The FAITHFUL Book, Album, And Livestream Event Release May 1, 2021, Featuring A Collection Of Stories, Photos, Art, And Lyrics That Celebrate God’s Faithful To Women

15 January 2021 – Nashville, TN – The ministries of Compassion International, David C Cook, and Integrity Music are thrilled to announce their collaborative release of the FAITHFUL Project, bringing together authors and songwriters Amy Grant, Ann Voskamp, Ellie Holcomb, Lisa Harper, Ruth Chou Simons, Trillia Newbell, Amanda Bible Williams and Raechel Myers (both from She Reads Truth), Christy Nockels, Kelly Minter, and many more artistic contributors. The FAITHFUL Project encompasses a book, album, podcast, ticketed livestream event, and multi-city tour, telling the story of God’s faithfulness to women throughout Scripture to the present day. The FAITHFUL book and the album FAITHFUL: Go and Speak will release Saturday, May 1, 2021. To celebrate the launch of this project there will be a ticketed livestream event presented by Compassion LIVE.

The FAITHFUL book, published by David C Cook, is an eclectic collection of written stories, lyrics, photos, and art created and curated by some of the most thought-provoking and influential Christian artists and authors of our time. Amanda Bible Williams, Ann Voskamp, Ginny Owens, Kelly Minter, Kelly Needham, Lisa Harper, Raechel Myers, Ruth Chou Simons, Sally Lloyd-Jones, Sarah Macintosh, Savannah Locke, and Trillia Newbell, along with an introduction by Amy Grant, gathered to create this keepsake book that celebrates God and the enduring legacy of women in the Bible.

Within the chapters of this extraordinary book, each author dives into the stories of women like Ruth, Esther, Naomi, Jehosheba, Anna, Rahab, Leah, Hannah, the bent over woman (Luke 13), and Mary Magdalene. Through storytelling and reflection, readers are encouraged to find hope and connection with these women whose stories are unchanging examples of God’s faithfulness. Designed to invite readers to return again and again for reflection and inspiration, FAITHFUL will increase understanding of how God has always valued the integral role of women and how He continues to guide, shape, and protect their lives today.
“I pray these words, these songs, these lessons from women of the Bible serve to bolster our faith as we find God faithful again and again,” says Ruth Chou Simons. “I’m so honored to be part of a project that ministered to my own heart first. May it do the same for you.”

The songs on the companion album, FAITHFUL: Go and Speak (Integrity Music), were co-written by the book’s authors and a celebrated group of artists/songwriters and feature collaborative performances by Amy Grant, Christa Wells, Christy Nockels, Ellie Holcomb, Ginny Owens, Janice Gaines, Jess Ray, Kelly Minter, Leslie Jordan, Rachael Lampa, Sandra McCracken, Sarah Kroger, Sarah Macintosh, Savannah Locke, Tamar Chipp, and Taylor Leonhardt with production by Nathan Nockels. This unprecedented collaboration between artists and authors has led to a stunning collection of poetry and resonance that will bless readers and listeners for years to come.

Ellie Holcomb shares about her involvement, “FAITHFUL is one of those projects that shaped me. I felt power in coming together with a group of women to tell the stories of a faithful God through the eyes of women throughout Scripture. In this project I experienced sisterhood and the beauty that comes when women simply speak about what they have seen of God. I can’t wait to see how God will use these words and melodies to stir up hope and an invitation to deeper camaraderie and community among women in the church.”

FAITHFUL will kick off with its ticketed livestream event in May, followed by a multi-city tour within the year, featuring the artists and authors involved in the project. These events are being produced by Compassion LIVE, established in 2014 by Compassion International, which produces life-changing events that share the message of faith and impact the church for children around the world.

Compassion International, David C Cook, and Integrity Music, in partnership with Halogen Entertainment, are thrilled to share this beautiful work with readers and listeners everywhere. The FAITHFUL Project is an invitation to experience and celebrate the faithfulness of God like never before.

ABOUT DAVID C COOK: 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.

ABOUT INTEGRITY MUSIC: Integrity Music is part of the David C. Cook family, a nonprofit global resource provider serving the Church with life-transforming materials. With offices in Nashville, Tennessee (US) and Brighton, West Sussex (UK), Integrity is committed to taking songs of substance to the local church and its leaders around the world. Integrity publishes many of the top songs in the Church, including “Great Are You Lord,” “Revelation Song,” “Open The Eyes Of My Heart,” “In Christ Alone,” “10,000 Reasons,” “Here I Am To Worship,” “The Lion And The Lamb,” “Great I Am,” and “We Believe,” among others. Integrity Music artists include Matt Redman, Lincoln Brewster, Darlene Zschech, Martin Smith, Leeland, William McDowell, Paul Baloche, David Leonard, Jon Egan, David and Nicole Binion, Tim Timmons, Sandra McCracken, Selah, Kees Kraeynoord, ICF Church, Matt Marvane, and InSalvation, along with newer artists Thrive Worship, Local Sound, Sarah Kroger, Nashville Life Music, YWAM Kona Music, MDSN, among others. Additional information is available at integritymusic.com.

ABOUT COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL: Founded in 1952, Compassion International is a Christian child development organization that works to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Compassion revolutionized the fight against global poverty by working exclusively with the Church to lift children out of spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty. Compassion partners with more than 8,000 churches in 25 countries to deliver its holistic child development program to over 2 million babies, children and young adults. Its child sponsorship program has been validated through independent, empirical research. Find out more at Compassion.com.

For more information, visit FaithfulProject.com.

Media inquiries please contact MERGE PR:  Stacie Vining & Lori Mahon
Stacie@MergePR.com | 615.260.4679
Lori@MergePR.com | 615.579.1266

Partnership with Holman Bibles will feature the CSB Translation 

Nashville, TN (January 15, 2021) — Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Founder of Revive Our Hearts, will serve as General Editor for the study notes in a new Bible from Holman Bibles (B&H Publishing). The project, which is underway now with a 2024 target release date, will feature the Christian Standard Bible^® (CSB) and fresh content leveraging Nancy’s decades-long ministry of Bible teaching.

Revive Our Hearts has impacted women worldwide by elevating God’s Word and inviting them into freedom, fullness, and fruitfulness in Christ. As founder and the lead Bible teacher, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth brings a passion for Christ and his Word to the ministry’s digital outreaches, conference messages, books, and her two daily syndicated radio programs. The new Bible project in the CSB reinforces the ministry’s commitment to the transforming power of Scripture.

“From the time I was a young girl, the Word of God has been a cherished gift and foundational to every aspect of my life and ministry,” explains Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. “As I have soaked in and taught Scripture through the years, my heart has become increasingly enthralled by the beauty of Christ and awed by the ‘old, old story of Jesus and his love.’ Now, as many of my personal reflections and teaching notes are to be published alongside the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) text, I hope to encourage others to plumb the riches of his Word for themselves and to experience its life-giving impact in a greater way. As this project is launched, I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with the exceptional team at Holman Bibles to publish a devotional study Bible which will magnify Christ and reflect his truth into the hearts of readers around the world.”

“Through her books, podcasts, and speaking events, there are millions who have benefited from Nancy’s faithful ministry over the decades,” offers Andy McLean, Publisher for Bible & Reference, Holman Bibles, “All of us at Holman Bibles couldn’t be more honored at the opportunity to extend the Christ-exalting legacy Nancy’s ministry has come to represent through the publication of a CSB Bible featuring content captured from her years of walking through Scripture.”

Study and devotional resources, to be published alongside the CSB Bible text, will include:

• Study notes and insights from Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth’s writing and teaching ministry
• Devotional content from Nancy’s decades of personal meditation and journaling of the Word
• Articles and callouts, from Nancy’s teaching, featuring key biblical themes
• Profiles of men and women of Scripture whose lives point us to Christ
• Special emphasis on the grand, redemptive narrative of Scripture and the person & work of Jesus

This Bible project will feature the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible^® (CSB). The CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth is the founder and lead Bible teacher for Revive Our Hearts, a ministry dedicated to calling women to freedom, fullness, and fruitfulness in Christ. For the past two decades Nancy has pointed women to God’s Word and invited them to experience true heart revival through two nationally syndicated audio programs -– “Revive Our Hearts” and “Seeking Him,” both produced in Spanish as well as English on 1,100 unique radio outlets over 2,000 times daily. Nancy has authored more than twenty books and Bible studies. Her books have sold more than four million copies and are reaching the hearts of women around the world. Nancy and her husband Robert live in southwest Michigan. www.ReviveOurHearts.com

Holman Bibles is the oldest Bible publisher in North America, publishing high quality Bibles and reference resources that are trustworthy, accessible, and useful for the pursuit of lifelong discipleship. Print and digital releases include the CSB Tony Evans Study Bible as well as the Tony Evans One Volume Commentary, The She Reads Truth Study Bible, and the Rainbow Study Bible with over 3 million copies sold. Holman Bibles is a subsidiary of B&H Publishing Group. www.BHPublishingGroup.com

Media Contact: Pamela Muntsinger, MMPR, Pamela@mmpublicrelations.com 615-294-5073

Colorado Springs, Colo. (Jan. 11, 2021) —The Bindery announces they have expanded their team with the addition of three new agents: Trinity McFadden as Literary Agent and John Blase and Estee Zandee as Associate Literary Agents. They join Ingrid Beck, Managing Director at The Bindery, who also represents a number of authors at the agency.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Trinity, John, and Estee to The Bindery team,” says Alex Field, Principal & Founder of The Bindery. “Their diverse set of experience, skill, and passion will help our agency continue to publish well and expand into new categories, which will help us better serve both our publishing partners and the authors we represent.”

Trinity McFadden worked her way up in publishing over 12 years, holding editorial and publicity positions at Baker Publishing Group and HarperCollins. Most recently she was Senior Manager of Publicity for Zondervan Books. She has worked with a diverse group of authors, including activists, scholars, celebrities, pastors, educators, musicians, columnists, influencers, and world-changers. She is interested in representing authors writing adult nonfiction, especially diverse voices and perspectives, self-help, women’s interest, compelling memoirs, science, and history. She also appreciates literary fiction, thrillers, mysteries, and children’s books. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband and daughter. Trinity can be reached at tmcfadden@thebinderyagency.com.

John Blase spent over a decade as an editor and ghostwriter in traditional publishing, working with such names as Eugene Peterson, Ann Voskamp, Brennan Manning, and Brian Zahnd. During that time, he penned two books with his name on the spine—one of them a selfpublished poetry endeavor titled The Jubilee. At the end of the day, he tries to live by writer George Saunders’ advice: “Stop trying to teach the world something and instead refuse to be boring.” John and his wife, Meredith, have lived in Monument, Colorado, for almost twenty years. They have three children, all grown now and out living their one wild and precious lives. John’s long been a culture junkie hooked on everything from the drama of “Hill Street Blues” (which dates him) to the wonder of Game of Thrones to the thoughts of Ta- Nehisi Coates to the poetry of Taylor Swift. And he still mourns the loss of Anthony Bourdain. While loving all genres of literature, he admits a weakness for fiction, short stories, and memoir. A good story, well-told, he simply finds hard to resist. John can be reached at jblase@thebinderyagency.com.

Estee Zandee has worked in the publishing industry for ten years, since starting out as a magazine columnist in school. Earning a bachelor’s degree in professional writing, she worked her way up to editorial positions at HarperCollins Christian Publishing where she helped support a list of well-loved and bestselling authors. In 2017, Estee and her husband moved to Metro Detroit, and she launched her own literary business to serve publishers, agents, and authors with writing, editing, and coaching services. She has edited numerous manuscripts and written and collaborated on more than a dozen books with publishers such as Zondervan and Baker Publishing Group. As an agent, Estee is focused on partnering with authors to develop thought-provoking messages and great storytelling to inspire readers. Estee can be reached at ezandee@thebinderyagency.com.

Alex Field launched The Bindery in 2017 after 18 years working in book publishing and journalism. Prior to starting The Bindery, he served as vice president and publisher for two imprints of Penguin Random House, the largest publisher of trade books in the English-speaking world. The Bindery serves content creators, guiding authors they represent through every step of the publishing process, from inspiration to bookshelf. Currently, they represent authors in the categories of Commercial Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Biography & Memoir, Parenting, Self-Help, Pop Culture, Business & Leadership, Christian Life, Science Fiction & Fantasy, and more. Current authors include Jerry B. Jenkins, Michael Todd, Ainsley Arment, Sam Acho, Ashley Lemieux, Propaganda, Sean Dietrich (known as “Sean of the South”), Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, Sally Clarkson, Dr. Derwin L. Gray, Rich Villodas, Carlos Whittaker, Mandy Hale, Danielle Strickland and more. To learn more, visit www.TheBinderyAgency.com.

Contact: Alexander Field The Bindery Principal & Founder afield@thebinderyagency.com 719-351-4897

Ada, Mich. (Jan. 5, 2020)— Revell and (in)courage, a vibrant online community founded by DaySpring, the Christian products subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., is pleased to launch four new Bible studies. The studies will lead women on a journey to discover what God has to say about living courageously for him, especially when life gets hard, messy, and just generally upside-down.

“If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s how much we need to be tethered to the unshakable truth of God’s Word and how much we need courage to follow Him,” said Joy Groblebe, Content Marketing Director for DaySpring. “We’ve been working on this for months with our whole community and we’re so excited to bring you this new study series.”

Every three months throughout 2021 a new six-week study will be available beginning with Courageous Simplicity: Abide in the Simple Abundance of Jesus. Each day of the study begins with real women from the (in)courage community talking about real life and how the real living God meets them there.

In March Courageous Joy: Delight in God Through Every Season will be released followed by Courageous Influence: Embrace the Way God Made You for Impact; and Courageous Kindness; Live the Simple Difference Right Where You Are. Pre-orders for the studies are available at book retailers, DaySpring.com, and BakerBookHouse.com. (in)courage will be taking their entire community through an online version of Courageous Simplicity beginning Feb. 1, 2021. For more information, visit incourage.me/biblestudy.

(in)courage welcomes you to a place where authentic, brave women connect deeply with God and others. Founded in 2009 by DaySpring, the Christian products subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., (in)courage is a vibrant online community that reaches thousands of women every day. Through the power of shared stories and meaningful resources, (in)courage celebrates the strength Jesus gives to live out our calling as God’s daughters. Together we build community, celebrate diversity, and become women of courage.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life.  Whether through fiction, Christian living, self-help, marriage, family, or youth books, each Revell publication reflects relevance, integrity and excellence. For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

Contact: Kelli Smith (616)676-9185 x 394  ksmith@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Grand, Rapids, Mich. (Jan. 2020)— Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is proud to announce the upcoming release of the NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible with General Editor Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

CHARLOTTE, NC– The Good Book Company is excited to announce the newest addition to the Tales That Tell The Truth series for children. Titled The God Contest, this Biblically faithful story shows readers how the God of the Bible proved himself to be the one true God (The Good Book Company, January 2021.)

Excitingly told and brilliantly designed, The God Contest is written by Carl Laferton and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri, the team behind the bestselling kids’ book The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross (The Good Book Company, February 2016.) Born out of a conversation between Laferton and his young son after his son’s friends had shared with him their beliefs in other gods or no god at all, the book takes readers on a journey from the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel to Jesus and the empty tomb.

Laferton says, “It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to hear of kids impacted by the gospel through reading The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross. Now I am praying that kids would be given confidence to stand firm in their faith, and stand up for their faith, through The God Contest. We live in a world of many worship options—I hope this book will excite kids to worship the one true God, our risen Lord Jesus.”

The book will equip parents to have biblical, honest conversations with their kids about hard questions. In an interview with Jerrad Lopes, host of DadTired, and another with Monica Swanson, host of The Boy Mom podcast, Laferton shares more about the story behind the book and how to respond to kids’ questions by bringing them to the Bible.

To support parents and children’s ministry workers engaging with kids on the topic of how to know God is the one true God, The Good Book Company is offering free lesson plans. These lesson plans can be downloaded from the book’s product page. A video trailer explaining more about the book is available here.

For media inquiries and access to promotional assets, contact: publicity@thegoodbook.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carl Laferton is the bestselling author of the kids’ books The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross and The God Contest. He is also the EVP Publishing at The Good Book Company and serves as series editor of the God’s Word For You commentary series. Before joining TGBC, he worked as a journalist, a teacher, and pastored a congregation in Hull, UK. Carl is married to Lizzie and they have two children, Benjamin and Abigail. He studied history at Oxford University.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Catalina Echeverri is a Colombian freelance illustrator specializing in children’s books. She is based in London, UK, and illustrated the bestselling The Garden, The Curtain and the Cross.

ABOUT THE GOOD BOOK COMPANY
Founded in 1991, The Good Book Company (TGBC) is an international Christian publisher. Their Bible studies, books, devotionals, videos, tracts, evangelistic courses, and training materials are used throughout the English-speaking world, and in translation in over 35 languages worldwide. Everyone at TGBC is passionate about the Lord Jesus, His word, His church, and His gospel of grace. They create and publish biblical, relevant, and accessible resources that will encourage Christians to keep going, keep growing, and keep sharing their faith.

Mike Fisher, Carrie Underwood, Sean Lowe, Danny Gokey and More Share Personal Accounts of Discovering Meaning and Belonging in ‘I Found Love’

PLANO, Texas, Nov. 10, 2020 – Filled with powerful stories of men and women in the public eye who have broken the barriers of divorce, addiction, racism, abuse, miscarriage, shame and more, “I Found Love: True Stories of Discovering Love, Belonging and Friendship,” will release Jan. 12 from global storytelling organization I Am Second. “I Found Love” is authored by Doug Bender, I Am Second’s Chief Content Writer, and published by Nelson Books.

“If you’re surrounded but alone, ‘liked’ but unloved, continually sending the world your message but feeling always unheard, then you need the stories in this book,” writes Bender. “If busyness has taken the place of connection and if virtual friends have replaced real ones, then these stories of genuine love are for you.”

“I Found Love” is a different kind of love story. The book tells the accounts of people who searched and searched for meaning and fulfillment and only found it when they put their trust in Christ.

“I Found Love” includes raw and compelling anecdotes from Seconds who have found life-changing love, belonging and friendship, including:

• “Bachelor” contestant Sean Lowe;
• Mike Fisher, former NHL Star, and Carrie Underwood, singer and songwriter;
• Actors and artists David and Tamela Mann;
• American Idol contestants and singers Danny Gokey and Jason Castro;
• Michael Kent, former Neo-Nazi, and Tiffany Whitter, probation officer;
• Paralympic swimmer Jessica Long; and
• Marine and MMA fighter Chad Robichaux, to name a few.

“You are loved—even if you don’t feel it. You are liked—even if you haven’t seen a thumbs-up in weeks,” writes Bender. “A community is here for you, a people ready to say, ‘You are one of us.’ ‘You belong’ is the message of this book. ‘You are loved’ is its anthem. In these pages, you’ll discover broken hearts healed, broken homes rebuilt, and broken lives resurrected.”

“I Found Love” is the fourth book from I Am Second and will release Jan. 21, 2021, from Nelson Books. For more info, visit http://www.ifoundlovebook.com.

About I Am Second
I Am Second is a non-profit launched in 2008 that ignites hope and inspires people to live for God and for others. Its website, iamsecond.com, features written and film-based stories of more than 100 athletes, actors, models, musicians, cultural influencers and everyday people who have stepped in front of the camera and declared, “I Am Second.” For information, visit iamsecond.com.

About Doug Bender
Doug Bender joined e3 Partners in 2008 and currently serves as Chief Content Writer for I Am Second, developing resources and materials for leaders to help individuals understand what it means to “Live Second.” Bender is co-author of “I Am Second: Real Stories. Changing Lives.” He also authored “Live Second: A Daily Guide to Live a God-honoring Life” and “I Choose Peace: Raw Stories of Real People Finding Contentment and Happiness.”

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

Nashville, Ten. (Jan. 2021) – Thomas Nelson, in partnership with Bible Gateway and the Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement, is pleased to announce the release of the NET Abide Bible Journals.

“The Abide Bible Journals are a beautifully designed tool to help you to reflect on God’s Word so that you can better meet and know God,” remarked Phil Collins, PhD, Professor of Christian Ministries and Executive Director, Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement. “The prompts and the space provided for writing are designed to help you slow down and immerse yourself in Scriptures so that God can change you from the inside out. Don’t skim over God’s Word, let it become a part of your very being.”

The NET Abide Bible Journals are designed to help readers experience the peace, hope, and growth that come from encountering the voice and presence of God in Scripture. Using four, time-tested Scripture engagement tools, readers can deepen their experience with God in Scripture and become transformed.

Each journal volume is designed to help readers focus on the message of a section of the Bible and includes individual book introductions, a single-column Scripture layout, and powerful passage-specific prompts with light journaling lines opposite each page of Scripture.

Readers can focus on one book at a time with 66 books of the Bible divided into 45 individual, paperback NET Abide Bible Journals or delve deeper into the study of the Old and New Testaments divided into five box sets: The Writings, The Prophets, The Law, The Gospel and Acts and The Epistles and Revelation. A complete Bible box set of NET Abide Bible Journals is also available. Each journal showcases stunning cover artwork by Stephen Crotts and features:

• Clear and readable Thomas Nelson NET Typeface
• Thick paper suited for journaling
• Brief book introductions
• Innovative Scripture-engagement prompts
• Handheld size for personal and group study
• Flexible sewn binding

For reprint permission, review copies, or to request an interview with Phil Collins, contact Amy Bigler at amy.bigler@harpercollins.com.

About Comfort Print®:  Thomas Nelson Bibles teamed up with 2K/Denmark, the world’s foremost typeface foundry, to create exclusive Comfort Print Bible fonts. NKJV Comfort Print Bibles are easy to read at any size because the typeface was designed to be both efficient and readable. HarperCollins believes that the beauty of the message should be reflected in the physical form of the book. Choosing the right typeface is one significant element in creating beautiful Bibles.

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, cookbooks, 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: Amy Bigler, Senior Public Relations Manager, amy.bigler@harpercollins.com 616.698.3514 

Hardison to lead HCCP’s partnership with Urban Ministries Inc.

Nashville, Tenn. (January 7, 2021)—HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) today announced Crystal Hardison as the director of partner relationships, specifically stewarding the organization’s partnership with Urban Ministries, Inc. (UMI).

As director of partner relationships Hardison will steward and maximize the HCCP and UMI partnership by serving as the key liaison between the two companies. She will work with all publishing imprints within HCCP to identify and leverage existing content that serves the UMI core audience, as well as identify new voices to acquire.

“The partnership between HCCP and UMI is paramount to our work in acquiring and elevating African American voices,” remarked Doug Lockhart, senior v-p, marketing and new initiatives. “Crystal’s track record of building and maintaining strong partnerships make her the perfect person to steward our relationship with UMI, and I look forward to its development under her leadership.”

Hardison joins HCCP with eighteen years of experience in developing and maintaining partnerships in both commercial and not-for profit industries. She specializes in developing strategic partnerships for organizations to advance their mission and values while expanding their reach into new communities and business channels.

HarperCollins Christian Publishing:
The world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., comprises the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing groups, BibleGateway.com, FaithGateway.com and ChurchSource.com.  The Company produces bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, academic resources, curriculum, audio and digital content for the Christian market space. HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, TN with additional offices in the U.S. and Mexico.  For more information visit www.HarperCollinsChristian.com.

Contact: Chelsea Taff, Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications,
615.902.2137,  Chelsea.Taff@HarperCollins.com

(Nashville, TN) January 8, 2021—Announced today, LaTasha Estelle and Shawn LeBar will lead a newly divided sales focus for the independent retail channels at HarperCollins Christian Publishing and HarperCollins Focus. To better accommodate the unique needs of indie bookstores across the nation, HarperCollins Christian Publishing and HarperCollins Focus will now have separate teams to manage its Christian-based independent retail accounts and general market, or ABA (American Booksellers Association) bookstores.

“HarperCollins Focus is a fast-growing business with a positive market response,” said Dan Van Gorp, senior vice president of Sales. “We must be able to accommodate the needs of our retail channels in unique ways, ensuring that we are tailoring how we communicate and present titles. Readers will continue to shop and remain loyal to both, however, the consumer experience at a Christian indie bookstore is very different from a general market indie.”

Estelle, with more than 20 years in sales at HarperCollins Publishers has been promoted to sales director for ABA Indies and Libraries for HarperCollins Christian Publishing and HarperCollins Focus. Previously she was the key accounts manager for brick-and-mortar retail working with Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Hobby Lobby, Ingram, amongst others. She will now oversee sales and marketing efforts for the ABA Indie and Library channel.

LeBar will join the company on January 24, 2021 as sales director, CBA Indies after spending nine years working in the inspirational gifts industry. LeBar is a sales veteran with more than 25 years of experience, most recently at Christian Art Gifts as sales manager.

“I am excited for both LaTasha and Shawn to begin leading our company at this capacity,” continued Van Gorp. “Both have exceptional sales experience and a deep understanding of the retail market. They will work alongside one another to ensure that our independent retailers remain critical in our community and to all of bookselling.”

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