Magazine honors the best employers in Massachusetts

Peabody, MA (November 18, 2019) – Christianbook has been named one of the Top Places to Work in Massachusetts in the 12th annual employee-based survey project from The Boston Globe.

Top Places to Work recognizes the most admired workplaces in the state voted on by the people who know them best—their employees. The survey measures employee opinions about their company’s direction, execution, connection, management, work, pay and benefits, and engagement. The employers are placed into one of four groups: small, with 50 to 99 employees; medium, with 100 to 249 workers; large, with 250 to 999; and largest, with 1,000 or more.

Christianbook was ranked number 35 in the large category.

“We’re thrilled to receive this award, and we’re extremely grateful to our staff for honoring us by their participation in this survey, their great comments, and feedback. The comments we receive from the Globe survey are a valuable resource for improving our overall employee experience. We’re humbled by the fact that this marks our 9^th year receiving this prestigious award, ” said Ray Hendrickson, President/CEO of Christianbook.

“The companies that make our list are much more than just decent employers,” said Katie Johnston, the Globe’s Top Places to Work editor. “They make work fun, and they make their people feel cared for. Some of them even help employees realize dreams that have nothing to do with their jobs.”

The rankings in Top Places to Work are based on confidential survey information collected by Energage (formerly WorkplaceDynamics), an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention, from nearly 66,000 individuals at 323 Massachusetts organizations. The winners share a few key traits, including offering progressive benefits, giving their employees a voice, and encouraging them to have some fun while they’re at it.

From its humble beginnings in 1978, Christianbook has become the world’s largest seller of Christian products. Through its online presence, Christianbook.com, and 65 unique catalogs, the company offers the lowest possible prices and maintains an inventory exceeding 500,000 items. The wide selection includes books, Bibles, DVDs, music, homeschool materials, toys and games, gifts, academic resources, and church supplies. Christianbook.com provides a depth of information on our products, including author profiles and interviews, detailed product descriptions and excerpts, music clips, articles, reviews, specialized search engines, and video content. The company offers not only great value but also exceptional customer service and support. In addition to being a 9-time recipient of the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work Award, the company is proud to be the recipient of the Bizrate Circle of Excellence Platinum Award for 18 years. Employing over 600 people from the surrounding communities, Christianbook is committed to the spreading of the gospel both through the products we sell each day and in our philanthropic support of missions around the globe. In particular, we seek to have an exponential impact on the kingdom by equipping overseas pastors and Bible school students, who then have a lifetime of impact in their ministries. We are also a proud supporter of the City of Peabody and many local charities.

About Boston Globe Media Partners LLC
Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC provides news and information, entertainment, opinion and analysis through its multimedia properties. BGMP includes The Boston Globe, Globe.com, Boston.com, STAT and Globe Direct.

For more information, please contact:
Bridget Timmins at (978) 573-2201 or email at btimmins@christianbook.com

Nashville, November 2019 – United by a common mission to serve churches and ministries and a long-standing commitment to exceptional customer service and selection, Cokesbury and Bibles by the Case are pleased to announce that an acquisition agreement between the two Christian retailers has been finalized, effective November 1. Cokesbury will continue to operate Bibles by the Case as an independent sales channel, moving forward with the same employees, systems, and vendor partners. Russ and Becky Casenhiser, who founded Bibles by the Case in 2001, will serve Cokesbury in a consulting capacity over the next 2 years to ensure a seamless transition for customers and publishing partners.

The Casenhisers have been called into another large ministry project, helping build a mission training center and intentional Christian community focused on preparing young adults for a lifetime of service and Bible-centered day-to-day living. This acquisition allows Russ and Becky to actively step into the calling of this project and steward both BBTC and this ministry project into the future.

Supporting ministry since 1789, when the first circuit-riding preachers distributed materials from their saddlebags, Cokesbury has long served as an ecumenical source of Christian resources including curriculum, books, and Bibles. The acquisition of this new sales channel and expanded customer base is a logical and strategic next step in Cokesbury’s evolving ministry.

“We are excited about the opportunity to nurture and expand the ministry of Bibles by the Case as a new way for Cokesbury to serve more people in more places and help them know and love God,” said Brian Milford, President and CEO. “Becky and Russ Casenhiser have developed the BBTC ministry as their vocational calling, and enriched it through faithful service with an innovative spirit. We are gratified that they have entrusted the BBTC mission to Cokesbury and will continue to partner with us to help it grow and thrive.”

In speaking about their decision, Russ and Becky Casenhiser affirmed, “Our long-term vision for BBTC has always been to serve churches and ministries in helping them get Bibles to hands and hearts at the lowest prices possible, and to continue to be a very strong and guiding presence in Christian retailing.” They added, “While we were so thankful for the amount of interest shown in BBTC, we prayerfully discerned that Cokesbury is the best fit for our industry partners and customers, and has the ability to work as a ministry and a business, demonstrating both historical longevity and an innovative heart, as well as absolute missional alignment with BBTC.”

Cokesbury is the retail and customer services arm of The United Methodist Publishing House, which serves more than 11 million United Methodists worldwide as well as a broad ecumenical audience representing many denominations and independent churches, with books, Bibles, curriculum, worship resources, and church supplies. Cokesbury offers more than 200,000 products to congregations through www.Cokesbury.com and the Cokesbury Contact Center 1-800-672-1789.

Founded in 2001 and based in Anaheim, California, Bibles by the Case works closely with publishers to offer churches and ministry groups the highest discounts available along with free ship-ping and, for selected items, 2-day delivery. It is the mission of Bibles by the Case to assist churches and ministries in getting Bibles into hands and hearts at the lowest prices possible.

Contact:  Audrey Kidd, Chief Customer Experience Officer, 615-749-6181  akidd@umpublishing.org  

(Nashville, Tenn.) November 7, 2019—Thomas Nelson today announced that Damon Reiss, former senior director for HarperCollins Christian Publishing’s (HCCP) custom and backlist program as well as the Christian bookstore key accounts and distributor channels, will become the v-p and publisher for its non-fiction imprint W Publishing. Reiss will lead the acquisition and editorial strategy in addition to marketing oversight for the imprint, reporting to Don Jacobson, senior v-p, Books Group publisher for HCCP. He will also be responsible for maintaining relationships with the strong roster of current W Publishing authors in addition to discovering and growing new Christian voices in the market.

Reiss has worked in the industry for nearly seventeen years, starting his publishing career as a tele-sales representative. In 2011, he began working for Thomas Nelson as a key account manager for Ministry Sales and in 2016 he was promoted to expand the company’s custom publishing program. As head of custom products, Reiss launched two line-extension programs, redeveloping and reengineering backlist products in an innovative way to appeal to new readers.  Reiss has continued to grow his career and industry acumen, collaborating with all in-house publishing teams on custom product initiatives, strategic promotional placement, and essential revised editions of books and Bibles.

W Publishing has published the works of some of Christian publishing’s most impactful authors like Billy Graham, Dr. David Jeremiah, Louie Giglio, Levi Lusko, Emerson Eggerichs, Anne Graham Lotz, Pastor Robert Morgan, Lindsay Teague Moreno, and Jennie Allen. The imprint represents classic New York Times bestselling books Same Kind of Different As Me, by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, The Noticer by Andy Andrews, Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo and more recent bestsellers including The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines, Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines, Racing to the Finish by Dale Earnhardt Jr., and The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi by Kathie Lee Gifford with Rabbi Jason Sobel. In October, the imprint released Nerves of Steel by Tammie Jo Shults, Captain of Southwest Flight 1380 and one of the Navy’s first female F/A-18 Hornet pilots.

“W Publishing’s historical significance is preeminent in the Christian market and to build off of this success and legacy is an honor,” said Reiss. “I look forward to leading this talented team and shaping the future of W.”

“Damon has proven to be a critical component of HCCP’s fabric,” said Don Jacobson. “His experience as part of our sales team has allowed him to understand authors’ work from an angle we often take for granted.  Damon’s strategy will bring fresh direction to the W Publishing team and he has a rich understanding and passion for all our authors. Damon’s leadership is perfectly fitting for W Publishing and we are excited for the days ahead.”

Reiss will begin his position as v-p and publisher immediately, working to develop a short transitional period for his current role in the company’s sales custom product and sales division.

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 multiples formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com

Contact:
Casey Harrell, Sr. Director, Corporate Communications, 615.902.1109  casey.harrell@harpercollins.com

THOMAS NELSON FICTION AUTHORS HONORED IN FIVE CATEGORIES AND HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

(Nashville, Tenn.) November 8, 2019 — Thomas Nelson is pleased to congratulate all five of its fiction authors who received Christy Awards, including Patti Callahan for taking home the Christy Award’s top honor – Book of the Year for her novel Becoming Mrs. Lewis. The awards were presented by the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association (ECPA) at the 20th annual Christy Award gala held at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN on November 6, 2019.

In addition to Patti Callahan’s Book of the Year honor, Thomas Nelson fiction author and five-time Christy Awardee, James Rubart, was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame for his contribution to the craft.

Four other Thomas Nelson authors were recognized for their excellence in specific genres of Christian fiction, picking up Christy Awards in various categories.

• The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings in First Novel
• Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan in Historical Fiction (Tie)
• With this Pledge by Tamera Alexander in Historical Romance (Tie)
• Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock in Short Form
• The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson in Young Adult

“The Christy Awards celebrate and recognize excellence in the Christian fiction industry, and we are thrilled to see so many of our authors honored this year,” said Amanda Bostic, publisher for Thomas Nelson fiction. “Patti, James, Terri, Tamera, Melanie, and David are all talented storytellers who are using their gifts to spread hope and light into the world. We could not be more proud to publish them.”

To learn more about the Christy Awards, please visit www.christyawards.com.

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, 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:
Casey Harrell, Sr. Director, Corporate Communications, 615.902.1109  casey.harrell@harpercollins.com

[NASHVILLE, TENN., Nov. 8, 2019 —] B&H Publishing Group is pleased to announce the promotion of Devin Maddox to the position of V.P. of Book Publishing.

His new role involves managing the entire books ministry area, which includes the Christian Living, Leadership, B&H Kids and Women’s product lines, providing strategic oversight and strengthening processes for internal and external partners.

Prior to this position, Maddox served three years as Trade Book Publisher, leading the acquisitions team. He spearheaded the acquisition, development and launch of bestselling titles such as “Unashamed” by Lecrae, “Adorning the Dark” by Andrew Peterson and “Gay Girl, Good God” by Jackie Hill Perry, among many others. In addition, Devin has worked closely with award-winning author Russell Moore on his recent books “Onward” and “The Storm-Tossed Family” which won “Christianity Today” Book of the Year in 2016 and 2019, respectively.

Maddox holds a B.A. (Christian Ethics) from Union University, M.Div. (Theology) from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is completing a Ph.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (all but dissertation). He previously served in various other roles at LifeWay Christian Resources. In addition, he served as a research assistant to the Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Devin is married to Cara and has three sons.

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.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 11, 2019 — Zondervan announced today the launch of Zondervan Thrive, a new non-fiction imprint focused on categories including personal development, fulfillment, health and wellness, self-care, marriage and family, abuse/trauma, anxiety, and personality typologies.

Zondervan Thrive authors are experts in their field and bring well-researched insights to daily living. They are psychologists, physicians, practitioners, journalists, academics and researchers who also realize that our deepest source for wisdom comes from seeking a life of faith. The new imprint will equip readers with in-depth, practical solutions for thriving mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually in today’s world. Zondervan Thrive’s readers are seeking big, brave ideas on how to approach everyday life, discover informed solutions, live authentically, sustain their personal health and wellbeing, and make a difference in their world.

Zondervan Thrive will release its first titles in March 2020, with authors including internationally accredited Enneagram teacher Christopher L. Heuertz (The Enneagram of Belonging), artificial intelligence expert Dr. Jason Thacker (The Age of AI), and parenting authorities Amy Elizabeth Olrick and Jeffrey Olrick, Ph.D. (The 6 Needs of Every Child).

“We live in a world of rapid change, escalating technological advances, demands for higher skills, and a fresh, entrepreneurial spirit. As a result many people are perpetually overwhelmed, and they are hungry for information that can sustain them,” says VP, publisher David Morris. “But too many self-help books lack a faith perspective—and too few Christian books offer specialized help. Zondervan Thrive is our latest venture in visionary publishing, as we respond to the needs of today’s readers by closing the gap between practical and spiritual knowledge.”

Zondervan Thrive is expected to release four titles in 2020, and building to approximately ten titles annually.

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 http://www.zondervan.com.

Media Contacts:
Robin Barnett, Director of Public Relations, (616) 698-3251  robin.barnett@harpercollins.com
Trinity McFadden, Senior Manager of Public Relations, (616) 698-3331  trinity.mcfadden@harpercollins.com

The Christian Authors Network Crown Awards recognize, educate, and encourage excellence in marketing and promotion skills of all Christian authors.  We are pleased to announce the CAN Crown Award finalists:

• Adria Wilkins, The Joy Box Journal, Ellie Claire Gifts
• Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, Sacred Rest, FaithWords
• Linda Goldfarb and Kelly Harris, Lovey Mouse Easter, (double-finalist), Life Foundation Publishing
• Linda Goldfarb and Kelly Harris, Lovey Mouse in The Night Before Christmas, (double-finalist), Life Foundation Publishing
• Susan Neal, 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar & Carbohydrates, Christian Yoga, LLC
• Carla Hoch, Fight Write-How to Write Believable Fight Scenes, Writers Digest Books
• Michelle Medlock Adams & Bethany Jett, Platinum Faith, Abingdon Press
• Michelle Medlock Adams, Dinosaur Devotions, Thomas Nelson

Finalists receive a ticket to attend the CAN Crown Awards banquet, logos for websites/materials, and recognition via the Christian Authors Network. Winners (gold, silver, and bronze) will be awarded at the ICVM/CAN Conference Nov. 12-16, 2019 in Franklin, TN. The Crown Awards banquet includes an overview of each Gold winning campaign in three categories. Gold winners in each category receive promotion via the Christian Authors Network until the 2020 CAN Crown Awards, a trophy, and logo medallions for their websites/materials.

The Christian Authors Network is comprised of a large network of traditionally published authors who work together to grow the industry, their careers, and Christ. Learn more about the Christian Authors Network at http://ChristianAuthorsNetwork.com.

Media Contact: Linda Kozar, 832.797.7522  lindakozar@gmail.com

Grand Rapids, Mich. — With over a million copies sold, Sacred Marriage has become a classic for married couples since its original release in 2000. Revised and updated in 2015 by author and speaker Gary Thomas, Sacred Marriage continues to be a perennial bestseller, meeting the needs of today’s pre-married and married couples.

“I can’t count the number of couples that have told me this message saved their marriage,” says Thomas. “So many had given up but looking at marriage as a way to grow closer to God gave them a new foundation.”

Thomas remembers the first time a couple came up to him and showed him their baby, saying it was their “Sacred Marriage baby.” They were on the brink of divorce and said their marriage wouldn’t have survived and they never would have had this child if it wasn’t for the message of Sacred Marriage.

Sacred Marriage offers help with insights from Scripture, church history, time tested wisdom from Christian classics and examples from today’s marriages. It reveals how marriage trains us to love God and others well, how it exposes sin and makes us more aware of God’s presence, how good marriages foster good prayer, how married sex feeds the spiritual life and more.

“We recognize that the principles behind Sacred Marriage are timeless,” says Tom Dean, Vice President of Marketing. “We want a new generation of readers to look at marriage in a new light and ask the question Gary has been asking all along – what if marriage was meant to make us holy more than to make us happy.”

Gary Thomas is a writer-in-residence at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, and an adjunct faculty member teaching on spiritual formation at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and Houston Theological Seminary in Houston, Texas. He is the author of nineteen books including Sacred Marriage, Sacred Pathways, Cherish, Sacred Parenting and When To Walk Away.

Zondervan Books publishes books that ask big questions and bring inspiring insights. Part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the imprint works with gifted writers and communicators who engage readers with books about spiritual and personal growth, everyday living, memoir, family and marriage—topics that fuel life transformation through faith. Zondervan Books’ products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Their offices are located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For additional information, please visit zondervan.com.

Contact: Robin Barnett, Director of Public Relations  (616) 698-3251  robin.barnett@harpercollins.com

2020 List Marks the Publisher’s Strongest Lineup Yet

Eugene, Oregon (October 29, 2019)— Harvest House Publishers celebrated the company’s 45th anniversary last week, marking the historic moment with a staff celebration. In remarks to the team, Harvest House president, Bob Hawkins Jr., reminisced about significant corporate milestones and embraced the work ahead with a positive and encouraging message.

“When my dad originally founded the company with five titles and a dream, he never imagined the company would be one of the leading publishers of Christian literature in the world,” said Hawkins. “Now, after publishing over 140 million copies in more than 75 languages around the world, comprised of works by 907 authors, with eight titles that have each sold over 1 million copies, we know more than ever that the mission has just begun and the best days are yet ahead.”

Harvest House’s 2020 publishing roster is home to one of the most noteworthy lists in the company’s history, with titles forthcoming by Ruth Chou Simons, Gloria Furman, Amir Tsarfati, Naomi Zacharias McNeil, Donna VanLiere, Jerrad Lopes, Tony Evans and Jeremy and Adie Camp, to name a few.

“We’ve been blessed to publish so many important messages, but I have to say I am personally excited about the lineup for next year and the world-class team here that will be responsible for shepherding those launches,” said Hawkins.

True to the company’s guiding principles, management stayed late the night before the party to decorate the corporate office to surprise workers when they arrived the next day. “Our core values include fostering an environment in which people are highly valued as well as placing an emphasis on teamwork,” said Hawkins. “We wanted to celebrate our staff, and what better way to do that than to have the leadership team throw a party?”

Hawkins Jr. has led the company since 1991. With a commitment to distributing biblically sound books that proclaim Jesus as the answer to every human need, he believes that their work is more important now than ever before.

“When you work with our company in any capacity or purchase one of our books, we want the end result to be an affirmation of biblical values. In a world that can place priority elsewhere, we have chosen to glorify God through our high-quality products, and that will continue to be the mission of the company for the next 45 years.”

For more information about Harvest House, visit www.harvesthousepublishers.com.

About the Publisher
Harvest House, a Christian publishing company based in Eugene, Oregon, publishes more than 135 books per year and carries a strong backlist offering more than 1,200 titles. Over 140 million Harvest House books have been sold worldwide through diverse distribution channels, and additional millions have sold in over 75 different languages. For more information, visit www.HarvestHousePublishers.com.

Media Contact:  Jennifer Willingham, jennifer@epic.inc  615-483-4729