created role: Vice President for The Action Bible Portfolio.

“Due to the popularity and expanding portfolio of The Action Bible resources, David C Cook is formalizing a leadership position to carefully steward this vital brand,” says Michael Covington, Vice President of Publishing & Acquisitions, David C Cook. “There is no one better suited for this new role than Amy Konyndyk. She has invested more than a decade in The Action Bible product line, working closely with illustrator Sergio Cariello and creatively expanding the Bible’s footprint in the marketplace.”

Amy Konyndyk’s 25-year career includes background in graphic design, creative direction, content development, product development, customer research, marketing and brand management. Konyndyk joined David C Cook in 2008, working closely with illustrator Sergio Cariello and the editorial team to prepare The Action Bible for release in 2010. She has helped develop and launch each product in The Action Bible product family for more than a decade. Konyndyk’s passion for The Action Bible compels her to provide engaging opportunities for readers to establish a lifetime faith, realize they belong in God’s family, and take action in His story for their lives.

“Since the earliest days of the church, believers have sacrificed greatly to express biblical truth through art,” Amy Konyndyk explains. “The Action Bible is among that set of reverent, worshipful, painstaking artistic expressions of the Word which bring glory to God while enabling illumination and transformation for all who encounter it. My passion is to expand the reach of The Action Bible brand for readers of all ages. As we leverage technology, digital formats and platforms, the opportunities have never been greater to achieve the eternal goal of impacting God’s kingdom.”

David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to publishing and distributing leadership and discipleship resources to help Christians all over the world grow in their faith and pass it on to the next generation. www.davidccook.org

Background – The Action Bible^®
David C Cook originally published The Picture Bible in 1978, and more than 3.5 million copies were distributed worldwide over the next four decades. In 2006, David C Cook planned to create fresh, original artwork for The Picture Bible and selected DC and Marvel Comics illustrator Sergio Cariello for the project. The Action Bible released in 2010 and remained on the ECPA Top 50 bestseller list for more than 500 weeks.

In celebration of The Action Bible’s tenth anniversary, illustrator Sergio Cariello has crafted 25 new Bible stories and expanded artwork for 23 of the original stories. This expanded edition of The Action Bible released September 2020, selling more than 150,000 units within the first six months of release. The Action Bible family of products includes more than a dozen resources, such as illustrated Bibles, curriculum, video, and devotionals, with more than 82 million units in print across 41 languages. The Action Bible video (airing on SAT 7) receives over 2.5 million views monthly, 30 million views annually.

By the Numbers – The Action Bible^®

The Action Bible family of products has more than 82 million units in print, including 25 million copies of The Action Bible New Testament and 55 million copies of The Story of Jesus. Since 2010, The Action Bible has spent 515 weeks on the ECPA Top 50 bestseller list, and has sold 1.7 million copies in North America alone. Sales of the entire product line has topped 2.5 million units worldwide. The Action Bible (complete text) has been translated into 41 languages:

• Afrikaans
• Albanian
• Arabic
• Azeri
• Bahasa Indonesian
• Bengali
• Bosnian
• Bulgarian
• Chinese (simplified)
• Chinese (traditional)
• Crimean Tatar
• Croatian
• English
• Farsi
• French
• Georgian
• German
• Gujarati
• Hebrew
• Hindi
• Hungarian
• Indonesia
• Italian
• Kannada
• Kazakh
• Korean
• Marathi
• Macedonian
• Polish
• Portuguese (Europe)
• Romanian
• Russian
• Serbian
• Spanish
• Swahili
• Tajik
• Telugu
• Turkish
• Turkmen
• Ukrainian
• Vietnamese

Grace Bomb Movement Grows Internationally As Christians Respond, Share Love Of Jesus In Action

Author, Pastor Patrick Linnell releases a timely resource with Grace Bomb: The Surprising Impact Of Loving Your Neighbors May 1 from David C Cook. The book is a gateway to personal and corporate revival, inspiring readers to put into practice Jesus’ command to love our neighbors. In Grace Bomb, Pastor Linnell equips readers to join a movement of simple obedience that leads to world-changing impact.

Grace bombs are intentional acts of love prompted by the Holy Spirit, which can practically look like offering an extra tip to a hardworking server, giving up a seat on an airplane, or making a meal for the ER nurse next door, etc. When a person “grace bombs” a neighbor, spouse or stranger, it is a response to God’s call to love those people in generous and surprising ways.

“Small steps of obedience can lead to outcomes beyond what we can even think to ask for or imagine,” shares Linnell.  “…followers of Jesus were literally built for this, and by embracing the truths and tools within Grace Bomb, readers will learn about their unique ability as Christians to love people, understand how to recharge their souls by tapping into a supernatural fuel supply, and be helped in recognizing and removing barriers in their hearts that keep them from living out their God given purposes in this one and only life.

“While, like most Christians, I struggle to find my big purpose/calling in life, I now see that we have this beautiful gift of generosity and kindness to offer in our simple everyday lives,” continues Linnell. “…this is seen even as businesses and celebrities incorporate giving back or showing kindness…But in contrast to the world, the church has been both equipped and called to this very work. Generous giving should be in the churches’ wheelhouse…”

Drawing on rich examples from Scripture and everyday life, and with a foreword written by Joey Tomassoni, Grace Bomb shows how readers can:

• Deepen sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
• Go beyond cultural expectations of kindness to point people toward Jesus
• Overcome barriers to “Grace Bombing,” such as fear, busyness and prejudice
• Rest in God-given identity and access His supernatural fuel supply
• Experience joy and fun while exercising faith beyond Sundays

With inspiring stories from people around the world who have discovered the joy of “Grace Bombing” in a movement that is catching on with Christians and churches internationally, this energizing book helps readers put their love into action. Most importantly, it helps readers use that action to show others the true source of love with no strings attached: Jesus.

Sharing first-hand accounts of “bombs” dropped and received over the past three years of the Grace Bomb movement, Linnell encourages, “In the spirit of Hebrews 10:24, we are considering how to stir one another on to love and good works. When we hear about these simple everyday neighbor-loving actions that really happened, we can better spot the opportunities that God is putting before us even now.”

For all the latest Grace Bomb news and more, go to www.gracebomb.org/book, Facebook and Instagram.

About Patrick Linnell:  Throughout Patrick Linnell’s nearly two decades in pastoral ministry, God’s disruptive grace has been his consistent theme. In 2017, this led to the preaching series that formed the basis for his Grace Bomb book and 2018’s birth of the non-profit The Grace Bomb Company. After an overwhelming response from his congregation, Grace Bomb cards and an interactive website, www.gracebomb.org, were branded and born, and stories began to circulate and be shared about these surprising gifts meant to brighten a neighbor’s day. Since then, Grace Bomb cards have been requested in all 50 States, with more than 1,000 stories shared through the website alone of intentional acts of love motivated by Jesus. Churches around the nation have also launched Grace Bomb as a sermon series and an ongoing discipleship tool.

With an undergraduate degree in Business and Marketing, Linnell at one time had his sights set on corporate America until God broke in with other plans. Instead, he became a missionary to young adults in the greater Baltimore/DC area while completing a MA in Theology from Columbia International University (CIU). Spending 14 years on staff at Bay Area Community Church in Annapolis, MD, Linnell now leads the Grace Bomb movement as chief visionary and travels to churches around the country to introduce them to this unique discipleship tool. He is the husband of 18 years to Kristen, father of four kids, an aging ice hockey player, and extreme yard work enthusiast.

About David C Cook:  David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the global Church with life-transforming, Christ-centered materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado—with offices in Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, and the United Kingdom—David C Cook produces resources that are published in over 150 languages and distributed in more than 170 countries. Originally founded in 1875 as a curriculum publisher, David C Cook now also publishes numerous bestselling books, resources, music (Integrity Music), and media from a variety of award-winning authors and artists. Learn more about David C Cook’s mission at DavidCCook.org.

ATTN MEDIA: Patrick Linnell, Grace Bomb review and giveaway copies are available upon request. High-resolution cover artwork and other press materials are available now at https://app.box.com/v/PatrickLinnell-GraceBomb.

For additional information, contact:
Rick Hoganson, Hoganson@comcast.net
Maureen Hoganson, MaureenHoganson@comcast.net
Hoganson Media Relations, 615-459-9870