New book features real-life stories of senior dogs finding forever homes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 12, 2020) – One may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks but the four-legged, senior residents at the Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary can teach their own lessons of character building, friendship and how love never grows old. Published by Tommy Nelson Books, Homecoming Tales, 15 Inspiring Stories from Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary now is available for pre-purchase and wherever books are sold beginning Wednesday, Nov. 3.

Founded and owned by husband-wife team, Michael and Zina Goodin, Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary is a forever foster home sanctuary in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. While providing lifetime homes for senior dogs, Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary strives to raise awareness about the joys and challenges of living with older dogs.

Michael Goodin notes, “We do not concern ourselves with the quantity of time that they have left but rather with the quality of the life we can provide them while they are with us.”

Each year, 1.6 million dogs are adopted in the United States. Readers will learn about pet adoption, ownership and the joys and challenges of living with older dogs. Featuring 15 heartwarming, true stories of senior dogs and their journeys finding their forever families, readers will find doggy stats and fun facts, recipes for their own canine friend, full-color photo inserts of the dogs with their forever families, informative insight into adopting and owning pets, caring for aging animals, ideas for helping a pet with special needs, and ways kids can get involved with their local animal shelter or rescue.

“Dog lovers and pet rescue enthusiasts of all ages will find inspiration and adventure in each tale,” Zina Goodin adds. “The stories of our sweet, sassy, and sometimes even hilarious old friends can offer us humans the simple reminder that no one is too old to give or receive love.”

Homecoming Tales, 15 Inspiring Stories from Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary (ISBN# 9781400222926) will be available in paperback ($15.99), ebook ($8.99) and audio ($15.99) formats wherever books are sold.

About Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary:
Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary is a forever foster home sanctuary in beautiful Mount Juliet, Tennessee. Old Friends houses approximately 100 senior dogs at the Gardens and currently upwards of 400 in forever foster homes. While providing lifetime homes for senior dogs, OFSDS strives to raise awareness of the joys and challenges of living with older dogs. We are a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization. We do not concern ourselves with the quantity of time that they have left, rather the quality of the life that we can provide them for that time.

For more information our website at www.ofsds.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.

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.

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

Press kit materials available here: https://we.tl/t-yLMCKXgvDq
Included are:
-News Release
-Photos
-Book Excerpts
-Fun Facts
-Book Cover Graphic
-Quick Web Links

Make Us One: A 31-Day Prayer Journey Toward Racial Healing was released October 1 by PrayerShop Publishing. Based on Jesus’ prayer in John 17 for the Father to make us one, Make Us One is a biblical, Christian response to racism in America.

It is a compilation of 31-Scripture-based prayers written by national prayer leaders, pastors, and racial reconciliation leaders. Compiled by Niko Peele and Jonathan Graf, both members of America’s National Prayer Committee (NPC), the book was a partnership with the NPC.

“The power of a truly unified Church that stands against the sin of racism will have an immense influence on the healing of our nation,” writes Peele and Graf in the Introduction. As they pray through it, Make Us One: A 31-Day Prayer Journey Toward Racial Healing will open the hearts of believers to be a part of racial healing in America.

“As new social justice and civil rights movements are pushing to dominate the narrative,” says Peele, “the Church carries the kind of justice that meets both the temporal and eternal freedom that the world is searching for. It is a Jesus-justice fueled by biblical conviction, compassion, prayer, and action that will bring revival to the heart and transformation to society.”

The prayer guide includes:

• 31 Scripture-based prayers written by national prayer leaders, pastors, and racial reconciliation leaders of all ethnicities.
• Short personal testimonies by people of color sharing an experience of racism and discrimination they have had.
• Action steps to live out racial unity in your community.

“The socially engineered lie of separate races and racism blinds us,” prays Alveda King in her Foreword to Make Us One. “We repent of our clinging to skin color. Forgive us Lord. Open our eyes Lord. Jesus, you give sight to the blind. Show us your one blood/one human race. Show us, help us receive this truth together. Help us to love you, to love one another, and ourselves.”

“Sadness, anger, fear . . . whatever your response to the racial tensions in our nation, no one is ignoring them. What can we do though, to make a difference?” asks David Butts, chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee. “That is where prayer comes in. Make Us One provides practical help to pray with compassion and power for racial healing in our land. Powerful, scripture-based prayers will focus your prayers on the Lord, who can bring the ultimate healing we need. The NPC is so proud to have a significant number of contributors to Make Us One. This book of prayers for racial healing expresses the heartfelt desire of our committee to see Christ honored through the compassionate prayers of his people.”

PrayerShop Publishing is especially known for developing guides for prayer initiatives. While Make Us One is a great book of prayers for an individual to pray through, it is primarily designed for groups and congregations to pray through together.

Grand Rapids, Mich. Sept. 2020– Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is proud to release the NASB, Journal of the Word™ Reference Bible, 1995 Text, featuring the exclusive NASB Comfort Print® typeface. Universally recognized as the gold standard among word-for-word translations, the beloved New American Standard Bible, 1995 Text, now delivers an exceptionally smooth reading experience, with a well-crafted, highly readable format.

The first-of-its-kind for the New American Standard Bible, the NASB Journal the Word Reference Bible allows you to record your thoughts next to treasured verses while also cross-referencing other scriptures. This single-column, red-letter Bible features thick paper with lightly ruled lines in the extra-wide margins, giving readers plenty of space to reflect on God’s Word and enhance their study.

Excellent to give as a gift or for personal use, this Bible with your personal writings inside it can also become a cherished heirloom to pass on to future generations.  Features:

• The full text of the New American Standard Bible, 1995 Text
• Single-column cross-reference system
• Lined, wide margins for taking notes, drawing artwork, and writing personal reflections
• Thick white paper
• Words of Christ in red
• Lays flat in your hand or on your desk
• Satin ribbon marker
• Exclusive Zondervan NASB Comfort Print typeface
• 8.5-point print size

Senior Vice President of Sales Tom Knight announces his retirement; Dan Van Gorp promoted to lead role

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) (September 30, 2020)—HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) and HarperCollins Focus (HCF) today announced a change in its sales organization, with the planned retirement of senior vice president (SVP) of Sales, Tom Knight at the end of the calendar 2020. Dan Van Gorp, current director of Independent Retail Sales, has been promoted to fill this role and will begin working with Knight on a transition plan effective immediately. Van Gorp will oversee the entire organization’s trade sales operations and will sit on the company’s Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to president and CEO, Mark Schoenwald.

Van Gorp began his career with Zondervan in 2003 as an account executive and was promoted to manager of Independent Retail Sales for HCCP when the company integrated with Thomas Nelson in 2012, before moving into his current role. As SVP of Sales, Van Gorp will be responsible for setting the organization’s overall sales goals and growing its footprint in physical and online retail, as well as with book distributors. He will continue developing and maintaining partnerships with key industry stakeholders, authors, agents and staff. Van Gorp will be relocating to Nashville, to be based in the company’s corporate office.

“I am excited about this opportunity and the challenges ahead as we continue to look for ways to partner with retail in providing great content,” said Van Gorp. “It has been a wonderful journey for me which began working in a bookstore. With each new step over the course of my career, I have tried to seek understanding and look for new and innovative ways to share our content.  Over the past few months, I have gained clarity on various nuances of our overall business and the significance that our sales organization has in fulfilling the company’s mission to inspire the world.”

“I am thrilled for Dan to lead the HCCP and HCF sales organization,” says Tom Knight. “He is deeply loyal to the mission, and I believe in his ability to grow and develop new relationships across the business. I am grateful for the past thirteen-and-a-half years and am looking forward to this next stage of life, spending more time with my family.”

Mark Schoenwald commented, “Dan has spent his career working with one of our most dynamic sales channels, spearheading various programs to support our independent retailers and Christian bookstores. He has led a team of sales reps across the country, each with their own unique regional customer perspectives. This experience will translate well into his new role.”

Schoenwald continued, “Tom has accomplished a great deal throughout his tenure, including growing our sales organization to be the largest in the inspirational publishing industry with a diversified global retail network. We will miss him, but we thank him for all he has contributed and wish him well for a healthy and happy next phase of life.”

About HarperCollins Christian Publishing: As the world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., comprises the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing groups, 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. For more information please visit www.harpercollinschristian.com.

About HarperCollins Focus: HarperCollins Focus, LLC owns and operates a collection of publishing imprints, that enlighten and empower readers to transform their hearts and minds, connecting through story, advice, mentorship and community. The company is based in Nashville, TN. For more information please visit www.harpercollinsfocus.com.

Contact: Casey Harrell, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, 615.902.1109
casey.harrell@harpercollins.com

Nelson Books imprint will release a new book line in association with COMPEL

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) (October 1, 2020)—Thomas Nelson, alongside New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst, is launching a new publishing initiative that will mobilize the next generation of women Christian authors, through TerKeurst’s own COMPEL author training program. Recently, TerKeurst posted an initial announcement on her social platforms, as well as released a video with literary agent and manager, Meredith Brock, providing preliminary details about the publishing program.

TerKeurst and Brock will work together to identify and develop authors through their training program, then carefully select manuscripts to be presented to Thomas Nelson in a co-review process. Manuscripts that are further identified as commercially viable will be contracted and managed through Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Books will be co-branded Nelson Books and COMPEL.

“This exclusive project will be the first of its kind for Nelson Books,” said Timothy Paulson, vice president and publisher of Nelson Books. “Lysa has been more than a bestselling author to our publishing family. She is a visionary leader who loves to teach others how to reach their goals and dreams of success. Lysa told us she wanted to help her community of women who have such incredible and inspiring messages that deserve to be read. The COMPEL book line is a concept that utilizes the strength of Lysa’s wonderful gift for writing and developing a resonating voice for her ever-growing readership, and the Thomas Nelson editorial, marketing, and distribution expertise to elevate new Christian authors, Bible teachers, and disciples of God’s Word.”

The first COMPEL training opportunity that has been designed for this new initiative—The Book Proposal Boot Camp—begins on October 18th and will be completed in January.  The COMPEL team will then begin their work alongside the Nelson Books team, with a goal to release its first book in the line in 2022.

For more information on COMPEL, go to the www.TheBookProposalBootcamp.com.

About Thomas Nelson: Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational product for more than 200 years. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Contact: Casey Harrell, Senior Director, Corporate Communications
615.902.1109, casey.harrell@harpercollins.com

WESTMONT, IL— InterVarsity Press is pleased to congratulate art director, David Fassett, for his work on five designs that were chosen for 2020 Top Shelf Book Cover Awards by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). Fassett received the most awards of all the designers represented.

“The InterVarsity Press publishing program encompasses a wildly diverse set of books that call for equally unique design approaches,” Jeff Crosby, IVP publisher, said. “Year after year, David Fassett’s skill set is more than up to the challenges placed before him, as the five 2020 Top Shelf Awards demonstrate. I join all of my IVP colleagues in congratulating him on a job well done and on designs that help open doors to reaching and engaging readers of our trade and academic books.”

Fassett’s winning covers include:

• A Prayer for Orion: A Son’s Addiction and a Mother’s Love by Katherine James
• The Myth of the American Dream: Reflections on Affluence, Autonomy, Safety, and Power by D. L. Mayfield 
• Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters by Sandra L. Richter
• To Think Christianly: A History of L’Abri, Regent College, and the Christian Study Center Movement by Charles E. Cotherman
• Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery by Mark Charles and Soong-Chan Rah

Fassett joined InterVarsity Press (IVP) as a marketing designer in 2009 and was promoted to senior graphic designer in 2014. He was appointed to the position of art director in May 2017.

“We are so thankful for David’s creativity and the understanding of each book that he brings to the design process,” said Lorraine Caulton, IVP’s director of creativity and customer engagement. “He is very deserving of these honors, and we are thrilled to celebrate these awards, his gifts, and his hard work.”

ECPA announced the winners of this year’s awards on October 1 during the closing session of Pub U Online. Winning book covers are featured at TopShelfAwards.org.

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – The largest Bible smuggling network in the world is headquartered in Bartlesville, Okla., home to the offices of The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM). Each year, VOM delivers more than one million Bibles into nations where the Word of God is restricted or entirely illegal. Through their new Bible Smuggler product line, which includes a t-shirt, hat and wristband, VOM provides Christian retail customers an opportunity to participate in this global Bible smuggling initiative.

Each product – t-shirt, hat or wristband – purchased from this new line provides VOM’s distribution teams with the financial resources needed to deliver one Bible to a Christian living in a hostile or restricted nation. These teams deliver Bibles at great personal risk to the most dangerous mission fields in the world.

“At VOM, we believe that placing a Bible into the hands of every Christian believer is a task the global body of Christ can accomplish in this generation,” said Todd Nettleton, host of VOM Radio. “Though many nations try to restrict access to God’s Word, we’re finding innovative ways to ensure Christians living in these countries can receive their own Bible. Through these products, every American Christian can be part of this vitally important work.”

Examples of Bible smuggling include:

IRAQ

In 2014, ISIS invaded Mosul and surrounding areas of the Nineveh Plains that had been home to generations of Iraqi Christians, and the Islamists systematically burned churches and Bibles. VOM provided new Bibles to replace those destroyed and provide additional Bibles to Iraqi Christians.

NORTH KOREA

If caught with a Bible, North Korean Christian believers could be sent to a labor camp, or worse. VOM workers launch balloons filled with print Bibles and smuggle digital Bibles into the country through highly-covert operations.

CHINA

In 2018, the government banned the online sale of Bibles, an additional obstacle in a country where printed Bibles were already difficult to obtain. The Communist Party is also working on a new Bible translation intended to inject “Chinese values” into Scripture. VOM workers distribute Bibles to underground churches in every province of China.

CUBA

As the government tightens its control of religious life in Cuba, Christians there fear it will become more difficult to get Bibles. Over the years, VOM has used a variety of ways to bring Bibles into Cuba, including by boat, hand-carrying individual copies and through government-approved shipments.

Through many covert operations like these, VOM continues the legacy of its founder, Richard Wurmbrand, who famously said, “I would not believe in a Bible if it would not be worth it to smuggle it in everywhere even at the greatest risk, and if it would not be worth it to sit ten days and nights alone in the cold in order to be able to read its wonderful pages.”

Learn more about this global Bible smuggling network at VOMBibles.com, and pray for those who risk everything for the opportunity to receive and read illegal copies of the Bible.

To place an order for the Bible Smuggler Resources, please contact Anchor Distributors using the information below:

Anchor Distributors Customer Service:
Phone: 800-444-4484 or 724-334-7000
Email: customercare@anchordistributors.com
International: internationalorders@anchordistributors.com
Fax: 800-765-1960 or 724-334-1200

For further questions, contact VOM BOOKS via email at vombooks@vom.org.

Ada, Mich. (September 22, 2020)—On Saturday, September 19, the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) held a virtual gala to announce the winners of the 2020 Carol Awards.

Four Baker Publishing Group titles received this prestigious award including The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin (Historical Romance), The Gryphon Heist by James R. Hannibal (Mystery/Suspense/Thriller), Driftwood Bay by Irene Hannon (Romance), and The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey (Romantic Suspense). ACFW, which is devoted to promoting the craft of writing Christian fiction, created the Carol Awards as a way to recognize the best Christian fiction published within the previous calendar year.

For a complete list of winners, please visit https://www.acfw.com/about/press_room/.

The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin
(Revell; ISBN 9780800727987; Ebook ISBN 9781493416585; $16.00)

A top American fighter pilot battles the Germans in the air and his past on the ground. Can a Red Cross volunteer help him heal the wounds that tore his brothers apart?

The Gryphon Heist by James R. Hannibal
(Revell; ISBN 9780800735777; Ebook ISBN 9781493419432; $15.99)

A rookie CIA officer makes a reluctant agreement to work with a former assassin and an elite team of thieves to breach a high-altitude data vault hovering in the mesosphere in the most daring heist ever conceived.

Driftwood Bay by Irene Hannon
(Revell; ISBN 9780800728816; Ebook ISBN 9781493416509; $15.99)

Jeannette Mason swore off relationships of any kind when she moved to Hope Harbor to start a new life—but a single dad with a grieving little girl and an unruly pup may test that resolve.

The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey
(Bethany House; ISBN 9780764230844; Ebook ISBN 9781493418695; $15.99)

When a Coast Guard officer is found dead and another goes missing, Special Agent Finn Walker faces his most dangerous assignment yet. Complicating matters is the arrival of investigative reporter Gabby Rowley, who’s on a mission to discover the truth. Can they ignore the sparks between them and track down this elusive killer?

Baker Publishing Group (Bethany House, Revell, Baker Books, Chosen, Brazos Press, and Baker Academic) is a leading producer of Christian resources that give insight and inspiration to readers worldwide. Our divisions reflect the broadest scope of topics, which includes fiction, self-help, inspiration, professional books, Christian living, and academic titles.

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

Ada, Mich. (September 22, 2020)—In January 2020, Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, launched Beyond the Book, an online book club to connect its books with readers and to foster engaged conversation among people who cherish a great story.

Since the club’s formation, Revell has generated monthly book club picks, offered weekly discussions, and invited authors to participate in the club via Facebook Live events and through guest posts. Bestselling authors Sarah Sundin, Jill Eileen Smith, Ann H. Gabhart, and a number of other authors have made appearances on Beyond the Book. The book club has also offered exclusive giveaways and early access to deals and special promotions.

This fall, Beyond the Book is ramping up to offer a whole new selection of authors and events for readers to enjoy. Revell invites readers to become part of the conversation by joining the hundreds of members already signed up for Beyond the Book.

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

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