Witness the Work that God Is Doing in the Church Today

New devotional from Darren Carlson combines a survey of Acts with stories of the living and growing church of the Twenty-First Century

Because the media doesn’t report the spread of the good news across town and around the globe, it’s easy for Christians to be unaware of the incredible work God is actively doing today. The same God who turned the world upside down two thousand years ago is still changing lives and communities today.​The gospel continues to spread and transform lives across cultures and contexts today, just as it did in the early church.

In his sixty-day devotional, Witness: Missional Devotionals from the Book of Acts (New Growth Press/October 20, 2025), Darren Carlson shares the stories of modern-day Christians and draws parallels to the experiences of first-century Christians in the book of Acts, giving readers a virtual world tour of God’s work both near and far.

“We are living in what may be the greatest advance of the gospel in history. More people than ever, in more corners of the world and in more languages than ever, are worshipping the Lord and following Jesus. The Holy Spirit is moving in ways that are hard to even explain. However, our perception of the Lord’s work around the world often remains limited, as we struggle to grasp the full extent of what God is doing in both our neighborhoods and far-flung locations,” Carlson writes.

Each day’s devotion includes a passage from Acts, a reflection on its significance, and a modern-day story that connects the biblical text to contemporary experiences. As readers dive into the book of Acts, they will be challenged to look for ways God wants them to grow as his ambassadors and develop a deeper appreciation of the unity and diversity of the global Church. This devotional provides a fresh and engaging way of studying the book of Acts, presenting readers with a unique perspective on the text by connecting it to the modern global Church.

Readers of Witness will learn to pray for the global church, engage in their local community, and consider their role in God’s mission. Carlson also encourages Christians to expand their expectations for what God can do and engage more actively with the worldwide Christian community. The short daily format allows the devotional to be used by individuals, families, small groups, and entire churches.

“I’ve seen firsthand what the Lord is doing, and I can’t wait to share it with you. I’ve spent years teaching the Bible around the world and equipping pastors and church leaders from a myriad of countries. I’ve invested countless hours researching and documenting the story of how the Lord is drawing people to himself and growing his global church. My heart is to take you on a trip around the world—a virtual tour of God’s work in people groups both near and far—so you can see and marvel at what God is doing right now. I want to anchor these stories in the story of the early church in Acts so that you can see that the same God is at work today. As you consider his work in the first century, my prayer is that you will consider what he wants to do in and through you—and in and through his church—right now.”

Darren Carlson, PhD, is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Bozeman, MT and the founder of Training Leaders International, which provides theological training to underserved areas around the world. Carlson is the author of Witness: Missional Devotions from the Book of Acts and the executive producer and creator of Jesus in Athens, a movie depicting the work of God amid the refugee crisis in Greece. Darren and his wife, Amy, have five children.

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

 

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — G. K. Beale and Benjamin Gladd both discovered the depth of the connections between the Old and New Testaments in a classroom, but they want to ensure many more hear about them in a Sunday sermon or even in their own personal Bible study.

The two leading New Testament scholars and friends have partnered together for multiple academic projects through the years. Now, they have pooled their decades of study for a practical resource designed for the everyday Bible student—the “CSB Connecting Scripture New Testament” from Holman Bibles.

Years ago, Gladd, executive director of The Carson Center for Theological Renewal at The Gospel Coalition, heard a lecture on how Jesus embodies Israel. “So, when the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days, Jesus was rehearsing Israel’s 40-year wandering in the wilderness,” said Gladd. “By aligning Jesus with the nation of Israel, a great deal of the Gospels’ presentations of Jesus made sense to me.”

Similarly, Beale, professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, first heard someone explain the intricacies of how the Testaments relate in a seminary class. He has spent the last five decades helping others understand those connections. “As a Christian, the Old Testament is your book,” said Beale.

The “Connecting Scripture New Testament” is designed to help readers better understand that reality and the truth of Scripture. Then, with that foundation, move into deeper and better application of God’s Word, said Beale.

“The New Testament isn’t simply an extension of the Old Testament,” Gladd said. “The New Testament is the culmination of God’s revelation. So, the New Testament writers go out of their way to present their message as the climax of the history of redemption.”

Gladd said the study of these connections, which has been a personal and academic passion of his, has helped his personal Christian walk and trust in the Bible. “Tracing thousands of connections between the two Testaments has increased my conviction of the inspiration of Scripture. How could it not?”

Innovative color-coding system

Both Gladd and Beale have been a part of numerous resources, from several books to commentary sets, that highlight how the New Testament writers drew on the Old Testament. They even worked together on several of those. But the “Connecting Scripture New Testament” grew from both a passion and a frustration.

They wanted all Bible readers to grasp the relationship between the two Testaments but didn’t see the right resources available. “I’ve been frustrated at the nature of cross-references in our Bibles for years, but I couldn’t figure out how to improve them,” said Gladd.

Beale noted that there has been a significant demand among many of the more academic-minded readers and students for commentaries that highlight the relationship between the Testaments, but this rarely gets distilled down to the typical Sunday School teacher or Bible reader.

They began to work with numerous methods before landing on a color-coding system. By embedding color within the text, they “opened up even more opportunities in demonstrating the connections between the Old and New Testaments,” said Gladd.

There are few overlaps with other study Bibles, he said. “The presentation of the text, the color coding of the body and the cross-references, the running commentary at the bottom, and the robust indexes separate this study Bible from all the others. Reading the ‘Connecting Scripture New Testament’ is a completely different experience from any other Bible I’ve come across.”

It’s the new color-coding that “puts this information on the plate of the average reader,” Beale said. Old Testament quotations in the New Testament text are blue, allusions are shown as green, with all other text in traditional black. The Bible includes study notes that explain the connections, as well as relevant articles written by more than a dozen New Testament scholars.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Dr. Gladd and Dr. Beale on this unique resource,” said Andy McLean. “The cross reference system will help pastors, teachers, and all students of God’s Word better grasp the depth of the connections between the Testaments and Scripture’s overarching redemption story.”

More than co-authors

The “Connecting Scripture New Testament” was a decidedly joint project by the two scholars. Beale credited Gladd with the idea to use color-coding, while Gladd said Beale was adamant about using a three-color system.

They have been working together since Gladd was a student of Beale’s in the first Master’s in Biblical Exegesis program at Wheaton College. As Gladd first began working on what would become the “Connecting Scripture New Testament” study Bible, he knew he wanted Beale to help with the resource.

“Dr. Beale has arguably done more work on the New Testament’s use of the Old Testament than anyone alive,” said Gladd. “It simply made the most sense to bring him into the project. He made a number of critical suggestions that increased its usefulness.”

Recently, Beale used the “Connecting Scripture New Testament” as he worked on a project centered on Romans 8. He said the resource helped him as he considered the relationship between Paul’s writing and how the Old Testament discusses Israel’s time in the wilderness.

While Beale may have been the first to use the new resource, he hoped he wouldn’t be the last. When asked what he wanted readers to take away from the study Bible, he said he wanted others to “take from it. Study a passage. Look at the coloring and the notes to see where it is from. See how the Old Testament is used. Integrate it into a sermon or a lesson. Locate the New Testament passage within redemptive history.”

Gladd echoed Beale’s desire for the study Bible. “My hope and prayer are that God’s people will discover that they are not outsiders, peering into the story of redemption,” he said. “They are participants, living in the midst of the drama of redemption.”

For more information, visit ConnectingScripture.com.

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, The He Reads Truth Bible and the Rainbow Study Bible with over 3 million copies sold. Holman Bibles is a subsidiary of B&H Publishing Group.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Jill Waggoner, Jill.Waggoner@lifeway.com

 

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written by Aaron Earls, a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources.

14 OCTOBER 2025 LONDON, UK and FRANKFURT, GERMANY – Supadu, a leading provider of digital solutions for the publishing industry, has partnered with Perfect Bound to deliver streamlined, customizable website solutions for publishers—enhancing their digital presence, print capabilities and expanding their reach.

A Strategic Collaboration

This new partnership provides Perfect Bound publishers access to ‘Supadu for Shopify’ website and ecommerce solution. The solution is dynamically fed with live product information and is fully integrated with Perfect Bound’s print capabilities.

By offering an affordable, user-friendly website setup that is quick to deploy, accessible, secure, and capable of selling all book formats from a single cart, Perfect Bound publishers can now take full advantage of growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales opportunities and amplify their wider digital footprint.

“Supadu is delighted to support Perfect Bound publishers in expanding their direct-to-consumer capabilities across Europe and worldwide. By combining Perfect Bound’s expertise in independent publishing with Supadu’s proven eCommerce and metadata solutions, we are enabling publishers to build stronger connections with readers, broaden global reach, and open up new sales opportunities.” – Sarah Arbuthnot, CCO, Supadu

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Supadu to offer our client publishers a truly streamlined and automated direct-to-consumer (D2C) operation. By combining Supadu’s powerful platform with the cutting-edge tech stack we’ve built at Perfect Bound, we’re making it possible for publishers to turn selling books directly to readers into a virtually touchless process. I believe D2C will be one of the most important avenues for bookselling in the years ahead—it allows publishers to connect directly with their readers, capture more value from each sale, and foster lasting relationships with active readers. Together, we’re giving publishers the tools they need to thrive in the future of bookselling.” – Keith Riegert, President, Stable Book Group

About Supadu
Supadu is a leading provider of digital solutions tailored for the publishing industry. With services that include website design, ecommerce development, metadata management, and marketing tools, Supadu empowers publishers through innovative, scalable technologies designed to enhance their digital strategy and drive sales growth.

About Perfect Bound
Perfect Bound Technologies is a cloud‑native SaaS platform that lets publishers of any size run their entire business from one secure dashboard. With over 300 independent and mid‑sized publishers on the platform, Perfect Bound offers end‑to‑end title management, ONIX and metadata distribution, real‑time sales reporting, automated royalty accounting, and a two‑sided printing marketplace spanning 70+ printers on six continents. Perfect Bound eliminates manual workflows, reduces overhead, and accelerates speed‑to‑market—serving as the technology backbone for Stable Distribution and the broader Stable Book Group ecosystem.

For Media Inquiries:
Jamie Middleton – jamie.middleton@supadu.com

Available January 2026 from Penguin Random House Christian, the book will be featured with a fresh new look on screen in Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming romantic comedy.

Michael Todd’s #1 New York Times bestseller, Relationship Goals: How to Win at Dating, Marriage, and Sex, will release as a movie tie-in edition (on sale January 6, 2026; ISBN 9798217153367) through WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian. The nonfiction bestseller that inspired Amazon MGM Studios’ romantic comedy starring Kelly Rowland and Cliff “Method Man” Smith—on which Todd serves as an executive producer—will now feature the same redesigned cover seen in the new movie, inviting readers to rediscover the message that has already transformed millions of lives.

Born from a viral sermon series with more than 33 million YouTube views, Relationship Goals is authored and by Michael Todd, pastor of Transformation Church in Tulsa, Okla. Transformation Church averages nearly 1,500 in-person and 43,000 online attendees each week, and Todd’s social platforms reach more than 8.7 million followers.

“Seeing Relationship Goals come to life on the big screen is a full-circle moment for me,” said Todd. “What started as a sermon series to help people win in relationships turned into a #1 New York Times bestselling book and now a movie that shows the power of God’s original design for relationships in real life. It’s proof that it’s only crazy until it happens—and when God’s in it, it always happens bigger than you imagined.”

The book has helped millions find lasting love and sustain healthy relationships, spent 13 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and remains a beloved relationship self-help resource since its original release in 2020.

Amazon’s movie draws inspiration from the book’s message, allowing its characters to put Todd’s relationship principles into practice on screen. Through themes of purpose, healing, and oneness, the film reflects Todd’s message that aiming for the right targets in relationships can make all the difference in finding true satisfaction.

“When I first read the Relationship Goals book, I knew it had the principles and wisdom that would lend itself perfectly to be the inspiration for a film,” said producer DeVon Franklin, known for his work on Breakthrough and Miracles from Heaven.

Franklin continued, “Mike Todd’s message of ‘fixing your aim’ has proven to be transformational and provided the foundation for an entertaining and spiritually minded romantic comedy, the first of its kind! It was a true joy for me to produce this film and bring the amazing concepts in the book to life on screen, and I believe it will resonate with audiences around the world.”

Relationship Goals (Movie Tie-In) will be available everywhere books are sold starting January 6, 2026—in time for couples to refocus their romantic goals for the New Year and Valentine’s Day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Todd is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Relationship Goals, Crazy Faith, and Damaged but Not Destroyed, and the lead pastor of Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His driving passion and the vision of his ministry is re-presenting God to the lost and found for transformation in Christ. Michael speaks at a variety of influential churches, events, and conferences each year.

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, reaches Christian readers through the imprints WaterBrook, Multnomah, Image, Forum Books, Ink & Willow, WaterBrook Childrens, and its newest imprint, Align Insight.

Media Contacts:
Penguin Random House Christian Group
Becca Schriner, Asst. Publicity Director – rschriner@penguinrandomhouse.com
Shauna Carlos, Publicist – shcarlos@penguinrandomhouse.com

Begin every day by connecting with God’s truth and allowing it to transform your thoughts, your intentions, your feelings, and your reactions throughout the day.

Each day, we have a new opportunity to make that day our best day. While we aren’t in control of what happens to us throughout our days, we can learn to align our thoughts, our words, our emotions, and our actions with the way God has told us He wants us to live.

This 365-day devotional from beloved Bible-teacher Joyce Meyer allows you to start each day rooted in the truth of God’s Word and His ways so that no matter what comes your way, you will have the wisdom, the courage, the peace, and the self-control to allow God’s light to shine through you, even in the darkest of circumstances.

Complimented with scripture references and accompanying prayers, each daily entry brims with Joyce’s time-tested wisdom as well as fresh inspiration to walk through your day with emotional stability and balance.

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading Bible teachers. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, she teaches practically and candidly, openly sharing her experiences and helping millions of people to apply biblical principles to their situations and ultimately find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Her book Battlefield of the Mind has been a perennial bestseller, teaching people how to win the war in their minds and “think about what they think about.” Joyce holds conferences across the United States, and her Enjoying Everyday Life program is broadcast on TV, radio and online to millions in 110 languages.

Media Contact: Katie Robison, katie.robison@hbgusa.com, 917.538.1417

Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group is thrilled to announce that Sarah Rubio has been promoted to Publishing Director, WaterBrook Children’s, effective immediately.

Rubio joined the WaterBrook Children’s program in the fall of 2020 as Executive Editor. Over the last five years, she has acquired and edited numerous bestselling and notable children’s books, including the New York Times bestseller God’s Masterpiece by Elisabeth Hasselbeck; WaterBrook’s first graphic novel, God With Us; The Book of Belonging by Mariko Clark and Rachel Eleanor; and the forthcoming Heaven on Earth, an exciting collaboration between Randy Alcorn and Lisa Tawn Bergren, as well as Gabriel and the Guardians—graphic novel adaptations of an upcoming animated series. Rubio has also collaborated with PRH Christian’s adult publishing team to develop children’s books as part of several multi-book deals with authors such as Michael Todd, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Jordan Raynor, and Mark Batterson.

In addition, Rubio has led the charge in expanding the WaterBrook Children’s program into middle-grade and YA fiction, including the Carrick Hall trilogy by Sarah Arthur. The first book in the trilogy, Once a Queen, was a Christy Award finalist, a Today Show “Read with Jenna Jr.” summer reading pick, and a Read-Aloud Revival mom summer reading selection.

“Sarah has vast knowledge of the Christian children’s market and an excellent eye for identifying up-and-coming voices. As Publishing Director, she will develop a new publishing strategy for our WaterBrook Children’s program and has already begun casting a vision for our next chapter,” said Campbell Wharton, Senior Vice President and Publisher, PRH Christian.

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

 

Oct. 14, 2025 – W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson Publishing, today announced a deal with Philip Anthony Mitchell, lead pastor of 2819 Church in Atlanta, Ga., for his debut book, Contend: Winning the War Outside and the Battle Within. The acquisition went to Kyle Olund, senior acquisitions editor for W Publishing Group, by Jevon Bolden, CEO and founder, Embolden Media Group. The book’s release date is to be announced.

In Contend, Mitchell, a renowned prophetic communicator and cultural voice, calls a drifting generation to awaken—to confront spiritual apathy and cultural compromise with trembling reverence and courageous clarity. Drawing deeply from the often-overlooked letter of Jude, he confronts the crisis within the Church in America and beyond, sounding an urgent call for believers to reclaim authentic faith, pursue inner healing, and carry forward the true gospel amid encroaching darkness. Mitchell equips readers with spiritual tools to stand firm both in the battle within and the war without.

“I believe we’re living in a tense and pivotal moment of American history where Christianity can tip toward revival or irrelevance. With that in view, I am elated to partner with the W Publishing Group team at HarperCollins Christian Publishing to release my long-awaited, forthcoming book Contend, a clarion call to the body of Christ,” said Mitchell.

“We’re thrilled to partner with W Publishing Group on this project. Their proven track record of publishing high-impact authors and their collaborative spirit made them the ideal choice for this next chapter in Pastor Philip’s ministry and the bold message of Contend,” said Bolden.

“We welcome Philip and his timely message to our publishing family,” said Damon Reiss, VP and Publisher of W Publishing Group. “Philip’s voice resonates with a boldness and conviction that is so needed in this moment. Contend is far more than a book—it is a rallying cry, a blueprint for spiritual courage, and a lifeline for those longing to see genuine revival and restoration in the Church. We believe its impact will be both immediate and enduring.”

2819 Church is a movement that has experienced explosive growth and stirred hearts across generations and platforms. With over eighteen years in ministry, Mitchell is recognized for his unwavering focus on biblical authority, his compassion for the broken, and his relentless pursuit of spiritual awakening. His personal journey of faith and restoration breathes authenticity and hope into every page of his work.

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

October 2025 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce that Charlie Can’t Sleep!, Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World, and The Common Rule Youth Edition have all been honored with 2025 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.

Charlie Can’t Sleep! Trusting God When You’re Afraid of the Dark by Rachel Joy Welcher won first place in the religion/spirituality picture book category. Beautifully illustrated by Breezy Brookshire, this bedtime story not only acknowledges a child’s fear but also equips them with a biblical, comforting approach to tackle it. Charlie Can’t Sleep! reassures little ones that even in the quiet, scary moments, God sees them, hears their prayers, and stays by their side.

“Welcher’s good work provides a script for parents and other caregivers to vulnerably share that they also need to keep handing over their own fears to the God who never sleeps,” said Michele Morin, Bible teacher and writer. “Meeting our children’s fears with both sensitivity and good theology sets the stage for future conversations when bigger fears and more consequential issues are at stake.”

Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World: God Hears Every Prayer, written by Helen Lee and illustrated by Shin Maeng, won second place in the religion/spirituality picture book category. 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 story gently guides children to recognize the brokenness in our world and to turn their hearts to God with the assurance that He hears every prayer—even when words feel hard to find.

Kirkus Reviews wrote, “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.”

The Common Rule Youth Edition: Growing Your Faith in a Distracted World by Justin Whitmel Earley won second place in the religion/spirituality chapter book category. This nonfiction book equips young people with tools to help them find peace and fulfillment through simple, intentional habits designed to foster freedom and rest. Earley draws on his own experiences to illustrate how small actions can lead to significant transformation.

Brook Mosser, president of Intentional Parents International, said, “In The Common Rule Youth Edition, Justin Whitmel Earley helps young readers by providing a practical and inspiring framework for navigating a noisy and distracting world. This resource will speak directly to the hearts of young people and give them fundamental tools for productive habit formation in life and faith.”

The Moonbeam Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to celebrate children’s books and lifelong reading. The purpose of the Moonbeam Awards is to highlight books that encourage children to be generous, compassionate, and to stand up for the rights of themselves and others. This year’s judges chose gold, silver, and bronze medalists in forty-five categories, covering the full range of styles and genres in English and Spanish.

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

Contact:  Anna Tjernstrom | atjernstrom@ivpress.com

American Christian Fiction Writers Lifetime Achievement Award Winner is Robin Jones Gunn

American Christian Fiction Writers is pleased to announce the 2025 award winners.  The awards were presented Saturday, September 6 at the annual ACFW Gala, which was held in Springfield, Missouri during ACFW’s annual conference. American Christian Fiction Writers is a professional organization devoted to the craft of Christian Fiction and helping writers expand their knowledge of the publishing industry. More information can be found at ACFW.com.

The winners are as follows:

• Lifetime Achievement Award – Robin Jones Gunn
• Mentor of the Year – Misty Beller
• Agent of the Year – Rachel Kent (Books & Such Literary Agency)
• Editor of the Year – Michelle Levigne (Michelle Levigne Editing and Mt. Zion Press)
• Volunteer of the Year – Pat Takamiya
• Martha Rogers Member Service Award – Paula Peckham

2025 Genesis Awards

• Contemporary – Elizabeth Daghfal for Calls in the Dark
• Historical – Hannah Benson for Beyond the Red Curtain
• Historical Romance – Donna Yarborough for Grace Like Rain
• Mystery/Suspense/Thriller – Renda Knapp for What She Knows
• Novella – Tiffany Burgess for The Lilith Assignment: A Sifting
• Romance – Ruth Schmeckpeper for Restoration
• Romantic Suspense – Breana Johnson for Golden Bluff Ghost Town
• Short Novel – Tracy Del Campo for The Road to Hope
• Speculative – Elise Haroldson for Treeple
• Young Adult – Sharon Jeong Ide for Pear Blossom Academy

2025 Carol Awards

Contemporary
When the Wildflowers Bloom Again by Donna Jo Stone
Independent Author
Editor – Anne Victory

Historical
Where Trees Touch the Sky by Karen Barnett
Kregel Publications
Editor – Janyre Tromp

Historical Romance
The Girl from the Hidden Forest by Hannah Linder
Barbour Publishing
Editor – Becky Fish

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Fatal Domain by Steven James
Tyndale House
Editors – Sarah Rische and Karen Watson

Novella
Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn
Revell (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors – Kelsey Bowen and Jessica English

Romance 
The Heart of Sugarcreek by Serena B. Miller
Independent Author
Editor – Brenda Kallner

Romantic Suspense
Double Take by Lynette Eason
Revell (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors – Barb Barnes and Andrea Doering

Short Novel
Waiting for Gilbert by Tasha Hackett
Independent Author
Editors – Crystal Nielson and Megan Schaulis

Speculative
Drawn by Light by John W. Otte
Independent Author
Editor – Megan Gerig

Young Adult
Mortal Queens by Victoria McCombs
Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
Editor – Sara Ella and Lisa Laube

Debut Author
Protector by Megan Schaulis
White Crown Publishing
Editors – Janelle Leonard and Marisa Stokley

American Christian Fiction Writers also announced that best-selling, multi-published author and speaker Robin Jones Gunn was presented with their prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

“The lifetime part of this “lifetime achievement” award should go to my husband. He pushed me out the door to my first writers conference and hasn’t stopped cheering me on and challenging me every step of the way for almost 5 decades. The “achievement” part I share with my agent and editor, Janet Grant whose careful touches to every book has made them better.  Acts 20:24 still rings true as I continue to write the stories God puts on my heart. “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others, the Good News about the wonderful grace of God”. Says Gunn.

Robin Jones Gunn is the bestselling author of over 100 books with several award-winning fiction series including the timeless Christy Miller, Glenbrooke and Sisterchicks* novels. Her newest series is the bestselling Suitcase Sisters collection.  Robin’s popular nonfiction includes her memoir, Victim of Grace along with Praying for your Future Husband co-authored with Tricia Goyer. She also has ten giftbooks and devotionals published along with fourteen children’s books and fifty articles. Sales of her diverse collection of books top 6.5 million copies.  In addition, four Hallmark Christmas movies were created from her novels. Many of Robin’s books have appeared multiple times on the ECPA bestseller list and have been both finalists and a winner of the Christy and Gold Medallion awards. She was honored to receive the Readers Choice Award twice from FHL of Romance Writers of America.  More information can be found at www.robingunn.com

Media Contact:  Jeane Burgess – Tall Oak Media, 918-630-9695 – jeane@mytalloak.com  

American Christian Fiction Writers is pleased to announce Kathleen Y’Barbo Turner as the new CEO. Turner is a multi-published author who has been part of ACFW since the beginning.

“Twenty-five years ago, the American Christian Romance Writers, as we were called back then, was born. Back then our family was small—just a dozen or so authors who loved Jesus and writing books—and I was one of them.  As most families do, ours has grown and changed over the years to embrace other Christian genres and a new name that reflected the varied genres of our members.  The one thing that hasn’t changed is our focus on training up generations of writers whose talents have been given to them by God and whose words will become books that change lives.  I am thrilled and honored to take the helm as CEO, formerly held for 19 years by the amazing Coleen Coble”, says Turner.

Kathleen Y’Barbo Turner is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee and bestselling author of more than one hundred books with over two million copies of her books in print in the US and abroad. Turner spins stories where the past never stays buried for long. When she’s not writing mysteries with a vintage twist and sometimes a dash of romance, Turner enjoys chasing down new travel destinations in her home state of Texas with her hero in combat boots, her husband Robert. Find out more about Kathleen Y’Barbo Turner at  www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Media Contact:  Jeane Burgess – Tall Oak Media, 918-630-9695  – jeane@mytalloak.com