Grand Rapids, MI—Baker Book House, a premiere independent Christian bookstore in West Michigan, offers a counterpoint to the recent announcement that LifeWay Christian Resources is closing all 170 of its bricks-and-mortar stores. Response to the closings has reverberated with predictions that all Christian bookstores are doomed to close.

Baker Book House, however, has seen sales increases for the last 24 out of 26 months, said manager Sue Smith.

“We saw a 35% percent gross sales increase since 2017,” said Smith. “For the fiscal year ending in April, the bookstore will achieve its highest sales revenue in 38 years of business on East Paris location.”

She attributes a wide selection of products based on customer feedback, investment in staff training and customer service, and investment in communal spaces throughout the store.

“We have become a destination store because we’ve put an emphasis on creating an atmosphere and product selection that customers really want,” said Smith. “We’re embracing technology to meet customer needs, but also retaining that indie bookstore feel.”

Baker Publishing Group, which owns Baker Book House, gives the store autonomy and the ability to adjust to customer needs quickly.

“We invest in our bookstore to fully serve this community,” said President/CEO Dwight Baker. “We recognize the unique impact of a Christian bookstore on the lives of believers.”

Baker Book House will expand its reach with a new website offering increased online selection, original content such as author interviews and blogs, and special pricing via promotions.

“Baker Book House has weathered the storm of bookstore closings through forward thinking, customer-centric service, and nimble decision-making,” said Smith. “Indie bookstores have this ability and those that do so can draw customers and keep their doors open.”

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Director of Marketing, Becca Niswonger at becca.niswonger@bakerbookhouse.com or 616-957-3110.

About Baker Book House
Baker Book House was founded in 1939, when Herman Baker started the store with 500 books from his personal library. Baker is known world-wide for a deep selection of Christian titles, including new, used, and bargain books. Visit www.bakerbookhouse.com for more information.

Contact:  Becca Niswonger, Director of Marketing,
616-957-3110, becca.niswonger@bakerbookhouse.com

Iron Stream Media is excited to announce the Iron Stream Media Podcast. Hosted by John Herring and Will Shingleton, the podcast features compelling conversations with Iron Stream Media authors.

The inaugural episode features Randy Hemphill, the author of the newly released The Restored Man. Sharing personal brokenness and hope in the process of restoration for men’s hearts, Randy engages and inspires men to take a deeper look at relationships, marriage, and the freedom that comes from allowing God to be the only One who defines and fills us in order to love others well.

Bradley Isbell, director of operations for Iron Stream Media, remarked, “We are excited about this opportunity for our authors to connect with their current audience and reach new audiences with their message.”

Season one includes conversations with foster care expert and advocate Dr. John DeGarmo, who offers practical insights and ways to get involved with foster care; sportswriter Del Duduit, who discusses many of the personal interviews he conducted with Major League Baseball players whose faith testimonies fill his devotional hit Dugout Devotions; prayer expert Jennifer Kennedy Dean, whose multitude of resources serve countless congregations, small groups, and individuals; and first-time author Rachael Dymski, author of Anxiety Interrupted.

“We make all of our company decisions based on our mission—make disciples as you go. We see the podcast as another avenue toward that mission. Not everyone is a reader—we may draw in a whole new audience with the opportunity to hear stories directly from our authors,” commented John Herring, Iron Stream Media CEO.

The Iron Stream Media podcast can be found on all podcast providers.

[NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 17, 2019)—] The New York Times No. 1 bestselling book “The Love Dare,” co-authored by award-winning filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, was featured in USA Today April 11: “Top 25 spiritual and inspirational nonfiction books from USA TODAY’s bestseller list.”

“The Love Dare” is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love and was a major plot device in the popular movie, “Fireproof,” directed by Alex Kendrick and co-written by Stephen Kendrick. USA Today notes that “The Love Dare” debuted on the bestseller list in 2008 after its release and has stayed on the list 65 weeks and reached No. 9.

“‘The Love Dare’ transformed my life years ago and in doing so, transformed my marriage. Putting the Lord first, then my husband, then everything else changed how I prayed, thought and acted,” writes one reviewer via The Love Dare Facebook page. “I was inspired two years ago to give this book to my neighbor and praised the Lord in watching how He transformed my neighbor’s marriage. Her husband’s heart had been closed off in anger towards God for many years, yet recently I’ve witnessed a healing, a peace within him. To God be the glory, great things He has done and is doing!”

“The Love Dare” hit No. 1 twice on The New York Times Paperback Advice & Misc. Best Seller List and stayed on the list 131 weeks, has been translated into nearly 20 languages and has received multiple awards and honors, including Evangelical Christian Publishing Association’s Platinum Award for one million sold, achieved within the first year of release.

“’The Love Dare’ has been an incredible blessing of a book since it released over 10 years ago,” said Jennifer Lyell, V.P. of Book Publishing and Merchandising. “It has impacted—and in many cases has helped save—millions of marriages. With over five million copies sold to date, it is showing no signs of slowing down, and we are grateful to see more from this resource in the years to come.”

B&H continues to support “The Love Dare” and its ancillary products as they minister to marriages and families around the world. The B&H team hears from readers on a daily basis who have been impacted by the book and film. One Facebook reviewer wrote, “Completing ‘The Love Dare’ was truly one of the hardest tests of emotional endurance I have faced. The outcome? An abundance of powerfully soul changing days, weeks and months.

“I now use my notes within my book to keep me in check as I continue my walk through life with my beautiful, wonderful wife. I find myself from time to time re-reading and re-daring myself, as sometimes I drift away from who I truly wish to be as a husband. ‘The Love Dare’ doesn’t have to be completed when in despair or your lowest point, it can be used even when we are strong; to continue to strengthen us in our ‘two becoming one.’”

For more information, visit bhpublishinggroup.com.

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.

[NASHVILLE, TENN., April 18, 2019—] —New Southern Baptist Convention president and bestselling author J.D. Greear will release his next book, “Above All: The Gospel Is the Source of the Church’s Renewal” (B&H Publishing), this June.

In “Above All,” pastor and author Greear argues that the most pressing need today is not new programs, strategies or messages, but a return to keeping the gospel message above all. When he was elected president in June 2018 at the SBC annual meeting, Greear stated his presidential theme as “Gospel Above All” and expressed a desire to reflect on the gospel “again and again” during his term. “Above All” is also the theme for the SBC annual meeting in June 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama.

“It is the gospel that is the source of our renewal, and it is the gospel that should be our defining characteristic as a people,” Greear said in his first presidential address to the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee at its fall meeting. “[The gospel] should be what people think about and talk about when they think and talk about us.”

Greear says Christians should “want to remember the greatness of the gospel in such a way that it becomes of first importance, above all else.” Thus the book is a roadmap for what this looks like in practice:

• Gospel Above All
• Gospel Change
• Gospel Mission
• Gospel Multiplication
• Gospel Hope
• Gospel Grace
• Gospel Above My Culture
• Gospel Above My Preferences
• Gospel Above My Politics

Greear is the pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh Durham, North Carolina, and is the author of several books, including “Not God Enough: Why Your Small God Leads to Big Problems,” “Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved” and “Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary.”

Greear was elected SBC president in June 2018 and is the youngest president in recent convention history. Greear is also the host of the national Moody Radio show, “Summit Life,” which reaches over two million people a day.

B&H is supporting the release of “Above All” with a nationwide media campaign, special deals for churches and individuals to buy the book in bulk and online incentives geared toward supporting the book to be read and shared. For more information, visit GospelAboveAllBook.com.

LifeWay also released an eight-session Bible study, “Gospel Above All” with a Leader Kit, member book and teen edition, all of which are available for purchase now on lifeway.com.

“Dr. Greear has consistently called his church to keep the gospel central to all they do. We’ve also seen this message from him as he has taken the helm as president of the Southern Baptist Convention,” said Jennifer Lyell, V.P. of Book Publishing and Merchandising. “Now, through these new resources, he lays out the blueprint through which we can all walk in such a way that the gospel is always central to every thought, decision and step in our lives.”

J.D. Greear (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is pastor of The Summit Church, a gospel-centered community of more than 10,000 in Raleigh Durham, North Carolina. J.D. is the author of several books, including “Not God Enough: Why Your Small God Leads to Big Problems” (2018), “Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved” (2013) and “Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary” (2011). In 2018, he was elected the 62nd president of the Southern Baptist Convention and the youngest in almost 40 years. J.D. and his wife Veronica live in Raleigh, where together they are raising four amazing kids, Kharis, Alethia, Ryah Layne and Adon.

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.

Elk Lake Publishing, Inc., in Plymouth, Mass., announces five books named finalists for the 2019 Selah Award in their categories at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (BRMCWC).  They are:

• Uninvited by Beckie Lindsey is a finalist in YA Fiction/Nonfiction
• Manhattan Grace by Clarice G. James in Women’s Contemporary Fiction
• Dangerous to Know by Megan Whitson Lee in Historical/Biblical Fiction
• Faith Is Not Silent Billie Fulton in Historical/Biblical Fiction
• Battle Buddies by Shelley Pierce in Middle-Grade Novels

Publisher Deb Haggerty states, “These books are wonderful examples of their genres, and I am very proud of the authors.”

For more information about Elk Lake Publishing Inc., contact Deb at Deb@ElkLakePublishingInc.com.

Phil Vischer’s Beloved ‘Buck Denver Asks . . . What’s in The Bible?’ Characters Star in New Collection of Kids Books Promoting Biblical Values

NASHVILLE, April 10, 2019 — FaithWords, a division of Hachette Book Group, and JellyTelly Press, a new division of JellyTelly, a values-driven, video-on-demand platform for children, is announcing a unique new collection of kids’ books this Easter.

Featuring VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer’s beloved characters, Buck Denver and Friends-stars of the popular Buck Denver Asks . . . What’s in the Bible? series-the new collection of board, picture, and coloring books is the very first offering from JellyTelly Press.

“Parents are actively looking for books that reinforce Biblical values while keeping children engaged, interested, and excited. We designed this collection with a passion to deliver on a promise to provide fresh options in a marketplace that is packed with books but offering surprisingly few new titles in the values-driven category,” said Erick Goss, CEO of JellyTelly. “For parents and grandparents looking to spend time with their children this Easter, and share a gift that will last a lifetime, this collection is literally the gift that keeps on giving. Our deepest thanks to Phil Vischer and Hannah Hall for creating truly spectacular storytime resources.”
The new collection of picture books written by Phil Vischer includes:

• Buck Denver’s Giant Robot Suit: A Lesson in Friendship
• Buck Denver’s Bad, Bad Day: A Lesson in Thankfulness 
• Buck Denver’s Hammer of Strength: A Lesson in Loving Others

The new collection of board books written by Hannah C. Hall-featuring belovedWhat’s in The Bible? brothers, Clive and Ian-includes:

• God Made the World
  
• God Made Night and Day
  
• God Made the Animals
  
• God Made Me

The JellyTelly Press launch collection also features two exciting coloring books:

• Buck Denver’s Bible Coloring Book: Old Testament Stories
  
• Buck Denver’s Bible Coloring Book: New Testament Stories

The book collection can be viewed and purchased at jellytelly.com or by clicking on this link.

About JellyTelly
JellyTelly (jellytelly.com) is a rapidly growing media company focused on helping Christian parents navigate the often-complicated world of parenting, spiritual formation, and raising great kids. Its transmedia properties include a subscription streaming video on demand platform for kids (JellyTelly TV), a resource-rich parents blog (JellyTelly Parents), a curated online store with the best books, toys, and videos for Christian families (JellyTelly Store), and now, an exciting publishing imprint focused on faith and values-based books for kids (JellyTelly Press). JellyTelly helps families experience the goodness of God and integrate faith into everyday life.

About FaithWords
FaithWords, a division of Hachette Book Group, is a leading publisher of books and resources for the inspirational Christian market. Bestselling authors include Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Joseph Prince, John C. Maxwell, and T.D. Jakes.

CONTACT:  323-379-5180, press@inspire.buzz

Austin Texas-based author Jennifer Fulwiler will receive a Christopher Award for One Beautiful Dream: The Rollicking Tale of Family Chaos, Personal passions, and Saying Yes to Them Both (Harper Collins/Zondervan). It is one of 11 books for adults and young people to be honored on May 23rd at the 70^th annual Christopher Awards in New York. The Christophers will also recognize creators of 9 feature films and TV/Cable programs.

She hosts a two-hour daily live radio show– The Jennifer Fulwiler Show–on SiriusXM channel 129, where she shares fresh takes on pop culture and the spiritual life. She describes herself as an extreme introvert who speaks all over the country and co-founded a women’s conference, Edel Gathering, that promotes spiritual renewal through good company and bad karaoke. Topics include living without limits, rethinking balance, and the spiritual life.

The Christopher Awards were created in 1949 to celebrate authors, illustrators, writers, producers and directors whose work “affirms the highest values of the human spirit.” A nonprofit organization founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, it is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of service to God and humanity. The ancient Chinese proverb—“It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”— guides its publishing, radio, and awards programs. Visit www.christophers.org for more information.

[NASHVILLE, TENN., April 12, 2019—] Award-winning singer-songwriter and author Andrew Peterson will release his first adult trade book, “Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making,” this fall (October 15, 2019, B&H Publishing).

“Adorning the Dark” is both a memoir of Peterson’s journey and an encouragement for artists, written in the hope that his story will provide practical tools to others stumbling along in pursuit of a calling to adorn the dark with the light of Christ.

Over the last 20 years, Peterson has performed thousands of concerts, published four novels, released ten albums, taught college and seminary classes on writing, founded a nonprofit ministry for Christians in the arts and executive-produced a film, all in a belief that “God calls us to proclaim the gospel and the coming kingdom using whatever gifts are at our disposal.”

“Adorning the Dark” deals first-hand with the intersection of songwriting, storytelling and vocation, along with nuts-and-bolts exploration of the great mystery of creativity. Peterson describes six principles for the writing life: serving the work, serving the audience, selectivity, discernment, discipline and community. Through stories from his journey, he shows how these principles are not merely helpful for writers and artists, but they are for anyone interested in imitating the way the Creator interacts with his creation.

“Twenty-five years ago I asked God to let me sing and write about him. I’m so grateful that he said yes,” Peterson said. “I started this book when I was in the thick of a new record and kept up with it for a few years, hoping that somehow this glimpse into the creative process would encourage others in whatever creative field they’re in–whether they’re songwriters or painters, parents or pastors. All of us are image-bearers, called to speak light into the darkness. It’s my prayer that whoever reads this book, whatever their gifting, would discover a fresh passion to cultivate, beautify and illuminate their corner of creation for God’s glory.”

Peterson is the author of the award-winning, bestselling series for young readers, “The Wingfeather Saga,” four fantasy-adventure novels that were later adapted into a short film. The second book in the series, “North! Or Be Eaten” (2009) won the Christy Award for Young Adult Fiction, and the fourth, “The Warden and the Wolf King” (2014) won Children’s Book of the Year in 2015 from “WORLD Magazine.”

In 2008, driven by a desire to cultivate a strong Christian arts community, Peterson founded a ministry called The Rabbit Room, which led to a yearly conference, countless concerts and symposiums, and Rabbit Room Press, which has published 30 books to date.

“Andrew Peterson’s musical influence on the church has been one of lyrics that stir the spirit God placed in each of us to long for more. We don’t have to set aside our reality to worship through Andrew’s music. In fact, it’s through our reality that God has used Andrew to stir our hearts to a place of understanding God more fully and worshiping him more deeply,” said Jennifer Lyell, V.P. of Book Publishing and Merchandising, B&H Publishing.

“Now, in ‘Adorning the Dark,’ Andrew brings that same giftedness to book form, taking us from the place of broken sinners yearning to make a difference to redeemed sinners able to create for the glory of God and the good of his bride. We are thrilled to be the publisher with the honor of stewarding this unparalleled, important work.”

For more information, visit bhpublishing.com.

Andrew Peterson is an award-winning singer-songwriter and author. The second book in his Wingfeather Saga, “North! Or Be Eaten” (2009) won the Christy Award for Young Adult Fiction, and the fourth, “The Warden and the Wolf King” (2014) won Children’s Book of the Year in 2015 from “WORLD Magazine.”

In 2008, driven by a desire to cultivate a strong Christian arts community, Andrew founded a ministry called The Rabbit Room, which led to a yearly conference, countless concerts and symposiums, and Rabbit Room Press, which has published thirty books to date.

He’s been married for 24 years to his wife Jamie, with whom they have three children. His eldest is an animation student at Lipscomb University, his second son is a touring drummer and record producer, and his daughter recently released her first album. In his spare time Andrew keeps bees, builds dry stack stone walls, gardens, draws, and sleeps.

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.

CAROL STREAM, Ill., April 11, 2019 — This week Christianity Today won 29 publishing awards chosen by journalism peers at the Evangelical Press Association’s (EPA) annual convention April 7-9, 2019 in Oklahoma City.

Each year the Evangelical Press Association honors member publications through two contests: the Awards of Excellence for publications as a whole and the Higher Goals for individual pieces that were produced during the 2018 calendar year.

ChristianityToday.com won the top Award of Excellence for General Publication (Digital). Additionally, the ministry won two Awards of Merit in the Ministry (Digital) category for ChurchLawandTax.com and the Newsletter (Print) category for Church Finance Today.

Of the 26 Higher Goals awards the ministry received, the following six categories included first place winners:

• Biblical Exposition: CT, A Consecrated Fool – Fred Smith
• Critical Review: CT, The Dangerous Mr. Rogers – D. L. Mayfield
• Editorial: CT Online, We Need an Independent Investigation of Sovereign Grace Ministries – Mark Galli
• Standing Column: CT, Spirited Life – Andrew Wilson
• Titles: CT, My Pregnancy, Not My Baby; The Arbor of God; Love Your Frenemies – Kate Shellnutt, Alecia Sharp, Matt Reynolds, Sarah Gordon, Andy Olsen
• Two-Page Spread Design: CT, My Pregnancy, Not My Baby – Alecia Sharp, Melanie Grizzel

“We’re always grateful to be recognized by fellow professionals for journalistic excellence,” said CT editor in chief Mark Galli. “What’s good to see is that we received awards in many areas, which suggests that CT overall is firing on all cylinders. What’s not noted in the awards is the work of our marketing, advertising, circulation, finances, technology, fundraising, and operations departments-all of which makes the work of our editors and designers possible.”

A full list of EPA 2019 awards, including the other Christianity Today awards, can be found at the association’s website: Awards of Excellence and Higher Goals.

Christianity Today is a nonprofit, global media ministry centered on Beautiful Orthodoxy-strengthening the church by richly communicating the breadth of the true, good, and beautiful gospel. Reaching over five million people monthly with various digital and print resources, the ministry equips Christians to renew their minds, serve the church, and create culture to the glory of God.  https://www.christianitytoday.com/

Contact: Cory Whitehead, 630-260-6200, ext 4220, cwhitehead@christianitytoday.com