Well-known dive industry professional author Jon Coon has released his latest novel Ghost River. This highly anticipated book promises to give fiction readers a crime-thrilling, suspenseful and authentic summer read.

Ghost River is the thrilling supernatural story of badly constructed bridges based on actual events of collapsed bridges. It follows the impact of an underwater criminal investigator whose partner is murdered and whose life is threatened when he discovers a multistate conspiracy responsible for bridge failures and several deaths.

“One of America’s top writers of modern sea adventures,” wrote Clive Cussler, New York Times best-selling fiction author.

An article in the 2014 Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering reported, “In the last thirty years over six hundred bridges have collapsed or failed due to scour (erosion) problems.” A brief survey of those failures reveals faulty engineering and poor construction played major roles in several of those failures, resulting in many deaths. Because of those deaths, states were forced to create bridge inspection teams, who discovered numerous bridges desperately in need of repair. The discoveries made by those dive teams in turn saved many lives.

Public safety and police diving, for many years, had the highest number of fatalities of any technical or commercial aspect of diving. Diving frequently under extremely adverse conditions and all too often without proper comprehensive training, many divers were lost not because of the complexity of the missions or the adversity of the environment but because of the lack of basic dive skills.

Ghost River was written as a tribute to the very few, highly competent instructors who made it their life’s calling to provide the training necessary to keep those divers alive. The book does so by accurately describing the demands of the job and the risks divers may face all while providing an exciting story full of twists and turns from beginning to end.

Senior members of the dive community will fondly remember the adventures of Doc Holiday, the former SEAL who went to Bermuda to rescue his kidnapped daughter and in the process became entangled in a web of archaeological subterfuge and deadly drug smuggling. Jon’s first two books, Thief of the Deep and its sequel Blackwolf, set in the Cayman Islands, became industry favorites, selling thousands of copies. Ghost River will not disappoint.

Sample Chapters.

About the Author
Jon recently retired after twenty-nine years as a PADI regional manager, former commercial and scientific DSO, who specialized in explosives work in salvage diving and worked on scientific and archaeological projects internationally. Jon and his wife Rachel live in South Carolina and are active in church, Rotary, pickle ball, and golf. Your comments about the book will be greatly appreciated.

[NASHVILLE, TENN., May 18, 2020—] In a culture where love is defined by pop songs and romantic comedies, it’s not surprising that many marriages don’t last, and many married couples are struggling to stay together. Bob Lepine, marriage and family expert and host of the nationally syndicated radio program “FamilyLife Today®,” gives couples a biblical understanding of genuine love in his new book, “Love Like You Mean It: The Heart of a Marriage That Honors God” (B&H Publishing, July 2020).

“Love Like You Mean It” helps husbands and wives discover that it’s not primarily emotions that define marital love but actions and decisions that fuel emotions and cause marital love to grow. Lepine unpacks the idea that without love, we are “nothing” and then explores the remaining attributes of genuine love listed in 1 Corinthians 13, which are the foundation on which healthy marriages should be built: patience, kindness, humility, generosity, easy-goingness, virtue, honesty, tenacity and perseverance.

Each section is filled with relatable anecdotes and colorful examples and includes short discussion questions and brief action items. The discussion starters help couples talk about the text and how it applies to their relationship. The action steps offer husbands and wives practical ways to grow closer to one another and to God.

“This book dives into what a marriage would look like if we took the definition of love provided for us in 1 Corinthians 13—the well known ‘love chapter’ in the Bible—and made it the foundation for our marriages,” says Lepine.

Lepine’s approach to writing “Love Like You Mean It” is atypical of most marriage books that first identify relationship challenges and then provide biblical wisdom to those issues. “Love Like You Mean It” starts with one passage of scripture and then dives deeply into what couples can learn from that passage and apply it to their marriages.

“I think we’ve all fallen into the trap of thinking about love and marriage in emotional and self-focused terms,” says Lepine. “I also see two big misconceptions couples have about marriage. The first is that marriage should be easy. Engaged couples often think, ‘How hard can it be? We’re in love!’ But it takes work for two sinful, self-focused people to live together and love each other well.

“The second misconception is that my biggest problem in marriage is something outside of me—like my circumstances or my spouse. I think the Bible tells us that the biggest problem we have in our marriages is inside of us. It’s the log in our own eye. For most of us, that’s where our focus ought to be.”

For almost three decades, Lepine has worked with FamilyLife, primarily as co-host of “FamilyLife Today®,” FamilyLife’s daily nationally-syndicated radio program, and currently as senior vice president. As a three-time recipient of the National Religious Broadcasters Radio Program of the Year award, “FamilyLife Today®” focuses on helping listeners build stronger, healthier family relationships. Since the ministry’s inception in 1976, 3 million people have attended FamilyLife events, 1.6 million people listen weekly to radio programming and people in more than 100 countries have access to FamilyLife resources.

Prior to joining FamilyLife, Lepine worked in local radio stations around the country. He is the author of “The Christian Husband” and the on-air voice for “Truth for Life” with Alistair Begg. Lepine also serves on the Board of Directors for National Religious Broadcasters.

In addition to his work with FamilyLife, Lepine has been the teaching pastor at Redeemer Community Church in Little Rock since its founding in 2008.

For more information about “Love Like You Mean It,” visit https://lovelikeyoumeanitbook.com/.

Bob Lepine is senior vice president of FamilyLife and co-host of “FamilyLife Today®,” FamilyLife’s nationally-syndicated radio program. A veteran of Christian radio, Lepine has a degree in communications from the University of Tulsa. Prior to joining FamilyLife in 1992, Bob worked for local radio stations in Tulsa, Phoenix, Sacramento, and San Antonio. He is the author of “The Christian Husband” and the on-air voice for “Truth for Life” with Alistair Begg. Lepine also serves on the Board of Directors for National Religious Broadcasters. Lepine lives with his wife, Mary Ann, in Little Rock, Ark. where he also serves as an elder and teaching pastor at Redeemer Community Church.

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

Meadows Wye now providing special discount program to ECPA members

ECPA announces the addition of a new business solutions program for its members through Meadows Wye freight forwarding and US customs brokerage.  Meadows Wye will now provide an exclusive discount package for ECPA members in need of freight and customs services.

Meadows Wye specializes in international transportation and customs brokerage for the print and publishing Industry.  They have wholly owned operations at foreign manufacturing points, and stock distribution areas, including Asia, Europe and North America.  They have had wholly owned operations in Hong Kong and China for almost 50 years, and interface with all printers there, as well as the majority of printers in Eastern Europe, Spain, and Italy.

“During these changing times it is crucial to have a partner who can help with logistics solutions outside the usual channels, including China,” explained Meadows Wye COO Raymond Ambriano.

“We anticipate being able to save many ECPA publishers significant money, over what their current logistics spending is now.  In fact, employing our services can also help reduce carbon footprints when ECPA members can consolidate LCL in our full containers to various distribution centers,” continued Ambriano.

Harvest House Publishers is one of their current customers and their print buyer Marcia Beard is very pleased with Meadows Wye services: “It is a pleasure to work with Meadows Wye. Their team of professionals both domestic and abroad are quick to respond to emails requesting location of product, delivery, & billing. Given the amount of changes happening in the industry right now, we rely on MW’s expertise to consolidate, ship, and deliver our product to our warehouse safely and efficiently. They have been instrumental in assisting us with navigating the many tariffs implemented this last year and with helping us keep our shipping cost down.”

The ECPA member program will include:

• Fees waived for handling, documentation, waybill, DAD, ISF
• Discounts on insurance, customs consulting and consolidated freight rates

“We are delighted to extend this special program through Meadows Wye to our members,” says ECPA president Stan Jantz.  “Our business solutions partners are committed to the work of ECPA and to providing services and cost savings to our members.”

Meadows Wye joins eight other service companies who offer business solution packages to ECPA members, while supporting the work of ECPA.  They are:

• Firebrand Technologies: Metadata Management
• Flagler Law Group: ECPA Legal Hotline
• MetaComet Systems: Royalty Management
• NetGalley: Digital Galleys
• The NPD Group: Bookscan
• AMG: ECPA Vendor Guide
• YM Careers: ECPA Career Center

For more information on these programs, visit the Business Solutions tab at ECPA.org or contact Sheri Toomb at stoomb@ecpa.org.

For more information on the Meadows Wye program, or to schedule a free cost analysis, contact Susie Scally at susies@meadowswye.com or call 718-983-9700.

Meadows Wye is steeped in maritime tradition dating back to Great Britain in the 1800’s. Our company has long and loyal commitments to both our foreign operating partners and clientele. These are relationships that continue to thrive over the decades. Meadows Wye USA was incorporated in 1903 and holds one of the oldest US Customs Brokerage Licenses in the United States. We are an FMC ocean freight forwarder, NVOCC, and airfreight provider; we offer total global intermodal logistics services to a broad range of industries with a special focus on the publishing industry.  Family-owned and operated, Meadows Wye continues to operate as a financially stable and independent entity. Our culture allows us to maintain both long term employee and client relationships. Our structure gives us the flexibility to react when and where our competitors cannot.  Our core capabilities and values are consistent with the demanding logistics needs of specific niche industries. Specifically, Meadows Wye has a long history of providing service solutions for the international publishing industry. Our publisher clientele includes the world’s largest houses. Other business sectors in which we have excelled in performance include those whose manufacturing sectors demand “Just-in-Time” supply chain management.  Our goals and strategies for the future will be consistent with our past. We will continue to be innovators and embrace challenge. Our philosophy remains that our best implemented initiatives come from our client’s ideas.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. For more information about ECPA: info@ecpa.org ECPA.org @ECPA

Media contact:  Stan Jantz, ECPA President and CEO, sjantz@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998

WESTMONT, IL— InterVarsity Press is pleased to announce that Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery by Mark Charles and Soong-Chan Rah won the 2019 American Society of Missiology Book Award for Excellence in Missiology. 

Al Hsu, senior editor at IVP, said, “We at IVP congratulate Mark and Soong-Chan on this important award. Given the ongoing impact of Western imperialism and colonialism, the future of missiology depends on our willingness to reckon with the mistakes of the past. So I am glad that Unsettling Truths can contribute to a more just and holistic vision for mission today.”

Written by United States independent presidential candidate Mark Charles and coauthor Soong-Chan Rah, Unsettling Truths reveals the damaging effects of the Doctrine of Discovery and calls the nation and churches to a truth-telling that will expose past injustices and open the door to conciliation and true community.

Together Charles and Rah put in nearly a decade of research, three years of writing, and another year of editing. Jeff Crosby, publisher for IVP, said, “Unsettling Truths is an unsettling book because it challenges its readers to evaluate what we have long been taught and perhaps blindly accepted regarding American history and our country’s notion of its ‘exceptionalism’ and forces us to consider another viewpoint. It also helpfully and with precision probes questions regarding the intersection of Christian doctrine and a faithful pursuit of justice. While we may not agree with all of Mark’s and Soong-Chan’s interpretations and applications, we will benefit—as individuals, as communities, and as a nation—from giving the work careful, reflective attention.”

Charles, a man of Navajo and Dutch descent, is a speaker, writer, and consultant on the complexities of American history, race, culture, and faith. He and his family live in Washington, DC. Rah was born in Seoul, South Korea, and immigrated to the United States shortly after his sixth birthday. He currently serves as Milton B. Engebretson Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. Rah is the author of Prophetic Lament, The Next Evangelicalism, Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church, and others.

Charles and Rah wrote, “The coauthors of this book have been friends for many years. . . . Our connection stems from our mutual love for Jesus and our mutual passion for Justice, both of which have found expression in our mutual lament for the church. In our journey together, we have discovered the power of developing common experiences and a common memory, which moves us toward a common purpose.” 

Darrell Whiteman, publisher for the American Society of Missiology, said, “The discipline of missiology and the field of mission studies and world Christianity has entered a new era of reflexive examination replacing a former spirit of triumphalism. Deeply committed to understanding and participating in God’s mission in the world, we now realize that much of our worldview and our methods of mission and evangelism became wedded to Christendom and fell far short of following Jesus. We are therefore delighted to choose Unsettling Truths as the 2019 American Society of Missiology Book Award for Excellence in Missiology. In so doing we recognize the significant contribution of Mark Charles and Soong-Chan Rah in furthering our understanding of how mission studies are examined, understood, and interpreted.”

As the ecumenical professional association for mission studies in North America, the American Society of Missiology includes more than six hundred academicians, mission agency executives, and missionaries in a unique fellowship of scholarship and mission. The ASM also publishes the quarterly journal Missiology: An International Review.

Contact: Krista Clayton | 630.734.4013 | kclayton@ivpress.com

Launch includes special pricing for ECPA members posting job opportunities

TEMPE, AZ – May 18, 2020 — The new ECPA Career Center, just relaunched this month with a new professional design and interface, now includes a robust Career Services Center for job seekers with a resume bank, career resources, job searching tips & tools, and more!

Features include the ability for job seekers to:

• Upload your anonymous resume so employers can contact you, but you maintain control of your information and choose to whom you release your information.
• Take advantage of the free resume review option.
• Expose resume to over 2500 niche career centers in the YM Career Network.
• Access the Job Seeker Career Resource Center which includes tips and tools for resume writing, interviewing, social media presence and career advancement.
• Receive an alert every time a job becomes available that matches your personal profile, skills, interests, and preferred location(s).

To add your resume, create a confidential account in the Job Seeker section. Then, select “Upload & Manage Resume” under the Job Seeker tab at the top of the site.  You can then choose “Upload resume file” or “Build resume online.”

In addition, we are offering special pricing to all ECPA member employers that are looking to hire. After selecting “Post a Job,” select the option “Introductory Job Flash™ Package Special” ($129), and these jobs will be posted for 30 days along with the new feature of Job Flash, which includes bi-monthly emails of these jobs to industry professionals. This represents a cost savings from our previous career center pricing!

“We hope this newly-designed career center will make a significant difference for our industry and members as they navigate current conditions in seeking employment and qualified candidates,” states ECPA president Stan Jantz.

ECPA is in the process of setting up profiles for each of their member publishers in order to streamline their process for posting jobs.  Contact ECPA’s Julia Borden at jborden@ecpa.org for more information.

Visit the ECPA Career Center at jobs.ecpa.org.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. For more information about ECPA: info@ecpa.org ECPA.org @ECPA

Media contact:  Stan Jantz, ECPA President and CEO, sjantz@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 18, 2020) – Today, Thomas Nelson announced that How Great is Our God, by Louie Giglio, has surpassed more than 100,000 copies sold.

Ada, Mich. (May 6, 2020) — Baker Academic is proud to announce that Introducing Evangelical Theology (ISBN 9780801097690; Ebook ISBN 9781493416776; $29.99) by Daniel J. Treier was awarded the 2020 Christian Book Award® in the Bible Reference Works category by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA).

The May 5 announcement called Introducing Evangelical Theology “A meaty but manageable introduction to the convictions and arguments shaping contemporary evangelical theology.” For a complete list of the 2020 ECPA Christian Book Award winners, please visit https://christianbookawards.com/winners.html. According to ECPA, the Christian Book Awards “recognizes the absolute highest quality in Christian books.” It is “based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and impact.”

Introducing Evangelical Theology offers students a biblically rich, creedally structured, ecumenically evangelical, and ethically engaged introduction to Christian theology. Daniel Treier, coeditor of the popular Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, discusses key Scripture passages, explains Christian theology within the structure of the Nicene Creed, explores the range of evangelical approaches to contested doctrines, acquaints evangelicals with other views (including Orthodox and Catholic), and integrates theological ethics with chapters on the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer.

Daniel J. Treier (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is Knoedler Professor of Theology at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the author of Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture and has coedited several books, including the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology and the award-winning Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible.

Baker Academic serves the academy and the church by publishing works that further the pursuit of knowledge and understanding within the context of Christian faith. Building on our Reformed and evangelical heritage, we connect authors and readers across the broader academic community by publishing books that reflect historic Christianity and its contemporary expressions.

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

The NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition, and Kirby McCook and the Jesus Chronicles Earn Prestigious Recognition

CAROL STREAM, ILL. (May 6, 2020) – The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced the 14 winners of the 2020 Christian Book Awards® in 12 categories—which included a tie in the Bibles category and a double win in the New Author and Christian Book of the Year categories. Tyndale House Publishers was recognized with winners in two categories: The NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition, which was a co-winner in the Bibles category, as well as Kirby McCook and the Jesus Chronicles, which captured a win in Young People’s Literature.

Trusted and treasured by millions of readers for more than 30 years, the Life Application Study Bible is the top-selling study Bible available today. The NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition has been thoroughly updated and expanded, offering even more relevant insights for understanding and applying God’s Word to everyday life in today’s world.

“When a Bible receives such an honor you can only be grateful to see God’s Word lifted up,” said Jim Jewell, Brand Director, Life Application Study Bible. “To have the Third Edition of the NLT Life Application Study Bible so appreciated brings into view the multitude of people who have labored on this Bible through the decades–from the four young Youth for Christ leaders writing study notes on 3 X 5 cards in the 1980s, to the multi-generational team that has once again crafted the notes and articles so they’ll be sharp and helpful to this and future generations.”

Kirby McCook and the Jesus Chronicles, written by Stephen Arterburn and M.N. Brotherton and released in September 2019, is described as “Captain Underpants meets the Bible” (but in a reverent manner). Twelve-year-old Kirby McCook, mentored by his grandfather, leads his rambunctious friends through the Bible in this creative and fun Bible storybook. Bible stories laced with middle-grade humor help teach kids that Jesus has been part of the story from the beginning and can be found throughout the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation.

“We are honored to receive this award and thrilled for Steve and Marcus,” added Linda Howard, Associate Publisher. “We pray that Kirby’s humor and fresh approach to scripture will help young readers to establish a love of God’s word and a deep faith in Jesus.”

The full list of winners is available at https://christianbookawards.com/winners.html. Tyndale’s finalists are available at https://mediacenter.tyndale.com/news/eight-tyndale-house-titles-named-finalists-for-2020-christian-book-awards.

For additional information about all Tyndale books and Bibles, visit www.tyndale.com.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content.

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $100 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

ECPA Recognizes the New Believer’s Bible with Prestigious Diamond Award

CAROL STREAM, ILL. (May 6, 2020) – Tyndale House Publishers (@tyndalehouse) has announced that its New Believer’s Bible NLT has sold more than 10 million copies. By reaching that plateau, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has recognized the New Believer’s Bible with its Diamond Award, which is presented to books that have sold more than 10 million copies. The ECPA has presented its Diamond Award to only eleven books in the history of the award: http://christianbookexpo.com/salesawards/. The most recent title that received such recognition was The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Moody Publishers) in 2015.

“Almost twenty years ago, thanks to my friends at Tyndale, I had the honor of digging through God’s Word and, by way of notes and sidebars, leading an upstart believer through the twists and turns and truth of this amazing book,” said Greg Laurie, General Editor of the New Believer’s Bible and senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. “That edition of the New Believers Bible has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.”

First published in 1996, the New Believer’s Bible NLT received its newest update in March 2020. Uniquely designed to help the new Christian read, study, and understand the Bible, it includes features that help Christians develop and deepen their faith while providing a foundation for their new life in Christ.

“Now there’s a brand new revised and updated edition of the New Believer’s Bible available,” added Laurie. “And not only does it include my original notes, but I’ve added many new ones to help today’s readers better understand the power of the incredible story of creation, the fall of mankind, and redemption through Jesus Christ found throughout its pages. I could not be more grateful for the chance to introduce this Bible to a new generation . . . of new believers.”

This expanded edition has been newly typeset and includes the original New Believer’s Bible’s notes and features plus expanded treatment of the existing topics alongside some new ones from Start! The Bible for New Believers. All content has been refreshed for today’s language and needs.

The New Believer’s Bible contains a number of special features to give you the biblical knowledge you need to grow as a Christian:

• Cornerstones cover the basics of Christian belief. Here you will learn about the Trinity, angels, Satan, Heaven, hell, forgiveness, peace, joy, love, and other essential teachings of the Bible.
• First Steps help you know God and his plan for you. Discover how to know you are saved, find the right church, study the Bible, resist temptation, talk with God, and much more.
• Off & Running shows you how you can enjoy God’s blessings and direction in all areas of your life: career, marriage, family, finances, and relationships.
• Big Questions tackle those difficult issues you may be dealing with right now as a new believer.
• How You Can Know God: Discover how to be saved and how to be assured of your salvation.
• Glossary of Christian Terms: An explanation of key biblical and doctrinal terms in language you can easily understand.
• Special Charts: A resource that highlights key biblical information.
• Fifty-Two Great Bible Stories: A brief summary, Scripture reference, and page number for some of the best-loved stories from God’s Word.
• Prophecies about Jesus: A list of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus and how they were fulfilled in the New Testament.
• Memory Verses: Effective steps for memorizing God’s Word; highlights over 130 of the most important verses to commit to memory.
• How to Study the Bible: An easy-to-follow strategy for getting the most out of your Bible reading. It also includes two simple reading plans.
• Overview of the Bible: A concise overview of each book of the Bible, including author, date, style, and summary of the contents.

In addition, Tyndale is offering a YouVersion reading plan called New Believers: 7 Steps for New Christians that provides an excerpt and seven steps for new Christians that is available at: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/19459/

Additional information about the New Believer’s Bible is available at www.Tyndale.com/sites/newbelieversbible.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content.

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $100 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

#1 Amazon Best-Selling Kids Bible Helps Make the Bible Accessible for the Whole Family, Providing Relief and Hope in Challenging Times

NASHVILLE, May 7, 2020 — FaithWords, a division of Hachette Book Group, and Minno Kids are pleased to announce its Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids* has won the 2020 Christian Book Award in the Children’s category. Written by VeggieTales® Creator Phil Vischer, the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids was originally released in September 2019 and quickly became the No. 1 best-selling book in Amazon’s “Children’s Bible” category.

“We are thrilled that Minno’s Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids has been honored with the Christian Book Award for Best Children’s Book. A lot of hard work, creativity, and passion went into creating this Bible and it is wonderful to be recognized in this way by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA),” said Erick Goss, CEO and Co-founder of Minno and former senior manager at Amazon. “We set out to create a Bible that made the Gospel and other Bible stories fun and accessible to the whole family, and we are so proud and grateful for the positive response.”

The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids is more than a children’s Bible storybook, it’s a deep, engaging, laugh-out-loud gospel experience. It will guide readers from Genesis to Revelation, retelling beloved Bible stories AND tackling challenging questions like “What is sin?” and “What is the Trinity?”

Each story is vividly illustrated, takes just five minutes to read, and includes a family connection to encourage family Bible study and help readers learn, talk, and pray together! PLUS, bonus content connects the dots of each Bible story, making the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids a family devotional Bible that provides a big picture, applicational view of the Biblical narrative.

The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids, as well as its companion Bible for toddlers-Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Little Ones-is available wherever you buy the books you love. Visit laughandgrowbible.com to check out all of our retailers.

*Previously published as the Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids.

Facts about the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids

• This is the FIRST EVER storybook Bible from Phil Vischer; author, film-maker, writer with over 70M children’s products sold
• It is connecting families in new and spectacular ways to share a whole new Bible experience
• It is unlike any other children’s Bible with companion resources that include: printed book, e-book, and audiobook narrated by author, Phil Vischer.
• Check out the press website-click here.

About the Christian Book Awards
Presented annually, the Christian Book Award® program honors the “best of the year” in 12 categories. Five finalists are chosen in each category unless there is a tie. This year’s winners were announced live during the Celebration of the 2020 Christian Book Awards that took place by webinar on May 5, 2020. The Christian Book Award® program recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards programs in the religious publishing industry.

About Minno
Minno is a Nashville-based children’s digital media company partnering with Christian parents to provide safe, values-based choices for their families. Minno’s offering includes an ad-free subscription video-on-demand platform, along with Minno Life, an expert-driven parenting blog, Minno Kids, its book publishing division, and the Minno store, a digital shopping platform. Minno seeks to entertain, inform and inspire-encouraging kids and parents to laugh and grow together.

CONTACT: Press@inspire.buzz, 323-379-5180