WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that five books from the past year—Confronting Christianity; Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy; Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat; Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals; and Between Life and Death—have been named winners in their respective categories for the Gospel Coalition’s 2019 Book Awards.

Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion (Crossway, April 2019) by Rebecca McLaughlin was awarded in the Evangelism and Apologetics category. Channeling state-of-the-art research, personal stories, and careful biblical study, this book explores questions that keep many from considering faith in Christ. TGC writes, “It’s an extensively researched, well-written, and accessible book to confidently put into the hands of skeptics, even to read along with them.”

The award in the category of Christian Living was given to Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament (Crossway, March 2019) by Mark Vroegop. This book explores an oft-neglected biblical practice for dealing with life’s trials: lament. “The words of [this] book are biblically rich, perennially relevant, and above all, hope-giving—a balm to readers’ world-weary souls,” writes TGC.

Andrew Wilson received the distinction in the Children’s category for his picture book, Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat (Crossway, September 2019), illustrated by Helena Perez Garcia. This imaginative book tells the story of a young girl and a talking cat, who teaches her about the gospel of grace through a conversation based on the first question and answer of the Heidelberg Catechism.

Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals: Why We Need Our Past to Have a Future (Crossway, October 2019) by Gavin Ortlund received the award in the History & Biography category. Arguing that the Protestant church today can be enriched and strengthened by engaging historical theology, this book charts a course for evangelicals eager to draw from the past to meet the challenges of the present.

Kathryn Butler was awarded in the category for First-Time Author for her book Between Life and Death: A Gospel-Centered Guide to End-of-Life Medical Care (Crossway, April 2019). Utilizing medical knowledge and scriptural wisdom, this book provides readers with help to navigate a painful and confusing process with clarity, peace, and discernment. TGC writes, “Anchored to the hope of the gospel, Butler shows what Christian discipleship might look like in some of the most agonizing moments in life.”

“Any time one of our books is acknowledged at the end of the year is an honor,” writes Crossway’s publisher for books, Justin Taylor. “But it is especially gratifying when it comes from ministries like the Gospel Coalition, whose theological and ministry heartbeat mirrors our own in so many ways.”

The Gospel Coalition, founded in 2005, reviews nearly 300 books per year on their website and in their academic journal Themelios. This year, winners were awarded in eleven categories—including Popular Theology, Ministry, Arts & Culture, and others. Awards are given to titles that are gospel-centered, faithful to Scripture, spiritually discerning, and unifying and renewing for 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.

Media Contact: Lauren Harvey  lharvey@crossway.org  crossway.org

Christopher L. Heuertz is releasing his next book with Zondervan, called The Enneagram of Belonging, which will guide readers to practicing self-compassion so they can accept all aspects of their personality types—the positive traits, and the ones that can cause us shame.

Heuertz is an international accredited instructor who was introduced to the Enneagram almost 20 years ago while working in the slums of Cambodia and has been mentored by Mother Teresa and Fr. Richard Rohr.

Heuertz’s book The Sacred Enneagram (Zondervan) has sold over 100,000 copies, and a companion workbook was recently released. The Enneagram of Belonging and a companion workbook will release May 19, 2020.

For review copies and interviews, contact Trinity McFadden at trinity.mcfadden@harpercollins.com.

WESTMONT, IL—Send Institute, a think tank for evangelism and church planting in North America, has included three InterVarsity Press titles on its list of Top 10 Church Planting Related Books from 2019. Daniel Yang, director of Send Institute, said, “These books capture how some leaders are responding to the church planting challenges and opportunities in the 21st century.”

The IVP books that made the Send Institute list include Together for the City by Neil Powell and John James, Sent to Flourish edited by Len Tang and Charles E. Cotherman, and A Big Gospel in Small Places by Stephen Witmer.

In Together for the City: How Collaborative Church Planting Leads to Citywide Movements pastors Neil Powell and John James contend that to truly transform a city, the gospel compels us to create localized, collaborative church-planting movements. They share lessons learned and principles discovered from their experiences leading a successful citywide movement. In the foreword Tim Keller, founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, said, “While there is an increasing body of literature about church planting in general, there is almost nothing available that describes whole-city collaboration among multiple denominations, networks, and movements. Neil and John spell out what it takes to get this done. I know of no better book on the subject.”

Sent to Flourish: A Guide to Planting and Multiplying Churches is written by a diverse team of scholar-practitioners who have planted churches in a variety of contexts, cultures, and church traditions. This book provides a tested road map based on Fuller Theological Seminary’s renowned church-planting program. In addition to editors Len Tang and Charles E. Cotherman, contributors include Carrie Boren Headington, John Lo, Tim Morey, Johnny Ramírez-Johnson, Scott W. Sunquist, Nick Warnes, and JR Woodward. “Drawing from Scripture and the experience of many church starters and reproducing churches, this book has the capacity both to inspire and to guide planting initiatives into healthy, practical activation,” said Daniel Steigerwald, missional catalyst and coach at Artesia ReSourcing. “Along the way, the authors remain ever attentive to helping startup teams cultivate the supportive environments and practices conducive to their flourishing and the multiplying of new churches.”

In A Big Gospel in Small Places: Why Ministry in Forgotten Communities Matters pastor Stephen Witmer lays out an integrated theological vision for small-place ministry. Filled with helpful information about small places and with stories and practical advice from his own ministry, Witmer’s book offers a compelling, comprehensive vision for small-place ministry today. A Big Gospel in Small Places was also recently listed on Kevin DeYoung’s Top 10 Books of 2019 and was honored with two awards: the 2019 WORLD Magazine Book of the Year Short List in the Accessible Theology category and the 2019 Gospel Coalition Book Award in the Ministry category.

Collin Hansen, editorial director for The Gospel Coalition, said “This is a book whose time has come. I’ve long appreciated Stephen Witmer’s advocacy for ministry in the small places. And now we have an apologetic, a theological vision for this particular work. He makes the case for small places without patronizing them or denigrating ministry in other areas. I even appreciated his pushback to the urban thesis of the early church. That’s what makes this book an important read, even if you could never imagine living in the places where Stephen and I grew up.”

Yang also made special mention of two other IVP books. He said, “In addition to my recommended books on church planting, I offer up eight more books in evangelism and missiology that I think are important as we continue to think about missions in 21st century North America.” The two IVP titles included among the eight were You Found Me: New Research on How Unchurched Nones, Millennials, and Irreligious Are Surprisingly Open to Christian Faith by Rick Richardson and Seeking Church: Emerging Witnesses to the Kingdom by Darren T. Duerksen and William A. Dyrness.

Founded in 1947 as an extension of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, InterVarsity Press serves those in the university, the church and the world by publishing thoughtful Christian books that equip and encourage people to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord in all of life. For more information, visit ivpress.com.

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

WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that Rosaria Butterfield’s The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World (Crossway, April 2018) has surpassed 100,000 units in print sales.

With engaging stories from her own life-changing encounter with radically ordinary hospitality, Butterfield equips Christians to use their homes as a means of showing a post-Christian world what authentic love and faith really look like. Such hospitality sees one’s home not as his or her own, but as God’s tool for the furtherance of his kingdom as people welcome those who look, think, believe, and act differently from them into their everyday, sometimes messy lives.

“For Christians to maintain an authentic Christian witness to a world that mistrusts us (at the very least), we must be transparently hospitable,” writes Butterfield. “The Christian life is a cross-bearing life, and the word of God calls and equips God’s people to holy living. All our neighbors must know that we live differently from the world, and they will know as we live visibly within the means of grace, placing ourselves under the authority of the church as members in good standing—and we must be unmistakably hospitable.”

Available in both hardcover and ebook formats, The Gospel Comes with a House Key has received commendations from Russell D. Moore (president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention), Gloria Furman (author of Missional Motherhood), Sam Allberry (author of 7 Myths about Singleness), and more.

Moore writes, “One cannot spend any time at all with Rosaria Butterfield without a renewed sense of how good the good news really is. This book is a needed call to the church to model the hospitality of our Lord. As our culture faces a crisis of loneliness, this is the book we need. The book will inspire you and leave you with a notebook filled with ideas for how to practically engage your neighbors with the welcome of the gospel.”

“It is a great honor for us to publish this book, which Rosaria describes as the work closest to her heart, and it is a wonderful encouragement for us to see how widely it has sold, especially given that this is a book that directly challenges the church to get out of its comfort zone and to become biblically hospitable for the sake of the gospel,” commends Justin Taylor, Crossway’s executive vice president of book publishing and book publisher. “Rosaria is a gift to the church, and we are delighted to see how many are responding to this timely and timeless message.”

Butterfield is also the author of The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert (Crown & Covenant Publications, 2012), and Openness Unhindered (Crown & Covenant Publications, 2015). For more information about the author, visit rosariabutterfield.com.

Rosaria Butterfield (PhD, Ohio State University) is an author, speaker, pastor’s wife, homeschool mom, and former professor of English and women’s studies at Syracuse University. She is the author of The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert and Openness Unhindered. rosariabutterfield.com

Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-centered 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.

Media Contact: Lauren Harvey lharvey@crossway.org  crossway.org

Writing Worship: How To Craft Heartfelt Songs for the Church

Nashville, Tenn. (December 2019) – What’s the most important ingredient in crafting an impactful worship song? Dove Award-winning songwriter and worship leader Krissy Nordhoff knows it’s all about relationships: with God and one another. In her first book, Writing Worship: How To Craft Heartfelt Songs for the Church, available March 1 through David C Cook, Nordhoff invites aspiring and seasoned lyricists on a journey of exploration and skill development because, as she states, “your voice is valued by the King and needed by the church.”

A professional songwriter for over twenty years and founder of the Brave Worship writing community, Nordhoff is the recipient of three Dove Award nominations and the winner of a Dove Award for Worship Song of the Year for the beloved anthem “Your Great Name.” Her songs have been recorded by artists including: Natalie Grant, Tauren Wells, Darlene Zschech, Jenn Johnson (Bethel Music), Mandisa, David and Nicole Binion, Corey Voss, Aaron Shust, Travis Cottrell, Prestonwood Worship and Philips, Craig & Dean.

Though she’s been writing since childhood, it has only been within the last 10 years that the Nashville area wife and mom’s songs – born from her tears and triumphs – would travel the globe and help others plumb new depths in their relationships with God. Through Writing Worship, Nordhoff hopes to impart the lessons she learned to help writers discover, cultivate and nurture the songs in their hearts in order to write impactful worship songs for themselves, their congregations and the global church.

While focusing on their relationship with God through prayer and two-way journaling, readers of varying skill levels will learn to craft lyrics and melodies, learn to self-edit during the writing process, clarify a song’s purpose and co-write songs customized for their churches and communities. Nordhoff also offers free resources such as video tutorials, a songwriter personality assessment, topical podcasts, a leader’s guide for group learning and a bonus audiobook.

An instructor who regularly coaches individuals and church worship teams in writing and co-writing for their communities, Nordhoff is passionate about unlocking God’s fresh revelation through new songs and the head-heart connection found in music.

“Whether in times of challenge or victory, worship leaders and songwriters have an opportunity to meet the congregation right where they are,” she explains. “Worship songs help us gently approach people experiencing trials and lead hearts to healing. Often we can encourage through song as we never could through the spoken word.”

Nordhoff and David C Cook release Writing Worship [Paperback | $16.99 (US) | ISBN 978-0-8307-8079-2] globally March 1. For additional information, visit KrissyNordhoff.com or follow Nordhoff on Twitter @KrissyNordhoff and Instagram @Krissy_Nordhoff.

David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the global Church with life-transforming, Christ-centered materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado—with offices in Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, and the United Kingdom—David C Cook produces resources that are published in over 150 languages and distributed in more than 170 countries. Originally founded in 1875 as a curriculum publisher, David C Cook now also publishes numerous bestselling books, resources, music (Integrity Music), and media from a variety of award-winning authors and artists. Learn more about David C Cook’s mission at DavidCCook.org.

Media contact: Shannon Walker Media Relations, shanwalkr@gmail.com

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What others are saying about Writing Worship:

“Krissy Nordhoff is a true craftsman of songs, a true worshipper of God, a true lover of people, and a true believer in helping others. I know that if you carefully and prayerfully apply the principles she shares in Writing Worship, the songs will come… whether for an audience of the One or many.”
Darlene Zschech, worship leader, songwriter, author, senior pastor of HopeUC (New South Wales)

“No matter what stage or skill level you are at when it comes to songwriting, you will take away a deeper knowledge of not only practical songwriting techniques but also what really matters when it comes to writing songs for the church. This book is a must-read for anyone wanting more of Jesus and more songs!”
Mike Grayson, worship experience director for Cross Point Church (Nashville, TN), songwriter, former lead singer of MIKESCHAIR

“Krissy’s focus and passion for saying just the right words with just the right melody is her trademark, along with keeping the writing process fun and heartfelt. You will learn so much from reading her book and will be inspired to write your new songs immediately…”
Paul Baloche, Dove Award-winning songwriter, worship leader, founder of LeadWorship

“Krissy carries the heart of the Father and the kingdom of God with unspeakable depth. This isn’t just any book—this is an awakening of identity and destiny. You’re about to go to a whole new level!”
Jenni McGrew, founder of Worship Leaders Collective, pastor of Hope City Church (Abbotsford, B.C.)

“Very few people have encouraged me in songwriting like Krissy has. She is a gifted songwriter who has devoted her life to helping others find their voice. This book should be read by anyone who wants to write songs for the church. It is not just for the professional, but it is for anyone who has ever dreamed of writing a song. As Krissy will tell you, “everyone is invited to the table.”
Dustin Smith, worship leader, songwriter, founder of Here Be Lions, pastor of HopeUC (Nashville, TN)

WESTMONT, IL—With nearly three hundred books reviewed each year between their academic journal Themelios and their regular book review section, The Gospel Coalition has chosen two IVP titles among its top twelve books of the year. The Gospel Coalition 2019 Book Awards went to He Descended to the Dead and A Big Gospel in Small Places.

TGC editor Ivan Mesa said, “At the end of each year we take stock of the most helpful titles across various categories, using the following fourfold criteria:

• offers gospel-centered argument and application;
• includes faithful and foundational use of Scripture, both Old Testament and New Testament;
• fosters spiritual discernment of contemporary trials and trends; and
• encourages efforts to unite and renew the church.”

He Descended to the Dead: An Evangelical Theology of Holy Saturday by Matthew Emerson was the title that best fit these criteria for the Academic Theology category of the TGC Book Awards. “Matthew Emerson has brought light to an often dark topic,” the judges wrote. “This book is a lovely blending of academic, systematic, and pastoral theology that deals with a neglected, misunderstood, and important creedal topic. It also models how evangelicals can engage and retrieve Patristic theology under the authority of Scripture.”  

A Big Gospel in Small Places: Why Ministry in Forgotten Communities Matters by Stephen Witmer was one of two TGC Book Award winners in the Ministry category. This title was also recently included on the shortlist for WORLD magazine’s Best Books of the Year. The Gospel Coalition judges said this about Witmer’s book, “In recent years, church planters and revitalizers have been drawn in increasing numbers to urban areas. But what about those out-of-the-way places where rural folks need to hear the gospel and sound doctrine? Stephen Witmer provides a compelling theological case for why those places matter and offers a keen, biblically sound strategy for the small places. Focusing on the city may seem strategic, but Witmer shows how Jesus is often unstrategic. Witmer argues, in beautiful prose, why ministry in the country remains an urgent and fulfilling necessity.”

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

Founded in 1947 as an extension of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, InterVarsity Press serves those in the university, the church and the world by publishing thoughtful Christian books that equip and encourage people to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord in all of life. For more information, visit ivpress.com.

 

The Peaceful Caregiver will offer invaluable support for those caring for loved ones

BIRMINGHAM: Iron Stream Media announces The Peaceful Caregiver: From Stressed to Blessed / Ascender Books / December 2, 2019 / ISBN: 978-1-56309-295-4 / $15.99) by author, caregiver, and caregiver advocate Mary Tutterow.

Caregivers face incredible stress. Yet in the midst of it all, God gently calls you to come to Him for rest and refreshment.

In The Peaceful Caregiver, discover that peace is possible, regardless of your circumstance. Diving into Scripture that is relevant to all caregiving situations, fellow caregiver Mary Tutterow shares personal insights and Scripture passages that will help transform your perspective about your purpose. As you move through the emotions associated with caring for loved ones, discover how God wants to care for you.

The Heart of the Caregiver Series and Sample Chapters

Advance Praise

“A lot of how-to books have been written about caregiving. But as a long-time caregiver, I can say with certainty that it’s our relationships—with doctors, friends, and others going through the same kind of things—that help us make it through the tough times. And the most important relationship is the one we have with Jesus Christ. The Peaceful Caregiver isn’t a how-to caregiver book. It’s a how-to-find-peace-with-God caregiving book.” —Kathy Harris, author of the Christian novel Deadly Commitment and fellow caregiver

“Mary Tutterow brings enormous credibility and experience to address the frenetic heart of family caregivers. In The Peaceful Caregiver she gently leads fellow caregivers on a path she herself continues to walk—a path of trusting God with harsh realities. Clearly communicating God’s reassuring hand on our shoulders as we care for others, Mary helps us discover a deeper relationship with God in the midst of our journey as caregivers.” —Peter Rosenberger, caregiver for more than thirty years, author, and host of Hope for the Caregiver

About the Author

Mary Tutterow is a wife, mom, author, speaker, teacher, and caregiver. She has developed The Heart of the Caregiver, a community and support for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities and emotions of caring for someone with disabilities, chronic illness, or age-related issues. Mary and her husband Winn have two adult children and live in Charleston, South Carolina. Their daughter, Mary Addison, has cognitive and physical challenges and an active seizure disorder. They also cared for Winn’s mother through cancer and dementia. A former anchorwoman and marketing executive, Mary now writes, speaks, and leads online and in-person small groups for caregivers.

Media Inquiries: Meredith Dunn  Meredith@IronSreamMedia.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (December 9, 2019)—One of the nation’s top attorneys, Luke Goodrich, was recently honored with two noteworthy awards for his new book Free to Believe: The Battle Over Religious Liberty in America (Multnomah).

WORLD Magazine chose Free to Believe as Book of the Year in the Understanding America category. An interview with Goodrich is featured in WORLD’s December 7 issue which can also be found online.

Additionally, The Gospel Coalition selected Free to Believe as Book of the Year in the Public Theology & Current Events category. In its 2019 book award announcement, The Gospel Coalition noted that Free to Believe is “one of the single best treatments of religious liberty to be found today.”

Goodrich, who is vice president and senior counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, has won multiple Supreme Court victories for clients like the Little Sisters of the Poor and Hobby Lobby.

In Free to Believe, he helps Christians understand why religious freedom matters, how it is being threatened, and how to protect it. With crisp legal argument, unforgettable stories and faithful attention to Scripture, Goodrich expertly addresses the most pressing religious freedom challenges in modern culture: religious discrimination, abortion rights, gay rights, Islam and the public square.

For more information on Luke Goodrich and Free to Believe, visit www.lukegoodrich.com.

Contact: Brett Benson  bbenson@penguinrandomhouse.com  (719) 264-5661

WaterBrook & Multnomah has announced the following promotion:

Tina Constable, Executive Vice President & Publisher, Random House Christian Publishing and Crown Forum, announced today that  Laura Barker is promoted to Vice President and Publisher of WaterBrook and Multnomah, effective immediately.

Constable said, “Laura is a highly regarded executive in Christian publishing and one of the valued members of the WaterBrook and Multnomah leadership team. For the past five years, most recently as Editor in Chief, Laura has worked closely with me to help shape our acquisition strategy, and with more than twenty years of experience in Christian publishing, she has consistently demonstrated a keen insight about the overall marketplace. More crucially, I have come to truly admire her outside-the-box thinking as we face fundamental shifts in the retail landscape and overall consumer behavior. Laura has been willing to ask tough questions and gently motivate our editorial team to explore new opportunities in the Christian marketplace while holding true to the foundations of our publishing program.

Laura is also a gifted manager and has built a team of talented editors who are poised to creatively vision cast for the future of WaterBrook and Multnomah. She is a wonderful mentor and is beloved by her team for her always calm demeanor and professionalism. We all benefit from her astute business and financial sensibility, which will serve us well in the years to come.”

In addition to her leadership skills, Laura has acquired and brilliantly edited some of our program’s most important authors, including Anne Graham Lotz, Jennie Allen, Katie Davis Majors, Kay Arthur, Liz Curtis Higgs, Randy Alcorn, and Joanna Weaver.

“Admired by her authors, her colleagues, and the agent community, Laura is a living example of the Christian values represented in our WaterBrook and Multnomah books,” concluded Constable.

WaterBrook and Multnomah are imprints of Penguin Random House.