(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.-May 9, 2025) As PRH Christian celebrates its six-month anniversary as a new division of Penguin Random House, it introduces a new divisional logo and mission statement honoring its roots and emphasizing the division’s commitment to expanding opportunities for Christian authors in the marketplace.

Mission Statement: “PRH Christian is a home for Christian authors writing distinctive, inspirational, and culturally relevant works, bringing them to the broadest possible readership.”

“The mission statement speaks to the direction this division is headed and that we are looking to take Christian authors to the next level, helping more readers than ever discover their books and messages,” said Campbell Wharton, SVP and Publisher. “Our entire team had a role speaking into the logo and mission. We are excited to move forward together in executing our mission.”

Designed by Creative Director Kristopher Orr and Art Director Jeff Weber, the logo features 22 circles in various sizes and colors united together in the shape of a cross.

“These circles symbolize the unique messages of our books traveling out into the world, celebrating their complimentary themes, and authors’ voices,” says Orr. “The Cross shape clearly suggests Christ is central to our publishing program. This visual language also calls to the legacy of stained glass and the orthodox Christian faith in which our program is rooted.”

The 22 circles in the form of a cross hold deeper meaning as they were inspired by Psalm 22, considered a prophetic psalm about Jesus’ suffering on the cross. Psalm 22: 22 sings: “I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.” Orr added, “Our books point readers to Christ, declaring him in various ways. In the marketplace, we praise God through our books.”

Basing the logo on a Psalm honors the division’s roots with its flagship imprint WaterBrook, which took its name and logo inspiration from Psalm 42:1 “as the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.”

PRH Christian is made up of five imprints WaterBrook, Multnomah, Image, Forum, and Ink & Willow, publishing adult non-fiction, children’s, and gift product with such leading authors as John Mark Comer, Mark Batterson, Michael Todd, Andrew Peterson, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Madison Prewett Troutt.

PRH Christian Publishing Group is a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

Contact: Beverly Rykerd, VP/Publicity Director brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com

‘Luke in the Land,’ ‘CSB Oswald Chambers Bible’ win in Bible Study, Bible categories

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—“Luke in the Land” and the “CSB Oswald Chambers Bible” received the 2025 Christian Book Award in their respective categories during the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Celebration Dinner on April 29 in Nashville.

The Christian Book Award program recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards programs in the religious publishing industry.

“Luke in the Land: Walking with Jesus in His First-Century World,” written by Kristi McClelland, was honored in the Bible study category. The study, released last year by Lifeway Women, includes teaching videos from locations throughout Israel.

“I am not surprised that ‘Luke in the Land’ was honored with a Christian Book Award,” said Becky Loyd, vice president at Lifeway Christian Resources. “In this study, Kristi walks through key passages in the Gospel of Luke, teaching the cultural and historical context of the text. Even if you have never been to Israel, Kristi’s knowledge and passion transport readers to the land where this history unfolded and help us to understand Jesus’ ministry in new and deeper ways.”

The “CSB Oswald Chambers Bible,” released by Holman Bibles, took the top honor in the Bible category, combining the devotionals of Oswald Chambers with the Christian Standard Bible translation.

“We are deeply honored by this award and recognition for the ‘CSB Oswald Chambers Bible’ by the highly respected ECPA. In many respects, it is a shared honor with our friends at Our Daily Bread who maintain the licensing rights to the collected works of Oswald Chambers,” said Andy McClean, publisher for Bibles and reference at Lifeway.

“They have been great partners from the very beginning, catching the vision behind this devotional Bible and sharing a mutual desire to help readers engage meaningfully with the message of Scripture alongside the timeless wisdom from Oswald Chambers. Our continued hope is that readers will find immense encouragement and insight into the biblical storyline as they journey through the pages of Scripture while being challenged by Oswald to live our ‘utmost for his Highest.’”

Five other titles published by Lifeway Christian Resources and its imprints, B&H Publishing Group and Holman Bibles, were honored as finalists.

• “Ephesians: A Study of Faith and Practice” by Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes and Melissa Kruger was also a finalist in the Bible study category.
• The “CSB Men’s Daily Bible” by general editor Robert Wolgemuth was an additional finalist in the Bible category.
• “Habakkuk: The Christian Standard Commentary” by Susan Maxwell Booth was recognized in the Bible Reference Works category.
• “When God Makes Scribbles Beautiful” by Kate Rietema and illustrated by Jennie Poh was a finalist in the Children’s category.
• “Advent for Exiles” by Caroline Cobb was recognized in the New Author category.

In operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, group curriculum, Christian music and movies, Vacation Bible School and church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Based in Brentwood, Tennessee, Lifeway operates as a self-supporting nonprofit. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources, is a team that believes Every Word Matters®. We seek to provide intentional, biblical content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, cultivating lifelong relationships with Jesus Christ. We publish (print and digital) in the trade, church and academic markets, as well as the CSB translation. For more information, visit BHPublishingGroup.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 award-winning CSB Explorer Bible for Kids and The She Reads Truth Bible and the Rainbow Study Bible with over 3 million copies sold. Holman Bibles is a division of B&H Publishing Group.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Aaron Earls, aaron.earls@lifeway.com

By Jill Waggoner, a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources

MAY 1, 2025, WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that Mark Vroegop’s Waiting isn’t a Waste: The Surprising Comfort of Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life has won the 2025 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Christian Book award in the Christian Living category.

“This has been a significant year for Mark Vroegop. He was appointed as the third president of The Gospel Coalition, and now, out of nearly 400 entries, his book Waiting Isn’t a Waste was chosen as the ECPA’s book of the year in the category of Christian Living,” says Justin Taylor, Crossway’s Executive Vice President of Book Publishing. “We are deeply honored to be the publisher of this beautiful and important book, and we pray that the Lord will continue to use it in the lives of his people as they learn to wait on him.”

Waiting Isn’t a Waste calls believers to resist the human urge for control and lean on Christ for comfort while they wait for the uncertainties of life to unfold. Vroegop explores what it means to wait on God through six important characteristics:

• Honestly: Waiting Is Hard
• Frequently: Waiting Is Common
• Thoughtfully: Waiting Is Biblical
• Patiently: Waiting Is Slow
• Intentionally: Waiting Is Commanded
• Collectively: Waiting Is Relational

This is Vroegop’s second book to win an ECPA award. His first book, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy (Crossway, 2020), was named the ECPA’s 2020 Christian Book of the Year®.

Mark Vroegop (MDiv, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary) is the president of The Gospel Coalition and the author of the ECPA 2020 Christian Book of the Year Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament. He’s married to Sarah, and they have four children and three daughters-in-law.
X: @MarkVroegop Instagram: @vroegopmark

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.orgcrossway.org

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 2025 – Zondervan Books, a leading publisher of Christian literature, celebrates a 2025 Christian Book Award for its title, Ghosted: An American Story by Nancy French. The winner in the Biography and Memoir category, Ghosted tells the compelling, thought-provoking and tumultuous journey of Nancy French from her family’s mountain roots to successful ghostwriter who was eventually rejected by her party, church and community.

“We are delighted by the news of this award,” said Webster Younce, Zondervan Books’ Vice President and Executive Editor. “Ghosted is a beautifully written, clear-eyed account of a remarkable life, and we hope this honor from the ECPA brings new readers to this exceptional book.”

Released in April 2024 to critical acclaim, Ghosted is not just a memoir; it’s a poignant American narrative of transformation, resilience, and the enduring pursuit of love. The book blends humor and personal insights into an engrossing tale of change and loss. Publishers Weekly noted the book “balances her [French’s] frank, up-close political analysis with an uplifting message about the faith that sustained her.”

The Christian Book Award^® program recognizes the highest quality in Christian books. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design and impact, the Christian Book Awards are the oldest and among the most prestigious awards in religious publishing.

For information about Ghosted visit https://www.zondervan.com/9780310367468/ghosted/.

Zondervan is a HarperCollins Company and part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Zondervan is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian communications. The company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — One Kregel Academic title was among the 2025 Christian Book Award® winners announced on April 29 during the ECPA Leadership Summit in Nashville, TN.

40 Questions About Pentecostalism, written by Jonathan Black, edited by series editor Benjamin L Merkle, received the award in  the Bible Reference Works category.

In the characteristic question-and-answer style of the 40 Questions series, Jonathan Black provides an accessible overview of the historical, theological, biblical, and experiential factors that make Pentecostalism a vibrant and worldwide Christian movement. Accompanied by several endorsements, author and scholar Fred Sanders shares his thoughts on the title:

“This is a remarkable resource for understanding Pentecostalism…Black serves up a properly theological account, posing all the right questions and giving clear answers documented from Scripture and from a dazzling survey of international Pentecostal primary texts…I cannot imagine a better book to equip Christians for constructive conversations about these issues, under the guidance of the one Spirit (Eph 4:4).”
—Fred Sanders, Torrey Honors College at Biola University

The 2025 Christian Book Awards® were presented at the ECPA Leadership Summit in Nashville, TN. A complete list of winners can be found here.

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. Presented annually to the finest in Christian publishing since 1978, the Christian Book Award program honors the “best of the year” in twelve categories.

Kregel Academic, an imprint of Kregel Publications, is an evangelical Christian publisher that aims to develop and distribute—with integrity and excellence—trusted, biblically based resources that lead individuals to know and serve Jesus Christ.

Jesus, Our True Friend will release October 7, 2025

Grand Rapids, MI – May 1, 2025 – Zonderkidz, in collaboration with the bestselling, critically-acclaimed duo, Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago, is thrilled to announce the release of Jesus, Our True Friend, a beautifully-illustrated picture book with seven brand-new stories. Perfect for children and adults alike, this new collection of stories from when Jesus was on earth are  designed to fill your heart with joy and remind you of God’s great love for you.

Building on the global success of The Jesus Storybook Bible, which has inspired families around the world, and has sold over six million copies and been translated into 70 languages to date, Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago have once again created a timeless treasure. The collection ranges from stories of Jesus’ miracles like the Wedding at Cana and the Miraculous Catch of Fish, to the beloved parables of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan, showcasing God’s unwavering love for us and helping to paint a beautiful portrait of Jesus—our Rescuer and Friend.

“My hope is that this book will fill the reader’s heart with joy as they read about Jesus—the True Friend who just can’t stop loving them, who won’t ever leave them, who came to rescue them, who wants them to join in with his Forever Happiness, and who loves them with a Wonderful, Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.” – SLJ

Ideal for anyone reading Bible stories for the first time or for Christians building on their faith, Jesus, Our True Friend will fill the reader’s heart with hope as they hear these stories of the God who loves us and came to rescue us, and who sent his own Son to live with us—to bring us back home to God, to mend his broken world – Jesus, our True Friend.  The book will release simultaneously, in audio, as well as in Anglicized and Spanish print translations on October 7, 2025.

Jesus, Our True Friend joins The Jesus Storybook Bible, Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing, Song of the Stars, and other beloved titles by Sally Lloyd-Jones as part of the recently announced brand, The Story of God’s Great Love. “We are thrilled to have Jesus, Our True Friend as the first all-new book in the recently announced The Story of God’s Great Love brand,” says Megan Dobson, Vice President and Publisher of Zonderkidz. “This is the first new collection of Bible stories told by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago since their collaboration on The Jesus Storybook Bible nearly 18 years ago, and this collection of stories will resonate with children and adults alike and bring them hope and joy as they enjoy the artistry, thoughtfulness, and care that Sally and Jago have woven into every story on every page of this new book.”

About Jesus, Our True Friend
Learn more about Jesus, Our True Friend here: https://www.sallylloyd-jones.com/books/jesus-our-true-friend/

Jesus, Our True Friend
Published by Zonderkidz
9780310160885
Hardcover
Pages: 96
On Sale Date: 10/7/2025
Suggested Retail Price $21.99

Jesus, Our True Friend, Anglicised Edition
Published by Zonderkidz
9780310173878
Hardcover
Pages: 96
On Sale Date: 10/7/2025
Suggested Retail Price $21.99

Jesús, Nuestro amigo fiel
Published by Vida
9780829774030
Hardcover
Pages: 96
On Sale Date: 10/7/2025
Suggested Retail Price $21.99  

About Sally Lloyd-Jones
Sally Lloyd-Jones is a New York Times bestselling writer of over 40 books for children. Her work has been critically acclaimed by the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal and includes: The Jesus Storybook Bible, an ALA Notable and Platinum Book Award winner, which has been translated into 70 languages and has sold six million copies, How To Be A Baby By Me The Big Sister, a New York Times Notable Book and the Christopher Medal winner, Baby Wren and the Great Gift. Sally was born Uganda, raised in East and West Africa and at a boarding school in the New Forest, England, studied at the Sorbonne, and now lives in New York City. She can be found at sallylloyd-jones.com.

About Jago
Jago is an accomplished illustrator with several prestigious awards to his credit. He is best known for his collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Sally Lloyd-Jones on The Jesus Storybook Bible, which has been translated into over 70 languages and sold more than six million copies and Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing. He has illustrated over 60 books in his 20-year career. Jago lives in Cornwall, England, with his wife, daughter, and son.

Zonderkidz™, the children’s division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imaginative, innovative and educational resources that represent a Christian worldview and build up God’s children and teens. For additional information, please visit www.zonderkidz.com.

Zondervan is a world-leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications. Zondervan, as part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan’s offices are located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

Media Contact:  Ruthie Spaans, Director of Marketing, Zonderkidz, Ruthie.Spaans@harpercollins.com

Newburyport, MA (April 30, 2025)—NetGalley, LLC, the recognized industry-standard for digital galley distribution and book marketing, and Rakuten Kobo, global digital reading retailer, announced today a new technology partnership for the collaborative development of an integrated Kobo reading option connected to the NetGalley platform.

Starting today, NetGalley clients can bulk-enable a “Send to Kobo” reading option for their digital review copies in advance of a late May launch to NetGalley members. Once live, the Kobo integration will allow NetGalley members to seamlessly send NetGalley epub files to their Kobo eReaders or the Kobo app, offering greater reading flexibility and convenience without the need for sideloading. ePub files will be protected with Kobo’s proprietary DRM.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Rakuten Kobo to bring this streamlined reading option to the NetGalley community,” said NetGalley President Lindsey Lochner. “At NetGalley, we’re committed to making books easily and securely accessible to members, however they like to read—and we’re proud to have co-created a complete end-to-end connection between NetGalley and Kobo to ensure NetGalley members can access books on their preferred device.”

“This partnership with NetGalley reflects our dedication to a more open approach to digital reading, where readers have more control over the way they experience books,” said Rakuten Kobo CEO, Michael Tamblyn. “By launching with easy ‘Send to Kobo’ ePub support, we are giving to NetGalley members what we hope is the best possible reading experience, taking full advantage of the format’s flexibility and customization options on their Kobo devices and in the Kobo app. We’re excited to see how this integration enhances the way readers discover and engage with new books, and we’re committed to expanding format support as we move forward.”

Following NetGalley’s January 2025 launch of a new proprietary in-browser reader, the addition of “Send to Kobo” is a further enhancement to the list of NetGalley’s Reading Options in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and France. At launch, the Kobo reading option will be available for ePub files, with PDF support expected later this year. The Kobo reading option will be introduced on the Japanese domain once PDF support is available.

“Send to Kobo” will be available to NetGalley members starting late May. Additionally, once Booktrovert—NetGalley’s forthcoming consumer marketing platform—is live in late June 2025, Kobo will be one of three default options for eBook giveaway fulfillment.

Both NetGalley and Kobo are excited about the positive impact this partnership will have on the book community. For more information, contact concierge@netgalley.com.

About NetGalley, LLC
NetGalley helps publishers and authors promote digital review copies and audiobooks to book advocates and industry professionals. Hundreds of thousands of members rely on NetGalley’s secure, sustainable, and easy-to-use platform to discover books, share reviews, and champion literacy. The NetGalley team coordinates closely with publishers on targeted promotions, and provides training, strategy, and consultation for incorporating NetGalley into overall marketing and publicity efforts. NetGalley is a strategic part of the Firebrand Group collection of companies owned by Media Do International (MD-i) which together provide leading software and services to help publishers succeed. To learn more, visit www.netgalley.com.

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.
Rakuten Kobo Inc. is the world’s digital bookseller created by and for booklovers. Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten Group, Inc. and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo’s millions of worldwide users can read anytime, anywhere, and on any device. With a mission to make reading lives better for all, Rakuten Kobo connects readers to stories using thoughtful and personalized curation of eBooks and audiobooks, and the best dedicated eReaders and apps for reading. With the singular focus of making reading lives the best they can be, Kobo’s open platform allows people to fit reading into more moments in their busy lives. To learn more about Rakuten Kobo, visit www.kobo.com.

We are delighted to announce that the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK) has won both Specialist Consumer Publisher of the Year and the Virtusales Metadata Award (alongside Usborne Publishing) at the Independent Publishing Awards 2025. The winners were announced at a Gala Lunch at OXO Tower in London on the 30th April, hosted by broadcasters Bridgid Nzekwu and Andrew Verity.

SPCK is the UK’s third-oldest publishing house, and has been active since 1698. Under CEO Sam Richardson, the company merged with Inter-Varsity Press (IVP) in 2015, and acquired Lion Hudson in 2021, becoming the largest Christian publisher in the country.

Wendy Grisham, Deputy CEO of SPCK, said:  “We are thrilled to have won both Specialist Consumer Publisher of the Year – an award which SPCK has won three times previously – and the Virtusales Metadata award. Both these results are testament to superb new strategies that we have put in place regarding our publishing, which saw us deliver a 20% increase in sales in 2024, and we are delighted to see these achievements reflected in these Independent Publishing Awards 2025 nominations”.

Patrycja Moroszczuk, Marketing Development Manager at SPCK, said: “We are delighted with these wins, which are a clear indication to the hard work and dedication of our team, and we’re excited to continue building on this momentum. In 2024, we achieved the Silver BIC Metadata Excellence Award recognizing the completeness and timeliness of all our products. At the same time, our new partnership with Ingram US is helping us enhance our metadata management for both front and backlist titles on an international scale.”

Press contact:  Emily Beater; ebeater@spck.org.uk; 07494430503 

IVP social handles:

• Twitter – @IVPbookcentre
• Instagram –  @ivpbooks
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ivpbooks/

SPCK social handles:

• Twitter – @SPCKPublishing
• Instagram – @spck_publishing
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SPCKPublishing/

Beloved Bible teacher honored for over five decades of impact on Christian publishing and discipleship

EUGENE, Ore. (April 29, 2025) – Renowned Bible teacher and prolific author Kay Arthur was honored with the Pinnacle Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) during ECPA’s annual Christian Book Award^® celebration, which was held on April 29, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. This distinguished award recognizes Arthur’s outstanding contributions to Christian publishing, the church, and society at large over a period of more than five decades of ministry.

Bob Hawkins, president of Harvest House Publishers, was asked to say a few words about this special recognition on Arthur’s behalf, as she was unable to attend the awards banquet. Hawkins first met Arthur in 1991 when Harvest House contracted to publish The International Inductive Study Bible.

“Kay Arthur has deeply impacted believers around the world through her compelling teaching and carefully crafted books focused on inductive study of the Bible,” Hawkins said. “Her passion for Scripture and commitment to sound doctrine have resulted not only in a lay-level explosion of understanding God’s Word for oneself, but also in countless readers around the globe being drawn closer to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Arthur has long proclaimed that personal Bible study is the key to a transformed life and a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. For decades, she has taught Christians how to nourish themselves spiritually through God’s Word—absorbing its message, engraving its truths on their hearts, and living transformed lives.

Her enthusiasm for understanding and applying God’s Word led her to champion the inductive method of Bible study, a technique with proven results. What began as a small teaching ministry in the living room of her home grew to help millions worldwide learn to let Scripture speak for itself—through observation, interpretation, and application.

That singular passion gave rise to a global movement: Precept Ministries International. Today, the ministry known simply as Precept has trained more than 250,000 Bible study leaders and guided millions of participants through Precept Bible studies, which take readers through Scripture “precept upon precept.”

Arthur’s publishing legacy is equally impressive. She has authored more than 100 books and Bible studies—including the development of what is now The New Inductive Study Bible (NASB and ESV)—with over 18.5 million copies sold globally, primarily through partnerships with Harvest House and WaterBrook & Multnomah. The New Inductive Study Bible alone has sold over 1 million copies in English, Spanish, and several other languages.

As Arthur has said, “No matter how much you know about God’s Word, if you don’t apply what you learn, Scripture will never benefit your life…This is why application is so vital. Observation and interpretation are the ‘hearing’ of God’s Word. Application is the embracing of the truth, the ‘doing’ of God’s Word.” She adds, “The glorious end result is transformation. You’re made more like your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

About Harvest House Publishers
Harvest House Publishers, a Christian publishing company based in Eugene, Oregon, publishes nearly 100 books per year and carries a strong backlist offering more than 1,700 titles. Nearly 200 million Harvest House books have been sold worldwide through diverse distribution channels, and additional millions have sold in over 75 different languages.

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

 

May 2025 | LISLE, IL—Samuel Escobar, a renowned Latin American theologian and missiologist, died on April 29, 2025, at the age of 90.

“Samuel Escobar was a figure of truly world-historical proportions. From his theological scholarship that opened the eyes of many to ‘the liberating Savior’ and his leadership in the Lausanne Movement to his mentorship of generations who have followed, we stand happily in debt to him and to the Lord who called him for such wide-ranging service,” said Jon Boyd, Associate Publisher and Academic Editorial Director at InterVarsity Press (IVP).

Escobar was born in Arequipa, Peru. He studied arts and education at San Marcos University in Lima, Peru. He earned a PhD from the Complutense University in Madrid, Spain. Escobar served with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) in Latin America for twenty-six years, from 1959 to 1985, and is a past honorary president of IFES. He also spent three years, from 1972 to 1975, as general director of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) Canada. Escobar was professor of missiology at Palmer Theological Seminary, from 1985 to 2005, and taught at Facultad Protestante de Teología of the Spanish Baptist Union in Alcobendas (Madrid), Spain (full biography available at palmerseminary.edu).

“The impact of Samuel Escobar’s life and ministry on the global church cannot be overstated. He was not only one of the pioneers of the Lausanne Movement and the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Latin America (twenty-six years in campus ministry), he laid the theological foundations for ‘integral mission’—an understanding of mission that integrated evangelism with social responsibility. His books and teaching, and his humility and grace, have influenced generations of InterVarsity/USA students and graduates as well as ministry leaders from many other evangelical movements, seminaries, and churches around the world,” said Tom Lin, President of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA and Trustee of the Lausanne Movement.

The Lausanne Movement began in 1974 with the First Lausanne Congress convened by Billy Graham in Lausanne, Switzerland. Escobar was one of the pioneers of the movement and first congress alongside René Padilla and John Stott. The Lausanne Movement unites the global church around mission, evangelism, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Boyd added, “Dr. Escobar was a joy to work with on In Search of Christ in Latin America, the English translation of his influential work, En busca de Cristo en América Latina. I imagine it must have seemed to him like just a bit of icing on the cake of an already monumental career in scholarship, ministry, and leadership, but for those of us at InterVarsity Press, it was a brush with greatness.”

Oscar García-Johnson, Professor of Theology and Decolonial Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, said, “I know of no other work within Protestantism that has achieved what Escobar did in this book [In Search of Christ in Latin America]—not another modern Christology of sorts but the path for the construction of Original Christology from the context of the American Global South, beyond normative occidentalized theological attempts.” Escobar’s other books include The New Global Mission, Dictionary of Mission Theology, and La Palabra: Vida de la Iglesia.

Cindy Bunch, IVP’s Divisional Vice President of Editorial, said, “We have lost one of our great Christian leaders with the passing of Dr. Samuel Escobar. I am grateful that I was able to hear him teach at the Urbana missions conferences. He was a wise biblical scholar and a pioneering leader of the Lausanne conferences with René Padilla and John Stott. It is an honor to have his work in the IVP list.”

Contact:  Karin DeHaven, kdehaven@ivpress.com