How Should Christians Make Sense of COVID-19?

WHEATON, Ill.—In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, John Piper has written a short book, Coronavirus and Christ (Crossway, April 2020), to address the fear and uncertainty that people are experiencing. “Today as I write, there are hundreds of thousands of cases of infection worldwide, with tens of thousands of deaths. There is no known cure—yet,” Piper notes. “This is a time when the fragile form of this world is felt. The seemingly solid foundations are shaking. The question we should be asking is, Do we have a Rock under our feet? A Rock that cannot be shaken—ever?”

Piper’s main goal is to point readers to the rock that is Christ and encourage them to stand on his mighty love. The first section of Coronavirus and Christ covers essential truths and doctrines that are vital to remember, including how God’s word comforts believers in their affliction; that God is righteous, holy, and good; and that God is sovereign over all things.

In the second section, Piper proposes 6 biblical answers to what God is doing through the coronavirus, including showing the physical effects of spiritual sin; calling Christians to repent and realign their lives with the infinite worth of Christ; and serving his invincible global purpose of world evangelization.Even in the face of great suffering and loss, Piper wants to remind readers that God is in control: “The same sovereignty that could stop the coronavirus, yet doesn’t, is the very sovereignty that sustains the soul in it,” writes Piper. “And not only sustains, but sees to it that everything, bitter and sweet, works together for our good—the good of those who love God and are called in Christ (Romans 8:28–30).”

“Our prayer is that this book will provide a sure foundation to those who are suffering, confused, and burdened under the weight of this pandemic, pointing them to our present and future hope: Jesus Christ, the solid rock,” writes Scott Anderson, CEO of Desiring God. “Only in him will our souls be truly safe and satisfied—today, tomorrow, and for eternity.”

John Piper (DTheol, University of Munich) is the founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and the chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. He served for thirty-three years as the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the author of more than fifty books, including Desiring God; Don’t Waste Your Life; This Momentary Marriage; A Peculiar Glory; and Reading the Bible Supernaturally. @JohnPiper

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: Lauren Susanto, lsusanto@crossway.org

APRIL 13, 2020 — People all over the globe are feeling the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.  For our part, we’ve had to overcome tough challenges on two continents.  In France, where we have 150 employees, it’s been a rough ride because of the nationwide lockdown, but with our employees’ safety as our first concern, we were among the earliest to convert to a work-from-home model. Working through several weekends, our IT department modified our tools and VPN to allow all of our employees to do everything from home that they could do at the office (except gossip at the water cooler).

Our Madagascar production center, where we have 350 employees, was more of a challenge.  Internet access at home and car ownership are luxuries few can afford.  It was among the last countries on Earth to report its first case of Coronavirus.  But while hoping and praying that it would not arrive, we knew that it was inevitable and we took appropriate actions.  As soon as the first case was reported, we pulled the trigger, purchasing over 300 laptops and pre-paid cell phones (for internet) for most of our employees.  We also hired a private transportation company to ferry the skeleton crew we have still working from the office (with appropriate safety and distancing measures) back and forth to home and work each day, as the country suspended most public transportation service.

So, bottom line- we are at full capacity, our employees have jobs, and are being kept safe.

Nord Compo provides a wide range of services to streamline and improve book production, including pre-press composition, digital services, and design services.  They help publishers of all sizes and support the ECPA industry as a 2020 industry partner.  For more information, contact Larry Bennett at lbennett@nordcompo.com.

Responding to COVID-19, Minno Launched a Free, Easy-to-Use ‘Church at Home’ Feature to Bring the Sunday School Experience Home-Used by Families in Over 130 Countries Worldwide to Date; Now the App Rolls out Special Programming Just for Easter

NASHVILLE, April 10, 2020 — Minno-a new, Nashville-based children’s digital media company featuring one of the world’s largest collections of Classic VeggieTales and an expertly-curated collection of media choices for Christian families, is continuing its commitment to helping families worship at home while they are unable to physically attend church due to COVID-19. Following up on the March 14 launch of their free Church at Home program,-an easy-to-use, home-based digital Sunday School experience-Minno is excited to announce the release of a brand new Owlegories Easter episode streaming only on Minno as well as their new free Church at Home Easter Series.

“With families unable to celebrate Easter at their church this year, we at Minno want to continue to help enhance the free church at home experience, particularly for children who are currently going without access to regular church ministries and Sunday school,” said Erick Goss, CEO and Co-founder of Minno and former senior manager at Amazon. “The brand new Owlegories Easter special, as well as Minno’s Church at Home Easter episodes, will help kids and families celebrate Easter and allow us all to worship, learn, and pray together even while we are physically apart.”

Story Summary: The Owlegories crew is going on an Easter Egg hunt! They’ve got lots of eggs full of yummy candy to find plus twelve super special Easter Story eggs. When mean ‘ole Devlin tries to steal all the eggs, he ends up discovering the true meaning of Easter through the sweetest eggs of all. In the end, the class learns how eggs can remind us of Easter and how to share God’s sweet grace with those who may not deserve it.

Free Church at Home Features Include:

• Church at Home can be found here: https://www.gominno.com/lp/church-at-home/
• A specially curated weekly episode with worship music, Bible stories, and more including a timely Good Friday edition. The Church at Home page also features select videos from Minno’s catalog available for preview, activities to help families take the fun off-screen, and content from the Minno Life Blog, such as expert help on what kids need most during this unprecedented time.
• For families to use during the week, Church at Home features Minno’s signature “Five Minute Family Devotions.”
• Church at Home is completely free and available around the world.

Press and media information is available here: http://press.gominno.com

What Parents Are Saying:

• “Thank you very much! We were watching church services live and my daughter was asking for a children service. I was beyond delighted to receive such a timely email in my Inbox. You have truly been a blessing during this time of pandemic. We will continue to use Minno Church at Home daily while schools are closed. I don’t have enough words to express how grateful I am for this ministry and can’t wait to share this with others. God Bless.”
• “Thank you so much! This is a wonderful idea and resource for the coming weeks. I am so thankful for you and your work to help families keep Jesus in their lives. God Bless you and your families!”
• “Thank you for this! My daughter was sad that we will only be able to watch the adult services online. She and I are very happy about the Minno church online.”

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 Minno Life, an expert-driven parenting blog, Minno Kids, its book publishing division, and Minno store, a digital shopping platform. Minno seeks to entertain, inform and inspire, encouraging kids and parents to laugh and learn together.

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

Defy Your Diagnosis! Overcome Any Obstacle with the FIT Life Formula by Lorraine Bossé-Smith

PHOENIX– April 6, 2020—While many book releases are being postponed during the Covid-19 crisis, author and Christian retail industry veteran and business coach Lorraine Bossé-Smith is taking the opposite approach, releasing her latest book tomorrow because it offers hope and practical steps for moving forward despite the challenges.

In production long before the current crisis, she said she moved on with the release because of the help she’s seen the principles provide clients in her own practice who feel overwhelmed and beaten down by life’s problems. In Defy Your Diagnosis! Overcome Any Obstacle with the FIT Life Formula, Bossé-Smith shares scriptural encouragement and wisdom drawn from her own shattering life experiences. Those experiences led her to create tips, tools and strategies for how to face problems in life, not only medical diagnoses but also damaging personal, emotional and professional ones.

A resident of Phoenix, Bossé-Smith previously worked for CBA and Focus on the Family Publishing before starting her own firm as a business, life and fitness coach and speaker. This is her ninth book.

The book weaves her own story into teaching practical principles of her FIT Life Formula: Foundation in Faith, Insights in Self-Improvement, and Tackling the Tough Stuff.

In the book we find these words: “Once again, we are facing yet another difficult time, and I know this is my opportunity to apply my own FIT Life principles and affirm my resolve and renew my faith. My prayer has been to have peace through the storm, keep my eyes up while in the valley, and trust God for our future.

“Wherever you are in life, trials will come. What I can promise you is this:  God is WAY bigger than anything tossed at us. His strength is sufficient, and I can personally attest to that. It is real.”

Defy Your Diagnosis! Overcome Any Obstacle with the FIT Life Formula [ISBN: 978-1-950892-29-7, $15.99, trade paper], releases tomorrow, April 7, from Clovercroft Publishing, an imprint of Christian Book Services, Nashville, which also operates Carpenter’s Son Publishing. The books are distributed through Ingram.

For more information about Lorraine Bossé-Smith and her business, visit https://www.lorrainebosse-smith.com/.

For a review copy or to interview her, contact Joni Sullivan Baker, Buoyancy PR, at 513/319-3231 or jbaker@buoyancypr.com.

The First Testament and Disability and the Way of Jesus Honored by Academy of Parish Clergy, Inc.

WESTMONT, IL— IVP Academic is pleased to announce that two titles were honored by the Academy of Parish Clergy, Inc., as part of its 2020 Book of the Year and Reference Book of the Year Awards. Disability and the Way of Jesus by Bethany McKinney Fox made the Top Ten Book List for Parish Ministry, and The First Testament by John Goldingay was selected as one of the Top Five Reference Books of the Year.

In its March 30 announcement, the Academy of Parish Clergy, Inc., said, “In addition to the Book of the Year and Reference Book of the Year awards, the Academy offers The Top Ten Book List for Parish Ministry. The committee members believe these ten books display excellence and helpfulness to clergy, who are encouraged to add the books to their libraries.”

Also chosen for a 2019 IVP Readers’ Choice Award, Disability and the Way of Jesus: Holistic Healing in the Gospels and the Church provides new lenses on holistic healing for scholars, laypeople, and ministry leaders who care about welcoming all people as Jesus would. McKinney Fox believes that Christian communities are better off when people with disabilities are an integral part of our common life, and she considers how the stories of Jesus’ healings can guide us toward mutual thriving. 

Paul Louis Metzger, professor of theology and culture at Multnomah University and Seminary, said, “Bethany McKinney Fox has provided the contemporary church with an indispensable guide for extending Jesus’ holistic healing ministry for people with disabilities in analogically faithful and appropriate ways. Disability and the Way of Jesus will give many of us new lenses and free our imaginations from cultural impairments that all too often exclude those with disabilities from experiencing Jesus’ multidimensional, miraculous power in our midst. All of us who take to heart, head, and hands the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ healing ministry that this volume so ably conveys for the present time will gain new access to Jesus’ transformative touch.”

The First Testament: A New Translation offers a fresh reference text for the Old Testament and serves as an invitation to read the sacred text through the eyes of one of the most accomplished Old Testament scholars in the English-speaking world today. Gordon McConville at the University of Gloucestershire said, “John Goldingay’s volume is a magisterial work of theology, pastoral insight, and linguistic scholarship—‘magisterial’ used properly of an author who is unsurpassed in his ability to understand and teach. This translation, accompanying his Old Testament for Everyone series, is the product of years of interpretation of the Old Testament, always deeply learned, sharply accurate, and edgily communicative. It has immediately become one of the standard translations that I always consult when trying to understand any Old Testament text myself.”

Recognition of these important contributions to the spiritual and professional development of religious professionals will be given in two Zoom events, as the 2020 Annual Conference of the Academy of Parish Clergy has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For a complete list of IVP award winners visit ivpress.com.

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

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced that three IVP titles are among the finalists for the 2020 Christian Book Award® program.

ECPA president and CEO, Stan Jantz, said, “More than ever, it’s important to celebrate and publicize the outstanding books and Bibles produced by ECPA publishers. The church and our nation are looking for hope, and that’s what these books represent.  We congratulate all the finalist authors and publishers for this year’s program!”

The IVP finalists include: 

Christian Living

Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Bearing God’s Image by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey

The human body is a window into the very structure of God’s creation and a testament to God’s glory. Renowned leprosy surgeon Dr. Paul Brand and bestselling writer Philip Yancey offer a new audience timeless reflections on the body in this updated and combined edition of the award-winning books Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image. This IVP title was also honored with a 2019 IVP Readers’ Choice Award and was on the shortlist as one of the best science books for the 2019 WORLD Magazine Book of the Year.

Faith & Culture

In Search of the Common Good: Christian Fidelity in a Fractured World by Jake Meador

Common life in our society is in decline—our communities are disintegrating, our public discourse is hateful, and economic inequalities are widening. In this book, Jake Meador reclaims a vision of common life for our fractured times: a vision that doesn’t depend on the destinies of our economies or our political institutions, but on our citizenship in a heavenly city. In Search of the Common Good also received the Christianity Today 2020 Book of the Year Award for Politics and Public Life.

New Author

The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by Justin Whitmel Earley

This author offers four daily and four weekly habits designed to help us create new routines and transform frazzled days into lives of love for God and neighbor. Earley provides concrete, doable practices, such as a daily hour of phoneless presence or a weekly conversation with a friend. The Common Rule tied for the Christianity Today 2020 Book of the Year Award in the Christian Living/Discipleship category.

The Christian Book Award® program recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards program in the religious publishing industry. Finalists and winners are selected in twelve categories. Winners will be announced at a virtual celebration on May 5.

For a complete list of IVP award-winning titles visit ivpress.com.

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

Industry celebrates the year’s best Christian books and Bibles

Carol Stream, Ill. (April 1, 2020) – Tyndale House Publishers (@tyndalehouse) today announced that eight of its titles have been selected as finalists for the 2020 Christian Book Awards® by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). Winners will be announced during an online broadcast ceremony on May 5. (Sign up to receive information about registering for the free winners broadcast here.)

Tyndale’s eight finalists include:

BIBLES

• NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496439284
• NLT Filament Bible: The Print+Digital Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496436313

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

• What Is a Girl Worth?, Rachael Denhollander, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496441331

CHILDREN

• Far From Home, Sarah Parker Rubio, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496436733

CHRISTIAN LIVING

• Giving Is the Good Life, Randy Alcorn, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496425935

DEVOTION & GIFT

• Made to Create with All My Heart and Soul, Lauren Duncan, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496431271
• The One Year Book of Amazing Stories, Robert Petterson, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496424013

YOUNG PEOPLE’S LITERATURE

• Kirby McCook and the Jesus Chronicles, Stephen Arterburn and M.N. Brotherton, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496429773

The entire list of finalists is available at https://christianbookawards.com/finalists.html.

For more information about books and Bibles from Tyndale House Publishers, visit https://www.tyndale.com/.

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.

Nashville, Tenn. (April 3, 2020) – Thomas Nelson today announced Kyle Olund as senior acquisitions editor for W Publishing, a nonfiction imprint of Thomas Nelson.

In this role Olund will work to acquire key authors as well as discover dynamic, new Christian voices. He will also lead the entire editorial process for his acquired projects, which includes strategic editorial direction, titling, packaging, and author relationship development.

Olund rejoins Thomas Nelson with over thirty years of editorial experience, eleven of which were with Nelson Books, one of Thomas Nelson’s nonfiction imprints. In this role he worked on editorial for bestsellers including Wild at Heart (John Eldredge), Blue Like Jazz (Donald Miller), and Total Money Makeover (Dave Ramsey). Most recently, Olund has served as the executive editor for Worthy Books and FaithWords.

“W Publishing is built on forming and fostering relationships with authors, readers, and most importantly, Jesus.” said Damon Reiss, v-p, publisher for W Publishing. “Kyle’s ability to build strong relationships, coupled with his skilled editorial eye and commitment to excellence make him the right person for the job. I am thrilled to have him join our team.”

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: Chelsea Taff, Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications, 615-902-2137, Chelsea.taff@harpercollins.com

Nashville, Tenn. (April 6, 2020) – HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) today announced Stefanie Schroeder as the publicity director for its Gift division which operates Thomas Nelson Gift and Zondervan Gift.

Schroeder has over fourteen years of PR experience and has spent the last five managing the publicity strategy for the HCCP Children’s and Gift divisions. During this time, she has spearheaded national publicity campaigns for bestsellers including When Less Becomes More (Emily Ley), We Are the Gardeners (Joanna Gaines), Cozy White Cottage (Liz Marie Galvin), and most recently, Live! (Sadie Robertson).

As publicity director for Thomas Nelson Gift and Zondervan Gift, Schroeder will oversee the teams’ publicity strategy, determining and implementing the most effective local and national campaigns for each title. She will also maintain key media, podcast, and radio relationships, while continuing to innovate with cutting edge publicity tactics.

“Stefanie has been an integral part of HCCP’s Children’s and Gift Book teams for over five years, and has become a publicity resident expert, not just for her team but the company as a whole,” said Kristi Smith, senior director of marketing, Thomas Nelson Gift and Zondervan Gift. “Her proven track record of managing our authors and projects with expertise and grace has paved the way for this well-deserved promotion. I look forward to seeing the many successes she has in this position.”

About HarperCollins Christian Publishing:  The world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., comprises the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing groups, Olive Tree Bible Software, 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.   Bible Gateway is the world’s largest Christian website with more than 20 million unique monthly visitors. HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, TN.

(April 2, 2020) LARGO, Fla.— While funds are being given for all kinds of businesses affected by the coronavirus closures, Christian Retail Association (CRA) is supporting independent Christian bookstores who carry products that are vital in these challenging times.

“While we know that the government’s $2.2 trillion bailout will help our independent Christian bookstores, they are going to need more help than that,” said Sue Brewer, Chief Operations Officer of the Munce Group, a working partner of CRA. “The products our stores have to offer are just what people need in times like this. They bring hope and encouragement, reminding us we are not alone, because God promises He will never leave us or forsake us.”

Bob Munce, president of CRA, said that most people will give to a good cause, but only Christians will give to spread the gospel. In a grassroots approach, CRA is sending information about the giving page to all vendor partners, asking them to share this initiative on their personal social media pages in order to reach outside the industry.

Donations can be given by visiting http://www.christianretailassociation.org/give-now Since CRA is a non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductible. Net proceeds will be collected by May 30, 2020 and distributed to the approximately 200 CRA member stores.

Christian Retail Association is a non-profit ministry founded by Munce Group President Bob Munce in an ongoing effort to better serve independent Christian retailers. The Munce Group was founded in October 1991 and currently serves nearly 200 member retailers across the US. The mission of the Munce Group is to provide member retailers with the highest quality Christian materials and services to equip independent Christian retailers for the work of their ministry and business. For more information, visit www.christianretailassociation.org or call 800-868-4388.

Contact: Andrea Stock, andrea.stock@munce.com