NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 1, 2021) – Today, Tommy Nelson announced that the new edition of  “Just in Case You Ever Wonder” by New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado, has surpassed more than 100,000 copies sold bringing the total units sold for this remarkable book to more than 1.8 million copies.

“’Just in Case You Ever Wonder’ is a book every family should have in their home. This heartwarming and inspiring story reassures children that they are unconditionally loved by their parents and by God,” said Laura Minchew, senior vice president, Children’s and Gift Group publisher for HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

Originally released more than 30 years ago, “Just in Case You Ever Wonder” is one of Lucado’s hallmark messages.

More information about Lucado can be found at www.maxlucado.com. “Just in Case You Ever Wonder” (Thomas Nelson, ISBN# 9780718075385, Aug. 6, 2019) is available for purchase wherever books are sold.

About the Author:
Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as Teaching Minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is America’s bestselling inspirational author with more than 140 million products in print.  Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado Twitter.com/MaxLucado

About Tommy Nelson:
Tommy Nelson® is the children’s division of Thomas Nelson. As a leading provider of Christian content, Tommy Nelson publishes a wide variety of high-quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson’s award-winning products are designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while inspiring them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit www.tommynelson.com.

Contact: Natividad Lewis, Publicist, 931.698.9620 natividad.lewis@harpercollins.com

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 1, 2021) – Today, Thomas Nelson announced that “One God, One Plan, One Life”” by “New York Times” bestselling author Max Lucado has surpassed more than 100,000 copies sold.

“The devotional messages in ‘One God, One Plan, One Life’ offer teens a clear perspective as to how much God loves them and that He has a plan for their lives,” said Laura Minchew, senior vice president, Children’s and Gift Group publisher for HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

An ECPA 2015 Christian Book Award finalist, “One God, One Plan, One Life” is a 365-day devotional for students focusing on teen issues, such as bullying, self-esteem, and purity, delivered in short daily devotions. With a focus on Christian faith, this devotional for teens helps them cut through life’s distractions and rely on the one thing that is truly important–a relationship with God.

More information about Lucado can be found at www.maxlucado.com. “One God, One Plan, One Life” (Thomas Nelson, ISBN#9781400322633, Dec. 30, 2013) is available for purchase wherever books are sold.

About the Author:
Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as Teaching Minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is America’s bestselling inspirational author with more than 140 million products in print.  Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado Twitter.com/MaxLucado

About Tommy Nelson:
Tommy Nelson® is the children’s division of Thomas Nelson. As a leading provider of Christian content, Tommy Nelson publishes a wide variety of high-quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson’s award-winning products are designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while inspiring them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit www.tommynelson.com.

Contact: Natividad Lewis, Publicity Manager, 931.698.9620, Natividad.lewis@harpercollins.com

Iron Stream Media has partnered with The Readable Bible and BOTT Radio to present the Gospel Challenge through April 30, 2021. The challenge provides a copy of the Gospel of John to keep and one to share with a friend for a nominal donation of $15 to The Gospel Challenge Foundation to complete the work of The Readable Bible translation. This challenge is the perfect opportunity to share God’s Word with a friend to help them understand:

• Why am I here?
• Why aren’t people happy?
• Why do bad things happen?
• Why are some people good and others bad?
• Is there a God? If so, can I know Him?
• Does He care about me?

In the world we live in, people are looking for answers to these questions and the Gospel of John is an introduction to understanding these answers.

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19, The Readable Bible

Challenge participants will also receive discounts from Challenge Partners including The Readable Bible, Iron Stream Media, Fidelis Publishing, Character Counts, P&R Publishing, and Joni & Friends. Find more information at www.gospelchallenge.org.

Iron Stream Media derives its name from Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This sharpening describes the process of discipleship, one to another. Iron Stream Media provides a variety of solutions for churches, missionaries, and nonprofits that include in-depth Bible study curriculum, Christian book publishing, and consultative services. Iron Stream Media is the home of New Hope Publishers, Iron Stream Books, Ascender Books, LPC Books, and New Hope Kidz. Through the popular Life Bible Study and Student Life Bible Study imprints, they also provide web-based, full-year and short-term Bible study teaching plans as well as printed devotionals, Bibles, and discipleship curriculum.

Grand Rapids, Mich. (March 3, 2021) – Zondervan author and co-founder of Celebrate Recovery, John Baker, died on February 23, 2021 at age 72.

Baker co-founded Celebrate Recovery with Rick Warren out of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA, after participating in Alcoholics Anonymous and desiring a Christ-centered 12-step program to help people overcome their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. According to the Celebrate Recovery website, since 1991, millions of people have participated in the Celebrate Recovery programs offered at more than 35,000 churches, prisons, and rescue missions in 21 different languages.

Zondervan first published the Celebrate Recovery Participants Guide Set by John Baker in 1998. Since that time, Zondervan has published Celebrate Recovery curriculums, Bibles, devotionals, and trade books with Baker, and all the resources have sold over 5 million copies.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of John Baker this past week. John was an amazing man who deeply loved God and his family and invested the last 30 years of his life in the life-transforming ministry of Celebrate Recovery,” said John Raymond vice president and publisher for Trade Curriculum at HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “We count it a great privilege that we have been able to partner with John, and his son Johnny, in publishing the Celebrate Recovery resources that have transformed millions of lives throughout the world.”

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

Preceding the launch of her latest book, Debra Fileta’s Love + Relationships podcast will host Christine Caine, Matt Chandler, Jeremy Camp, Natalie Grant, and others for broadcast counseling sessions that dive deep into their spiritual and emotional health

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) March 2, 2021—According to Mental Health America’s 2021 report on the current state of the country’s mental health, the number of people looking for help with anxiety and depression has skyrocketed. From January to September 2020, there was a 93% increase over the 2019 total number of anxiety screens and a 62% increase over the 2019 total number of depression screens. Alarmingly, the report also cited that 80% of people who took the anxiety and depression screenings scored with symptoms of moderate to severe conditions this year. Ultimately the report reveals a devastating reality in America:

• Youth mental health is worsening.
• Even before COVID-19, the prevalence of mental illness among adults was increasing.
• Suicidal ideation among adults is increasing.
• There is still an unmet need for mental health treatment among youth and adults.

Enter Debra Fileta, a licensed professional counselor and host of the Love + Relationships podcast––a hotline-style show where people call in to get their relationship questions answered.

In Fileta’s forthcoming book, Are You Really OK? Getting Real About Who You Are, How You’re Doing, and Why It Matters (978-0-7369-8251-1, May 18, 2021, Harvest House Publishers), this bestselling author and speaker challenges readers to take a closer look at their emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health and ask themselves, “Am I really OK?” Fileta knows firsthand that being a person of faith doesn’t automatically mean you’re healthy. After 10+ years of marriage, 15 years of counseling clients, and four and a half books (she’s currently cowriting one with Gary Thomas), Fileta not only possesses the knowledge and experience to coach listeners on their journey to becoming more than okay––she has the heart for it. In fact, in her upcoming book, she reveals some of her own traumas, including a miscarriage that nearly took her life, and her deep struggles with both anxiety and depression. Fileta states: “Just because you’re a Christian doesn’t mean you’re healthy. Getting healthy is an ongoing process that requires you to stop, dig deep, and ask yourself the hard questions. The worst thing we can do for our emotions is to simply ignore them.”

Fileta will also host a 9-week special series, “Are You Really OK?” on her Love + Relationships with Debra Fileta podcast to coincide with the book’s release. The series will feature counseling sessions that ask the theme question of special guests, including:

• Christine Caine––founder of A21 and Propel Women
• Matt Chandler––lead pastor of The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas
• Jeremy Camp––chart-topping singer/songwriter, worship leader, and subject of the film I Still Believe
• Natalie Grant––eight-time GRAMMY® nominee, five-time GMA Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year, author, philanthropist, and cofounder of Hope for Justice
• Michelle Williams––singer, actress, and member of R&B group Destiny’s Child
• Jonathan Pitts––bestselling author, speaker, and executive pastor at Church of the City in Franklin, Tennessee
• Jonathan Pokluda––bestselling author of Welcome to Adulting and pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church
• Levi Lusko––Lead pastor of Fresh Life Church and bestselling author of Swipe Right and Through the Eyes of a Lion

During this time when the whole world is feeling isolated and disconnected, the Are You Really OK? podcast series will allow listeners to connect with and learn from some of the most prominent voices in the Christian world today as they dig in to discover their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health through these 30-minute interview sessions with Fileta.

“The Are You Really OK? series is going to courageously pave the way for us to get real about our mental and emotional health from the top down,” says Fileta. “I’m inviting some incredible leaders, pastors, and teachers who are willing and ready to open up about how they’re really doing and to have an honest conversation with me about their personal journey toward mental and emotional health. We’re going to have powerful, life-changing conversations no one will want to miss.”

It’s time to get intentional about pursuing health in every part of life. Bringing together science, psychology, and faith, the Are You Really OK? series will help listeners get healthy from the inside out while Fileta and her esteemed guests work through the tough questions.

Love + Relationships with Debra Fileta is the hotline-style podcast hosted by licensed professional counselor and author Debra Fileta. In each episode, Debra talks about healthy relationships for every age and stage. Listeners can tune in wherever they stream their favorite podcasts or at truelovedates.com/loveandrelationships/.

Are You Really OK? is Fileta’s fourth book. It is available everywhere books are sold starting May 18, 2021. Learn more at https://areyoureallyok.com/.

Debra Fileta, MA, LPC is a licensed professional counselor, host of the Love + Relationships podcast and the author of True Love Dates: Your Indispensable Guide to Finding the Love of Your Life (2018), Choosing Marriage: Why It Has to Start with We>Me (2018), Love in Every Season: Understanding the Four Stages of Every Healthy Relationship (2020), and Are You Really OK?: Getting Real about Who You Are, How You’re Doing, and Why It Matters (2021). A passionate speaker, Fileta challenges people to have a psychologically and spiritually healthy approach to relationships. She and her husband, John, have been happily married for more than a decade and have four beautiful children. To learn more about Debra, follow her Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and visit www.TrueLoveDates.com.

Harvest House Publishers, a Christian publishing company based in Eugene, Oregon, publishes more than 100 books per year and carries a strong backlist offering more than 1,500 titles. Over 145 million Harvest House books have been sold worldwide through diverse distribution channels, and additional millions have sold in more than 75 languages.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Morgan Canclini-Mitchell, morgan@twopr.com 615-933-8570 
Lisa Bergmanis, lisa@twopr.com 573-692-5641

Bloomington, MN — Chosen Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, has signed a two-book deal with renowned writer, speaker, and pastor Samuel Rodriguez. “It is our great privilege and pleasure to partner in publishing with Pastor Sam Rodriguez,” says Jane Campbell, the Editorial Director for Chosen. “His  gentle  but  soul-searching  touch  helps  us never to mistake what we are going through with where we are going to—and to know in the deepest places of our hearts that God will give us what we need.”

Kim Bangs, Senior Acquisitions Editor at Chosen Books, says, “Having had the privilege to observe Pastor Sam’s ministry and work as he travels the nation and utilizes all forms of social media to offer hope, I have seen people from all walks of life drawn in by his passion to lift up the name of Jesus and to lift the hearts of those listening.”

Rodriguez’s first book with Chosen, Persevere with Power (October 2021), is inspired by the story of Elisha’s faithfulness while exploring the power of persevering with hope amid the dark times in which we live. Unending struggles have left us weary or discouraged, but Rodriguez says it is possible not only to break free but also to discover the assignment, anointing, and authority God has waiting for us. Persevere with Power will simultaneously release in Spanish as Persevera con poder.

“His books are rich with his passion—and, of course, his great one-liners of encouragement. What you hear from the pulpit is what you read on the page—a rare and welcome gift,” says Kim. “We are excited to partner with Pastor Sam to bring his biblical and relevant messages to readers around the world.”

Samuel Rodriguez (pastorsam.com) is the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the world’s largest Hispanic Christian organization with over 42,000 U.S. churches and many additional churches spread throughout the Spanish-speaking diaspora. Rodriguez has been named among the “Top 100 Christian Leaders in America” (Newsmax 2018). He is regularly featured in CNN, Fox News, Univision, PBS, Christianity Today, The New

York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and many others. Rodriguez serves as Senior Pastor of New Season Christian Worship Center in Sacramento, California, where he resides with his wife, Eva, and their three children.

Focusing on what God is doing around the world, Chosen Books aims to publish well-crafted books that recognize the gifts and ministry of the Holy Spirit and help the reader live a more empowered and effective life for Jesus Christ.

CONTACT:
Holly Maxwell, hmaxwell@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Empowering Forward-Thinking Leaders for Today and Tomorrow

NASHVILLE, TN—March 3, 2021 — R.H. Boyd Publishing Corp. celebrates 125 years of service and five generations of leadership this year. Founded in 1896 by Rev. Dr. Richard Henry Boyd, the R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation continues to be a beacon of excellence in the printing, publishing, and global distribution of Christian materials and church supplies under its fifth president/CEO, LaDonna Boyd.

R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation has a longstanding tradition of producing, publishing, and distributing biblically sound and culturally relevant Christian education resources, materials, and church. Since its inception in 1896, R.H. Boyd has taken great pride in meeting the needs of all Christians, with a targeted focus on the needs of the African-American community. The company works with thousands of churches, pastors, bookstores, distributors, seminaries, authors, and conference attendees that trust R.H. Boyd with their church, business, non-profit, and personal faith needs.

R.H. Boyd now offers services for authors to publish and print their work through Torchbearer Press. Our boutique publishing entity offers publishing solutions and editorial services using by vetted industry professionals, professional cover design and formatting, promotional product design, printing, and much more! Please visit our website www.rhboyd.com for more information.

The R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation has been under new leadership since 2017. After guiding the trajectory of R.H. Boyd Publishing for four decades, Dr. T. B. Boyd III retired on October 27, 2017, and passed the mantle of leadership to eldest daughter LaDonna Boyd, who had been serving the company as chief operating officer. “It is a privilege to be in business for five generations. Most family-run companies don’t make it past two,” says Ms. Boyd. “It is an honor to carry on the legacy of my ancestors, spreading the message of Jesus Christ through the written word,” Boyd explained. “We are committed to being a leader in providing Christian and inspirational resources for churches and communities across the country.”

As the fifth-generation president/CEO of the R.H. Boyd family of companies, LaDonna Boyd is very innovative. She has a passion for creating opportunities for underserved communities, providing educational resources for women and girls, and environmental and conservation efforts. An alumna of Spelman College, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics, Ms. Boyd earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Tennessee State University.

“I stand as the proud leader of an organization that has lent its voice to positively uplifting the narrative of Black people.” Ms. Boyd further explained that there is no greater time than the present to become a storyteller and shape the narrative of this experience. “Through R.H. Boyd, we have a multitude of resources that showcase the beauty and diversity of the Black voice. Since its founding by my great-great-grandfather in 1896, we have been an active supporter and participant in the liberation of our people. Having been fortunate to endure for five generations, now is not the time to rest on our laurels.”

The vision for R.H. Boyd going forward is to be a leading voice for storytelling through print, multimedia channels, data collection, events, and servicing as industry experts. R.H. Boyd is also positioned to lift the voices addressing social concerns and social injustices, along with providing Christian education, commercial printing, and educational resources such as the Vision Conference, an annual leadership and training conference which is a premier leadership event, providing a multitude of resources, including strategy sessions, author services, sermons, workshops, and continuing education credits for seminary and secular employment requirements.

“I hope that in the next 125 years we continue to be authentic in our narrative and are not fighting the same battles (racism, sexism, equal rights) as our forebears.”

Please visit rhboyd.com for more R.H. Boyd history and follow us on social media @rhboydco for additional facts and features.

Contact: Monique Gooch, (615) 350-8000 marketing@rhboyd.com

Ada, Mich. (March 4, 2021)— Outreach magazine recently announced the winners of their Resources of the Year. Baker Academic titles received two top honors. A Public Missiology by Gregg Okesson in the Cross-Cultural and Missional category. Models of Evangelism by Priscilla Pope-Levison in the Theology and Biblical Studies category. Exiles on Mission by Paul Williams (Brazos Press) was also recommended in the Cross-Cultural and Missional category.

For the eighteenth year, Outreach magazine has named top books and curriculum that are geared toward church leaders and churches wishing to deepen their reach for the sake of the gospel. The complete list of recognized resources can be found here.

A Public Missiology: How Local Churches Witness to a Complex World by Gregg Okesson (Baker Academic; ISBN 9780801098079, Ebook ISBN 9781493422388, $24.99p)

How can Christians witness to an increasingly complex world? Gregg Okesson shows how local congregations are the primary means of public witness in and for the world. As Christians move back and forth between their churches and their neighborhoods, workplaces, and other public spaces, they weave a thick gospel witness. This introduction to public missiology explains how local congregations can thicken their witness in the public realms where they live, work, and play. Real-life examples from around the world help readers envision approaches to public witness and social change.

Models of Evangelism by Priscilla Pope-Levison (Baker Academic; ISBN 9780801099496, Ebook ISBN 9781493427383, $21.99p)

At once biblical, theological, historical, and practical, this book by a seasoned scholar offers an engaging, well-researched, and well-organized presentation and analysis of eight models of evangelism. Covering a breadth of approaches—from personal evangelism to media evangelism and everything in between—Priscilla Pope-Levison encourages readers to take a deeper look at evangelism and discover a model that captures their attention. Each chapter introduces and assesses a model biblically, theologically, historically, and practically, allowing for easy comparison across the board. The book also includes end-of-chapter study questions to further help readers interact with each model.

“We are very proud to partner with these scholars on their important works on effective outreach,” notes Jim Kinney, Executive Vice President of Academic Publishing. “The witness of the church has fallen on hard times in many quarters for a variety of reasons. But we need not lose heart. The church is also blessed with creative thinkers and careful scholars who can help us find our way forward into transformative witness to our troubled world.”

Brazos Press title Exiles on Mission by Paul Williams, is recommended as a resource in the Cross-Cultural and Missional category.

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

Contact: Shelly MacNaughton, (616) 676-9185  smacnaughton@bakerpublishinggroup.com

 

CHICAGO, IL, March 4, 2021:  For the 18th year, Outreach Magazine is celebrating the best outreach-oriented books and curricula by honoring them as Outreach Resources of the Year. Sent: Living a Life that Invites Others to Jesus (Moody Publishers, August 2020) by Heather & Ashley Holleman has been selected as a winner in the Evangelism and Apologetics category.

Husband and wife duo, Heather and Ashley Holleman wrote Sent “to inspire others about the joy and adventure of evangelism.” They invite Christians to grow joyfully with Jesus as they live out their true identity as sent to share Jesus with others.

The Hollemans have fully embraced their identities as sent through nearly two decades of full-time ministry. With joy, they proclaim the name of Jesus knowing that God is always at work around us, that He is seeking and saving the lost, and that He is excited for us to do this work with Him.

“Moody Publishers is thrilled for Ashley and Heather Holleman on this great news! Sent truly changes the way we think about talking to others about Jesus, and I know it will serve as a treasured resource for years to come. When I approached Heather and Ashley about writing a book on evangelism, I knew they’d deliver something extraordinary,” says Judy Dunagan, Acquisitions Editor at Moody Publishers.

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

WESTMONT, IL—Lead Like It Matters to God by Richard Stearns, president emeritus of World Vision US, has been named the Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA) 2021 Outcomes Conference Book of the Year. Stearns will speak about his new book and the theme of thriving as Christian leaders at the Outcomes Conference June 15-17 in Orlando, Florida.

Jeff Crosby, IVP publisher, said, “The leaders from more than 1,200 not-for-profit organizations and ministries who are a part of the CLA are a core audience for Richard Stearns’s powerful book on values-driven leadership in a success-driven world. I am delighted, as I know Rich will be, that the Christian Leadership Alliance has honored Lead Like It Matters to God with this prestigious honor.”

Stearns is a leader who has been tested as a CEO in secular companies and also as the head of one of the world’s largest Christian ministries. After stints as CEO of Parker Brothers and then Lenox, Stearns accepted the invitation to leave his corporate career to become the president of World Vision US, where he became the longest serving president in their seventy-year history.

In Lead Like It Matters to God: Values-Driven Leadership in a Success-Driven World, Stearns shares the leadership principles he has learned over the course of his remarkable career. As a leader who has navigated both secular and sacred spaces, Stearns claims that the values Christian leaders embrace in their workplaces are actually more important than the results they achieve—that God is more concerned about a leader’s character than a leader’s success.

Stearns said, “Leadership affects every dimension of our human experience. Leadership can unite us, lift us up, and inspire us to achieve great things. And leadership is crucial to accomplishing God’s purposes in our world. In short, leadership matters to God and so it ought to matter to us.”

With wisdom, wit, and biblical teaching, Stearns shares captivating stories of his life journey and unpacks seventeen crucial values that can transform leaders and their organizations. When leaders embody values such as integrity, courage, excellence, forgiveness, humility, surrender, balance, generosity, perseverance, love, and encouragement, they not only improve their witness for Christ they also shape institutions, influence culture, improve team performance, and create healthy workplaces where people can flourish.

Christian Leadership Alliance president and CEO Tami Heim said: “In Lead Like It Matters to God, Rich Stearns is extremely transparent as he shares his lifelong experiences. It is impossible not to be significantly influenced by his stories. The lessons he learned on his quest to be a values-driven leader in a success-driven world are highly relatable and inspiring. I appreciate how each chapter carries a refreshing dose of humility. His desire to know, love, and serve God reminds us that a life surrendered to Christ is missional in every way and in every assignment. This book is a gift to all leaders, wherever you are in your transformational journey.”

Crosby said, “CLA’s mission is to equip leaders to transform the world for Christ. I can think of few resources that if read and applied thoughtfully will equip leaders better than Lead Like It Matters to God. IVP is privileged to be its publisher and to carry Rich’s message throughout North America and all around the world.”

For more information about his work and background read this interview with Richard Stearns on Christian leadership.

Contact: Krista Clayton, Associate Director, Publicity, 630.734.4013, kclayton@ivpress.com  ivpress.com

 

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Click here for a list of resources and guests for Women’s History Month.