Experience the hope, peace, and joy of the Christmas season

BIRMINGHAM: New Hope Publishers announces the repackage and relaunch of the Christmastime classic, Pursuing the Christ, by best-selling author Jennifer Kennedy Dean. (New Hope/October 1, 2018/ ISBN: 978-1-56309-085-1/$12.99). Already a beloved holiday read, Pursuing the Christ, a thirty-one-day devotional and prayer guide, will help you step away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and experience the hope, peace, and joy Christ intended for this season. Each short daily reading is filled with profound and thought-provoking insights on familiar Christmas verses and some possibly not-so-familiar Messianic passages to help you celebrate the precious gift of Christmas—Jesus Christ—in new and richer ways.

Learn more about Jennifer and Pursuing the Christ. 

Advance Praise

“Jennifer Kennedy Dean has provided an elegant, yet down-to-earth resource to prepare your heart for the coming of the Christ child this Advent season. This thought-provoking invitation to prayer has had a profound and holy effect on my approach to the moment when love came down and the Son of God came to dwell among us.” —Cynthia Ruchti, author of twenty-three books, including An Endless Christmas and Restoring Christmas

“By far my favorite Christmas devotional of all time. Jennifer Kennedy Dean has created an evocative, spiritually rich, intellectually rigorous, emotionally satisfying read. Every entry is unique and engaging, drawing the reader closer to Jesus.” —Tessa Afshar, award-winning author of Land of Silence, Pearl in the Sand, and Harvest of Gold

“Jennifer Kennedy Dean gifts readers with winsome prose and deeply satisfying reminders of the audacious Gift of Jesus Christ. Succinct devotions wrapped in sound teaching underwriting the meaning of Christmas and the hope He brings to a desperate world.” —Julie Barnhill, author, speaker

About the Author

Jennifer Kennedy Dean is executive director of The Praying Life Foundation, a bestselling author, and a respected speaker. She is the author of numerous books, studies, and magazine articles specializing in prayer and spiritual growth.  Her book Heart’s Cry has been named National Day of Prayer’s recommended resource. Her bestselling Bible study, Live a Praying Life^®, has been called a flagship work on prayer. Widely recognized as an unusually gifted communicator of the deep truths of God’s Word, Jennifer speaks all over the world, calling God’s people to discover the difference between “a prayer life” and “a praying life.” Jennifer is the author of such books as Clothed with Power, Set Apart, Power in the Blood of Christ, Power in the Name of Jesus, Altar’d, and Secrets Jesus Shared. She is a board member for Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, a member of America’s National Prayer Committee, a member of National Professional Women Association, and national prayer director and board member for Christian Women in Media.

Learn more about Jennifer Kennedy Dean. 

To request a review copy of Pursuing the Christ, to schedule an interview with Jennifer, or for more information, please contact Meredith Dunn, Meredith@NewHopePublishers.com. 

Grand Rapids, Mich., Oct. 4, 2018 – Veteran TV and film actor, Dondré Whitfield, will release his debut book in the spring of 2020 with Zondervan. Whitfield is represented by Leticia Gomez of Savvy Literary Services in association with Ascendant Group. World rights were acquired by Zondervan acquisitions editor Andy Rogers. 

As a husband, father and relationship coach, Whitfield says manhood is more than a code of behavior and standards. His upcoming release shows how faith serves as the divine model for manhood, as it never acts out of flesh or self-interest. Whitfield will expose the debilitating myths, reverse the negative trends, shatter stereotypes, and spark conversations that will empower males to help the women and children in their lives find their place of peace and purpose.

Passionate about helping address the challenges and pressures of masculine identity in the 21st century, Whitfield is also the co-creator of The Manhood Tour, a global movement committed to awakening the consciousness of men, giving them the keys to effective and impactful leadership, and teaching them how to tap into their talents and live them in the highest degree.

Dondré T. Whitfield is a three-time Emmy nominee best known for his role as Remy Newell on the critically acclaimed series “Queen Sugar,” created and produced by Golden Globe-nominee Ava DuVernay and co-executive produced by Oprah Winfrey on the OWN Network. Whitfield’s career spans over a quarter century and he has appeared with such industry heavyweights as John Travolta, Helen Mirren, David Oyelowo, Michael B. Jordan and Kevin Hart. Whitfield and his wife, actress and director Salli Richardson-Whitfield, live in Los Angeles with their two children.

Zondervan is a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications.  Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich.  For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

Contact: Robin Barnett, 616-698-3251, robin.barnett@harpercollins.com

Grand Rapids, Mich. (October 1, 2018)—Credo Communications is pleased to announce that Karen Neumair is promoted to the position of chief operating officer effective immediately. Neumair’s agenting responsibilities will continue at the company in Grand Rapids and will expand to include agency innovation, staff development, strategic author acquisitions, and oversight of publisher relations.

Neumair joined the company in 2009 as literary agent and was promoted to senior literary agent four years later. She has been a catalyst for explosive growth in the company’s nonfiction department over the last nine years.

“I am pleased to honor Karen’s record of excellence and well-earned reputation for developing flourishing, enduring partnerships with our many authors and publishers. Her new responsibilities will allow Karen to apply her many gifts in greater strategic support of our team and our core markets as the company continues to expand its expertise and influence worldwide,” said Tim Beals, Credo president and CEO.

Credo Communications is a premier literary agency that represents some of the leading Christian thinkers and writers addressing a wide range of needs and interests by faithfully communicating the hope of the gospel message. Credo is directed by the Spirit, distinguished by excellence, and driven by results.

Discover the rich wisdom of voices from the past and present with the NKJV Ancient-Modern Bible 
Beautiful interior design includes exclusive Thomas Nelson NKJV Comfort Print®

Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 28, 2018 – Many things have changed in the last two-thousand years—but the good news of Jesus Christ isn’t one of them.

The NKJV Ancient-Modern Bible is an opportunity for readers to experience the Word of God with fresh eyes, as members of the global and historical community of faith.

A Bible that has been two thousand years in the making, the NKJV Ancient-Modern Bible features all-new book introductions, articles, and commentary from voices both ancient and modern to help readers experience the Word of God as never before. Read the Bible alongside Augustine, Luther, Graham, and others—and discover the rich wisdom of ages past and present, which is the rightful inheritance of every follower of Christ.

“Christians are members of a unique community with a unique text,” says Daniel Marrs, publisher, Thomas Nelson Bible Group. “The church and the Bible are at once ancient and modern, sacred and everyday. The NKJV Ancient-Modern Bible uniquely embodies those realities, through both design and content. Beautiful modern typography and design standards blend seamlessly with sacred art and the insights of Christian thinkers, both past and present, to create a Bible that presents Scripture as holy and unique while speaking accessibly to today’s Christian.”

Grand Rapids, Mich., Sept. 24, 2018 – Sara Hagerty, author of Every Bitter Thing is Sweet and Unseen, has signed a new two-book contract with Zondervan. The first title in the contract, Adore, is set to release in 2020. Hagerty is represented by Mike Salisbury with Yates & Yates and world rights were acquired by Zondervan associate publisher Stephanie Smith.

In Adore, Hagerty invites readers to experience the presence of an unconventional God in the midst of the grit of life through a simple, daily practice.She gives readers a starting place for adoration with thirty attributes of God with which we followers of Him wrestle to see.

Sara is a wife to Nate and a mother of six whose arms stretched wide across the expanse between the United States and Africa. After almost a decade of Christian life she was introduced to pain and perplexity and, ultimately, intimacy with Jesus. God met her and moved her when life stopped working for her. And out of the overflow of this perplexity, came her writing, both on her blog and in her books – Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet and Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World that Loves to be Noticed.

Zondervan is a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications.  Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich.  For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

NEW KENSINGTON, PA, September 20, 2018 – Whitaker Corporation announced today that John Whitaker, vice president of Anchor Distributors, has moved with his family to California and stepped down from day-to-day operations at Anchor.

“It’s hard to express how much it has meant for my brother John to have been a part of Whitaker Corporation for all these years,” said Bob Whitaker Jr., president of Whitaker Corporation. The two have worked side by side since 1992 under the tutelage of their late father, Bob Whitaker Sr., the corporation’s founder and former president.

Karen Fulton, who has served as John’s assistant for the last six years, has assumed his responsibilities as the new director of operations.

“Karen has been involved in every aspect of the business at Anchor since she started working here and is a natural fit to assume this role,” said Bob Whitaker.

Prior to joining Whitaker Corporation in April 2012, Fulton served as vice president of Hope & Passion Ministries in Irwin, Pennsylvania. A Fulbright scholar, she attended Kent State University.

With headquarters just east of Pittsburgh, Whitaker Corporation is comprised of Whitaker House, Anchor Distributors, Whitaker House Español, Word Alive Canada, and Smart Kidz Books. A Christian, family-run business established in 1976, it is dedicated to proclaiming the gospel to the lost and flooding the world with life-changing media of eternal value.

(Phoenix, AZ) Steve Laube, president of The Steve Laube Agency, has announced the hiring of Thomas Umstattd, Jr. to become a new Literary Agent.

For many years Thomas helped authors build their web sites via his Author Media company. When he was the marketing director for Enclave Publishing their sales doubled in 18 months. He most recently worked as the Marketing Director for Fahrenheit Marketing which focused on brand development for both corporations and individuals. He is a veteran podcaster with multiple shows including the very popular “Novel Marketing” co-hosted by Jim Rubart.

Thomas is a regular speaker and has spoken at dozens of writers conferences all over the world (including Scotland, Canada and Hawaii). In addition he used a successful Kickstarter campaign to publish his book Courtship in Crisis.

“We continually to look for ways to increase the services our agency provides to current and potential clients,” Steve Laube said. “I have known Thomas for 12 years and by adding him to our agency we can expand our role in helping to maximize our client’s sales through his extensive experience in marketing, branding, and technology. Thomas’ strengths are his understanding of book marketing and what it takes to market yourself as an author. His work enables our authors to fulfill our mission to help change the world, word by word.”

Founded in 2004, The Steve Laube Agency has had a profound impact through managing over 300 authors and securing publishing contracts for over 1,600 new books. These include bestselling titles from authors like Lisa Bergren, Nancy Pearcey, William Lane Craig, Susan May Warren, Lynette Eason, A.W. Tozer, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Ronie Kendig, Deborah Raney, Stephen M. Miller, and Nadine Brandes.

Contact: Steve Laube, 602-336-8910, krichards@stevelaube.com

Busse’s “Awakened” Also Announced as Finalist for The Christy Award™

NASHVILLE (Sept. 24, 2018)—Gilead Publishing is pleased to announce that Awakened, the second title in Morgan L. Busse’s The Soul Chronicles series, has won a 2018 Carol Award for excellence in speculative fiction. The Carol Awards, hosted by ACFW, recognize the best Christian fiction published by traditional publishing houses in the previous calendar year. The award was presented at the American Christian Fiction Writers’ annual conference, held this year at the Opryland Resort in Nashville.

“We are thrilled with Morgan Busse’s award,” said Steve Laube, publisher for Enclave, the speculative imprint of Gilead Publishing. “She is a gifted author and this award is well deserved.”

Awakened was edited by Reagen Reed, who also edited Tainted, the first book in Busse’s The Soul Chronicles. The series is a loose retelling of Frankenstein set in a Victorian-era steampunk world.

“I feel very blessed and couldn’t stop smiling all night!” Busse said.

Awakened is also a finalist for the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s The Christy Award™, the industry’s premiere award program for recognizing excellence in Christian fiction. The ECPA will announce the winners at The Christy Award Gala on Nov. 7 in Nashville.

About Gilead Publishing
Gilead Publishing is a new company started in 2016 whose purpose is to publish great fiction, which inspires and encourages readers through its imprints: Gilead (core Christian fiction categories), Enclave (sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural), and Evergreen Farm (titles from Catherine and Peter Marshall, including Christy).

About ACFW
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.

CONTACT: Katelyn S. Bolds, Marketing and Author Services Coordinator, Gilead Publishing,
katelyn@gileadpublishing.com

Now in its Sixth Year, ASCEND Continues to Feature Remarkable Women From Leadership, Non-Profit, Journalism & Entertainment

Event to be held on March 23, 2019 in Los Angeles

Orange County, CA – FrontGate Media, the award-winning faith-based marketing agency and media group, has announced the renewal of a multi-year partnership with the ASCEND Women’s Conference – www.AscendWomen.org – for exclusive representation of sponsorships and year-round emedia advertising opportunities.

An independently produced, non-denominational event, the sixth annual conference will be held on March 23, 2019 and will return to Bel Air Church in Los Angeles. ASCEND’s goal is to inspire, educate, and ignite the women of L.A. to grow in their faith, and to do all that God has purposed them to do so that women would be saved, set free, and His name glorified.

As in previous years, organizers promise another powerhouse lineup of speakers and talent including top authors,  international speakers, journalists, and television celebrities from around the U.S. and Hollywood. Previous events have brought in recognizable names including CeCe Winans, Wendy Williams, Lisa Osteen-Comes, April Osteen, Caroline Barnett, Star Parker and Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.

For more information, visit http://www.AscendWomen.org. Online ticketing will begin onNovember 1, ranging between $40 and $60 for General Admission, and $75 to $100 for VIP. Continental breakfast, coffee, and lunch are included with ticket purchase. Gifting tickets will also be available for purchase should anyone choose to donate a ticket for someone else less fortunate.

Company and ministry brands who are interested in partnership opportunities with ASCEND should contact FrontGate directly. A Media Kit outlining opportunities including commercial spots, display ads, exhibit booths, and more is available at FrontGateMedia.com.

About FrontGate Media
Award-winning FrontGate Media is the leading marketing agency and media group specializing in the faith and family audience.  With an 18-year track record of success, the firm serves as “Your Gateway to the Christian Audience.” FrontGate’s full-service agency and media group has been trusted with over 5,000 campaigns, providing Faith-based market Strategy Development, Public Relations, Social Media & Marketing, and Media Buying. FrontGate’s own Web & Events Network also provides reach to millions of people each month via their sites, events and email subscribers.  Founded in 2001, FrontGate has repeatedly been honored in the Internet Advertising Competition and the WebAwards. The company plays a key role in the success of for-profit and non-profit organizations seeking the faith-based and family-friendly audiences.http://FrontGateMedia.com

For more information about ASCEND or FrontGate, please contact: Lori Lenz-Heiselman, FrontGate,
714-553-5181, Lori@FrontGateMedia.com

Imagine Zero.  Mobilizing the Local Church. Eliminating Bible Poverty for Everyone, Everywhere.

Dallas/Fort Worth, TX – In spite of the exponential explosion of data and unparalleled accessibility to information, there are an estimated 1.5 billion people around the world who still do not have a complete bible in their own heart language. Of the 7,000+ languages on the planet, only 670 have a complete translation of Scripture, and over 165 million people still do not have a single verse of Scripture in their native tongue.

So to “imagine zero people in need of God’s Word” seems an impossibility, but this mantra of the Seed Company is edging closer to becoming a reality. Celebrating 25 years of service dedicated to the translation of Scripture and the transformation of lives around the globe, Seed Company has launched a new initiative entitled Imagine Zero. With the mobilization and support of the local church, leaders aim to accelerate the translation of Scripture and eliminate bible poverty throughout the world within the next decade.

To achieve their objective, the Seed Company has convened summits in 15 cities around the country thus far this year and is slated to take the message of Imagine Zero to at least 10 remaining cities beginning in September this fall. In every location, leaders are anticipating the historical moment when Scripture will be available to every language group on Earth. During each 3 ½ hour session, pastors and other local church leaders are introduced to exclusive, Seed Company-commissioned research from Barna Group –Translating the Great Commission and participate in discussions on how they can better energize their congregations, better understand the millennial generation, and better work together to make sure life transformation takes place through Scripture.

“Together, we discuss the implications of this research for our churches and the Gospel over the next decade and beyond,” states president and CEO of The Seed Company, Samuel Chiang. “This isn’t a conference – this is a summit of pastoral leaders in the community who are committed to helping others find and follow Jesus.”

While attendees must register at the Imagine Zero website, each summit is available free of charge to pastors and other church staff and will be conducted in round table discussions lasting from 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. A complimentary lunch is also included. Each summit is hosted and facilitated by author, speaker, and ministry leader, Mark Matlock. Mark is the founder and president of WisdomWorks Ministries, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals, churches, and faith-centered organizations leverage biblical wisdom. He has been working with youth pastors and students for over two decades and has spoken to over one million teenagers in his lifetime. Mark also currently serves on the Board of Directors for The American Bible Society.

“Imagine Zero is the channel for the church to bring the bible to every language within a decade, as well as increase bible reading in their own congregations. In many ways, this entire event is a gift to the church,” offers Matlock. “It doesn’t matter what size church you are, the insights that will be shared will be applicable to the specific local context of each congregation. We truly want every church leader to be able to personally experience Imagine Zero.”

Upcoming Imagine Zero Summits:

• Washington, D.C.
• Jacksonville, FL
• Atlanta, GA
• Indianapolis, IN
• Detroit, MI
• Minneapolis, MN
• Raleigh, NC
• Columbus, OH
• Houston, TX
• Fort Worth, TX

Visit www.imaginezero.com to learn more and register today.