Celebrating God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity
Scripture informs parents and caretakers on how to celebrate, not tolerate, ethnic diversity for the beauty and glory of God

(Greensboro, NC) – In today’s racially-charged culture, the sins of racism, bigotry, and ethnic pride have manifested themselves in more ways than one, distorting God’s purposeful design of ethnic diversity. Both historically and in the present day, children have learned these social sins from family members, media, or peers.

Christian rapper Shai Linne is inviting parents and caregivers to see how the gospel offers a new way, not just for adults, but for children too. Through his beautifully illustrated children’s book, God Made Me and You: Celebrating God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity (New Growth Press), Linne challenges parents and caregivers to put on the mind of Christ, learning and living out a kingdom perspective of ethnic diversity through countercultural, biblical views that don’t just happen but, rather, are taught.

Through a lyrical, rhyming style; colorful illustrations; and a narrative taking place in a realistic classroom setting, Linne demonstrates how parents, teachers, and caregivers can start important conversations with their children. In the book, children are teasing one another about the color of their skin, and a teacher helps them understand how and why ethnic differences are to be celebrated—not made fun of or even just tolerated.

God Made Me and You is geared toward children ages five through eleven and fosters an environment of respect, love modeled in Scripture, and a lifelong embrace and pursuit of diversity. Linne even includes a final page for adult readers, outlining six ways to help children appreciate God’s design for ethnic diversity.

“Be hopeful for a future where the Spirit will break down barriers between people of different ethnic backgrounds,” he writes. “Let your children know through your words, attitudes, and actions that you believe God is at work in our world, drawing his people to himself and making us one in answer to his prayer” (John 17:20–26).

Throughout the children’s book, Linne uses Scripture to celebrate diversity, including passages such as Revelation 7:9–10, which clearly illustrate God’s ultimate purpose in the gospel: a redeemed, ethnically diverse community of worshipers praising God for all eternity.

“God was intentional in the ways he made us to differ from each other,” Linne notes. “Like the facets of a jewel, the glory of God shines all the more brightly as the light of his gospel is reflected through different vessels.”

By teaching children to adopt a kingdom mindset of ethnic diversity for the glory of God, Linne points out how families are enriched and able to see God shine in particular ways that would have otherwise been lost without diversity (Ephesians 2:14–19).

Together, parents and children can write God’s purposeful and beautiful design for ethnic diversity on their hearts, singing out, “We’ll no longer view our distinctions as odd, but rather, more reasons to give praise to God. Together forever with saints of all kinds—this is exactly what God has designed.”

God Made Me and You is the second book in the God Made Me series, beginning with God Made All of Me by Justin and Lindsay Holcomb, a book aiming to teach children how to protect their bodies and recognize and report sexual abuse. All previously published and yet-to-be released books in this series focus on providing a biblical guide for parents to talk about important topics with their children.

Shai Linne is a recording artist who has released numerous acclaimed Christian hip-hop albums, including The Atonement and The Attributes of God. After completing a pastoral internship at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC, Shai cofounded Risen Christ Fellowship, an inner-city church in his hometown of Philadelphia, PA. Shai is the author of God Made Me and You: Celebrating God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity and coauthor of It Was Good: Making Music to the Glory of God. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Blair, and their three children, Sage, Maya, and Ezra.

Trish Mahoney is a graphic designer and illustrator in Seattle where she runs The Mahoney Studio with her husband, Patrick, also a designer and illustrator. They have two children— both budding artists too. Trish is also the illustrator for God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies and The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible.

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

WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different from Us (and Why That’s a Good Thing) (Crossway, April 2016) has surpassed 100,000 units in print sales.

In the book, Wilkin explores 10 attributes of God that humans do not share— including power, knowledge, and authority—encouraging readers to embrace their limitations in light of a limitless God. These limitations, according to None Like Him, are actually a good thing, freeing finite humans from striving to be more than they were created to be.

“We must recover the truth that was obscured by the Serpent: rather than being like God in his unlimited divinity, we are to be like God in our limited humanity,” writes Wilkin. “We are capable of bearing his image as we were intended only when we embrace our limits. Image bearing means becoming fully human, not becoming divine. It means reflecting as a limited being the perfections of a limitless God.”

Available in both paperback and ebook formats, None Like Him has received commendations from Matt Chandler (pastor of The Village Church in Dallas), Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth (host of Revive Our Hearts), Hannah Anderson (author of Humble Roots), and many others.

Publishers Weekly writes, “As [Wilkin] compares human flaws and weaknesses with God’s steady and unchangeable characteristics, readers of faith will be reinvigorated by the assurance of God’s unvarying, all-encompassing nature.”

“Jen Wilkin is an outstanding writer and a gifted theologian,” notes Crossway’s Publisher for Books, Justin Taylor. “We are delighted to see readers respond with such enthusiasm to her work on understanding the attributes of God and why they matter for everyday life.”

Wilkin is also the author of Women of the Word (Crossway, July 2014), which has sold more than 200,000 copies, and In His Image (Crossway, May 2018), the newly available sequel to None Like Him. For more information about the author, visit jenwilkin.net.

Jen Wilkin is a speaker, writer, and teacher of women’s Bible studies. She has a background in women’s ministry, and has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. She is the author of Women of the Word and In His Image. jenwilkin.net @jenniferwilkin facebook.com/wilkinjen

Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-centered content, to honor our Savior and serve his Church. Crossway seeks to help people understand the all-encompassing implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s Word—for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God alone. Crossway is the global publisher of the ESV® (English Standard Version®) Bible, more than 1,000 Christian books, and an extensive list of gospel literature. For additional information, visit crossway.org.

Contact:  Lauren Harvey • lharvey@crossway.org (630) 682-4300, ext. 6031 • crossway.org

Cover Expressions will allow customers to create customized Bible covers to celebrate life’s most important events

CAROL STREAM, ILL. (July 12, 2018) – Tyndale House Publishers has announced Cover Expressions — www.coverexpressions.com — an innovative Bible program that will afford consumers the ability to create customized Bible covers to celebrate life’s most important events.

Comments Jeff Johnson, President and COO of Tyndale House, “It’s easy to remember the times when the gift of a Bible marked an important moment in your life: graduation, weddings, birth of a child, military service, or retirement. With Cover Expressions, creating a custom Bible has never been easier, from selecting the right Bible edition for the occasion, to designing a cover with ready-to-use templates, to creating a unique design using personal photos and artwork. The Bible is the ultimate gift and  blessing for every age and stage of life, and now anyone can create covers that express what’s in their heart with Cover Expressions.”

Cover Expressions Bibles are offered in a variety of bindings in multiple translations: the New Living Translation, the King James Version, The Message and the Spanish Bible, Nueva Tradiccion Viviente. A Journaling Bible with margins for notes and coloring is also available as well as a Children’s Story Bible for early readers.

“The mission of Tyndale House is to minister to the spiritual needs of people,” Johnson states. “Providing gift Bibles with customizable covers is an extension of our corporate purpose.”

Tyndale House Publishers, founded in 1962, is the world’s largest privately held Christian publisher of books, Bibles, and digital media. Tyndale has published many New York Times bestsellers. The largest portion of its profit goes to the nonprofit Tyndale House Foundation, which makes grants to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world. Tyndale was founded to publish Living Letters, which later comprised part of The Living Bible, a contemporary paraphrase of the Bible that became a global publishing phenomenon. Tyndale now publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), the translation of choice for millions of people.

Ada, Mich. (July 16, 2018)—Baker Publishing Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrea Doering to the position of editorial director for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Doering joined the Revell team in 2007 as a senior acquisitions editor with more than 15 years of experience in the publishing industry. Since that time, she has helped the Revell division grow with a number of strong acquisitions, including authors such as Kay Warren, Lisa Bevere, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Ted Dekker. Before joining Revell, Doering served as editor-in-chief of Crossings Book Club, where she was responsible for editorial direction and book selection for the second largest book club in the country.

“Andrea has proven herself as an exceptionally talented and insightful editor who’s also a strategic thinker with a strong vision for the Revell division,” said Jennifer Leep, executive vice president of trade publishing. “We look forward to seeing the Revell team thrive under Andrea’s capable leadership moving forward.”

Doering will continue to work from her home office in New York.

Revell has a passion for providing books that inspire and equip readers, offering them hope and help for daily life.

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.

Contact: Lynnae Lubbers  (616)676-9185 x193  llubbers@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Grace-Based Help and Hope for Issues Every Child Faces
Applying biblical truth to specific issues children face today encourages young readers toward a growing relationship with Jesus

Greensboro, NC—Young children are just as likely to experience deeply rooted anxiety, fear, anger, and the many effects of failure as the adults in their lives. Living by faith and turning to Jesus in the midst of difficult circumstances is a challenge for adults and children alike, so how do we equip children so they can apply biblical truth to the specific issues in their lives, growing in their individual relationships with Jesus no matter what hardships they face?

Good News for Little Hearts (October 8, 2018), a book series edited by David Powlison and Edward T. Welch and illustrated by Joe Hox, aims to provide that grace-based help for young children. The series of hardback, full-color illustrated children’s books are geared toward three- to eight-year-olds, and each story focuses on an animal family facing real-life issues. Through each struggle or hardship outlined in the individual stories, the characters model hope in Jesus, bringing gospel help and biblical counsel to families. Parents and caretakers are encouraged to enter into meaningful conversations with their kids, teaching them to live by faith in the details of everyday life.

The last page of each book contains information for parents on how to use God’s Word to help children apply biblical, gospel-based truths to specific issues. Enriching for both parents and children, the Good News for Little Heartsseries is based on the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation’s (CCEF) model of hope and help that encourages a growing relationship with Jesus.

Edited by David Powlison, Zoe’s Hiding Place: When You Are Anxious is the story of Zoe, a fearful mouse who is worried about a class trip and learns that God is her hiding place in times of fear and trouble. She learns to turn each fear into a prayer, remembering that Jesus is always near—her refuge in times of trouble – a better refuge than even her purple quilt.

Jax’s Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry, also edited by Powlison, is the story of Jax and his squirrel family who are all gathering acorns for the winter. While they are working together, each member of the family has to deal with his or her own frustration and anger when things don’t go they way they want. As they recognizing the roots of their anger, each member of the family, led by Papa Squirrel, also remembers God’s kindness to those who break the rules, and they ask forgiveness, making room for love and restored relationships.

Edited by Edward T. Welch, Buster’s Ears Trip Him Up: When You Fail is the story of Buster, a lop-eared bunny, who thinks he is the fastest bunny at camp, but unexpectedly loses his race. His older sister, Ivy, helps him think about failure from God’s perspective, and he remembers where his identity is found and what the Bible says about his failure.

Each story in the Good News for Little Hearts series helps children process challenging situations through a biblical lens, demonstrating practical ways to follow Jesus in the midst of hardship. Instead of moralism, each book focuses on grace and the hope we have in Jesus, not an ability to change on our own or a desire to change behavior alone. Each character depends on Jesus and, in turning to him, lives by faith.

Through the animal characters, colorful illustrations, and real-life issues each animal family faces, young readers will be captivated throughout the stories, paving the way for Christ-centered conversations on important topics.

David Powlison, MDiv, PhD, is Executive Director of Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) as well as a CCEF faculty member and Senior Editor of the Journal of Biblical Counseling. He holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as an MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary. David has been counseling for over thirty years and has written numerous articles on biblical counseling and on the relationship between faith and psychology. His books include Speaking Truth in Love; Seeing with New Eyes; Power Encounters: Reclaiming Spiritual Warfare; The Biblical Counseling Movement: History and Context, and God’s Grace in Your Suffering. He is also the author of numerous minibooks.

Edward T. Welch, MDiv, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He earned a PhD in counseling  (neuropsychology) from the University of Utah and has a Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Theological Seminary. Ed has been counseling for over thirty years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear, and addictions. His biblical counseling books include When People Are Big and God Is Small; Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness; Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Addiction; Running Scared; and A Small Book about a Big Problem: Meditations on Anger, Patience, and Peace.

New Growth Press publishes gospel-centered Christian books, small group, and children’s Bible resources for discipleship, biblical counseling, and missional ministry.

As of August 1, 2018, the corporate offices of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company will relocate to 4035 Park East Court SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546.

In March of this year, Eerdmans relocated all its stock to LSC in Plainfield, Indiana. LSC now handles all warehousing and distribution for the publishing company.

“We really felt LSC was the best option for warehousing and distribution to best serve our customers’ needs. They have been terrific to work with and we expect a lasting relationship,” says Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tracy Danz.

Without the need for on-site warehousing space, Eerdmans will move to a more efficient office space that better accommodates the company.

“Moving is always hard work,” said Anita Eerdmans, President and Publisher, “but we think our new workspace will help our people focus effectively on our core tasks in editorial, design, marketing, and sales for years to come.”

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, founded in 1911 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a leading independent publisher of religious books ranging from academic books and reference works in theology, biblical studies, and religious history to popular titles in spirituality, social and cultural criticism, and literature. Along with award-winning titles such as Fleming Rutledge’s The Crucifixion, bestsellers like John Fea’s Believe Me, and several highly regarded Bible commentary series, the company is also known for the high-quality picture books and middle-grade novels published under its Eerdmans Books for Young Readers imprint. The EBYR list includes award-winning titles such as Plume, A River of Words, and The Right Word.

Minneapolis, MN (July 3, 2018) – BroadStreet Publishing® is excited to announce the release of the new unabridged audio edition of The Passion Translation: The New Testament (2nd Edition): with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs.

The audio version, narrated by lead translator Brian Simmons, officially released June 22, 2018, and is currently ranked the #1 bestseller on Amazon in Christian Bibles. The audio book is available for purchase on Audible and iTunes!

The Passion Translation is a new, heart-level Bible translation that expresses God’s fiery heart of love, merging the emotion and life-changing truth of God’s Word. The goal of this translation is to trigger inside every listener an overwhelming response to the truth of the Bible, unfolding the deep mysteries of the Scriptures in the love language of God.

Bible features include:

• In-depth footnotes with insightful study notes, commentary, word studies, cross references, and alternate translations
• Extensive introductions and outlines for each book

Sample Scriptures from The Passion Translation:

• “All you thirsty ones, come to me! Come to me and drink! Believe in me so that rivers of living water will burst out from within you, flowing from your innermost being just like the Scripture says!”
  John 7:37-38
• Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart.
  Psalm 5:3
• I continue to pray for your love to grow and increase more and more until it overflows, bringing you into the rich revelation of spiritual insight in all things. And with this revelation you will come to know God fully as he imparts to you the deepest understanding of his ways.
  Philippians 1:9

BroadStreet Publishing released the second edition of The New Testament with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs in March 2018. Next to release is Isaiah in November 2018, followed by Genesis in the fall of 2019. The full Bible is projected to be complete by 2024!

For more information or exciting updates about The Passion Translation, please visit thepassiontranslation.com.

 

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – If We Make It Home by Christina Suzann Nelson has been named as a 2018 Carol Award finalist in the debut category.

Liar’s Winter by Cindy Sproles is honored as a finalist in the historical category. Both titles are published by Kregel Publications

Awakened by Morgan L. Busse from Enclave Publishing garnered a spot in the finals in the speculative category.

The Carol Awards, hosted by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), recognize the best Christian fiction published by traditional publishing houses in the previous calendar year.

The winners will be announced during the gala awards dinner in Nashville as part of ACFW’s annual conference. A complete list of finalists can be found on their website: https://www.acfw.com/carol/carol_award_finalists_2018.

Enclave Publishing is a small independent press that is built around the power of great stories which explore the boundaries of the imagination, while championing powerful expressions of redemption, truth, and hope.

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

June 30, 2018, Palm Bay, FL — In a live video event, host Rachel Hauck, an executive board member of American Christian Fiction Writers, announced the 2018 finalists for ACFW’s 2018 Carol Awards, a premier Christian fiction recognition for books published in the previous calendar year. The Carol Award winners will be presented their honors during the gala awards dinner on September 22, 2018, in Nashville as part of ACFW’s annual conference, which will feature Debbie Macomber as keynote speaker.  https://www.acfw.com/conference/

ACFW encourages retailers, librarians, book club coordinators, and avid Christian fiction readers to start here when looking for recommended reading. ACFW 2018 Carol Award finalists are:

Contemporary

• Maybe It’s You by Candace Calvert, Tyndale House, editors Sarah Rische and Jan Stob
• The Long Highway Home by Elizabeth Musser, ACFW Qualified Independently Published, editor LB Norton
• A Fragile Hope by Cynthia Ruchti, Abingdon Press, editors Jamie Chavez and Ramona Richards

Historical

• Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson, Tyndale House, editors Stephanie Broene and Sarah Rische
• A Plain Leaving by Leslie Gould, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Dave Long and Jennifer Veilleux
• Liar’s Winter by Cindy Sproles, Kregel Publications, editor Dawn Anderson

Historical Romance

• A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Karen Schurrer
• The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editor Shannon Marchese
• Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Jessica Barnes and Dave Long

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

• Four Months in Cuba by Luana Ehrlich, ACFW Qualified Independently Published, editors Pat Brown and Jodi Shumway
• Ghost Heart by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry, ACFW Qualified Independently Published, editor Ellen Tarver
• Portrait of Vengeance by Carrie Stuart Parks, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Amanda Bostic and Erin Healy

Novella

• Puzzle House by Lillian Duncan, Harbourlight Books (Pelican), editor Jamie West
• An Awakened Heart by Jody Hedlund, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Dave Long
• One Enchanted Noel from Enchanted: A Christmas Collection by Melissa Tagg, ACFW Qualified Independently Published, editor Terri Simmons

Romance

• A New Shade of Summer by Nicole Deese, Waterfall Press, editors Amy Hosford and Sheryl Zajechowski
• Then There Was You by Kara Isaac, ACFW Qualified Independently Published, editors Iola Goulton and Halee Matthews
• A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Andrea Doering and Kristin Kornoelje

Romantic Suspense

• Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Lonnie Hull DuPont and Kristin Kornoelje
• Fatal Mistake by Susan Sleeman, Faith Words (Hachette), editor Christina Boys
• The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Raela Schoenherr

Short Novel

• Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Ami McConnell Abston and Becky Philpott
• A Sweetwater River Romance by Misty M. Beller, ACFW Qualified Independently Published, editor Robin Patchen
• Claiming Her Cowboy by Tina Radcliffe, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editors Melissa Endlich and Giselle Regus

Speculative

• Awakened by Morgan L. Busse, Enclave Publishing, editor Reagen Reed
• Huntress by Julie Hall, Independently Published, editor Rachel Starr Thomson
• King’s Blood by Jill Williamson, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Dave Long and Elisa Tally

Young Adult

• For Love & Honor by Jody Hedlund, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Sara Bierling
• Playing by Heart by Carmela Martino, Vinspire Publishing, editor Dawn Carrington
• Betrayal of the Band by Sarah Tipton, Watershed Books (Pelican Book Group), editor Jamie West

Debut

• Freedom’s Ring by Heidi Chiavaroli, Tyndale House, editors Caleb Sjogren and Jan Stob
• If We Make It Home by Christina Suzann Nelson, Kregel Publications, editor Dawn Anderson
• Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Barbara Barnes and Vicki Crumpton

ACFW’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award will also be given at the annual conference awards gala in September. This year’s recipient is prolific author, speaker, and beloved storyteller, Liz Curtis Higgs. Liz’s contributions to Christian fiction, to encouraging other writers, and to enhancing readers’ understanding of the power of story leads to this honor.

Additional honors to be awarded at the gala include Editor of the Year and Agent of the Year. The nominees are:

ACFW 2018 Agent of the Year Finalists

• Julie Gwinn – The Seymour Agency
• Jim Hart – Hartline Literary Agency
• Natasha Kern – The Natasha Kern Literary Agency

2018 ACFW Editor of the Year Finalists

• Kelsey Bowen – Revell, a Division of Baker Publishing Group
• Andrea Doering – Revell, A Division of Baker Publishing Group
• Robin Patchen – Robin’s Red Pen (freelance)

Complete lists of these and the Genesis Contest finalists (unpublished) are available at https://www.acfw.com/contests/.

ACFW is a professional organization devoted to the craft of Christian Fiction. ACFW’s mission is to empower Christian novelists by inspiring them to join with God in the creative process, training them in the craft, and educating them in the publishing industry. For more information about ACFW, contact acfwrelations@acfw.com or www.acfw.com.