(February 3, 2020) – Today, the Parable Group released its 2020 State of Christian Retailing report, providing data and insights into the current climate within the Christian retailing industry. Progress, challenges, and important industry findings are explored to help strengthen business and ministry in the year ahead.

Drawing on $66 million in sales data, 2.1 million consumer receipts, and survey results from U.S. Christian retailers across marketing groups, church stores, and other independents, the report highlights include: comparisons of bestsellers across channels, leading trends in product categories, analysis of Christmas sales and year-end sales, and shifts in retailer outlook.

“2019 was another year of change, but the resilient and tenacious independents continue to work faithfully in their business and ministry,” stated Greg Squires, President of The Parable Group. “We’re thankful for the many individuals who contributed to this report, offering honest responses to surveys and insightful comments. It’s our hope that up-to-date facts, research, and analysis encourage both retailers and publishers to press forward for years to come.

To view the report, click here.

The Parable Group helps Christian retailers, publishers, and ministries magnify their mission by connecting them to engaged Christian consumers, pastors, and church leaders. The San Luis Obispo, CA. based data-driven marketing agency and media group has served over 1000 Christian organizations since 1985. For more information, contact sally.ross@parable.com or visit www.parablegroup.com.

Contact: Sally Ross, (805) 329-4020  sally.ross@parable.com

[NASHVILLE, TENN., February 7, 2020—] In 2019, 35% of the American workforce was a part of the gig economy, up from five years prior. In addition, 68% of all gig workers surveyed joined the gig economy in the last five years.

The rise of Amazon Prime, Facebook Marketplace, Uber, Grubhub and Airbnb are all part of the explosion of the gig economy and the shift in American work culture. As pastor, author, international speaker and leadership consultant Daniel Im began to research the gig economy and its effects, he discovered seven lies that had subtly worked their way into the American psyche, contradicting what the Bible says about a Christian’s identity.

In his new book, “You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies About Work, Life and Love” (February 2020, B&H Publishing), Im dissects seven common lies that have changed the way Americans approach work, life and love:

• You are what you do.
• You are what you experience.
• You are who you know.
• You are what you know.
• You are what you own.
• You are who you raise.
• You are your past.

Through relatable stories, research and pastoral insight, Im shows readers how to recognize these everyday lies and discover the truth on the other side. In a world where anxiety and depression result from constant hustling, chasing success and the American dream, Im reminds readers that they are already accepted and loved because of the gospel.

“I wrote this book because in the last few years, there’s been a significant shift in the way that we approach work, life and love. And it’s all because of the rise of the ‘gig economy,’ which has become the new normal,” Im said.

“But here’s the thing: This is not some sort of neutral and harmless shift in culture. There’s actually a complex and fragile web of lies holding it all together, leading to a devastating pile of unintended consequences. My hope is to shed light on these lies and what happens if we live our lives according to them so that readers can see the truth on the other side, one that leads to freedom.”

Im is a seasoned speaker and leader who has traveled to cities around the globe to teach, consult and coach. He currently serves on the pastoral staff of Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, Canada, and has served and pastored in church plants and multisite churches ranging from 100 people to 50,000 people in Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Korea, Edmonton and Nashville.

Im is the author of two other books: “No Silver Bullets: Five Small Shifts that will Transform Your Ministry” and “Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches that Multiply” (second edition).

B&H is supporting “You Are What You Do” with a preorder campaign, national marketing and publicity campaign and a launch team online to support the launch. For more information, visit https://danielim.com/youare

Daniel Im is a speaker and leader who has traveled to cities around the globe including New York, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Sydney and Seoul to teach, consult and coach. His podcasts have been downloaded over 3 million times and more than 72,000 people follow him on Twitter for his wisdom and insight.

He has written three paradigm-shifting books including his latest, “You Are What You Do” (Feb. 4, 2020, B&H Books). He has an M.A. in Global Leadership and is a Gallup Certified Strengths Performance Coach. Daniel lives in Canada with his wife Christina and their three children. For more information, visit danielim.com and follow him on social media @danielsangi.

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.

[NASHVILLE, TENN., Feb. 5, 2020—] B&H Kids is proud to announce that Ellie Holcomb, renowned singer-songwriter and bestselling author of “Who Sang The First Song?,” is releasing her second book titled “Don’t Forget to Remember” (March 2020, B&H Publishing Group).

In “Don’t Forget to Remember,” Holcomb uses rhyme and beauty to remind young readers of comforting truths from God. When they see snowflakes fall, they can remember that God made each person as one of a kind. If they hear the waves crash to shore again and again, they’ll recall that God’s love never runs out. High and low, on sad days and glad days, creation reminds us that God’s love is ever-present. Holcomb ends her comforting reminder with a message for hearts young and old: “And even on days you forget what is true, don’t forget to remember God won’t forget you.”

“This book was largely inspired by Psalm 19, which says, ‘The heavens declare the glories of God,’” said Holcomb. “I hope ‘Don’t Forget To Remember’ will help children and the adults in their lives pay attention to the beautiful song creation sings each day. There are countless clues that point us to the truth, and my hope is that this book will be like a treasure map to help us all discover and remember the wonders of God’s love for us.”

Holcomb will also release another children’s EP to accompany the book on February 21, titled “Sing: Remembering Songs.” The songs on “Sing” are rooted in Scripture to remind children (and adults) of how God created the earth to remind us of his love.

Holcomb’s first book, “Who Sang the First Song?” (October 2018, B&H Publishing Group), spent several months on the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) juvenile bestseller list and was a finalist for Christian Book of the Year in the children’s category.

“I hope ‘Don’t Forget to Remember’ will start many conversations about what really matters at the end of the day,” said Holcomb. “My dream is that this book will be like a campfire to gather around each night, and that it will warm each heart with the light of God’s love for them.”

Holcomb partnered once again with illustrator Kayla Harren, who worked with her to create the illustrations for “Who Sang the First Song?”

“Sharing the creative process with Ellie Holcomb is nothing short of delightful; she conveys not only her lyrical and musical talents but also an instinctive joy and an intense love for the Lord,” said Michelle Freeman, B&H Kids Publisher. “Readers will feel that joy and love in the pages of ‘Don’t Forget to Remember,’ which no doubt will soon be recited and sung by many little voices.”

B&H is supporting the book with national marketing and publicity campaign. Each pre-order will also include a LifeWay exclusive, jacketed hardcover copy of “Who Sang the First Song?” For more information, visit https://www.ellieholcomb.com/dont-forget-to-remember

Ellie Holcomb began her musical career touring with her husband in the Americana band Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. Then her solo adventures deemed her a 2014 Dove Award, followed by the hope-inducing “Red Sea Road” album. In 2018, she created a new generation of little fans with her first children’s book and album, “Who Sang the First Song?” and “Sing: Creation Songs.” Ellie, her husband, Drew, and their three children live and make music in Nashville.

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.

Terre Haute, IN (February 7, 2020) PrayerShop Publishing is pleased to announce that its all-time best seller, Love to Pray by Alvin VanderGriend has just gone into its 19th printing.

This simple, 40-day devotional on prayer has been used by thousands of churches over the past decade to lead their people into deeper levels of prayer.  PrayerShop publisher, Jonathan Graf, shares “In my 25 years of prayer ministry, I have not seen another book like it. Love to Pray has the most complete theology of prayer of any book I know, yet it lays it out in such a simple, clear way.” PrayerShop has developed an entire line of products based off this book.

VanderGriend is the co-founder of the Denominational Prayer Leaders Network, which he helped to form while a national evangelism and prayer leader with the Christian Reformed Church. Author of 8 books on prayer, VanderGriend has discipled and inspired easily more than a half million people in the area of prayer over his years of ministry.

Originally developed by the Church Prayer Leaders Network and Harvest Prayer Ministries, PrayerShop Publishing was launched as a publishing house to develop and produce niche books on prayer that focus primarily on growing prayer in the local church.

Contact:  Jon Graf, Publisher, PrayerShop Publishing, jon@prayershop.org

GRAND RAPIDS, MI—Credo House Publishers announces a new edition of Christian Publishing 101: The comprehensive guide to writing well and publishing successfully—for new authors, editors, and students by Ann Byle that features three new chapters by elite publishing professionals.

Stan Jantz, President and CEO of the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association, answers questions in the book about the Christian publishing industry today, highlighting the bright spots for Christian publishers as well as some of the biggest challenges they face today.

“The biggest bright spot is the rise of Millennials as the largest segment of the reading public. First of all, they prefer print to digital, leading to an 80 percent market share for books in physical format. Second, as Millennials are getting married and having children, they are increasingly interested in those issues that have always concerned families,” said Jantz in the book. He also points to the expanding global market and the rise in audio books as positives.

Challenges include distractions readers face (especially phones), the dramatic decrease in Christian brick-and-mortar stores, and the rise in third-party sellers on Amazon leading to counterfeit books and copyright infringement.

Said publisher Tim Beals, “Stan’s input makes this new edition of CP101 invaluable for writers and those in the publishing industry. He adds depth to the discussion about Christian publishing.”

Other additions to the book include a chapter on point-of-view for fiction writers with Whidbey Writers Workshop instructor Wayne Ude, and “Proverbs for Writers” by Robert Hudson. Hudson is author of The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style and The Art of the Almost Said: A Christian Writer’s Guide to Writing Poetry.

“CP101 is a helpful compendium that addresses everything from creating a writing life to reaching readers, from the business of writing to writing for children,” said Beals. “It’s a writers conference in book form.”

The newest edition of Christian Publishing 101 is available on Amazon and select Christian retailers.

About Credo House Publishers:  Credo House Publishers, a division of Credo Communications, offers authors a tailored, creative experience through traditional royalty and custom partnership publishing options. Visit credohousepublishers.com for more information.

CONTACT: Tim Beals, tim@credocommunications.net, 616.363.2686

Colorado Springs, Colorado (February 10, 2020)—IF:Gathering founder and visionary Jennie Allen has made her debut on the New York Times Best Sellers list, coming in at #2 in the Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous category following the release of her latest book, Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts (January 28, 2020, WaterBrook). The book also earned #9 on the USA Today Best-Selling Books List, #3 on Wall Street Journal’s Bestselling Books list in the nonfiction category, #8 on Publishers Weekly’s Top 10 Overall Bestsellers list, and #8 on ECPA’s Non-Fiction Bestsellers list.

Get Out of your Head is a powerful read for anyone who has found himself or herself trapped in the spiral of toxic thinking. On behalf of readers and herself—she too has been caught in the spiral—Allen wages war on the negative thoughts that take our minds captive by equipping us all with the one thought that can change everything: I have a choice.

For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  

JENNIE ALLEN is the founder and visionary behind IF:Gathering, an organization that equips women with gospel-centered resources, events, and community so they may learn more about who God is and disciple others. Through simulcast and live events, IF has reached more than one million women in nearly two hundred countries and has seven thousand women leading in-person gatherings around the world. She is also the host of the new “Made for This” podcast which has already exceeded 1.8 million downloads since its launch in July 2019. Allen has a master’s degree in biblical studies from Dallas Theological Seminary.

Contacts:
Beverly Rykerd, VP, Director of Publicity, brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com  (719) 268-1935
Chelsea Woodward, Publicist, cwoodward@penguinrandomhouse.com  (719) 268-1915

Asheville, NC – Flagler Law Group announces a major rebranding as it prepares to enter its 15th year. The firm’s new logo, color treatment and website reflect its mission to provide trusted counsel to those who publish and teach Christian messages.  Mountains remain a central theme in the brand, alluding to the solid foundation of the Gospel, the role its attorneys serve as experienced guides through challenging situations, and the geographic location of its two offices.  FLG is a boutique law firm specializing in the intellectual property needs of Christian publishers, ministries, churches, seminaries, and other content organizations.

Brian Flagler, managing partner, explains: “The design of the new logo points to our origins in the book industry and the life-changing works our clients publish.  We chose a shade of blue, a color associated with depth, trust, and loyalty, to reinforce our role as advisors who keep our client’s best interests first.  Our goal is always to find a solution which furthers their mission.”

The new website boasts a refreshed and modern design as well as updated copy throughout.

Flagler Law Group is led by Managing Partner Brian Flagler, formerly of Multnomah Publishers, who practices in the firm’s North Carolina office and Senior Associate Craig Gipson, author of many articles on the publishing industry, who practices in the firm’s Oregon office.

To the view the new site, visit flaglerlawgroup.com

Contact:  Brian D. Flagler, (541) 549-8401 brian@flaglerlawgroup.com

Having the same argument with your spouse over and over again? Pick up MARRIAGE TRIGGERS: Exchanging Spouses’ Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses (on sale January 28, 2020; Howard Books) by Amber Lia and Guy Lia, with a foreword by Dave and Ashley Willis, authors of The Naked Marriage and hosts of The Naked Marriage Podcast. Married for 14 years and counting, this husband-wife team offer practical advice for married couples to end the cycle of reactionary arguments by examining the most common issues that trigger disagreements.

Many couples know their marriage has room for improvement, but it is hard to pinpoint exactly why a relationship is suffering. Often times every day triggers are the culprit. The “little things” we don’t know how to address—or have been addressing incorrectly—make us angry and frustrated with no hope for change. If you are wondering how to break out of the cycle of reactionary outbursts, cold shoulders, resentment, and pain that harms your relationship, you are not alone. Experiencing peace and joy rather than anger and frustration is not as hard as you think!

MARRIAGE TRIGGERS walks you through 31 of the most common marital issues that sabotage great relationships, such as:

• Poor communication
• Lack of spiritual leadership
• Busy schedules
• Different parenting styles
• In-laws
• Intimacy

Rather than run from the things that cause conflict, Amber and Guy believe these triggers are opportunities for growth, both individually and as a couple. They challenge you to let MARRIAGE TRIGGERS renew your commitment to responding gently and biblically towards your partner.

Amber and Guy Lia live in Southern California with their four sons. They are co-producers and owners of their faith-and family-friendly production company, Storehouse Media Group in Los Angeles.

Charisma House To Publish the New Book by the Christian Broadcasting Network Founder:  I Have Walked With The Living God

LAKE MARY, FL (January 29, 2020) — Today, Charisma House announces the May 5, 2020 release of I Have Walked With the Living God, (ISBN: 978-1-62999-873-2) by the renowned founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network and 700 Club, Pat Robertson.

For those who have witnessed Mr. Robertson’s rise as a key Christian voice in the United States and worldwide and ever wondered, “how did he do it?”, I Have Walked With The Living God promises an inside look.

From growing up as the son of a U.S. Senator, and then to becoming a Marine Lieutenant in the Korean War, a Yale Law grad, a seminary student, and the founder of the first Christian cable network in the U.S., Robertson tells his life story and the path that God led him down with intriguing candor and mesmerizing storytelling.

In the soon-to-be-released book, Robertson explores, with what only age and wisdom can articulate, his ninety years on earth and how God has spoken to and directed his every step.

Said Robertson, “Writing I Have Walked With the Living God has been a very personal journey for me. Recounting the ways God has guided me, solidifies my certainty to say ‘he who causes everything to be’ has never failed me once. He is the Anchor of my soul.”

Widely known as the founder of CBN, Robertson launched the network in 1960 as the first Christian television network established in the U.S.. Today, CBN is one of the world’s largest television ministries and produces programming seen in over 159 countries and territories and heard in 70 languages, including Russian, Arabic, Spanish, French, and Chinese. Beyond the scope of the network, he is also the founder of International Family Entertainment Inc., Regent University, Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation, American Center for Law and Justice, and several other organizations and broadcast entities.

“For sixty years, Pat Robertson has dedicated his life to serving the body of Christ, and we are thrilled at the opportunity to help him continue to tell his story,”  explains Marcos Perez, publisher and executive vice president of Charisma House. “For all of us at Charisma, this is a great honor to publish and work with Mr. Robertson. The respect that we and the world hold for him is unparalleled.”

A forerunner of the faith who brings the gospel of Jesus to the world via media, Robertson has spent decades living a life that continues to inspire generations. But of all the things he has been known for—philanthropist, national religious broadcaster, presidential candidate—Robertson wants to be known for one thing: as a man who walked with God, followed His ways, and brought Glory to the Almighty.

About Pat Robertson
Robertson is a renowned religious leader, a philanthropist, an educator, and an author. He founded The Christian Broadcasting Network, of which he is chairman and whose flagship program, The 700 Club, is one of the longest-running television programs in U.S. history. He also founded Regent University, where he is the chancellor; Operation Blessing, an international humanitarian organization; the American Center for Law and Justice; and many other organizations. Born March 22, 1930, Robertson graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts from Washington and Lee, has a juris doctor from Yale University Law School and a master of divinity from New York Theological Seminary. His twenty-one books include The Secret Kingdom, which was the number one religious book in America. Pat and his wife, Dede, have four children, fourteen grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren.

About Charisma House
Charisma House empowers people through Spirit-inspired resources. It is the leading publisher of diversified Christian resources motivating people to fulfill God’s purpose. For more than twenty-one years Charisma House has published books, including fifteen New York Times best sellers, that challenge, encourage, teach, and equip Christians.

Media Contacts:  Chris Roslan, President, Roslan & Campion Public Relations, (212) 966-4600, ext 101 or  (917) 341-4782, chris@rc-pr.com; OR Nicole Ponder, Publicity Manager, Charisma House,
nicole.ponder@charismahouse.com

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – VOM Books, the publishing arm of The Voice of the Martyrs (Tortured for Christ, Hearts of Fire, Jesus Freaks), announced a new partnership with ABridge International to establish its books and resources into the international marketplace.  ABridge International will be assisting VOM Books by working with distributors and retailers who currently purchase Christian products.

Bill Schultz, founder of ABridge International, has over 27 years of international sales, rights and executive management experience.  Before starting ABridge, Schultz was Vice President of sales and international at Gospel Light. While at Gospel Light, he also initiated and was a managing board director for ZDL Books in Beijing, China.

“We are so honored and pleased to be partnering with Bill Schultz and the ABridge International Team and truly value them for their expertise, industry knowledge and relationship skills as trusted partners in the International Marketplace,” said Chris Robinette, Executive Director for VOM Books.

ABridge International will also be assisting VOM Books with managing new Sub-Rights for their content in other languages. Schultz has extensive experience in rights negotiation and management for both books and media.

“I am thrilled and count it a privilege to represent and partner with VOM and join in their passion to help believers grow in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in hostile and persecuted areas of the world” said Schultz. “We have so much to learn from the global church.”

The partnership, established in fall 2019, will expand the reach of VOM Books into new international Christian publishing and distribution markets.

VOM Books is the publishing enterprise of The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) who has been serving persecuted Christians in hostile and restricted nations for more than 50 years. VOM is well-known for inspiring believers with bestselling titles such as Tortured for Christ, which has sold over 10 million copies in 60 languages worldwide and Jesus Freaks: Martyrs: Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus, with more than 1.1 million copies in distribution. Along with Tortured for Christ, VOM Books also published Hearts of Fire: Eight Women in the Underground Church and Their Stories of Costly Faith, and the wildly-popular Extreme Devotion: Voice of the Martyrs, which includes daily readings about ancient and modern-day believers who made significant sacrifices for their faith. Learn more about VOM at persecution.com.