Calla Press Publishing is pleased to announce the release of Roots and Fruit: An Introduction to the Christian Faith by acclaimed poet and scholar Timothy E. G. Bartel, made available January 24, 2026. Already garnering strong interest, Roots and Fruit offers readers a lyrical and accessible entry point into the foundations of Christianity through poetry.

Written for seekers and the curious alike, Roots and Fruit presents the core narratives of the Christian faith in poetic form. Readers will encounter essential biblical stories, including God’s creation of the world, the fall of humanity, the deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Along the way, the poems introduce central figures of Scripture—Joseph, Moses, Mary, John, and others—whose lives continue to shape Christian belief and imagination.

Running parallel to these biblical narratives are thoughtful explanations of how these stories inform Christian doctrine and practice. Bartel gently guides readers through key theological concepts such as the Trinity and the incarnation, while also illuminating lived expressions of faith including prayer and communion. The result is a work that bridges story, belief, and practice with clarity and reverence.

Timothy E. G. Bartel brings a distinguished literary and academic voice to this project. A poet and professor from California, his poems, translations, and essays have appeared in Christianity and Literature, First Things, The Hopkins Review, Modern Age, and other notable publications. He is the author of four collections of poetry and three volumes of essays, most recently The Poets and the Fathers: Theology and Poetry from Gregory Nazianzus to Scott Cairns.

Bartel currently lives in Houston with his family, where he serves as Professor of Great Texts and Theology at Saint Constantine College. With Roots and Fruit: An Introduction to the Christian Faith, Calla Press Publishing is proud to offer a beautifully written work that invites readers to explore Christianity’s deepest roots and the fruit it bears in belief and life.

Orders can be placed at www.callapresspublishing.com.

For bulk orders, please email callapresspublishing@gmail.com.

January 2026 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is thrilled to announce that three IVP Kids titles have received 2026 Independent Press Awards (IPA). The honored titles include Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World by Helen Lee, Abigail and the Waterfall by Sandra L. Richter, and Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World by Tara Hackney.

The Independent Press Awards recognizes the best books of the year published by small independent publishers. These awards are decided by experts from different roles within the book industry, and selected IPA Winners and Distinguished Favorites are based on overall excellence.

IVP Kids books received awards in the following categories:

Winner: Childrens–Religion Fiction

Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World: God Hears Every Prayer

Written by Helen Lee and beautifully illustrated by Shin Maeng, this book follows Kaylee and her grandfather, Halbi, as they read the morning newspaper. While reading, they look for ways to pray for the children of the world. Featuring a Korean American family, this is an inspiring story about faith, empathy, and the power of prayer.

“Kaylee’s desire to be aware of the world around her, and to empathize with the suffering of others, is a beautiful model for young readers. . . . Maeng’s appealing cartoon images highlight Kaylee’s earnestness, and the ‘Kim Family Prayer Map’ gives their prayer practice a well-drawn sense of practicality. Children from many disparate places affected by both tragedy and joy are shown, giving a sense of how big and diverse the world is. An affecting story that will resonate with the faithful.” – Kirkus Reviews

Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World is also a SOLA Network’s 2025 Asian American Book Awards winner and a recipient of a 2025 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award.

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Distinguished Favorite: Childrens–Religion Fiction

Abigail and the Waterfall: Loving God’s Good Earth

Written by parent and university professor Sandra L. Richter and brought to life with illustrations by Michael Corsini, this story follows Abigail and her family as they hike through the lush landscapes of Appalachia. On their adventure, Abigail encounters fascinating animals, marvels at a big, beautiful waterfall, and learns about caring for creation. Abigail and the Waterfall is an invitation for families to discuss what the Bible says about caring for the environment, animals, and the beautiful world around us.

Sandra L. Richter (PhD, Harvard University) is the Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College. She is best known in the church for The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament, the video courses that have grown from that project, and Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters.

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Distinguished Favorite: Childrens–Religion Nonfiction (Board Book)

Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World: Fresh Lyrics for a Beloved Song

With beautifully refreshed lyrics by Tara Hackney, this cherished classic song celebrates the perfect way God made and loves every child, everywhere. This delightful board book includes three new stanzas that reflect God’s inclusive love. The vibrant photographs showcase children from around the globe, creating a captivating reading experience.

“Three new verses encourage readers to reflect on the inclusivity of God’s love, delivering a Christian message that speaks back to the divisive politics that dominate today’s society. The volume is illustrated with real-life photographs of children of all shapes and sizes, all in different environments and from various backgrounds, but all beaming with the joy of being alive. The bold font and frequent repetition help keep the text accessible to even very young readers. . . Whether read/sung at home or in church, Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World is a fantastic introduction to the concept of diversity for preschoolers.” –The Children’s Book Review

 

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

Contact:  Anna Tjernstrom, atjernstrom@ivpress.com

 

January 15, 2026 – WaterBrook will publish Ally Yost’s debut book, Love That Lasts: Finding Purpose in the One Who Never Fails, challenging readers to discover the simplicity of childlike faith and the transformative power of God’s love as they explore who God is and who He uniquely created them to be, for publication in Fall 2026.

Yost is a lifestyle and faith-based digital creator with three million followers and podcast host of Christ with Coffee on Ice.

World rights were acquired by VP, Executive Editor Susan Tjaden at WaterBrook from Dan Milaschewski and Kelly Karczewski at United Talent Agency.

For rights inquiries, contact Denise Cronin decronin@penguinrandomhouse.com.

WaterBrook is an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group.

January 16, 2026 – Nelson Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is pleased to announce the acquisition of world rights to The Ladder of Love, the highly anticipated new book from New York Times bestselling author Stasi Eldredge. The deal was brokered by Andrew Stoddard, VP and Publisher at Nelson Books, and Curtis and Karen Yates of Yates & Yates. The Ladder of Love is scheduled to release in Fall 2026.

In The Ladder of Love, Eldredge speaks directly to women who long for a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus. While many faithfully attend church, read Scripture, and pray, they often feel disconnected, knowing God intellectually but struggling to experience His love in their hearts. With her signature warmth, biblical insight, and guided prayers, Eldredge gently invites readers into a journey of healing, restoration, and spiritual intimacy.

Blending Scripture, prayerful pauses, and spiritual practices, The Ladder of Love offers practical tools to help women work through heartache, embrace transformation, and rediscover the joy of truly knowing Christ. The book acts as both a companion and a guide for women seeking closeness with God that goes beyond routine into lived, relational faith.

“Stasi Eldredge has a remarkable gift for connecting with readers in ways that are both deeply personal and spiritually profound,” said Andrew Stoddard, VP and Publisher at Nelson Books. “The Ladder of Love is a transformative work that will resonate with those yearning for a closer walk with God. We are honored to bring this powerful message of healing in and intimacy with Christ to today’s readers.”

Eldredge shared her hope for the book: “My prayer is that The Ladder of Love will help women move beyond simply knowing about God to truly experiencing His love in the deepest places of their hearts. I hope it becomes a guide toward healing, transformation, and the breathtaking joy of being fully known and deeply loved by Him.”

For every woman longing to experience God’s love more fully, The Ladder of Love is a timely and hope-filled invitation to intimacy, healing, and joy.

About Stasi Eldredge
Stasi Eldredge, a New York Times bestselling author, international speaker, and podcast host of Captivated, has sold nearly three million books, becoming a global voice for women’s spiritual growth and transformation. As a co-founder of Wild at Heart Ministries with her husband, John, she directs the women’s ministry, leads international retreats, and creates resources, including the Captivating One Day virtual event. Stasi’s impactful works, including Captivating (co-authored with John Eldredge), Becoming Myself, and Free to Be Me, inspire women to embrace their identity, healing, and purpose in Christ. Her leadership and vision continue to shape Wild at Heart’s mission to help individuals live fully in God’s love.

About Nelson Books
Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, is an industry leader in Christian nonfiction publishing. Nelson Books publishes a diverse array of leaders, experts, and creatives, crafting biblically informed and spiritually fresh books from a Christian perspective that enliven, educate, and encourage readers. The Nelson Books roster of bestselling authors includes Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, Tim Tebow, John Mark Comer, John & Stasi Eldredge, Jennie Allen, Jefferson Bethke, Bob Goff, Ruth Chou Simons, Tyler Staton, Jason Wilson, Christine Caine, Zach Windahl, and Carlos Whittaker.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo—January 20, 2026—Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group is thrilled to announce promotions within its marketing, publicity, editorial and publishing teams.

Beverly Rykerd has been promoted to VP, Senior Director of Publicity and Communications, continuing to report to Campbell Wharton, SVP and Publisher, PRH Christian. In the last year, Bev’s role expanded to handle all communications for the new PRH Christian division, resulting in an extraordinary level of positive publicity for PRH Christian and in turn attracting new business. “In her 14 years at PRH, Bev has proved time and time again that she is not only a trusted and experienced leader of the publicity department, but a top-notch, creative publicist with an understated tenacity. Admired for her impeccable relationships with the media and steadfast knowledge of the changing media landscape, Bev’s leadership shines as her team is regarded as one of the finest publicity departments in Christian publishing,” says Wharton.

Johanna Inwood has been promoted to Marketing Director, continuing to report to Ginia Croker, VP and Marketing Director. “A 20-year veteran at Penguin Random House, Johanna is a marketing genius, creating savvy, strategic promotional plans that make a tremendous impact on the success of PRH Christian’s books in the marketplace,” Croker says. She continues to excel in her role by leading successful campaigns that result in New York Times bestsellers and award-winning authors including Jennie Allen, Latasha Morrison, Madison Prewett Trout, Ashley Hetherington, Sarita Lyons, and Jordan Lee Dooley. Johanna also has taken on the role of brand manager for John Mark Comer where she has greatly contributed to the ongoing success of Practicing the Way and The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.

Leslie Calhoun has been promoted to Editor, now reporting to Madison Trammel, Editorial Director. Leslie joined Penguin Random House in August 2017 as a marketing and publicity assistant for the WaterBrook and Multnomah imprints, moving into an assistant editor role at Ink & Willow in 2021. She has acquired dozens of titles since then, including the top-selling The Bible Is Funny Card Game, which she conceived and shaped with comedian Anthony Russo. In her new role, Leslie will focus on acquiring for Penguin Random House Christian’s Align Insight and WaterBrook imprints. She has already jumped fully into her new responsibilities, recently acquiring New York Times bestselling author Allie Millington and leading the internal team developing Annie F. Downs’s Let’s Read the Gospels Bible product. Trammel adds, “Leslie is eloquent, imaginative, and resourceful, and is an indispensable member of the Penguin Random House Christian team.”

Bridget Baxter has been promoted to Senior Manager, Publisher’s Office & Operations, reporting to Campbell Wharton. A trusted 10-year veteran at PRH, Bridget is known for tirelessly working behind the scenes to ensure operations run smoothly across the Christian division. In her expanded role, Bridget will now support Wharton in the management of the publisher’s office. Wharton notes, “Given her speed, efficiency, wisdom, and capability to work cross-functionally, and her institutional knowledge of WaterBrook and Multnomah, Bridget is poised to support PRH Christian’s growth plans.”

Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group—made up of the imprints WaterBrook, Multnomah, Image, Forum, Align Insight, Ink & Willow, and WaterBrook Children’s—is a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Beverly Rykerd, brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com

JANUARY 21, 2026 – WaterBrook will publish Director of Church Formation at Practicing the Way, Brandon Shields’ PRACTICING THE WAY OF JESUS TOGETHER, addressing the crisis of discipleship in modern churches and providing a framework for implementing spiritual formation.

World rights were acquired by Drew Dixon and Campbell Wharton for WaterBrook, in an exclusive submission by Mike Salisbury and Matt Yates, at Yates & Yates.

For rights inquiries, contact Denise Cronin decronin@penguinrandomhouse.com

WaterBrook is an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

JANUARY 21, 2026 – W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the tentatively titled Influence for Jesus, a new book by author and podcaster Kirby Kelly and content creators Joe Navarro, Jacob Petersen, and Julia Petersen. The book is scheduled for publication in 2027.

The book is designed to equip a new generation of readers to step confidently into their unique callings. The book aims to inspire and guide individuals in using their specific gifts and platforms to create followers of Jesus. It draws on the authors’ collective experience in ministry and digital content creation to provide practical and spiritual insights.

Kirby Kelly, author of You Can Be Free (2024) and The Fabric of Hope (releasing April 7, 2026), joins forces with popular creators Joe Navarro, Jacob Petersen, and Julia Petersen to address the modern challenges and opportunities of faith-based influence. The collaboration brings together diverse perspectives to empower readers from all walks of life.

The deal was brokered by Trinity McFadden at The Bindery, who represented the authors in securing the world rights for the publication. Brooke Hill, Senior Editor at W Publishing, acquired the title.

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

Contact:  Allison Carter, Sr. Publicity Dir., W Publishing Group, allison.carter@harpercollins.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 22, 2026—A graphic novel adaptation of the Bible is the #1 selling religious book of 2025, according to Circana.

Published by David C Cook, a ministry of Cook Media Global, The Action Bible finished the year with more than 470,000 units sold in the timeframe and landed the #1-selling spot for both the Christian and juvenile nonfiction books categories.

Sales numbers like these highlight a broader trend that is taking place nationally. As individuals search for meaning and hope outside of themselves, they are looking for new and exciting ways to explore their faith.

Known for its vivid illustrations that bring Bible stories to life, The Action Bible includes illustrations of 230 fast-paced narratives and provides an engaging format for readers of all ages to interact with God’s Word.

“To be the bestselling religious and Christian book in a full calendar year speaks to a trend we’ve seen for a while now,” said Brock Eastman, product lead for The Action Bible brand at David C Cook. “Bible sales have been on the rise, and we are thrilled to be part of this increase in interest, especially in a way that will effectively impact believers of all ages in their faith journeys.”

More than 3.5 million copies have been translated into 83 languages as The Action Bible is helping reach believers in their heart languages. High-resolution images of The Action Bible are available here.

About David C Cook
Part of the Cook Media Global family, David C Cook is a global nonprofit that exists to equip individuals and church leaders with vital learning and worship resources and engage all ages of believers to experience the transforming power of the Gospel through media. Read more about David C Cook and its global ministry outreach at davidccook.org.

Contact:  Alli Ehrhardt, 541.973.1994

 

January 2026 | LISLE, IL—The New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Norris has signed a second contract with IVP Formatio for the fall 2027 release of Finding God in the Desert: How Monastic Spirituality Revived My Faith.

“It is an honor to be working with Kathleen Norris on a book exploring her long journey reading the work and wisdom of the desert mothers and fathers,” said Cindy Bunch, vice president of IVP Editorial. “As always, Norris intertwines this teaching with reflection on how their work is being written into her own life. Kathleen is a writer for whom both craft and spirituality shape her work in equal parts.”

In her first book with IVP, Rebecca Sue: A Sister’s Reflections on Disability, Faith, and Love, Norris ventures into new territory, sharing an intimate portrait of her younger sister, whose life was shaped by lifelong mental and physical disabilities. Weaving her memories with Becky’s own words drawn from her letters and journals, Norris examines parts of her own story, the strength of familial bonds, the complexity of caregiving, and the myriad ways God works in our lives.

Norris said, “When Rebecca told me, ‘You should write a book about me, so I can be famous like you,’ I recognized it as a call. It’s been an honor to explore my relationship with my sister and try to present her in all her complexity.”

In Finding God in the Desert Norris returns to themes that build on her previous books as she invites readers to rediscover the works of the early monastics, men and women seeking a more honorable and fulfilling life.

Alexander Field, Norris’s agent at The Bindery, said, “Her goal in writing this book is to introduce readers to the people known as the ‘desert mothers and fathers’ of the early Christian church. She also wants to share the insights encapsulated in their sayings, a wonderful literature that has mostly been relegated to the realm of monastic studies.”

Norris writes: “It’s been a joy to demonstrate how the wisdom of these early Christians has great relevance for readers today. I talk about how their stories have been formative in my life and the lives of others. I even talk about how the trust in God demonstrated by these early monastics helped me face the Covid pandemic.”

Kathleen Norris is the award-winning poet, writer, and author of The New York Times bestselling books The Cloister Walk; Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer’s Life; Dakota: A Spiritual Geography; Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith; The Virgin of Bennington; and several volumes of poetry. Exploring the spiritual life, Norris’s work is at once intimate and historical, rich in poetry and meditations, brimming with exasperation and reverence, deeply grounded in both nature and spirit, sometimes funny, and often provocative.

Widowed in 2003, Norris now divides her time between South Dakota and Honolulu, Hawaii, where she is a member of an Episcopal church. She travels to the mainland regularly to speak to students, medical professionals, social workers, and chaplains at colleges and universities, as well as churches and teaching hospitals. For many years she was the poetry editor of Spirituality & Health magazine. She serves as an editorial adviser for the monthly Give Us This Day from Liturgical Press and writes for a weekly e-newsletter, Soul Telegram: Movies & Meaning with her friend and Irish storyteller Gareth Higgins.

Contact:  Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

January 2026 | LISLE, IL—On January 28 InterVarsity Press (IVP) will kick off the third season of The Digital Examen podcast. Hosted by pastor and author Jay Y. Kim, the podcast aims to guide listeners in “Living at the Pace of Peace.”

The idea for The Digital Examen was developed in response to the exhaustion so many people are experiencing amid the noise of the modern digital age, where peace is scarce and self-reflection is infrequent. Building upon the themes of listening, peace, slowness, and noticing God in everyday life explored in the show’s first two seasons, season three seeks to explore the goal of a deeply formed life: joy and delight with God.

Kim will join an array of writers, educators, artists, and theologians—including Malcolm Guite, Hakeem Bradley, David Taylor, Jon Guerra, Tish Harrison Warren, and many others—to explore the many gifts God offers just beneath the surface of our frenzied lives, often hidden in plain view.

“Like many people these days, I often find myself overwhelmed by the chaos of the digital age—so much frenzy, so little peace,” Kim said. “My hope is that The Digital Examen will offer people not only a learning experience but also an invitation into stillness with God as we slow down enough to listen as much as we learn.”

Releasing on Wednesday, January 28, the first episode of The Digital Examen will have Kim introduce the podcast season and pose questions surrounding what it means to live a deeply formed life. As the lead pastor at WestGate Church in Silicon Valley, Kim has experienced the digital church in all its splendor and writes about it in his books, Analog Church, Analog Christian, and the forthcoming The Pace of Peace. Kim has also written on the topic of the digital age for Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Missio Alliance, and Relevant Magazine. 

New episodes of The Digital Examen release weekly on Wednesdays starting January 28 through April 15. Kim’s guests for season three of The Digital Examen include:

Episode 1, January 28

Jay Y. Kim introduces season three.

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Episode 2, February 4

Tish Harrison Warren is a priest in the Anglican Church in North America. She has been a regular contributor for the New York Times and a columnist for Christianity Today. She is also the author of Prayer in the Night, Liturgy of the Ordinary, and What Grows in Weary Lands. She is also the coauthor (with Katy Bowser Hutson and Flo Paris Oakes) of the IVP Kids book Little Prayers for Ordinary Days.

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Episode 3, February 11

Hakeem Bradley is a biblical scholar, teacher, speaker, blogger, professor, consultant, and researcher. He holds a Master’s in Theological and Biblical Studies from Western Seminary and is a PhD candidate in New Testament Studies at Ridley College (Melbourne). He previously worked as an associate scholar at BibleProject and is now launching a new venture, “Sacred Patterns,” to develop biblical literacy resources for children.

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Episode 4, February 18

Malcolm Guite is the chaplain at Girton College, Cambridge, where he also teaches in the Faculty of Divinity. He is a priest, poet, and songwriter, and he travels and speaks regularly throughout the UK and North America. He is the author of Faith, Hope and Poetry as well as several collections of poems, including Parable and Paradox, Waiting on the Word, The Word in the Wilderness, and Sounding the Seasons.

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Episode 5, February 25

Karynthia Glasper Phillips has been bivocational as an ordained minister and a physician assistant in family medicine for over two decades. She is a conference speaker, adjunct professor, and the author of Press Pause. Her concern for the continuity of care to prevent and restore the health of spirit, mind, and body catalyzes her messages. She demonstrates that self-preservation can be lost in the rush of productivity. She gently reminds her patients and audience of the importance of loving themselves enough to harness the value of intentionality for personal well-being in quiet time.

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Episode 6, March 4

Isaac Serrano serves as lead pastor at South Valley Community Church in Gilroy, California. He also serves on the leadership team of the ReGeneration Project and is an adjunct professor teaching theology and ministry at Western Seminary. Serrano is the author of When Life Feels Empty.

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Episode 7, March 11

Ronald Rolheiser is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, and author of the books The Restless Heart, Forgotten Among the Lilies, The Shattered Lantern, and Against An Infinite Horizon. He is a community-builder, lecturer, and writer, and his weekly column appears in more than ninety Catholic publications. 

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Episode 8, March 18

Grace Pouch is content manager for Renovaré, where she curates and produces resources for spiritual renewal. She previously served as a seminary professor and Christian education specialist for elementary school children. She is the author of Savoring Childhood.

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Episode 9, March 25

Jon Guerra is a singer-songwriter who writes devotional music, less Sunday morning worship music and more Monday morning prayer music. His debut album, Little Songs, released in 2015. He also composed music for Terrence Malick’s 2019 film, “A Hidden Life.” His first album of devotional music is Keeper of Days, followed by Ordinary Ways in 2023. His most recent EP is American Gospel.

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Episode 10, April 1

David O. Tayloris associate professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary and the author of several books, including Prayers for the Pilgrimage, A Body of Praise, and Glimpses of the New Creation. He also co-editedNaming the Spirit with Daniel Train. In addition to a range of popular essays, he has published articles in the Calvin Theological Journal, Christian Scholar’s Review, Worship, Theology Today, and Image Journal, among others. An Anglican priest, he has lectured widely on the arts, from Thailand to South Africa. In 2016 he produced a short film on the Psalms with Bono and Eugene Peterson.

Phaedra Jean Taylor is an encaustic, watercolor, and illustration artist, in Austin, Texas, where she lives with her husband, David, and two children, Blythe and Sebastian. Together they make creative liturgical resources for families and church communities.

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Episode 11, April 8

Will Chung, along with his wife, Andrea, are new church planters of Beloved Church and founders of The Meeting Place. Will is also an associate of Leadership Network and Exponential, on the core team of Initiative Network, and an Advisory Board Member for The Arrow Movement and the United States National Prayer Council.

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Episode 12, April 15

Jay Y. Kim wraps up the season with a look back at the conversations, themes, and ideas that emerge from season three of The Digital Examen.

 

The Digital Examen podcast is available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast distributors. Check out the IVP YouTube page for a peek at The Digital Examen trailer.

Contact:  Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com