Delegates Meet to Foster Flourishing African Publishing Industry

CAROL STREAM, Ill.  (April 17, 2018) –  Last month, delegates from nine African nations along with Brazil, France, the United Kingdom and the United States gathered on the campus on Trinity International University for the inaugural Africa Speaks conference.

According to the organizers, the stated mission of the conference was “to facilitate a network of like-minded persons and organizations who will commit to working together to foster a flourishing African publishing industry for the enrichment of the Church and society in Africa and around the world.”

Edward Elliott, the founder of Oasis International, served as the visionary catalyst for the event, which was sponsored by the Tyndale House Foundation where Elliott serves on the board.

“Several key facts highlighted the need for this event,” Elliott stated. “Access to books is exceedingly limited in much of Africa, leading to sparse opportunity for African authors to be published.  A survey conducted in 2017 found that leaders of the African Church demonstrate an extremely strong desire to read African authors.”

Eminent African scholar and TIU faculty member Dr. Tite Tiénou served as chairperson and moderator for Africa Speaks. One of the goals for the event was to create an accord to ensure that Christian publishing is no longer “business as usual” in Africa but will move forward in unique and innovative ways.

By the conclusion of the conference, the Africa Speaks Accord was crafted, ratified and signed by all delegates including ECPA member publishers, Tyndale House, Moody Publishers and CLC Publications. The delegates have appointed a Continuation Committee to take the vision forward and ensure that specific action steps take place in the months ahead.

For further information, contact Jeremy Taylor at jeremytaylor@tyndale.com.

Tyndale House Foundation, established in 1963 by Kenneth and Margaret Taylor, is a charitable fund which makes grants to support Christian work around the world. For over 50 years the Foundation has received all royalties from the sales of Living Letters (1962), The Living Bible (1971) and the New Living Translation (1996). In 2001 Ken and Margaret Taylor transferred ownership of Tyndale House Publishers to the Foundation. As a result, dividends from the profitable operations of the publishing company also now flow to the Foundation.

Former NFL Running Back and Dancing with the Stars Champion Rashad Jennings To Appear in Virginia, New York City, New Jersey, Los Angeles

Grand Rapids, MI – April 19, 2018 – During the tour for his debut book, The IF in Life: How to Get Off Life’s Sidelines and Become Your Best Self, former NFL running back and Dancing with the Stars Season 24 champion Rashad Jennings will share his inspiring story with fans across America in early May. Jennings will kick off his tour at his alma mater Liberty University during a special event open to students and the public.

• May 4: Convocation at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 10:30 am speaking and signing
• May 4: Barnes & Noble at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 6 pm, signing
• May 8: The NFL Experience, Times Square, New York City 12-2 pm, signing
• May 9: Bookends, 211 E Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 6 pm, signing
• May 13: Thomas Road Baptist Church, 1 Mountain View Rd. Lynchburg, VA 9 & 11 am services, speaking, Q&A and signing; appearing with his mother on Mother’s Day
• May 17: Barnes & Noble at The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, 7 pm, signing and Q&A

More details about the tour can be found here: www.theifinlifebook.com
Fans can follow the tour on social media, looking for #TheIfInLifeBook.

Growing up, Jennings was overweight, had poor vision, suffered from debilitating asthma, and held a 0.6 GPA—yet he still hoped to one day play in the NFL as a running back. To say the odds were stacked against him is an understatement. Through hard work and determination, encouragement and tough love from his brothers and coaches, and the support of mentors too numerous to count, Jennings became a record-setting NFL running back. During his eight-year NFL career, he played with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Oakland Raiders, and the New York Giants. And now, through the Rashad Jennings Foundation, Jennings is focused on inspiring youth by making education an enjoyable experience, providing mentorship, and encouraging an overall healthy lifestyle.

“Whether you realize it or not, certain moments in life, no matter how significant or small they seem, can change your path and have a positive impact on where you go and how successful you become,” said Jennings. “The IF in Life is about those “IF” moments that have shaped the man I’ve become and brought about the realization of my dreams. My hope for this book is that it brings motivation and inspires young people to become their best self.”

Featuring photos from Rashad’s childhood, college years, and professional career, The IF in Life will be available online and in stores on May 8, 2018. The book is available for pre-orders now.

About the Author:  Rashad Jennings is a national personality. Throughout his successful eight-year career in the NFL, as well as his championship performance on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, Jennings has gained the love and support of fans across the country. Today, Jennings is driven to make a national impact and lasting legacy. The Rashad Jennings Foundation is dedicated to inspiring youth by making education fun, providing mentorship for individual success and promoting health and fitness. Follow Rashad on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook, @rashadjennings.

Zondervan, part of HarperCollins, is a world-leading provider of Christian communications and 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, MI. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

Media Contact: Jessica Westra, Public Relations Associate
jessica.westra@harpercollins.com 616.698.3208, 616.403.6628

Its message:  Downsize and streamline to focus on what really matters

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 19, 2018) – Today, Thomas Nelson announced that A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living, by Emily Ley, has surpassed more than 100,000 units sold.

Announcing the Winning Titles of the 2018 Christian Indie Awards

Charlotte, NC, April 23, 2018—Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA) is pleased to announce the winning titles for the 2018 Christian Indie Awards. The Christian Indie Awards honor books produced by small publishers and independent authors each year for outstanding contribution to Christian life.

Book lovers and retailers selling Christian products voted on the nominated titles in each of thirteen categories. “Independent publishers and small presses often publish unique books with story themes or topics that touch readers in new and profound ways,” says Sarah Bolme, the Director of Christian Small Publishers Association, the sponsor of the award. “The Christian Indie Awards brings these books recognition.”

The winners in each of the thirteen categories are:

Fiction

• Waiting for Butterflies, Karen Sargent, Walrus Publishing, 978-1940442204

Historical Fiction

• Solve by Christmas, Amber Schamel, Vision Writer Publications, 978-0999176726

Romance 

• An Improper Proposal, Davalynn Spencer, 978-0998951201

Christian Living

• Pizza With Jesus (No Black Olives), P.J. Frick, Lighthouse Christian Publishing, 978-1546901709

Bible Study / Theology 

• The Supremacy of Christ, Dr. William McCarrell and Rev. Richard McCarrell, Grace Acres Press, 978-1602650428

Devotional 

• Delight Thyself Also In The Lord, Delight Thyself Design Ministries, Delight In Him Publications, 978-0999517505

Biography / Memoir

• Go West: 10 Principles that Guided My Cowboy Journey, Jeremy Sparks, Elevate Publishing, 978-0996465595

Relationships / Family

• Helicopter Mom, Bethany L. Douglas, 978-0983928867

Children’s (age 4 to 8) 

• Made for a Purpose, Kristie Wilde, Wilde Art Press, 978-0997482805

Children’s (age 8 to 12) 

• The Kool Kids & The Land Of The Giants, James Tate, author, Jay Reed, illustrator, Beyond W8 Loss, LLC, 978-0999131503

Young Adult (age 12+) 

• Huntress (Life After Book 1), Julie Hall, 978-0998986708

Gift Book 

• Fear Not: You are in Partnership with God To Manage His Creation, Jose Bonilla, 978-1544144870

Christian Education

• Leading by Example: A Parental Guide To Teaching and Modeling Christian Faith At Home,  Rev. Dr. Tim Tooten, Sr., 978-1545605318

The winning titles can be viewed at https://www.christianaward.com/2018winnners.

The Christian Indie Awards is sponsored by Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA). A total of 189 titles were nominated for the award categories.

About Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA)
CSPA represents and promotes small publishers and independent authors in the Christian marketplace. CSPA represents a membership of over 170 publishers and independent authors producing materials for the Christian Marketplace. CSPA is a supplier member of CBA. For more information about Christian Small Publishers Association visit http://www.christianpublishers.net.

Contact: Sarah Bolme, Christian Small Publishers Association
cspa@christianpublishers.net  704-277-7194

Ada, Mich. (April 23, 2018)—Baker Publishing Group announces a change to their editorial team with the appointment of Rebekah Guzman to the position of editorial director for Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Guzman’s appointment to the position follows the departure of Chad Allen, who is leaving the company to focus on serving writers in new ways.

Guzman joined the Baker Books team in 2014 as a senior acquisitions editor with more than ten years of experience in the publishing industry. Since that time, she has helped the Baker Books division expand their list with a number of strong acquisitions, including authors such as Sheila Walsh, Anne Bogel, Andi Andrew, and Greg Laurie. Before joining Baker Books, Guzman served as NavPress’s editorial director and associate trade publisher and owned Red Pen Editorial, which offered editorial and writing services as well as content and author development.

“We’re grateful for the tremendous vision and growth Chad has brought to the Baker Books team during his time as editorial director—and for the passion and energy Rebekah has devoted to bringing so many talented authors to the division,” said Jennifer Leep, executive vice president of trade publishing. “We wish Chad the best in his new endeavors and look forward to a new season under the creative and insightful leadership Rebekah will bring for the team’s future.”

Guzman will continue to work from her home office in Colorado Springs.

Baker Books has a vision for building up the body of Christ through books that are relevant, intelligent, and engaging.

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

Wednesday 11th April 2018 — Bible Society Australia fears Australian children are in danger of becoming as Bible-illiterate as those in the UK, where 25% of children aged 8 to 15 think the Golden Goose is part of the Easter story!  To help turn the tide, Bible Society Australia is launching The Invisible Book – a user-generated video content series that may help bring the Bible back to Australia’s youth.

The Invisible Book is designed to show Australia’s youth there’s a book behind the books they’re studying at school — a book they may not be familiar with, called the Bible. In this initial stage, it will show how the Bible is behind six of Shakespeare’s most popular works.

But it won’t be us making the videos – instead, we are encouraging and asking Australians to get creative and make their own videos! To keep it fun, Bible Society Australia is offering, thanks to a partnership with Christian Fellowship Tours, a $32,000 overseas trip for the winning Invisible Book video. People whose videos are in the top ten before the competition closes on 30 June 2018, will receive a $100 Visa Gift Card!

Fun aside, Bible Society Australia sees this as a crucial task. Not just for the sake of Bible literacy itself, but because it also helps us understand our culture.

BSA CEO Greg Clarke says “If you don’t grow up with an education that includes the Bible, you are missing out on the very thing that has shaped so much of the culture you enjoy.”

For information and to sign up, visit www.theinvisiblebook.com.au

For interviews and media enquiries: Grace Dellis (0419 740 256) John Pearson (0438 771 269)

Believe It: My Journey of Success, Failure and Overcoming the Odds Will Be Available Everywhere Books are Sold on Tuesday, June 26

CAROL STREAM, ILL. – Tyndale Momentum (@tyndalehouse) has announced that it has agreed to terms with Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl LII, to publish his inspiring memoir. Believe It: My Journey of Success, Failure and Overcoming the Odds (ISBN: 978-1496436498, HC, $26.99) will have a street date of Tuesday, June 26. Foles captured America’s attention during a remarkable late-season run that saw the 29-year-old signal caller lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl championship in franchise history. Foles was represented in the contract negotiations by Austin Lyman, director of marketing at Athletes First in Laguna Hills, California. Josh Cooley will be the writing collaborator, while Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich will write the foreword. Foles will donate 100 percent of his proceeds from the book to Christian charities and humanitarian causes around the world.

“I really didn’t expect to be writing a book at this point in my life,” said Foles, “but I’m excited about the opportunity to tell my story and share my faith. Ever since the Super Bowl, people have been wanting to hear about how we got there and what it was like, which is a big part of the story, but I also want to be transparent about the struggles I’ve gone through in my life and my career. There’s so much pressure right now—especially with social media—to always look like we’re perfect, but we’re not. At least I’m not, and I think it’s important to be open and honest about that, because it’s in those moments of weakness when we grow the most.

“Besides the opportunity to tell my story, I’m excited about being able to help some people in need through this project. When we were approached about writing a book, Tori and I prayed about it and decided that, if we do this, we want all the money to go to charities and ministries all around the world. And who better to do that with than Tyndale?”

Said Ron Beers, senior vice president and publisher of Tyndale Books. “We are honored to publish this inspirational memoir by Nick Foles. He has captured the hearts of millions not only because of his superb play on the field but because of his story of how his faith has helped him overcome fear and failure. His example motivates us to live and lead better.”

Added Jan Long Harris, executive publisher, “We are delighted to welcome Nick Foles to the Tyndale Momentum family. The world has watched as Nick has lived out his faith—seeing his heart for God and for his team, his incredibly positive attitude and strong work ethic, his candor and grace in overcoming setbacks, and his commitment to staying strong as a husband and father. We can’t wait to watch his impact extend over and over again as readers delve deeper into his story.”

In week 14 of the 2017 NFL regular season, while playing against the Rams, Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who was in the running for league MVP, sustained a torn ACL. Foles entered that game in relief and helped the Eagles clinch their first division title since 2013. In the playoffs, Foles played at an even higher level as he completed 23 of 30 passes for 246 yards in an NFC divisional playoff victory over Atlanta. He followed that performance by completing 26 of 33 passes for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns in the NFC championship game. Two weeks later, in the Eagles’ upset of the New England Patriots, he became the first player in Super Bowl history to both throw and catch a touchdown pass  as he completed 28 of 43 passes for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning him MVP honors.

A product of Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, which is the same school that produced Drew Brees, Foles was an All-Pac-12 conference performer at the University of Arizona before being picked in the third round of the 2012 draft by the Eagles. A year later, Foles earned his first Pro Bowl invite, but he struggled at times in the 2014 season, and the Eagles traded Foles to the St. Louis Rams in 2015. After one season in St. Louis, he was released and signed with the Chiefs, where he played for one season. In March 2017, Foles signed a two-year contract to return to Philadelphia.

Foles is currently an online graduate student at Liberty University, earning his master’s degree in divinity. He and his wife, Tori Foles, a former University of Arizona volleyball player, have a daughter, Lily James, who was born in 2017.

Tyndale House Publishers has a very successful track record of publishing high-profile sports-related titles, as it published Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy’s memoir, Quiet Strength, after he guided the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl win in 2007. Dungy’s memoir reached #1 on the New York Times hardcover nonfiction best sellers list and has since become one of the best-selling sports-related memoirs in history, with well over one million copies in print. Several years later, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV, released his memoir with Tyndale. Brees’s memoir, Coming Back Stronger, debuted at #1 on the Publishers Weekly best sellers list and #3 on the New York Times list.

Foles’s book release will be supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign, as well as a national media and book-signing tour that will coincide with the June 26release.

Tyndale House Publishers, founded in 1962, is one of the largest privately held Christian publishers of books, Bibles, and digital media in the world. Tyndale Momentum, Tyndale’s nonfiction imprint, is the publisher of many New York Times best sellers and is known for integrity in building lasting personal relationships with authors and agents. Tyndale extends the ministry of its authors by contributing most of its profits to the nonprofit Tyndale House Foundation, which makes grants to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world. Originally founded to publish 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.

Jesus through Eastern Eyes to release February 2020

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Apr. 11, 2018 — Ravi Zacharias, president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, and Abdu Murray, North American Director with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, have signed on to publish a co-authored book, Jesus through Eastern Eyes, with Zondervan in February 2020.

Colorado Springs, CO — Francis Chan burst onto the Christian publishing scene with the release of Crazy Love in 2008. The radical authenticity of this California pastor immediately pushed Crazy Love to the top of the USA Today, New York Times and CBA bestseller lists – selling 2.6 million copies to date. Now, Francis Chan presents a radical new vision for the church in his forthcoming book, We Are Church (David C Cook, September 2018).

In We Are Church, Chan describes why many of his initial thoughts on worship and church were good but misguided. He believes the church’s next step is a radical return to its roots.

“For decades church leaders like myself have lost sight of the powerful mystery inherent in the Church,” writes Chan. “We have instead run to other methods to keep people interested. In all honesty, we have trained people sitting in the pews to become addicted to lesser things. It’s time for that to change.”

Chan’s We Are Church imagines Christian life and community from a fresh perspective. Rather than shaping church according to individual preferences and styles, readers are asked to consider one vital question: “If all you had was a Bible, what would it mean to serve Jesus?” Chan unfolds a new vision, built on a scriptural model and on years of reflection, as he urges Christians to quit “doing church” and learn how to “be the Church.”

Chan gleaned fresh perspective from his recent experience with Chinese Christians. In an April 2018 cover story for Charisma Magazine, Chan explains: “In America, you feel like you need to become famous in order to have an impact. But in China, it was quite the opposite. There’d better not be anyone who knows you, or you’ll be in trouble…The Lord doesn’t need our popularity or platform.”

Christian leaders eager to discuss and apply the principles shared in We Are Church will find support in ancillary products including the We Are Church Study Guide and the We Are Church Video Series. There will also be a We Are Church Spanish Edition released. David C Cook will support the launch of all the We Are Church resources with advertising, digital and social media efforts and a national publicity campaign. Francis Chan will be available for a limited number of press interviews.

“Francis Chan is prophet for modern times. He first called us to radical living in Crazy Love. Now he calls Christians into a deeper understanding of God’s heart for His Church,” comments David C Cook VP of Publishing Wendi Lord. “We Are Church offers a vital, vivid model of Christian community marked by love, unity, discipleship, sacrifice and worship.”

Francis Chan is the author of Crazy Love, Forgotten God, Erasing Hell, Multiply, and You and Me Forever. Currently, Francis is helping to plant churches in the San Francisco area. Francis and his wife, Lisa, are raising their seven children in Northern California.

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

Contact:  Jana Muntsinger, MMPR  jana@mmpublicrelations.com  281-251-0480

We Are Church
By Francis Chan
Available from David C Cook
Hardcover, Approximately 224 pages, $22.99, ISBN 978-0-8307-7581-1
For review copies, excerpt permission and author interviews,
contact McClure Muntsinger Public Relations:  Jana@mmpublicrelations.com

CAROL STREAM, Ill., April 12, 2018 — Christianity Today was honored with top publishing awards-32 in total-at the Evangelical Press Association’s (EPA) annual convention April 4-6, 2018 in Orlando. For the second year in a row, both CT print magazine and website, ChristanityToday.com, won Awards of Excellence in the General Publication category.