God Made Each and Every Person in His Image

Greensboro, NC – It’s natural for children to ask questions when they meet someone who is different from them in one way or another. It’s important when those questions come up to make sure they understand that even though God made every person unique, each has a special place in his plan. To help families talk about differences, especially disabilities, Joni and Friends, the ministry of Joni Eareckson Tada, has released God Made Me Unique: Helping Children See Value in Every Person (New Growth Press/August 19, 2019).

“This book was written to help teach children that God creates each unique individual and that disability is sometimes part of his plan, whether as a result of a condition from birth, or an injury or illness,” Joni Eareckson Tada writes in the book’s foreword. “We want children to understand that every person is made in the image of God and has tremendous value, regardless of their appearance or abilities.”

God Made Me Unique is a colorfully illustrated book set in a Sunday school classroom where a new girl, Brie, will be joining the class for the first time. Brie’s teacher, Ms. Campbell, takes the time to welcome Brie and explain to the other children why she is wearing headphones. Brie is joined in class by several other children, each unique in their own way, including others who have disabilities or special needs. There is Jamal, who has a wheelchair, and Wyatt, who sometimes needs some help to pay attention.

Through getting to know Brie, the children are guided into a biblical understanding of the uniqueness of each of God’s children. Along the way they learn to ask questions and gain an understanding about their new friend. “We want to help eliminate fear and misconceptions about those who have special needs and emphasize the fact that every person deserves to be treated with kindness and respect,” Tada shares. “We believe an open dialogue can help children replace harsh words and cold stares with honest questions and empathy.”

Told in a charming rhyming style perfect for pre-schoolers, the story also shares how Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 12 that each member of the church works together like the human body and each has a specific part to play. Ms. Campbell also teaches the children about talents and how no act of service is too big or too small.

The back of the book contains a special section specifically for parents and caregivers that will guide them in how to have biblical, loving conversations with children and give additional information and resources to equip them in talking about this important subject.

God Made Me Unique is the latest release in God Made Me series from New Growth Press. Each title in the God Made Me series gives parents the tools to have important, impactful conversations with their children that will grow their understanding of God, themselves, and others. Other titles in the series include God Made All of Me by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb, God Made Me AND Youby Shai Linne and God Made Boys and Girls by Marty Machowski.

God Made Me Unique: Helping Children See Value in Every Person
by Joni and Friends
August 19, 2019 / Retail Price: $15.99
Print ISBN 978-1-948130-70-7
Religion / Christian Living / Family & Relationships

Joni and Friends is an organization that accelerates Christian outreach in the disability community. Founded in 1979, their mission is to communicate the gospel and equip Christ-honoring churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disability.  The organization authors numerous books including the new releases The Gospel in Hard Times and The Gospel in Hard Times for Students (study guides about suffering in which participants are guided to look to Jesus to understand who God is in the midst of their own suffering and the suffering of others), God Made Me Unique (a children’s book helping parents and caregivers teach children that God creates every person in the image of God), and a series of minibooks providing personal insight & encouragement for tough circumstances.  You can learn more about Joni and Friends at www.joniandfriends.org.

New Growth Press publishes gospel-centered Christian books, small group, and children’s Bible resources for discipleship, biblical counseling, and missional ministry. For more information about other releases from New Growth Press, visit www.newgrowthpress.com.

Contact:  Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com – 903-874-8363

Suggested Interview Questions

• Tell us a little bit about Joni and Friends’ new children’s release, God Made Me Unique.
• What age group is God Made Me Unique written?
• Is this a book to be read by parents to their children or would it be appropriate to read it in a classroom setting like the one featured in the story?
• What is the best way to describe what a disability is to a young child?
• Children are naturally curious and ask lots of questions. Is ok for them to ask questions when they meet someone who is different than they are?
• As adults, sometimes it’s hard to understand why some things are a part of God’s plan. How can parents explain that God has a plan and can use a disability for a greater purpose?
• God Made Me Unique includes scripture to reinforce its teaching. What are some of the verses used to illustrate how we each have a part in God’s church and his plan?
• Mrs. Campbell, the teacher in the book, points out that no act of service is too big or too small. Does the story also address how children can serve one another?
• In the back of God Made Me Unique, there is a section for parents titled, “Four Ways to Help Your Child Understand Uniqueness and Disability as Part of God’s Plan.” Can you briefly share a little bit about each of the four ways?
• In many congregations, teachers are volunteers without special training in working with children with special needs. Does Joni and Friends offer resources for teachers and church leaders to help them learn more about working with children who have disabilities?
• What other new resources are now available from Joni and Friends and New Growth Press?

This summer, app developer Interstudy, Inc. (Franklin, TN), launched an app that offers books and small group studies in a new interactive format. By Fall, there will be hundreds of books available for purchase from Christian publishers like David C Cook, InterVarsity Press, New Growth Press, and more. The app presents books in a conversational style, offering discussion-based material the way the author intended.

Interstudy’s co-founder and CEO Dan Beauregard said, “We wanted to build something for the church to offer studies electronically, and include a flexibility that worked for any type of material or audience.”

“The inspiration for Interstudy was always that there should eventually be a hands-free option, however, with the absence of this type of engaging technology for published books, there opened up several opportunities to innovate. God has been revealing very specific needs, giving us a real appreciation for this community. We’ve developed a laser focus on serving them… because ‘they’ are also us.”

The team is as excited about using this product as they are building it, having experienced for themselves all of the obstacles that come along with leading small groups. The voice tool, expected to launch next year, will be available on most voice platforms as well as The Interstudy App, which is already free on iOS and Google Play.

With the flexibility of both importing ePubs and building studies from scratch, the back-end creative tool is being offered to churches and ministries with the support of the team that has been converting published books into their platform since the beginning. Churches who wish to immediately begin engaging their people more deeply are encouraged to contact Interstudy by visiting sermonstudy.com.

Publishers interested in offering their library through the app should contact Dan Beauregard directly at danb@interstudy.io

Interstudy… engage, respond, transform.

HCCP’s Spanish publishing honored with seven out of thirteen sales awards 

(Nashville, TN) August 22, 2019 – The Spanish division at HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) won a total of seven awards in the bestselling books categories at the annual Spanish Evangelical Publishing Association (SEPA) awards banquet held in Miami, FL in conjunction with the Spanish Christian Trade Show, Expolit.

In the Bestselling Bibles categories, HCCP took home two out of three awards:

• 2018 Bestseller in the category of Bibles: Biblia 28 a la Vez (28 At a Time) 
  
• 2018 Bestseller in the category of Study Bible with Notes Throughout the Bible: Biblia de Referencia Thompson RVR 1960 (Thompson Chain Reference Bible RVR 1960). 

In the Bestselling Books and Reference Materials categories, HCCP was honored with five awards:

• 2018 Bestselling Book in the category of Devotionals: Jesús te Llama (Jesus Calling) by Sarah Young 
• 2018 Bestselling Book in the category of Faith and Culture: Ansiosos por Nada (Anxious for Nothing) by Max Lucado 
• 2018 Bestselling Book in the category of Leadership: Desarrolle el Líder que Está en Usted (Developing the Leader Within You) by John C. Maxwell 
• 2018 Bestselling Book in the category of Christian Living: No es por Vista (Not by Sight) by Cash Luna
• 2018 Bestselling Book in the category of Reference and Academic: Nueva Concordancia Strong Exhaustiva – (The New Complete and Exhaustive Strong’s Concordance) by James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D.
  

“At HCCP we believe that every book sold represents a life impacted. Because of this, we are humbled and honored to receive seven SEPA awards in the bestseller categories,” says Cris Garrido, v-p and publisher for HCCP’s Spanish publishing program. “Our authors and partners work tirelessly to produce content to equip the local church and we are grateful to see them recognized on this important stage.”

Robert Downs, HCCP’s  senior director of sales remarked, “The SEPA Awards represent the best in Spanish Christian publishing, and we are honored to see the positive impact our Spanish products are having on the expanding Spanish speaking markets.”

The 2019 SEPA Awards season covers from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

About HarperCollins Christian Publishing:
The world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., comprises the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing groups, Olive Tree Bible Software, BibleGateway.com, FaithGateway.com and ChurchSource.com.  The Company produces bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, academic resources, curriculum, audio and digital content for the Christian market space.   Bible Gateway is the world’s largest Christian website with more than 20 million unique monthly visitors. HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, TN with additional offices in the U.S. and Mexico.  For more information visit www.HarperCollinsChristian.com.

Contact:  Casey Francis Harrell, Sr. Director of Corporate Communications, (615) 902-1109
www.harpercollinschristian.com 

BRINGING HOPE TO THE INCARCERATED:
Passion and B&H Publishing to donate a copy of “Not Forsaken” to inmates for every book sold during September

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – August 26, 2019 – In the United States, 2.7 million children have fathers in prison. Men are two times more likely to go to prison when raised in a fatherless home. Seventy percent of juveniles in the prison system are from fatherless homes. And ninety percent of homeless and runaways are from fatherless homes.

The statistics underscore our country’s far-reaching fatherless issue, which hits our most vulnerable populations the hardest. One in four American children grow up in fatherless homes, and there is nowhere that those repercussions play out more consistently than in our prisons. Prison transformation is needed, and author of multiple bestselling books, speaker, pastor, and teacher, Louie Giglio, along with Passion and B&H Publishing, are partnering with Prison Fellowship to do something about this.

To address the needs of this vulnerable prison population,B&H Publishing is donating Giglio’s new book, “NOT FORSAKEN: Finding Freedom as Sons & Daughters of a Perfect Father,” which was a Publisher’s Weekly and ECPA national bestseller. For every purchase of “Not Forsaken”from September 3 to September 30, 2019, Passion and B&H Publishing will donate a copy to Prison Fellowship to be distributed to inmates and Chaplains throughout the country.

Prison Fellowship is bringing transformational hope to inmates as it is the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, and a leading advocate for criminal justice reform. The organization helps transform those who once broke the law, mobilizing them to serve their communities and replace the cycle of crime with a cycle of renewal.

“What a powerful opportunity,” said Giglio. “Through my own experience of more than thirty-years guiding millions of young people, I’ve seen the painful ramifications of the fatherless epidemic. And it’s a huge privilege to bring the ‘Not Forsaken’ message to these inmates, many of when are in desperate need of a father’s blessing.  I want to help them find an identity-shifting connection to God as their perfect father, especially those who have difficulty connecting to this facet of God’s character due to their personal relationships with their dads. I’m grateful to our partnership with Prison Fellowship and the opportunity to be a small part of the important work they do to bring the hope of Jesus to prisoners throughout the United States.”

For more than 20 years, Louie Giglio, and his wife, Shelley, have shepherded young people around the world through the Passion Movement, a spiritual awakening that is changing the world. The movement grows stronger every year at the Giglio-led Passion Conference, a gathering tens-of-thousands of collegiate young people aged 18 to 25, who come together to learn, worship, and focus on what matters most.

For more information about Louie Giglio and his book, “NOT FORSAKEN: Finding Freedom as Sons & Daughters of a Perfect Father,” please visit LouieGiglio.com. For more information about the Prison Fellowship, please visit PrisonFellowship.org.

ABOUT LOUIE GIGLIO
Louie Giglio is Pastor of Passion City Church and the Original Visionary of the Passion movement, which exists to call a generation to leverage their lives for the fame of Jesus. Since 1997, Passion has gathered collegiate-aged young people in events across the US and around the world and continues to see 18-25 year-olds fill venues across the nation in pursuit of lives lived for God’s glory. Most recently, Passion hosted 40,000 college students and their leaders in four venues linked together across three cities at Passion 2019. In addition to the collegiate gatherings of Passion Conferences, Louie and his wife Shelley lead the teams at Passion City Church, sixstepsrecords, Passion Publishing, and the Passion Global Institute. Louie is the national bestselling author of “Goliath Must Fall,” “Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God & Science,” “The Comeback,” “The Air I Breathe,” and “Am Not But I Know I Am.” Louie and Shelley make their home in Atlanta, Georgia.

ABOUT PRISON FELLOWSHIP
Prison Fellowship is the nation’s largest outreach to prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, and a leading voice for criminal justice reform. With more than 40 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that transform those responsible for crime, validate victims, and encourage communities to play a role in creating a safe, redemptive, and just society.

CONTACT:  Sarah Payton, 615.829.0977  Sarah@ChoicePublicity.com

Michael W. Smith Wins 2019 Golden Scroll Lifetime Achievement Award

Murfreesboro, TN  –  AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) announced the winners of the 2019 Golden Scroll Awards at the Golden Scroll Banquet, Sunday, August 27, at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The Golden Scrolls Book of the Year was awarded to Jennifer Kennedy Dean for “SEEK: 28 Days of Extraordinary Prayer” from New Hope Publishers.

The Nonfiction Book of the Year Award went to Linda Rooks for “Fighting for Your Marriage While Separated” (New Growth Press).

The Novel of the Year Award went to Cynthia Ruchti for “Miles from Where We Started” (Gilead Publishing).

The Children’s Book of the Year was awarded to two authors: Michelle Medlock Adams for “Dinosaur Devotionals” (Thomas Nelson) and Michelle Lazurek for “Uniquely You” (Elk Lake Publishing). Second place went to Michelle Medlock Adams for “C is for Christmas” (Little Lamb Books).

The Bible Study Book of the Year was awarded to Kim de Blecourt for “I Call You Mine” (New Hope Publishers). Second place went to Susan Neal for “Christian Study Guide for 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates” (Christian Yoga, LLC).

The Memoir of the Year was awarded to Becky Yates Spenser for “A Bruised Reed: Memoirs of African Orphans and Their Rescuers” (Grand Staff Publishing). Second place went to Patty Mason for “Finally Free: Breaking the Bonds of Depression Without Drugs” (Living Parables of Central Florida, Inc.).

The Christian Living Book of the Year went to Lori Roeleveld for “The Art of Hard Conversation: Biblical Tools for the Tough Talks That Matter” (Kregel Publications). Second place went to Janet Holm McHenry for “The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus” (Bethany House Publishers).

The Inspirational Gift Book of the Year was awarded to two authors: Jill Swanson for “Simply Stylish — Look Great Spend Less” (Bold Vision Books) and Susan U. Neal for “Healthy Living Journal” (Christian Yoga, LLC). Second place went to Sarah Forgrave for “Prayers of Hope for Caregivers” (Harvest House Publishers).

The Historical Novel of the Year was awarded to Rebecca Price Janney for “Easton at the Crossroads” (Elk Lake Publishers).

The Romance Novel of the Year was awarded to Edie Melson for “Maiden of Iron: A Steampunk Fable” (Elk Lake Publishing).

The Contemporary Novel of the Year was awarded to Beth Vogt for “Things I Never Told You” (Tyndale House Publishers). Second place went to Deborah Raney for “Reasons to Breathe” (Gilead Publishing).

The Mystery/Suspense Novel of the Year DiAnn Mills for “High Treason” (Tyndale House Publishers). Second place went to Lynette Eason for “Holiday Amnesia” (Harlequin Digital Sales Corp.).

The Arise Daily Writer of the Year was awarded to Jennifer Slattery.

AWSA’s official magazine, “Leading Hearts,” won their fifth straight Evangelical Press Association Merit award. The “Leading Hearts” Columnist of the Year went to Karen Porter for her column, “In the Lead.” Feature Article of the Year went to Janell Rardon for her article, “Do the One Thing That Changes Everything.”

The 2019 AWSA Member of the Year Award went to Julie Coleman. AWSA founder Linda Evans Shepherd said, “Julie Coleman loves to teach the Word of God! With contagious enthusiasm, she brings hope and encouragement to her audience through rich biblical teaching.”

The Jennifer Kennedy Dean Award went to Pam Farrel. This award, according to Linda Evans Shepherd, is in honor of the late Jennifer Kennedy Dean, an AWSA author who recently passed away. “This special award recognizes someone who carries the light with excellence to a hurting world.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Michael W. Smith in honor of his 35^th year in ministry. He has been honored with three Grammy Awards, 45 Dove Awards, and American Music Award. Smith ministered in song and participated in a question-and-answer session hosted by CTN host Monica Schmelter, who served as emcee for the event.

Schmelter and Linda Evans Shepherd, author and AWSA founder, presented the awards and Josh Huisman, pastor of New Hope Community Church in Brentwood, performed a parody.

AWSA, the sponsor of the Golden Scroll Awards Banquet, is an outreach of Right to the Heart Ministries and consists of over 600 top women authors who both publish and speak nationally. See www.AWSA.com.

The Awards Show will be broadcast on CTN’s Roku Channels at a date TBA.

Highlight Photos available for download at:  http://bit.ly/2019GoldenScrollAwards

JEFFERSON BETHKE HIGHLIGHTS WAYS PEOPLE CAN RECLAIM THEIR LIVES 

“TO HELL WITH THE HUSTLE” RELEASES OCT. 15, AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER NOW

(August 12, 2019) – According to New York Times bestselling author Jefferson Bethke, the hustle is killing us. It’s sapping us of meaning, purpose, and emotional and spiritual health. In his groundbreaking new book, “To Hell with the Hustle: Reclaiming Your Life in an Overworked, Overspent, and Overconnected World,” Bethke provides readers with helpful ways they can shift their focus from the hustle of overconnectivity to living a life that’s full of purpose and meaning. The title will release October 15, 2019 via Thomas Nelson and is available now for preorder.

In “To Hell With The Hustle,” Bethke offers fresh insight about how millennials are so driven towards achieving a high level of success, that this generation is facing burnout, depression and loneliness in record numbers.“

Our culture makes constant demands on all of us,” says Bethke. “Do more. Accomplish more. Buy more. Post more. Tweet more. And in following those demands, we have indeed become more–more anxious, more tired, more hurt, more depressed, more frantic. What we are doing isn’t working because we have forgotten the fundamentals that make us human, the things that anchor our lives, providing us with roots and meaning.”

In this highly-anticipated book, Bethke delivers an important wake-up call to resist culture and embrace the slowness of life as depicted in the biblical model of Jesus Himself. He encourages readers to stop doing and start becoming by proactively setting up boundaries in their lives and cultivating disciplines within them. Bethke reveals that what the world teaches us to avoid at all costs–things such as silence, obscurity, solitude, and vulnerability–are the very things that can give us the meaning, depth, order, and the richness we are truly looking for.

“To Hell With The Hustle” is for anyone who wants to get off the soul crushing treadmill that’s driving them to lead lives that that are physically and emotionally toxic, and take the path that offers stronger relationships and greater well-being in every area of their lives.

For more information, please visit:

Website: https://jeffandalyssa.com/
Facebook: fb.com/jeffersonbethkepage
Twitter: twitter.com/jeffersonbethke
Instagram: instagram.com/jeffersonbethke
YouTube: youtube.com/bball1989

About Jefferson Bethke
Jefferson Bethke is the New York Times bestselling author of “Jesus > Religion and It’s Not What You Think,” who became an overnight YouTube sensation when his four-minute video, Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus, went viral across the digital world, garnering some six millions views within three days of its release. Since then, the movie short has been viewed by more than 34 million people around the world. Bethke and his wife, Alyssa, host The Real Life Podcast each week as well as help run Family Teams, an online initiative to help families flourish. They live in Maui with their daughters, Kinsley and Lucy, and son, Kannon. 

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.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Rogers & Cowan Tracy Cole, 615.568.2988, tcole@rogersandcowan.com

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“Jefferson will help you understand why the hustle can seem so alluring, show you how to avoid the traps it’s created in our culture, and find true joy chasing after Christ instead.”
–          Craig Groeschel, pastor of LifeChurch and New York Times bestselling author

“To live like Jesus, to work and rest like Jesus, is the desire of so many hearts (mine included), and Jeff is leading us toward that life.”
–          Annie F. Downs, bestselling author of “100 Days to Brave” and host of That Sounds Fun 

“This book will challenge you to live a life that relies on God.”
–          Jennie Allen, author of “Nothing to Prove,” founder and visionary of IF:Gathering LOS ANGELES

Become the Grandparent You’re Called to Be: Author Larry McCall explores what grandparenting looks like from God’s perspective

Greensboro, NC – Spoil them rotten and send them back home to their parents. That’s the best part of being a grandparent, right? Author Larry McCall hopes not. After all, as he quips, who wants a bunch of spoiled children running around? In his new book, Grandparenting with Grace: Living the Gospel with the Next Generation, McCall digs into scripture to examine God’s calling on the lives of grandparents.

Readers hungry to know more about God’s calling for this role will find inspiration, encouragement, and gospel hope. As a parent to three and grandparent to six, McCall shares his personal experiences coming alongside his children in supportive ways as they seek to raise their kids—his grandkids—in the ways of Christ.

“Most grandparents love being grandparents. But, interestingly, few grandparents have given much thought to what grandparenting should look like from God’s viewpoint,” McCall explains. “In Grandparenting with Grace, I am seeking to serve my fellow-grandparents by showing them from the Bible how they can have an impact on their grandchildren that can bear fruit not only throughout their grandchildren’s lifetimes, but even into eternity.”

While many in our culture look at grandparenting primarily as an opportunity to make occasional fun memories with their grandkids, that shouldn’t be the only involvement they have in their lives. McCall urges readers to look at grandparenting from an eternal perspective, considering how to be involved in their families in God-honoring ways.

Grandparenting with Grace applies biblical teaching in specific, real-life situations and relationships to explain what God says about grandchildren and grandparents. Rather than relying on personal stories and ideas alone, McCall seeks to explain from Scripture the “what,” “why,” “who,” and “how” of grandparenting. Chapters cover a variety of practical topics including:

• Developing God-honoring relationships with your grandchild’s parents
• Grandparenting intentionally
• Praying for your grandchild
• Leaving a godly legacy

McCall also explores commonly encountered challenges grandparents face, including long-distance grandparenting, the effects of divorce, adding to the family through remarriage or adoption, and wayward children and grandchildren.

“Grandparents who care about both their grandkids and the gospel will find Larry McCall’s book full of biblical principles and practical advice,” writes Larry Fowler, Founder of The Legacy Coalition. “Larry gets it: the important role that grandparents can play in the spiritual development of their grandchildren, and the scriptural mandate to do so is a message every Christian grandparent needs to hear and act upon. I strongly recommend that grandparents not only read—but study—Grandparenting with Grace!”

Grandparenting with Grace: Living the Gospel with the Next Generation
by Larry McCall
August 12, 2019 / Retail Price: $15.99
Print ISBN 978-1-948130-69-1
Religion / Christian Living / Family & Relationships

Larry McCall has served as a pastor at Christ’s Covenant Church of Winona Lake, Indiana, since 1981. He has written a number of articles and is the author of Walking Like Jesus Did, Loving Your Wife as Christ Loves the Church and Grandparenting with Grace.  McCall is a graduate of Grace College, Grace Theological Seminary and has a doctor of ministry degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.  Larry has been married to Gladine since 1975. They have three married children and six grandchildren.

For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com – 903-874-8363

(August 15, 2019) – The Parable Group today announced the launch of a free five-session online webinar series to encourage and equip Christian retailers. Live Gather & Grow webinars are aimed at providing every Christian retailer with the latest tips, ideas, and insights to improve their ministry and boost their business. Each 30-minute webinar will be led by distinguished industry leaders.

Bookstore owner Lorraine Valk from Parable Christian Store of St. Joseph in St. Joseph, Michigan and Helen Schmidt, Senior Director of Marketing from HarperCollins Christian Publishing will lead the first session—How to Get New Customers into Your Store this Christmas—scheduled for September 4, 2019, at 9:00 AM Pacific. Each session will conclude with an open time for retailers to ask questions, share additional ideas, and learn from each other in an open forum.

Subsequent sessions include 5 Tips for Building Relationships with Churches; 3 Simple Ways to Boost Your Bible Study Sales; How to Get Discovered Online without Paying a Penny; and Discover What Your Data Already Knows—Inventory Tips to Increase Sales. Presenters include veteran retailers James Peters, Kevin Ferguson, Bob Gillett, and Chuck Wallington along with leaders from B&H Publishing, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, and others. Details on future webinars are available at GatherAndGrowWebinarSeries.com.

“It’s our hope that this community-building and idea-sharing forum brings our industry together,” says Jeff Bruenning from The Parable Group. “We can all learn from one another, strengthen each other, and grow our ministries and businesses together.”

To promote the launch of the webinar series, each attendee will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $250 cash prize. One winner will be randomly selected on October 31, 2019.

Christian retailers are encouraged to sign up for the Gather & Grow webinar series by visiting GatherAndGrowWebinarSeries.com.

The Parable Group is a Christian marketing agency based in San Luis Obispo, CA. Since 1985, they’ve served over 1,000 Christian brands; including publishers, independent retailers, churches, non-profit ministries and more. Today, they pair decades of Christian consumer data with proven business practices and digital technologies to drive measurable results for those they serve. For more information, contact sally.ross@parable.com or visit www.parablegroup.com.

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

Global Bridgebuilders to offer ECPA members a discount off their services

ECPA has partnered with Global Bridgebuilders (GBB) to offer ECPA members discounted services, in order to encourage sustainable changes to ECPA members committed to a more diverse workforce and publishing program. Global Bridgebuilders has built a record of transforming enterprises by capturing the advantage present in every diverse workforce.  “A disciplined approach to diversity permits companies to build robust, long-term performance advantages,” explains Skot Welch, president of Global Bridgebuilders.

“We are so pleased to include Global Bridgebuilders in our family of business solutions providers,” states Stan Jantz, ECPA president. “They provide an important solution for ECPA members committed to a more diverse workforce and publishing program.”

More on Global Bridgebuilders

More on Global Bridgebuilders’s services to ECPA members

More about ECPA’s diversity initiatives

Global Bridgebuilders joins a group of companies committed to providing ECPA members with discounted business solutions. They are: MetaComet, Firebrand Technologies, NetGalley, NPD Book, and Flagler Law Group.  For more information, visit the Business Solutions menu at ECPA.org.

Gist: The Essence of Raising Life-Ready Kids is a fresh look at parenting that is effective, efficient, and enjoyable

Carol Stream, Ill. (August 13, 2019) Focus on the Family, in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, will release Gist on October 8, 2019. Michael W. Anderson, a licensed psychologist, and Timothy D. Johanson, a pediatrician and medical professor, combine their knowledge of childhood development and experience of parenting gone wrong in this no-nonsense guide to preparing kids for life. Previously self-published, Gisthas been updated to meet the specific needs of today’s parents.

Anderson and Johanson are already trusted by countless parents in their roles as parenting editors of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). Gist is unique in that it looks at many aspects of life that wouldn’t typically be associated with parenting. Its focus on life readiness offers parents a new lens through which to see their parenting interactions and translates to an approach that eliminates many of the power struggles and ineffective patterns that can rob families of much of their joy. Gist goes beyond surviving the day-to-day to address the broader journey to adulthood.

Julie Lythcott-Haims, former dean of students at Stanford University, said, “Gist is a potent dose of advice from a pediatrician and a child psychologist, both of whom have witnessed the unfortunate results that come when parents try to protect, prevent, and control at every turn instead of preparing their kids for life. Combining the expertise of their respective professions with very practical tips, this is a how-to manual for any parent who wants to prepare their kids to thrive as adults.”

Gist by Michael W. Anderson, L.P., and Timothy D. Johanson, M.D.
ISBN: 978-1-58997-586-6
Hardcover: $17.99
October 2019
FocusontheFamily.com
Tyndale.com

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imaginations of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $100 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

Focus on the Family, which reaches about 38 million people in 120 countries, is a global faith-based ministry that helps families thrive. Tyndale House Publishers is pleased to partner with Focus on the Family to help provide trusted resources for strengthening believers in their faith and sharing the gospel; building resilient marriages that reflect God’s design; equipping parents to raise their children with a thriving faith; advocating for the preborn, orphaned, and life at every stage; and engaging the culture through a biblical worldview. Visit Focus at FocusontheFamily.com or on Facebook and Twitter.