AVAILABLE 1/26/26

This Easter season, meditate deeply on Christ’s final moments before his death and his triumphant resurrection with forty devotions taken from the sermons of Charles H. Spurgeon.

DECEMBER 2025 – Because we have read and heard the accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection so many times, we often move too quickly over some of the more intricate details of the last days of Jesus’s life. Why did he wash the disciples’ feet? Why was he crowned with thorns? Why was he silent before Herod? What Depths of Love allows readers to slow down and meditate on these and other fascinating details of Christ’s final moments on Earth.

Spurgeon’s deep understanding of the cross and resurrection, made accessible to modern readers, will enrich your walk with Christ, help you cherish the glorious hope of salvation, and encourage you to proclaim him boldly. From Gethsemane to Golgotha to the empty grave, these sermons proclaim Christ crucified and risen, the blazing center of Spurgeon’s theology and ministry.

If you pick up this book outside of the Lent and Easter season, fear not! As editor Geoffrey Chang points out, Spurgeon would say not to worry too much about the church calendar but make it your ambition to repent and meditate on Christ crucified all year round.

• Forty daily devotions to help you grow in your love for Christ and be renewed by the glorious truths of the cross and resurrection.
• Third book in the Old Made New series, making the teaching of theologians and pastors who have left us a rich heritage of faith accessible for modern-day readers.
• Compiled by Geoffrey Chang, curator of the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Charles H. Spurgeon (1834–1892) was the pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, for thirty-eight years, and his ministry exploded, resulting in the largest evangelical congregation of his day and the founding of 66 parachurch ministries, including a college and orphanage. He is widely regarded as one of the nineteenth century’s best preachers, and his sermons have been translated into over forty languages.

Geoffrey Chang, MDiv, PhD, serves as Assistant Professor of Historical Theology and the curator of the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also the Book Review Editor for History and Historical Theology at Themelios (The Gospel Coalition). Chang is the author of many articles and books, as well as the editor of A Wondrous Mystery and Your Only Comfort. He is married to Stephanie, and they have three children. Follow Geoffrey Chang on Facebook (@geoffchang10)  and X (@geoffchang).

For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com

PHILADELPHIA, PA — American Bible Society today released the ninth and final chapter of their 15th annual State of the Bible report. This concluding chapter summarizes significant findings from this year’s data and offers a glimpse into new research scheduled for release in the spring of 2026.

The ninth chapter of State of the Bible: USA 2025 is available to download for free, and the full book can be purchased at StateoftheBible.org.

“This year’s State of the Bible research shows a renewed interest in Scripture in our culture, marked by a notable uptick in Scripture Engagement and Bible Use—driven especially by men and young adults,” says John Farquhar Plake, Chief Innovation Officer at American Bible Society and editor-in-chief of the State of the Bible series.

“As we look back at 15 years of State of the Bible and forward toward 2026, we’re excited to continue offering resources that tell the story of the Bible’s influence and impact in the lives of Americans. Our prayer is that we can equip pastors and church leaders to meet people in their spiritual journey and help them take their next step into deeper engagement with God’s Word.”

In addition to the annual report findings, State of the Bible offers extended digital content and resources for pastors and church leaders. The State of the Bible Podcast features guest interviews with ministry leaders and applies research findings to various ministry contexts. Insights from State of the Bible is a series of two-minute highlight videos that dive deeper into significant data points. Finally, the Church Leaders Toolkit houses fresh resources and graphics that can be used as sermon illustrations, conversation starters, or prayer reminders each month.

To download the ninth chapter of State of the Bible 2025 or to purchase the full-color paperback book, visit StateoftheBible.org.

State of the Bible findings come from a nationally representative survey performed for American Bible Society by NORC at the University of Chicago, using their AmeriSpeak panel. The data came from 2,656 online interviews with American adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Data were collected from January 2–21, 2025.

About American Bible Society
Since 1816, American Bible Society has been making the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. One of the nation’s first and most enduring ministries, American Bible Society today advocates for all people to apply the Bible’s teachings to their lives in a way that transforms their relationship with God and others. For free Bible resources or to join the Bible cause, visit AmericanBible.org.

Ada, Mich. (December 10, 2025)— Baker Publishing Group is pleased to announce that nine titles across its imprints— Baker Academic, Brazos Press, Lexham Press (acquired), Revell and Bethany House—were selected as winners, finalists, or Award of Merit recipients Christianity Today 2025 Book Awards.

Each year, Christianity Today’s panel of editors, theologians, pastors, scholars, and writers evaluate hundreds of submissions across multiple categories. Baker Publishing Group celebrates the authors and editors whose work contributes meaningfully to conversations in the church and the world.

“We at Baker Publishing Group are honored by the recognition our titles have received this year in the Christianity Today Book Awards. It’s a testament to the work and dedication of the team here at BPG and to the authors we’re honored to work with.” says, Jesse Myers, President and CEO, Baker Publishing Group, “We have titles represented from Baker Academic, Brazos, Revell, and Bethany House as well as Lexham Press whose titles and authors we were pleased to welcome to BPG this year.”

Baker Publishing Group Honorees:

Award of Merit —Book of the Year; and Winner— Apologetics & Evangelism

The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory
by Robert S. Smith (Lexham Academic)
Robert S. Smith argues that God intends a person’s gender to be grounded in the reality of his or her biological sex—the body God has given.

Winner — Biblical Studies

Jesus and the Law of Moses: The Gospels and the Restoration of Israel within First-Century Judaism
by Paul T. Sloan (Baker Academic)
This book explores the Synoptic Gospels’ depiction of Jesus as an authoritative teacher who heralds Israel’s restoration and participates in intra-Jewish debate about how to keep the Law.

Winner — Bible & Devotional

Reading the Psalms as Scripture
by James M. Hamilton Jr. and Matthew Damico (Lexham Press)
A richly coherent and accessible guide showing how the Psalms function as Scripture and how readers can engage them devotionally and theologically.

Finalists — Fiction

From the Valley We Rise
by Elizabeth Musser (Bethany House)
A moving, character-driven story of hope, resilience, and faith.

The Light on Horn Island
by Valerie Fraser Luesse (Revell)
A lyrical Southern novel blending mystery, beauty, and redemption against the backdrop of the Gulf Coast.

Finalist — Christian Living & Spiritual Formation

The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World
by David Zahl (Brazos Press)
A timely call to rediscover grace amid cultural exhaustion, anxiety, and endless striving.

Award of Merit — Theology (Academic)

Contesting the Body of Christ: Ecclesiology’s Revolutionary Century
by Myles Werntz (Baker Academic)
A sweeping historical and theological account of how the 20th century reshaped Christian understandings of the church.

Finalist-Theology Academic

Joining Creation’s Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness
by Brian Brock (Baker Academic)

Winner — Theology (Popular)

The Cost of Ambition: How Striving to Be Better Than Others Makes Us Worse
by Miroslav Volf (Brazos Press)
An internationally renowned theologian argues that rather than improving us as individuals and as a society, our ambition to be better than others actually diminishes us.

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) 450-5560, smacnaughton@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Nashville, Tenn., December 10, 2025 – Thomas Nelson, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP), announces it has extended its partnership with Museum of the Bible to sponsor more than 200 events at their renowned World Stage Theater in Washington, DC.

“We are thrilled to continue working with Museum of the Bible to make these spectacular events possible,” said Nikki Getman, marketing vice president of Bibles for Thomas Nelson. “Thomas Nelson’s commitment to excellence and our partnership with Museum of the Bible exemplify our shared vision: to boldly enhance and uplift the understanding and appreciation of the Bible.”

The partnership supports an expansive live event program, including highly anticipated Broadway-style productions like “God Meant It for Good: The True Story of Joseph and His Brothers in Egypt” and a stage adaptation of C. S. Lewis’s, Prince Caspian. Events throughout the year also include Christmas concerts in December, educational presentations, concerts and so much more.

“Museum of the Bible’s World Stage Theater is a stunning and intimate event venue in the heart of our Nation’s capital that turns concerts, plays, and educational programs into transformative experiences for audiences of all ages,” said Matthias Walther, chief marketing officer at Museum of the Bible. “Partners like Thomas Nelson help make all of this possible by continuing our mission to invite all people to engage with the Bible.”

For more information on upcoming events, please visit museumoftheBible.org.

ABOUT THOMAS NELSON
Thomas Nelson is a world-leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational products 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 thomasnelsonbibles.com.

ABOUT MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE
Museum of the invites all people to engage with the transformative power of the Bible. Located just three blocks from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the stunning 430,000-square-foot museum showcases rare and fascinating artifacts spanning 4,000 years of history and immersive experiences exploring the Bible. In addition to its educational programs, exhibits and experiences, Museum of the Bible hosts the beautiful 476-seat World Stage Theater. To learn more, visit museumofthebible.org.

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 12, 2025) – Hachette Nashville is proud to announce an exceptional year of publishing, with a total of six titles from its imprints hitting the New York Times bestseller list over the course of 2025. This achievement underscores the publisher’s commitment to offering impactful, high-quality content to readers of faith-based and conservative political books.

“Our authors have delivered powerful messages that resonate deeply with readers, and we are immensely proud of their well-deserved success,” said Daisy Hutton, VP & Publisher of Hachette Nashville. “Having 20% of our frontlist titles this year hit the list speaks also to the talent and commitment of this extraordinary team.”

The highly diverse list of NYT bestsellers from Hachette Nashville in 2025 includes titles from all three imprints – Center Street, FaithWords, and Worthy:

• BUTLER: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America’s Heartland by Salena Zito debuted at #1 on both the Nonfiction Hardcover and Combined Print & E-book lists and remained on both lists for three weeks (Center Street)
• THE BIBLIO DIET: Live Long, Master Metabolism, Reduce Pain, Fight Depression, and Conquer Cancer with Healing Secrets from the Bible by Jordan Rubin and Dr. Josh Axe appeared in the #3 spot on the Advice, How-To, and Miscellaneous list (Worthy)
• TRUMP’S TRIUMPH: America’s Greatest Comeback by Newt Gingrich landed at #4 on the Nonfiction Hardcover list and #5 on the Combined Print & E-book list (Center Street)
• JOYSPAN: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half by Dr. Kerry Burnight ranked #5 on the Advice, How-To, and Miscellaneous list (Worthy)
• STAND FIRM AND ACT LIKE MEN: Becoming the Man You Were Created to Be Instead of Who the World Says You Are by Joby Martinhit #9 on the Advice, How-To, and Miscellaneous list (FaithWords)|
• WHEN THE STONES SPEAK: The Remarkable Discovery of the City of David and What Isreal’s Enemies Don’t Want You to Knowby Doron Spielman reached #11 on the Nonfiction Hardcover list and #14 on the Combined Print & E-book list (Center Street)

Hachette Nashville is a division of Hachette Book Group. The imprints of the Hachette Nashville publishing group are focused on the reading interests of Middle America, specifically in the areas of faith and conservative politics. For a full list of Hachette Nashville titles or for more information on these 2025 NYT bestsellers, visit the Hachette Nashville website.

Media Contact:  Katie Robison, Senior Director of Publicity, katie.robison@hbgusa.com, (917)538-1417 

NAIROBI, Kenya — December 2025 — The African Christian publishing landscape marked another significant milestone as the 5^th African Christian Authors Book Award (ACABA) BookFest & Gala, organized by CLC Kenya, convened in Nairobi with record-breaking participation and a growing global footprint.

Now considered one of the premier platforms for spotlighting Christian authorship in Anglophone Africa, ACABA received 131 submissions from 22 countries in 2025—its widest reach yet in its vision to unite all 27 Anglophone African nations under one Christian literature ecosystem.

The gala drew (in-person) authors, publishers, and partners from Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Italy, and Switzerland, underscoring the continent’s expanding influence in global Christian writing and the strengthening partnerships across the international publishing community.

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A Year of Strategic Partnerships and Cross-Continental Collaboration

Global Trainers of Trainers (ToT)

The CLC Kenya/ACABA teams received specialized capacity-building support through partnerships with Africa Speaks, Publishing in Color (a connection established at the 2023 ECPA PubU conference), and Media Associates International, ensuring that the training offered to African authors reflects global best practices in Christian publishing.

From these trainings, each year, ACABA expands its mandate beyond awards by running year-round author training and empowerment programs designed to strengthen writing, editing, publishing and distribution skills across the continent. These initiatives will continue into 2026 as part of ACABA’s long-term commitment to raising publishing standards in Africa.

Literature/Content Partners

CLC Kenya/ACABA engaged 61 partners across Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Scotland—including Tyndale Kids, Christian Focus Publications, Dernier Publishing, Answers in Genesis, Goodwill Rights Management, Urban Press, and African Christian publishers serving the African market.

The year also marked deeper collaboration with YouVersion East Africa and YouVersion South Africa, signaling a major strategic shift toward digital discipleship and global distribution opportunities for African Christian authors in 2026 and beyond.

Patrick and Dr. Muthoni Omukhango, who lead both CLC Kenya and ACABA, noted that the continued rise in submissions and partnerships reflects a “growing hunger for authentically African, Christ-centered writing and a renewed commitment to advancing readership and authorship across the continent.”

Translations

Translations are becoming a strategic pillar in ACABA’s vision to amplify African Christian literature globally. Through the support of CLC International, Africa is gaining access to French, Spanish, Italian, and Korean translation pathways, enabling ACABA authors to see their works carried into new linguistic and cultural contexts. These expanding opportunities ensure that African stories, theological reflections, and discipleship resources transcend borders, enriching the global Church with authentically African voices and perspectives.

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2025 ACABA Award Recipients

Young Readers Category

• Augustine Mulenga (South Africa) – David, the Great King; Robbie the Raven and Debbie the Dove
• Florence Mlambo (Kenya) – Her Legacy Lives: Embracing the Essence of Biblical Heroines in Modern Society
• Blessings Ongeri (Kenya) – Journey Through the Bible: A Devotional for Kids (By Children for Children)

Family Category

• Nancy Mwabili (Kenya) – Hope Unbowed: Faith Lessons During an 11 Year Season of Childlessness
• Tafadzwa Rwizi (Zimbabwe) – Pre-Marital Wisdom: What You Need to Know Before You Say ‘I Do’

Men/Women Category

• Titus Otieno (Kenya) – Activated Husband: Unmasking and Conquering Six Portraits of Dysfunction in Husbandhood

Business & Finance

• George Oyuga (Kenya) – Dance With My Money: Tango Dance Your Finances to the Next Level

Missions & Church / Theology

• Jemimah Nzola (Kenya) – Blessed Beginnings: Pray, Plan and Prepare for Your Baby Throughout Pregnancy
• Dr. Onkeme Letshwiti (Botswana) – Fire in the Pulpit: A homiletics Guide to Powerful and Purposeful Preaching

Board Games

• Truphie & Wangechi (Kenya) – The Fun Animal Puzzle Book

Christians in Other Disciplines

• Dr. John Mbugua (Kenya) – Shepherding the Sunset Years for Clergy: Staying Relevant and joyful in Post-Ministry Life
• Dr. Wilson Mbugua (Kenya) – Planning for Lifestyle in Retirement

Mental Health & Addictions

• Mabel Masigale (Zimbabwe) – Healing or Hiding? Discovering, Uncovering and recovering from Hidden Emotional Pain to Wholeness

Christian Living

• Stanley Mkhwanazi (Eswatini) – Redefine Your Worth: How to Overcome Hopeless Thoughts and Enjoy God’s Unfailing Love
• Samson Njenga (Kenya) – The Chain of Destiny: Fulfilling Your Life’s Purpose

Culture & the Arts

• Margaret Kimaiyo (Kenya) – The Untold Story of the Turkana Girl: Navigating Challenges and Cultivating Resilience for the Marginalized Turkana Girl

History & Biography

• Mary Gachau (Kenya) – Caregivers: The Silent Partners in Cancer Care

Leadership

• Kingston Ogango (Kenya) – Mentoring: A Practical Guide for Growing and Developing Leaders

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Overall Awards

Book Program of the Year (Sponsored by CLC USA under The George Verwer Legacy Award)

• Patrick Makewa (Kenya) – True Love Waits: Discover About Love and Sex
• David Njeru (Kenya) – Naked Truth About Sex

Book Cover of the Year (Sponsored by Tyndale House Ministries under The Kenneth N. Taylor Legacy Award)

• Magdalene Nasimiyu (Kenya) – Until My Last Breath: An Abandoned Devotion
• Monica Mueni (Kenya) – Wind of Change: My Experience After Salvation
• Teteyian Nangurai (Kenya) – Unbroken:  Smiling Through the Pain

Book Content of the Year (Sponsored by CLC USA under The Ken & Bessie Adams Legacy Award)

• Patrick Makewa (Kenya) – True Love Waits: Discover About Love and Sex

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A Growing Literary Movement Across Africa

ACABA continues to serve as a catalytic platform for discovering new voices, elevating high-quality Christian literature, and strengthening cross-border collaboration between authors, publishers, translators, illustrators, designers, and ministry leaders.

The 2025 Gala reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to professionalizing Christian writing across Africa, improving production standards, nurturing emerging authors—including children and teens through Mama Africa Book Box—and building sustainable distribution pipelines.

Through its partnership with global and continental ministries and publishers, ACABA is amplifying African stories, scholarship, and discipleship content to serve the Church worldwide.

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About CLC
CLC is an International Mission Organization whose story began in 1941 with a single Christian bookshop in Colchester, England, founded by Ken and Bessie Adams. Today, the ministry has grown into a global network with its International Office still based in the UK and an active presence in more than 44 countries. Its statement of purpose remains clear and unwavering: “To honor God by making Christian literature and resources available and accessible to all nations, to help people come to faith and maturity in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

About CLC Kenya
CLC Kenya (https://kenyaclc.org/), established in 2007 in Nairobi, is one of the 44 member countries carrying this mission forward. The work is accomplished through writing classes, publishing, and printing, as well as two community initiatives:

• ACABA – Recognizing, celebrating, and promoting quality in Christian authorship across Africa (https://africanauthors.net/).
• MABB – Building godly families through book-based discipleship for children, teens and their families (https://mabb.kenyaclc.org/).

Together, these expressions of the CLC mission continue to shape lives, strengthen the Church, and broaden access to Christian literature across Africa.

Contact:  Dr. Muthoni Mercy Omukhango, muthoni.omukhango@cblafrica.com +254720817962
 

DECEMBER 2025 – WORLD Magazine has announced their top books for 2025, and The Sword: Magnus and the Mystery of Romans​ by Marty Machowski (New Growth Press) has been chosen as their Children’s Book of the Year.

The Sword (released September 8, 2025) follows the format of Machowski’s popular storybook studies such as The Ology and WonderFull. He weaves a Bible study with a fictional story, leading young readers on an adventure to unlock the mystery of the swords of Magnus while exploring Paul’s letter to the Romans. The Sword shares the story of Katana and Brant who find a wooden sword and ancient journal belonging to Magnus, a one-time gladiator who became a guard who watched over the apostle Paul while he was under house arrest. Their discovery leads the siblings on a quest to reveal the mystery of the swords by studying Magnus’s journal.

The Bible study portion of The Sword is presented as the study notes of Magnus. It was through his study of the gospel from Paul’s letter to the Romans that Magnus received the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Readers will learn alongside Katana and Brant the bad news of our sin and the good news that rescues us through the cross of Christ.

The text is written for elementary school ages (children 8–12), but the vivid, full-color illustrations by Flavia Sorrentino will help the youngest members of the family to follow along.​“The Sword is designed to be read alongside the Bible as a family. A Bible study section follows each chapter of the fictional story. Read the assigned Scripture verses, followed by the short commentary which explains key truths from the Bible passage for the day,” Machowski explains. “While your children may be eager to move through the study quickly to return to the fictional story, give the study sufficient time.”

This study is straightforward in its presentation of the gospel on a level that young readers can understand. The author writes in the introduction, “The main goal of The Sword is to help children understand the sobering bad news of sin so that they better understand the good news of our gospel rescue through the cross of Christ. Like many books in Scripture, Paul’s letter to the Romans carries several more mature themes. These topics, defining and explaining circumcision, for example, are left to parents.”

The Sword closes with a special section titled “The Romans Road” that outlines steps for understanding and accepting salvation through Christ.

Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for thirty years. Machowski leads Promise Kingdom, the gospel-centered children’s ministry of Covenant Fellowship. He is also the Executive Editor for Children’s Resources at New Growth Press. He is the author of a number of family devotionals, Sunday School curriculums (including the Gospel Story Curriculum), children’s books, and parenting titles. His latest releases include The Sword, The Treasure, Promises Made Promises Kept, and the Redemption Tales series. Machowski and his wife, Lois, have six children and several grandchildren. They reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Learn more at www.martymachowski.com. He can also be found on Instagram (@martymachowski) and Twitter (@MartyMachowski).

Flavia Sorrentino lives and works as a freelance illustrator in Rome, where she grew up. She loves her city and the figure of speech, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” which inspires her each day to seek new ways of communication and expression. She has worked hard on her technique which has taken her across the globe, from France to America and beyond! Flavia is the illustrator of The Treasure and The Sword.

For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. —Dec. 1, 2025 — This Advent season, millions of  listeners will discover bestselling author John Mark Comer and his acclaimed book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry through Hallow, the leading Catholic prayer and meditation app. As part of Hallow’s annual Advent Prayer Challenge, “Pray25: Be Still,” actor Chris Pratt will read selections from Comer on Sabbath, silence, solitude and slowing down. The three narrated reflections will post on December 5, 12, and 19, inviting users to experience Comer’s message of rest and renewal during one of the busiest times of the year.

Originally released in 2019, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World (WaterBrook) has sold 900,000 copies, appeared monthly since its publication on the ECPA Bestseller List, and continues to inspire readers worldwide to slow down and reclaim peace in a culture of busyness.

Through this partnership, listeners across the globe will experience Comer’s message—one that has profoundly shaped conversations about spiritual formation in the modern world. The book’s message is especially timely in today’s overstimulated and frenzied holiday season, offering a countercultural call to stillness that prepares the heart to be with God during the Christmas season, into the new year, and beyond.

Comer is the author of multiple bestsellers from WaterBrook, including The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Live No Lies, and Practicing the Way, which have collectively sold 1.7 million units across all formats. His Practicing the Way (2024) won ECPA’s 2025 Christian Book of the Year Award and has made 26 appearances on The New York Times Best Sellers List.

Comer is the Founder and Teacher of Practicing the Way, an organization that equips individuals and churches to apprentice under Jesus through intentional rhythms of practice, presence, and transformation. Prior to founding Practicing the Way, Comer spent nearly 20 years pastoring Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, where he explored what it means to follow Jesus in a post-Christian culture.

Hallow’s Pray25 series invites millions each year to prepare spiritually for Christmas through daily guided prayer, meditation, and reflection. This year’s theme, “Be Still,” encourages participants to rediscover stillness amidst the noise and hurry of modern life.

Now in its seventh year, Pray25 has drawn hundreds of thousands of participants, making it the largest Advent prayer challenge Hallow has ever hosted. The app continues to experience remarkable global growth: as of June 2025, Hallow has nearly 24 million installs, with over 1 billion prayers prayed and millions of active users across 150 countries.

For more information on the Pray25 Challenge, visit hallow.com/pray25.

WaterBrook is an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House.

 

 

 

November 24, 2025, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Zondervan is honored to announce that five books from the Zondervan Academic and Zondervan Reflective publishing imprints have been recognized by The Gospel Coalition (TGC) as winners in the 2025 TGC Book Awards. These recognitions reflect the strength, theological depth, and pastoral relevance of our authors’ work.

Highlighted by TGC’s rigorous selection process, the winning titles from Zondervan Academic and Zondervan Reflective are:

• Ministry: Lest We Drift: Five Departure Dangers from the One True Gospel, by Jared C. Wilson (Zondervan Reflective)
• First-Time Author: The Reason for Church: Why the Body of Christ Still Matters in an Age of Anxiety, Division, and Radical Individualism, by Brad Edwards (Zondervan Reflective)
• Biblical Studies: The Story of Jesus Continues, by Douglas Huffman (Zondervan Academic)
• Missions & the Global Church: From the Rising of the Sun: A Journey of Worship Around the World, by Tim Challies & Tim Keesee (Zondervan Reflective)
• Theological Studies (Award of Distinction): Christian Life, by Kelly Kapic (Zondervan Academic)

These awards come from a highly selective process in which TGC judges evaluate books for gospel-centered argumentation, faithfulness to Scripture, spiritual discernment, and potential to renew and unite the church.

“We are deeply honored by TGC’s recognition of these books,” said Ryan Pazdur, Vice President and Publisher of Zondervan Reflective and Study Resources. “Each one highlights our commitment to publish biblically rooted resources that help readers more deeply reflect on God’s truth. Seeing them affirmed in this way underscores their ongoing relevance for life and ministry.”

“These awards highlight the kind of rigorous, faithful scholarship we are committed to cultivating,” said Katya Covrett, Vice President and Publisher of Zondervan Academic. “Our authors bring remarkable clarity and theological depth to the church, and we’re grateful to see their work recognized.”

These honors affirm Zondervan Academic’s commitment to equipping scholars with resources for teaching, preaching, and lifelong learning, as well as Zondervan Reflective’s dedication to leadership and ministry books that enable readers to act with insight. The recognition by TGC is a testament to both the quality of our authors and the ongoing relevance of gospel-centered literature in the contemporary church.

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:  Serena DeKryger, Marketing Manager, Publicity and Reader Engagement, serena.dekryger@harpercollins.com

Dr. Matthew Bingham’s “A Heart Aflame for God” Receives Award of Distinction

November 24, 2025; WHEATON, Ill.— Crossway is pleased to announce that Matt Smethurst’s Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel (April 2025) has won The Gospel Coalition’s 2025 Book Award in the History and Biography category. Announcing the award, TGC commends, “At the heart of Tim Keller on the Christian Life lies a simple but profound conviction: The gospel changes everything. Matt Smethurst captures the essence of Keller’s ministry by tracing the key themes that shaped his preaching and writing.”

Matthew Bingham’s A Heart Aflame: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation (April 2025) also received an Award of Distinction in the Popular Theology category. “Matthew Bingham enters the [spiritual formation] conversation, urging us to remember and draw from our Reformation heritage, which brims with resources for growth,” writes TGC.

“We are very grateful to see these two books recognized in this way. Both books exemplify why Crossway exists: to help Christians live the Christian life to the glory of God,” says Justin Taylor, Crossway’s executive vice president of book publishing and book publisher. “Matt Smethurst does it through the lens of the teaching of one extraordinary pastor-theologian, Tim Keller, mining all of his writings, and even transcribing all of the sermons from his first pastorate, to provide in one volume what Tim never did on his own: a synthesis of all of his teaching on the Christian life into one volume. Matthew Bingham does it primarily through the lens of the Puritans, helping to recover their biblical approach to spiritual formation. May the Lord continue to use these books to help us walk coram Deo, before the face of God.”

This exceptional biography—Tim Keller on the Christian Life by Matt Smethurst—honors Timothy Keller (1950–2023), an influential pastor, author, and cofounder of The Gospel Coalition, by tracing nearly 50 years of sermons, conference messages, and books. Synthesizing Keller’s work, Smethurst delves into each core component of the Christian life while covering Keller’s views on prayer, suffering, friendship, vocation, and intimacy with God. With theological insight, Smethurst encourages Christians and leaders to pursue a life pleasing to God.

In A Heart Aflame for God, Matthew Bingham analyzes God-ordained spiritual practices modeled by the 16th- and 17th-century Reformers. Drawing from Puritan tradition, Bingham encourages readers to find a balance between having confidence in their salvation through faith with a responsibility for one’s personal spiritual growth. Throughout A Heart Aflame for God, Bingham dives into biblical practices including meditation, prayer, and self-examination from a Protestant perspective.

The Gospel Coalition Book Awards are presented to books in eleven different categories. They are judged on how they offer gospel-centered argument and application, include faithful and foundational use of Scripture (both Old Testament and New Testament), foster spiritual discernment of contemporary trials and trends, and encourage efforts to unite and renew the church.

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

Contact:  Sarah DeRosa, sderosa@crossway.org, 1 (630) 682-4300, ext. 6012