“The Insanity of Sacrifice: A 90-Day Devotional”

[NASHVILLE, TENN., September 30, 2019—] Bestselling author Nik Ripken, the world’s leading expert on Christians in persecution, especially in Muslim contexts, will release his first devotional this fall, “The Insanity of Sacrifice: A 90-Day Devotional” (October 1, B&H Publishing). Ripken, who has been mentored by believers in persecution throughout his 30-year missionary career, offers 90 devotionals to help readers align their hearts with God’s and see the role sacrifice plays in the life of every follower of Jesus Christ.

“It can be argued that the first two books served as windows to the world where the persecution of Christians was found to be normal. ‘The Insanity of God’ graphically illustrates His miraculous activity among believers in persecution,” Ripken said.

“‘The Insanity of Obedience’ dares to suggest that it’s believers in persecution who model for us how to become wise partners with God in the world’s hardest places. Yet, ‘The Insanity of Sacrifice’ is a mirror. The reader is not allowed to remain a spectator but is personally ushered into the presence of God and challenged with the cost of following Jesus. ‘The Insanity of Sacrifice’ is a dangerous book as it demands that we risk everything for the joy of carrying our cross as we follow Jesus.”

Ripken and his wife served primarily in North Africa and the Middle East and conducted extensive research on the persecuted church and on Muslim-background believers in approximately 72 countries. His books, “The Insanity of God” and “The Insanity of Obedience,” have collectively impacted over 200,000 people, and “The Insanity of God Movie” was released to limited theatres in 2016 (LifeWay Films).

Through Ripken’s experience working with the persecuted church, he has seen that the methods God uses to accomplish his purposes are often difficult for us to understand. Though Christians have read about God’s unusual methods in the Bible, they are often startled when they experience these ways firsthand. However, Ripken argues, nowhere do we see the role sacrifice plays more than in the activity of God.

By reading “The Insanity of Sacrifice,” Ripken hopes readers will discover that their sacrifice can lead others, across the street and across the oceans, to discover new resurrection life in Christ.

“Sometimes God makes it very clear that he’s at work, and you’re blessed to simply be a part of it,” said Taylor Combs, Associate Publisher of Christian Living and Leadership. “We’ve seen that in ‘The Insanity of God’ and ‘The Insanity of Obedience,” and we’re humbled to continue to be a part of what he’s doing through ‘The Insanity of Sacrifice.’”

B&H is supporting the launch of “The Insanity of Sacrifice” with a national media campaign, content and advertising campaign, resources to help families understand practical sacrifice, church events and speaking promotion through Ripken’s ministry.

For more information, visit NikRipken.com.

Nik Ripken is the world’s leading expert on the persecuted church in Muslim contexts. He is a missions veteran of 30 years, having served primarily in North Africa and the Middle East. He is the bestselling author of “The Insanity of God” and “The Insanity of Obedience.” He and his wife have conducted extensive research on the persecuted church and on Muslim-background believers in approximately 72 countries.

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources, is a team of mission minded people with a passion for taking God’s Word to the world. Because we believe Every Word Matters® we seek to provide intentional, Bible-centered content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, inspiring them to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. Among our print and digital releases for the trade, church and academic markets, titles include “The New York Times” No. 1 bestsellers “The Love Dare” and “The Vow,” No. 1 CBA bestseller “I Am a Church Member,” as well as the newly-revised Christian Standard Bible (CSB) version.

Contact: Jenaye White, Senior Publicist, jenaye.white@lifeway.com

David C Cook Thrilled with World-Wide Response to Chan’s Call for Church Renewal

Colorado Springs, CO, September 30, 2019 – The best-selling book, Letters to the Church by Francis Chan was awarded the 2019 Christian Life Book of the Year by the UK CRT (Christian Resources Together) Annual Retreat, Conference and Exhibit in the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire on September 16, 2019. This annual award is given to outstanding book in the UK in the Christian Life category.

Ian Matthews, as Director of UK Book Publishing for David C Cook, was there to accept the award. “This is a fantastic recognition of the transforming impact of Letters to the Church and Francis Chan,” says Matthews. “We are honored to partner with him in challenging the church world-wide.”

CRT stand for ‘Christian Resources Together’ and is the annual retreat, conference and exhibition for Christian publishers, retailers, distributors and authors.

Cedar Tree UK is the organizer of CRT Annual Retreat and the visionary behind its annual awards. CRT’s goal is to provide support, fellowship, training and any appropriate business opportunities for those working with in the Christian Retailers and Suppliers trade in the UK. https://www.christianresourcestogether.co.uk/

Francis Chan is the author of Crazy Love, Forgotten God, Erasing Hell, Multiply, and You and Me Forever. He currently plants churches in the San Francisco area. Francis and his wife, Lisa, are raising their seven children in Northern California. www.CrazyLove.org

David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to publishing and distributing leadership and discipleship resources to help Christians all over the world grow in their faith and pass it on to the next generation. www.DavidCCook.org

Contact: Jana Muntsinger, MMPR, 832.247.9308, jana@mmpublicrelations.com

Kirkbride Bible Co. Inc., CEO and Chairman of the Board, John Marshall Gage, age 82 peacefully departed from his long and full life on July 26, 2019 in Largo, FL and was formerly of Indianapolis, IN. He was born January 11, 1937 in Dallas, Texas to the late John H. Gage and Espicea (Ross) Gage.  His career in business began in 1960 with the B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., Inc where he became Director of Advertising and Sales Manager, 1970. Treasurer, 1980. Executive Vice President, 1988-2007. President and CEO, 1991-2007. In 2008 he continued as Chairman of the Kirkbride Board of Directors.

During his long and successful career with Kirkbride he served from 1978-1980 as Director and Advisor for the National Association of Credit Managers Book Publishers Division of the National Christian Book Publishers Credit Association. In two terms from 1980-1982 and 1985-1987 he served as Board Member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. In 1983-1986 he served as a Director on the CBA Exhibitor’s Association. In 1965 he founded Ga-Son Enterprises –now Ross-Gage, Inc. indexing Company and continued as part owner and officer until 2004. In 1984 he became part owner, Director and Secretary of Liberty Book & Bible Manufacturers. In 1986 he became a Trustee of the National Bible Association in New York City that Sponsor’s National Bible Week each year at Thanksgiving. He served as Secretary of the NBA until 2015.  During his time at Kirkbride he and his wife Sonja traveled the world over with business friends to Moscow, Beijing China, London, Paris, Florence, Venice and Rome Italy, Frankfort, Germany, Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, attending Christian Book Fairs and promoting the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible.

As a devoted family man, he spent many hours and days with his two sons and five grandchildren attending their music and sports activities. He made friends with everyone he met and enjoyed life to its fullest every day. Marshall is survived by his loving wife Sonja of 59 years. His sons David Gage and his wife Diana, and Michael Gage and his wife Trish. His grandchildren Rachael Gage Jones (Lynn) and Ryan Gage, children of David and Diana. John Michael Gage, Jacob Gage and Emma Gage, children of Michael and Trish. Brother-in-Law Ronald Cinnamon and his wife Linda, niece Julie Christian, (Andy) and nephews Greg Cinnamon and Demian Gage, (Julie) and niece Leah Gage. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Ross Gage and Stan Gage.

Obituary

Publishers Weekly No. 1 Hardcover Fiction, Two New York Times Rankings, Top of Amazon Sales and More

NEW YORK— New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Cahn’s prophetic, epic new book, “The Oracle: The Jubilean Mysteries Unveiled,” is a No. 1 best-seller on several national and international book lists.

“The Oracle,” which promises to reveal the “mystery of the ages”—and of Donald Trump, the White House and more—is No. 1 in Hardcover Fiction on Publishers Weekly.

Cahn’s new groundbreaking book sales are unprecedented and have surpassed all of his previous books by achieving a double-ranking on the New York Times best-seller lists:

• No. 4 New York Times Hardcover Fiction
• No. 9 New York Times Combined Print & E-Book Fiction

“The Oracle” was also No. 1 in all fiction books as well as No. 2 of all books in the first 48 hours after release on Amazon.

In his new, highly anticipated book, Cahn opens up the Jubilean mysteries and a revelation so big that it lies behind everything from the rise and fall of nations and empires—even America—to the current events of our day, to future events, to the key of end-time prophecy and much more.

Additionally, Cahn’s newest, groundbreaking book is ranked on the following lists:

• No. 3—Wall Street Journal Best-Selling Books Hardcover Fiction
• No. 5—Wall Street Journal Best-Selling Books Fiction Combined (hardcover and e-book)
• No. 5—USA Today Best-Selling Books Top 150

“We are so honored to be working with one of the top authors in America,” said Marcos Perez, Publisher & Executive Vice President of Charisma House. “It is a blessing to enjoy this achievement with Jonathan on another of his amazing works. The content in ‘The Oracle’ is fascinating and truly mind-blowing. We look forward to the future impact this book will continue to make around the globe.”

Major newspapers around the country also listed “The Oracle” as a top seller and smash hit, including the New York Daily News, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune, Seattle Times and many others from Arizona to Florida.

Even before its Sept. 3 release, “The Oracle” also solidified itself as a best-seller in several Amazon categories and climbed all the way to No. 1 in Christian Prophecies, Christian Literature & Fiction, Religion, Biblical Studies and other categories. These rankings came weeks before the book’s debut and are still holding.

Cahn had a flurry of media appearances on shows such as CBN’s “700 Club,” TBN’s “Praise” and “Family Talk” with Dr. James Dobson. Cahn will continue radio and TV interviews throughout the fall season.

Though what’s revealed in “The Oracle” is real, as with Cahn’s other best-sellers, “The Harbinger” and “The Book of Mysteries,” everything is explained through a narrative, as Cahn takes readers on a journey to find the man called “the Oracle.” One by one, each of the Jubilean mysteries is revealed through the giving of a vision to a traveler. “The Oracle” uncovers the mysteries of The Stranger, The Lost City, The Land of Seven Wells, The Birds, The Number of the End, The Man in the Black Robe, The Prophet’s Song, The Man with the Measuring Line, The Matrix of Years, The Day of the Lions, The Awakening of the Dragon and many more. 

“The Oracle” reveals the secrets that drive world events and that lie behind the past, current events—even the White House—and the future. Throughout “The Oracle,” the reader is taken on a journey of angels and prophetic revelations waiting to be discovered behind each of the seven doors—the ancient secrets that lie behind the world-changing events of modern times—and events that are yet to come.

Jonathan Cahn caused a worldwide stir with the release of his explosive first book, “The Harbinger,” which became an instant New York Times best-seller and brought him to national and international prominence. His next three books were also New York Times best-sellers: “The Mystery of the Shemitah,” “The Book of Mysteries” and “The Paradigm.” He was named, along with Billy Graham and Keith Greene, one of the top 40 spiritual leaders of the past 40 years to have radically impacted the world. Called the prophetic voice of this generation, Cahn is a much-sought-after speaker and has been highlighted in the New York Times as well as in many national and international media. He has spoken on Capitol Hill, at the United Nations and to millions of people around the world. Cahn is known for opening the deep mysteries of Scripture and bringing forth messages of prophetic import. He leads Hope of the World ministry, an international outreach of teaching, evangelism and compassion projects for the world’s most needy. He also leads the Jerusalem Center/Beth Israel, a worship center made up of Jews and Gentiles, people of all backgrounds, just outside New York City in Wayne, New Jersey. His ministry can be contacted at HopeoftheWorld.org and Jonathan Cahn Facebook.

Visit TheOracleMystery.com. “The Oracle” is published by FrontLine, an imprint of Charisma House.

[NASHVILLE, TENN., September 23, 2019]  Jennifer Lyell has taught hundreds of children the Bible over the course of many years, observing what resonates with them. She firmly believes that young kids are capable of understanding God’s promises for themselves as they learn the stories of the Bible.

Lyell is set to release “The Promises of God Storybook Bible” (October 2019, B&H Publishing Group), an incredible, beautifully illustrated, Scripturally-faithful project designed for kids ages 4-8 but suitable for the entire family to read together.

“The Promises of God Storybook Bible” retells more than 50 key Bible stories in a conversational and whimsical way, letting children hear favorite stories with new ears while repeatedly assuring them that each word is proof of God’s unstoppable love and unbreakable promises to his people.

“Childlike faith is not a lesser faith. It is not an anemic understanding of God. It is an acceptance of who He has said He is, what He has said He will do and a willingness to accept the mystery of the realities of this world that we can’t fully reconcile here. The birth and growth of that faith is what I get to see each week and what the promises of God have taught me,” Lyell said.

“Out of the hundreds of children I’ve taught from the ages of 3 and up, I’ve never had a child hear all of these stories and not finish understanding that he or she is known by God, has a heart that can only be restored to God through Jesus and that for those who trust in Jesus, God’s promises will hold them forever!”

Lyell is active in her local church, where she teaches Sunday school to three-year-olds and says she finds her joy in those end-of-the-year Sunday school classes when the children teach it back to her. She is Director of Book Publishing and Merchandising at LifeWay Christian Resources and has led the acquisition, development and management of more than a dozen “New York Times” bestsellers, as well as multiple “Christianity Today” Book of the Year winners.  B&H is supporting the launch of “The Promises of God Storybook Bible” with a targeted media campaign, content and advertising campaign and resources to help families. The book is illustrated by Thanos Tsilis.

For more information, visit www.PromisesofGodStorybookBible.com.

Jennifer Lyell has taught hundreds of children the Bible over the course of many years and finds her joy in those end-of-the-year Sunday school classes when the children teach it back to her. Granted, teaching kiddos might be her passion, but it’s not her day job. For that she serves as Director of Book Publishing and Merchandising at LifeWay Christian Resources. The hundreds of titles that the books business team has acquired, developed or managed under Jennifer’s leadership include more than a dozen “New York Times” bestsellers, as well as multiple “Christianity Today” Book of the Year winners. Jennifer holds a Master of Divinity Degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, which is good because she has truly been asked questions by preschoolers that she wouldn’t have been able to answer without it! Jennifer is an often off-the-path hiker who is happiest when adventuring (just like a child!).

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources, is a team of mission minded people with a passion for taking God’s Word to the world. Because we believe Every Word Matters® we seek to provide intentional, Bible-centered content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, inspiring them to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. Among our print and digital releases for the trade, church and academic markets, titles include  “New York Times” No. 1 bestsellers “The Love Dare” and “The Vow,” No. 1 CBA bestseller “I Am a Church Member,” as well as the newly-revised Christian Standard Bible (CSB) version.

ECPA announces board reassignments:  Jeff Crosby to fulfill chair term

ECPA board chair Byron Williamson has decided to transition out of Hachette | Nashville, effective October 1. “I’m blessed in almost every way possible, among them the opportunity to serve on the board at least four times through decades past,” said Williamson. One year ago, Hachette acquired Worthy Publishing, founded by Williamson in 2009.

ECPA president Stan Jantz remarked, “I have known Byron for more than 40 years, and one of the joys of my Christian book career has been the last four years, when I have been privileged to follow his board leadership and vision for the expanding ministry of Christian publishing.”

The ECPA board has appointed vice-chair Jeff Crosby, publisher at InterVarsity Press, to serve as chair of ECPA, fulfilling the unexpired term of Byron Williamson, effective October 1. In addition, the board has appointed Dan Kok, SVP of Operations for Crossway, to fulfill the unexpired term of Jeff Crosby as vice-chair. Kok will continue to serve in his role as board secretary.  Dan Baker, COO of Baker Publishing Group, was appointed ECPA treasurer upon the resignation of Tim Murphy, former CFO of Urban Ministries, Inc.

BIRMINGHAM:  Iron Stream Media announces the release of Prized: Experience the Tender Love of the Savior (New Hope Publishers / September 9, 2019 / ISBN: 978-1-56309-247-3/ $12.99), the final written work by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.

If Jesus had come to earth as the most powerful earthly king, it would have been an unfathomable, humbling step downward. But He came to earth as a servant. On purpose. By choice. Why would He do that? What does He gain? What was the “joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2)? What did He have after the Cross that He didn’t have before the Cross? What did the Cross gain for Him? He gained you and me. Nothing else. Just us.

A thirty-day devotional, Prized paints a beautiful picture of the kindness and gentleness of Jesus. Pointing to both Old and New Testament passages, be encouraged as you see you were loved from the beginning. Christ came for you. You are His beloved. You are His prized possession. You were worth the price.

Sample Chapters

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Advance Praise

“Prized will draw you into the very heart of the Savior who loves you beyond measure. Jennifer gives us a fresh take on timeless truths, marrying solid wisdom and lyrical writing. Spend thirty days relishing the tender love of the Savior.”
—Jennifer Rothschild, author of Lessons I Learned in the Dark and Me Myself and Lies,
host of 4:13 podcast and Fresh Grounded Faith events

“For anyone who’s ever felt undeserving of God’s love, Jennifer Kennedy Dean opens a fresh page of encouragement in Prized: Experience the Tender Love of the Savior. With each reading, with each truth shared, you will not only experience God’s love for you, you will encounter the living words of Jesus as they speak to your heart.”
—Linda Evans Shepherd, author of When You Don’t Know What to Pray and When You Need to Move a Mountain

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About the Author
Jennifer Kennedy Dean was the executive director of the Praying Life Foundation and a respected author and speaker. Her numerous books, studies, and magazine articles specialized in prayer and spiritual formation, and her work Live a Praying Life® has been called a flagship work on prayer. With more than twenty-five published titles, some of her best-known works include Heart’s Cry, SEEK, Clothed with Power, Set Apart, Power in the Blood of Christ, Power in the Name of Jesus, Altar’d, and Conversations with the Most High, among others. Widely recognized as an unusually gifted communicator, Jennifer spoke all over the world, calling God’s people to discover the difference between a prayer life and a praying life. Jennifer served on numerous boards and committees for ministries focused on prayer and spiritual awakening. She will always be remembered as a respected voice in the area of prayer.

Media Inquiries: Meredith Dunn, Meredith@IronStreamMedia.com

Free call shares the power of group prayer with Jesus Calling readers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 11, 2019) – Jesus Calling by Sarah Young has sold more than 30 million units and touched an immeasurable number of lives. Jesus Calling readers share the devotional widely with friends, coworkers, family members, and more. Considering the sense of community that has grown from the devotional, Thomas Nelson announced today that it launched a new opportunity for people to connect through the Jesus Calling Weekly Prayer Call.

Every Tuesday morning, anyone in the United States can dial into a call to join members of the Jesus Calling team who will read from that day’s Jesus Calling devotion and related Scripture verses, share prayer requests, and pray with others. The call starts at 8 a.m. EST and typically lasts 10-15 minutes.  Prior to each week’s call, anyone can submit a personal prayer request through the Jesus Calling website.

“We’ve heard time and time again that readers of Jesus Calling love beginning their day with the devotional because it’s a heartfelt and impactful way to start the day on the right foot,” said Michael Aulisio, vice president of marketing for gift books, children’s books and new media at Thomas Nelson. “The weekly prayer call is a way for people to experience Jesus Calling in a community-focused way, to assure others they are not alone, and to share encouragement across the country.”

The Jesus Calling Weekly Prayer Call was inspired by a group of women at the Brookland Baptist Church in Columbia, S.C., who had organized a weekly prayer call around the church’s annual Woman’s Day. Each week before the event, the committee gathered for a weekly prayer call, where they would pray for the event, hear each other’s prayer concerns, and read a devotional passage from Jesus Calling. That story was shared on the Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith Podcast, and it was so compelling that the concept was expanded to reach readers on a national level.

Those who cannot dial in have the chance to stream the call by visiting www.jesuscalling.com/prayer-call.

About Thomas Nelson: Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational product 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, 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 visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Contact:  Stefanie Schroeder, Publicity Manager, 615.902.1722  Stefanie.schroeder@harpercollins.com

(Nashville, TN) September 12, 2019 —Today, HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) announced Gabriel Aviles as the new senior director of marketing for their Spanish Language Division.

Aviles comes to HCCP with more than 25 years of experience in marketing, brand development, content, and strategic consulting in the areas of music, television, film, and subscription video-on-demand.  Most recently, he served as the CEO and founder of the Fullblast Group, a marketing and business development consulting company serving a variety of industries.

In his new role with HCCP, Aviles will be responsible for cultivating strong author and agent relationships, stewarding the brand strategy, and creating strategic vision for Vida (Zondervan), Grupo (Thomas Nelson), and Clie imprints, as well as the Spanish Bible translations Reina Valera 1960 (RV60), Nueva Versión International (NVI), Reina Valera Revisada (RVR), and Biblia de Las Americas (LBLA).

“Gabriel is a dynamic leader with vast experience in brand development and creative story telling that will serve both our authors and our readers,” says Cris Garrido, vice president and publisher for HCCP’s Spanish team. “We are thrilled to have Gabriel at the helm of our Spanish marketing efforts.” 

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.