WESTMONT, IL— InterVarsity Press is pleased to announce that The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege by Ken Wytsma earned a spot inPublishers Weekly’s list of top one hundred books of 2017 as one of the five best religion titles of the year.

“Such an unexpected blessing!” Wytsma said.

Al Hsu, senior editor for IVP said, “I’m thrilled that Ken’s book has received this recognition. His keen insight is just what our conflicted society needs. Congrats, Ken!”

In this timely book Wytsma unpacks what we need to know to be grounded in conversations about today’s race-related issues. He also helps us come to a deeper understanding of both the origins of these issues and the reconciling role we are called to play.

The June 2017 Publishers Weekly starred review of The Myth of Equality said: “Wytsma (Pursuing Justice), lead pastor of Antioch Church in Bend, Ore., and president of Kilns College, has a gift for persuasive argument, well displayed in his deployment of history, biblical theology, and current affairs to demonstrate the subtle and unsubtle ways that white dominance shapes American culture and conversations about race. He does so from the perspective of a passionately committed evangelical Christian calling prophetically for justice for those who have been consistently disadvantaged by a system and culture built on ‘a white normative standard’ that shapes perceptions and judgments. Wytsma makes his points without accusation, the better to address an audience of white readers who may be unaccustomed to looking beneath the surface of attitudes about race or unaware of the history of Jim Crow laws and other forces that have driven racial segregation. His tour of the post-Reconstruction history of race is a neat synthesis of history. Slavery was formally ended, but disenfranchisement (“Black Codes” in the South, redlining in housing, and other forms of social control) perpetuated inequality. This book should be a wake-up call to Christian communities nationwide.”

Wytsma said, “I’m hoping that The Myth of Equality can serve as an introduction for people who feel that something is wrong, are looking for a way to understand some of the roots, or are looking for language to make sense of their experience.”

Nicholas Wolterstorff, Noah Porter Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology at Yale University said, “The Myth of Equality is written so skillfully that it’s easy to miss how much it accomplishes . . . I have no doubt that some readers will be angered by the claim that they participate in and benefit from structures of racism and white privilege, well supported though that claim is. I predict that there will be more who are convinced and inspired by the patient, passionate, and nondefensive way in which Wytsma makes his case. It’s a book that someone had to write.”

Founded in 1947 as an extension of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, InterVarsity Press serves those in the university, the church and the world by publishing thoughtful Christian books that equip and encourage people to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord in all of life. For more information, visit ivpress.com.

Media Contact: Krista Clayton
630.734.4013  kclayton@ivpress.com

Industry Veteran Jeff Tegge Joins Team

Baker & Taylor Publisher Services, the premier provider of full-service sales and distribution for client publishers, has named Jeff Tegge its new vice president of client services.

Tegge will focus on leveraging the full spectrum of Baker & Taylor and Follett solutions to achieve greater sales for BTPS publisher clients. He will also represent BTPS titles to the public library, K-12, and higher education markets.

Tegge comes to BTPS with more than 25 years of industry experience, most recently as president of Legato Publishers Group and prior to that as vice president of sales at Independent Publishers Group.

He joins BTPS reporting to Mark Suchomel, senior vice president of sales and client services.

“It is an exciting time at Baker & Taylor and Follett and I am thrilled to join the BTPS team,” said Tegge. “The solutions we can provide client publishers are deep and the service is at a level unique to our industry.”

“Jeff will be a key asset to our BTPS team,” said Mark Suchomel. “His knowledge of client needs is unsurpassed and our partners will benefit from his energy and focus.”

Baker & Taylor announced the launch of BTPS earlier this month, the new business unit offering children’s, trade, K‐12, higher education and academic publishers, and Christian publishers economical solutions for warehousing and order fulfillment, sales and marketing support, inventory management and virtual inventory programs, book manufacturing including offset and digital short run, POD, and editorial services.

BTPS is using the existing distribution assets of Bookmasters and has retired that brand as it relates to distribution and client services. The Bookmasters name will continue to represent the printing and manufacturing business, under Ken Fultz’s leadership as the senior vice president of operations.

Publishers interested in Baker & Taylor Publisher Services should contact Mark at Mark.Suchomel@baker‐taylor.com.

About Baker & Taylor
Baker & Taylor is the premier worldwide distributor of books, digital content and entertainment products from approximately 25,000 suppliers to over 20,000 customers in 120 countries. The company offers cutting‐edge digital media services and innovative technology platforms to thousands of publishers, libraries, schools and retailers worldwide. Baker & Taylor also offers industry leading customized library services and retail merchandising solutions. For more information about Baker & Taylor visit www.baker‐taylor.com. Baker & Taylor is part of Follett Corporation, the world’s largest single source of books, entertainment products, digital content and multi‐media for libraries, schools and retailers. Follett is headquartered in Westchester, Illinois. For more information about Follett, visit www.follett.com.

About Follett Corporation
Follett is a $3.4 billion privately held company headquartered in Westchester, Illinois. As a leading provider of education technology, services and physical and digital content, Follett works with 70,000 schools and operates more than 1,250 local campus stores and 1,600 virtual stores. With the 2016 acquisition of Baker & Taylor, LLC, Follett’s reach also extends into the public library and global retail markets. For more information, visit www.follett.com. For more information on our OER partnership with Lumen Learning, visit www.follett.com/lumen.

Nashville, TN, November 1, 2017 – FaithWords, a division of Hachette Book Group, and JellyTelly, a leading Children’s media company, have announced an innovative partnership to bring a new program of children’s books and Bibles for Christian Families to the marketplace.

This is a unique collaboration between FaithWords, a leading publisher in the Christian Inspiration market and JellyTelly, a children’s media company resourcing and inspiring Christian parents every day through video and print media experiences. This new imprint, JellyTelly Press, will bring to the market board books and coloring books for preschoolers, picture books, activity books and chapter books for elementary schoolers as well as Bibles and books for family devotionals.

“JellyTelly is excited to partner with a world-class team like FaithWords. While our JellyTelly users enjoy our streaming video service, they also want to experience the time-honored tradition of reading books together with their children. We regularly hear from our parents that books remain an important part of their family life. Our partnership with FaithWords takes advantage of our online JellyTelly platform and extends our efforts to help families have fun and experience their faith together offline. Books are a great way to do that,” said Dan Raines, President of JellyTelly.

“This new venture is being launched at an opportune moment,” said Rolf Zettersten, FaithWords publisher. “The Millennial generation is the largest in our history. These young people are now seeking inspirational resources to raise their families. We believe JellyTelly Press is coming at an ideal time for booksellers to meet their needs.”

With books written by Veggie Tales and What’s In the Bible? creator Phil Vischer and others, JellyTelly Press titles will debut in January 2019. JellyTelly Press titles will be taken market wide by the Hachette Book Group sales team and direct-to-consumer by JellyTelly.

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

About 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. It’s transmedia properties include a subscription streaming video on demand platform for kids (JellyTelly TV), a resource-rich parents blog (JellyTelly Parents), and a curated online store with the best books, toys and videos for Christian families (JellyTelly Store). JellyTelly helps families experience the goodness of God every day by inspiring, entertaining and resourcing them.

Media contact: Laini Brown
Laini.Brown@hbgusa.com  615.371.7763

(BIRMINGHAM, Ala.) October 30, 2017— Ramona Richards has been named associate publisher at New Hope^® Publishers. Joining New Hope, then a division of Woman’s Missionary Union^®, in March 2017, Richards was hired as managing editor and was promoted to associate publisher when Iron Stream Media acquired New Hope in September 2017. She has been in the Christian publishing industry for more than 35 years and has held positions with Abingdon Press, Thomas Nelson, Ideals, and many more. She will continue to serve New Hope also as acquisitions editor.

“We are blessed to have Ramona as associate publisher as New Hope begins a new and exciting chapter with Iron Stream Media,” said CEO and publisher John Herring. “Her skills, dedication, and relationships in the industry will serve New Hope well as we equip and inspire believers to grow in their relationship with the Lord and disciple those that still need to hear.”

Richards’s relationship with literary agents, authors, and other industry professionals will secure New Hope’s standing among Christian publishers and grow it toward its goal of involving readers in the mission of God as well as reaching many more with the message of the gospel.

“Working with New Hope has been an adventure from day one,” said Richards. “Their authors are the best in the business, and this is a dynamic team with remarkable plans for growth. And I’m thrilled to be back in my home state of Alabama.”

The mission of New Hope^® Publishers is to challenge readers to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God. A division of Iron Stream Media, New Hope’s books have received critical acclaim and won several awards. In 2009 and 2015, New Hope was chosen as publisher of the year by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). Representing more than seventy authors and more than two hundred individual works, New Hope is a member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is located in Birmingham, Alabama.

October 27, 2017, Charlotte, NC— Nominations for the Christian Indie Awards will close on November 15, 2017. This award honors books produced by small publishers and independent authors each year for outstanding contribution to Christian life. Nominations are accepted in 14 categories.

“Independent publishing continues to grow. Bowker’s most recent report shows that 786,935 ISBNs were issued to self-published authors in 2016, an 8.2% increase over 2015,” says Sarah Bolme, Director of Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA), the sponsor of the book award. “The Christian Indie Awards exist to highlight exceptional books in the growing field of independent Christian publishing.”

Any small publisher or independently published author can nominate books for the award. Books must be published in 2016 or 2017 by a publisher or author with annual revenues of $450,000 or less. Nominated books must be Christian in nature and intended for the Christian marketplace. All nominated books must be printed in English and for sale in the United States. Nominations must be received by November 15, 2017.

All Christian book readers and sellers are invited to vote on the nominated titles in February and March 2018. The winners of the award will be the books that receive the most votes.

Complete guidelines, eligibility, categories, and the nomination form can be found on the Christian Indie Awards’ website at https://www.christianaward.com.

About Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA)
CSPA exists to represent, promote, and strength small publishers and independent authors in the Christian marketplace. The association represents over 180 members producing materials for the Christian marketplace and is a supplier member of CBA. Christian Small Publishers Association can be found online at http://www.christianpublishers.net.

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

‘Sing! An Irish Christmas’ concert series sponsorship launches drive to bring God’s Word to children at ‘crucial time’ in their lives

Modern hymn writer Keith Getty (left) with Stephen Cave, Biblica’s chief ministry officer, celebrating the partnership aiming to reach a million and one children with the Bible in 2018.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Oct. 24, 2017 — Biblica (www.biblica.com), the International Bible Society, is partnering with acclaimed modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty (www.gettymusic.com) in a campaign to share the Bible with more children.

The organization is the key sponsor for the Gettys’ forthcoming “Sing! An Irish Christmas” tour (www.gettymusic.com/christmas), which will feature the launch of Biblica’s drive to reach a million-and-one children around the world with God’s Word during 2018.

Concertgoers will be invited to join Biblica and Getty Music in the initiative, for which Biblica’s global partners have pledged a double-the-impact match.

Co-writer of the modern classic, “In Christ Alone,” named “the best hymn of all time” in the UK, Keith Getty was awarded the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honors List earlier this year. Through their popular hymn writing he and Kristyn, who have three children, encourage congregational singing intended to draw people back to the Bible.

“We are delighted to join with Keith and Kristyn in their great calling to engage the global church in singing and worshiping through the promises of God’s Word,” said Stephen Cave, Biblica’s chief ministry officer. “We couldn’t think of anyone who more closely aligns with our vision of making the Bible understandable and accessible, or who more shares our heart for reaching children with its truths.”

The Gettys’ links to Biblica include a long-term friendship with fellow Northern Irishman Cave, and personal use of Biblica’s best-selling contemporary translation, the NIV (New International Version). In addition to sponsoring the Sing! Christmas tour, Biblica was one of the sponsors of the Gettys’ Sing! conference on the arts, worship, and congregational singing in Nashville, Sept.18-20.

“Our desire through our music is to help people encounter God in a deeper and more meaningful way, and as part of that to experience the life-transforming power of the Bible,” said Keith Getty. “Having a special place in our hearts for children, too, we are excited to be able to join with Biblica in attempting to reach so many who haven’t yet had the opportunity to discover God through the Bible.”

At a string of performances throughout the month of December, the “Sing! An Irish Christmas” program of music and cultural dance will include a presentation of the Biblica initiative by Cave. The tour includes stops at several celebrated venues, including Atlanta’s Fox Theatre and New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall-where the New York Bible Society, as Biblica was founded in 1809, previously hosted events during its history. There will also be two performances at the famous Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs, Colo., Biblica’s home since 1988.

Biblica’s million-and-one children goal for 2018 will see the organization partner with ministries around the world to make the Bible available in a wide range of formats, from Scripture portions to audio and digital editions that help children engage with God’s Word.

“We know that childhood is a crucial time developmentally–time when values and beliefs that shape the rest of your life are embraced,” said Cave. “We want to make sure God’s truth as found in the Bible is part of that discovery for many children who currently don’t have ready access to it.”

The “plus one” campaign goal was intended to remind participants that “each child is a unique individual,” said Cave. “We hope that everyone who joins us in this effort will know that they are a part of helping impact and shape a young life. Each one has a call on their life, and when you give the Bible to a child, it has the power to change everything.”

About Biblica
Biblica (www.biblica.com) is committed to providing the Bible in accurate, contemporary translations and formats so that more people around the world may have the opportunity to be transformed by Jesus Christ. Copyright-holder of the best-selling New International Version, Biblica is involved in translation and publishing, distribution, and Bible engagement programs with hundreds of partner groups around the world.

About The Gettys
Keith and Kristyn Getty occupy a unique space in the world of music as pre-eminent modern hymn writers and global ambassadors for the genre. Perhaps best-known for “In Christ Alone” (written by Keith with Stuart Townend), the Gettys have helped reinvent the traditional hymn form, creating a catalog of songs teaching Christian doctrine and crossing musical genres. Now in its seventh year, the Gettys’ Irish Christmas tour has become a holiday tradition for thousands, playing to sold-out audiences and being featured on public television to over 45 million households. Keith and Kristyn live between Northern Ireland and Nashville with their daughters, Eliza, Charlotte, and Grace.

Keith Getty and Stephen Cave are available for interview.
Please contact Ty Mays at (770) 256-8710 or tmays@inchristcommunications.com.

Contact: Ty Mays, 770-256-8710,  tmays@inchristcommunications.com

FORT MYERS, FL (10-25-17) – Christ Centered Life Store is thankful for the support of the Christian Vendors  that helped put thousands of items of encouragement in the hands of Hurricane Irma victims in Southwest Florida.

Christ Centered Life Store reached out to its vendors and asked for help to get these items into the hands of Hurricane Irma victims in Southwest Florida. The response was tremendous. Vendors of all sizes responded including publishers, music companies, gift vendors and even some industry service partners. In all, over $150,000 retail in items were received and have been distributed in Southwest Florida. Bibles, books, tracts, promise cards, Spanish items, French items, stuffed animals, t-shirts and much more. The store is still being contacted by some vendors to see if they would still like items to be sent. “The work does continue, not as much as in the first weeks, but we are still getting much needed items into much needed places, even now”, says Danny Vera, President of Christ Centered Life Store. He goes on to say, “We would like to thank the vendors and companies on behalf of the ministries and many individuals that were able to provide the “life giving” message of Jesus through these generous donations. We are grateful, Southwest Florida is grateful and the many affected by this storm are grateful.”

It is great to see the collaboration between individuals, families, businesses, vendors and service & trade associations joining together for the sake of “blessing the less fortunate”.

Christ Centered Life Store has been serving the Southwest Florida community since 1964 and is located at 7191 Cypress Lake Drive #4, Fort Myers, FL  33907.  For more information, call (239) 936-2433 or e-mail info@ChristCenteredLife.com .

Contact:   Danny Vera, Christ Centered Life Store  (239) 936-2433