(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

We all know Chip Gaines as the funny, hardworking family man who can take an ordinary house and – with the design skills of his wife, Joanna-turn it into a place anyone would be glad to call home. While The Magnolia Story was the first book from the HGTV Fixer Upper stars offering their fans a detailed look at their life together, Capital Gaines will delve deeper into Chip’s story and the experiences that made him who he is today.

Capital Gaines is the story of Chip’s successes, losses, and how he followed his heart to achieve his wildest dreams. Husband and father of four, a contractor, business man, and friend – Chip is proof that if you stay true to yourself, you can have it all.

In Capital Gaines, we walk alongside Chip as he relives several of his craziest antics and the lessons learned along the way. As a recent reviewer said, “He has a distinctive way of speaking, and this book captures his voice perfectly. Reading it feels like you’re sitting on a front porch with a tall glass of iced tea as Chip gives you encouragement and advice.”

Capital Gaines is the perfect book for anyone looking to succeed not only in business, but more importantly in life.  For more Information, visit magnoliamarket.com/capital-gaines/.

Media Contact: Kimberly Golladay  kimberly.golladay@harpercollins.com

A new edition of the classic story of determination and devotion to be released

Seattle: Some stories are evergreen, their themes and lessons standing the test of time and connecting with readers generation after generation. One such book is Catherine Marshall’s Christy (Evergreen Farm, an imprint of Gilead Publishing/October 17, 2017/ ISBN 9781683701262/$24.99), originally released in 1967 and now celebrating its 50^th anniversary with the release of a new hardcover edition and its first-ever release as an e-book. Based on Marshall’s mother’s life, the story of Christy is one of determination, devotion and commitment to making a difference in the world.

Marshall’s best seller tells the story of nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddleston who moves from her home in Asheville, North Carolina, in 1912 and finds herself in Cutter Gap, a Smoky Mountain community that feels suspended in time, trapped by poverty, superstitions and century-old traditions. Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, and some of the Cutter Gap residents see her — and her one-room school — as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged by trial and tragedy, and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove.

Christy landed on the New York Times list on November 5, 1967. Since then, more than 10 million copies have been sold worldwide, and the book blazed a trail for the new Christian fiction genre. In 1994, more families were introduced to the beloved character, Christy, and to the works of Marshall when the story inspired a CBS television movie pilot starring Kellie Martin that was so well received, it became a TV series.

“The story of Christy has endured because of its timeless themes. A young person, barely 19, is inspired to contribute her time and talents to make a difference,” states Nancy LeSourd, Evergreen Farm’s publisher and spokesperson for the Marshall family. “Christy is a tale of courage, determination, and passion. Christy and other key characters in the novel have to learn how to take who they are, and what they have to give, and serve a community that challenges them in ways they cannot anticipate. Even though the story took place 100 years ago, these key characters’ approaches to making a difference is not unlike the Millennial generation today.”

In conjunction with the bestselling book’s Golden Anniversary, the e-book will be available for the first time. Readers can purchase the digital edition through online retailers, and libraries can now include the digital book in their OverDrive collection. Its re-release will introduce a new generation of readers to the story that has delighted millions and inspired many authors in the Christian genre. Christy will also mark the first release under Gilead Publishing’s Evergreen Farm imprint, specializing in books written by both Catherine Marshall and Dr. Peter Marshall.

“There is a whole generation of readers who aren’t familiar with Christy, and we want to introduce them to her story,” explains Dan Balow, CEO and Publisher of Gilead Publishing. “Our intention was to create a book to be read, not placed in a shelf as a keepsake, so readers won’t find commemorative features. The book being available in digital format for the first time is an avenue of reaching a vast new audience.”

The Christy Awards™, the industry’s premiere award program for recognizing excellence in Christian fiction, was named in honor of the book. This award promotes the power of story written from a Christian worldview in nine categories. This year’s The Christy Awards™ will be awarded November 8, 2017, in Nashville in association with the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s (ECPA) Publishing University (PubU) and The Art of Writing conference.

Learn more about the 50^th anniversary of Christy plus download a free map of Cutter Gap by visiting www.christybook.com. Readers can also keep up with news on future Evergreen Farm releases via Facebook (@gileadpublishing) and Twitter (@GileadPub).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Catherine Marshall (1914-1983), the New York Times best-selling author of 30 books, is best known for her novel Christy. Based on the life of her mother, Christy captured the hearts of millions and became a popular CBS television series. Around the kitchen table at Evergreen Farm, as her mother reminisced, Marshall probed for details and insights into the rugged lives of these Appalachian highlanders.

She also shared the story of her husband, Dr. Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the United States Senate during World War II, in A Man Called Peter. The movie version, an immediate box-office hit, was nominated for an Academy Award. A decade after Dr. Marshall’s untimely death, Marshall married Leonard LeSourd, Executive Editor of Guideposts. The writing team collaborated often at Evergreen Farm on Christy and 17 other books.

A beloved inspirational writer and speaker, Marshall’s enduring career spanned four decades and six continents and reached more than 30 million readers.

ABOUT THE SPOKESPERSON
Nancy LeSourd, is the daughter-in-law of Catherine Marshall and spokesperson for the Marshall and LeSourd families. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, during the turbulent civil rights era of the 1960s, where she learned first-hand as a teenager the impact that a young person can have on history. She taught history in middle school and high school before becoming a lawyer and has more than 30 years of experience as an intellectual property attorney, helping nonprofit organizations maximize their publishing assets.

LeSourd also serves as publisher for Evergreen Farm, an imprint of Gilead Publishing. Nancy and her husband, Jeff, live at Evergreen Farm in Lincoln, Virginia, and have two delightful grown children. 

Suggested interview questions

• How many copies of Christy have been sold in the last 50 years since its original release?
• Why do you think Christy resonated with so many people at the time it was written? What makes this story as culturally relevant today as it was when it was first written?
• Readers throughout time have always had a strong emotional connection to Christy. What is it about Christy that especially resonates with young women especially?
• Are there special features in the new edition, for both those who have read and loved Christy many years ago and younger generations who aren’t familiar with the book?
• In what ways will Millennials be able to relate to Christy, a character based on a woman who was born 120 years ago?
• How has Christy shaped Christian fiction and the Christian publishing industry as a whole?
• What would Catherine Marshall think of the book being so popular that it became a beloved TV series?
• What lessons can those who are about to make a life change and enter an unfamiliar world glean from the story of Christy? 

To request a review copy of Christy, to schedule an interview with Nancy LeSourd or for more information, please contact Audra Jennings, audra@litfusegroup.com.

Purcellville, VA—Why on earth does anyone need a guide on how to listen to sermons? Don’t we simply need to be there and stay awake? The fact is, much more is involved in truly listening to Bible teaching than just sitting and staring at the preacher. Jesus said: “Consider carefully how you listen.”  

Listen Up! A Practical Guide to Listening to Sermons (The Good Book Company, May 2009) by Christopher Ash was written to meet the need for resources that help Christians listen well, and has now sold 120,000 copies worldwide.

This short book outlines seven ingredients for healthy listening, deals with how to respond to bad sermons (dull, biblically inadequate, or even heretical ones), and provides practical ideas for helping and encouraging our Bible teachers to give sermons that will really help us to grow as Christians. R. Kent Hughes, who pastored College Church in Wheaton, IL for many years says Listen Up! “provides crucial theology and practical advice about listening that can make the difference between life and death in the church.”

Year after year, churches continue to buy Listen Up! in bulk to give away, with the aim of helping their congregations learn how to listen properly, so that through his word, God will make his people more and more Christ-like. “We give Listen Up! to all our new members,” says Mark Dever, Senior Pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC.

BULK-BUY DEALS
To enable churches to give away copies of Listen Up!, bulk pricing as low as $1 per copy is available on the publisher’s website, www.thegoodbook.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christopher Ash is a pastor, author and writer in residence at Tyndale House, Cambridge, England. His other titles include Zeal without Burnout (The Good Book Company, Mar 2016) and Where Was God When That Happened? (The Good Book Company, Feb 2017).

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
Founded in 1989, The Good Book Company is an international Christian publisher. Our Bible studies, books, devotionals, videos, tracts, evangelistic courses and training materials are used throughout the English-speaking world, and in translation in over 35 languages worldwide. All of us here at The Good Book Company are passionate about the Lord Jesus, his word, his church and his gospel of grace. Motivated by this passion and our involvement in local churches, it is our privilege to create and publish biblical, relevant and accessible resources that will encourage Christians to keep going, keep growing and keep sharing their faith. For additional information, visit thegoodbook.com.

Blog: thegoodbook.com/blog
Facebook: thegoodbookcompanynorthamerica
Twitter: @thegoodbookusa

Anderson, Ind., October 26, 2017—Warner Press continues its strong relationship with the Church of God by publishing the first book of longtime pastor, Melissa Pratt.  Pratt’s new book, Impact, adds a new resource for women by a woman to the Warner Press repertoire. Impact shares how you can use your role as a disciple of Jesus to change and impact others’ lives for the better.

“As believers in Christ, we are called to make an impact on the world for Christ,” said Melissa Pratt. “Our lives should be so impacted by the gospel that as we live out its message we are convincing evidence that Christ is real and that His presence brings real and positive transformation to a surrendered life.”

Rev. Dr. Melissa Pratt has been the Senior Pastor of the Teays Valley Church of God in Scott Depot, West Virginia, since February of 2007. Prior to accepting that call, she served as the Assistant Pastor of the Dayspring Church of God in Cincinnati, Ohio, for twelve years. Melissa is a 1991 graduate of Anderson University and a 1995 graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary. She also received her Doctorate of Worship Studies from the Institute for Worship Studies in 2007. Between college and seminary, she served the Church of God as a Special Assignment Missionary to the island of Cyprus in the Middle East. In addition to her pastoral work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband, Rev. Thom Pratt, and their children, Hannah and Joshua. She also enjoys writing, travel, movies, plays, and concerts.

Pratt will be a lead speaker at the 2017 Church of God Women’s Convention in Daytona Beach, Florida, from October 26–29. Her message will focus on the teachings in her new book and how to impact the world around you for Jesus. How do you want your life to influence others? Who will follow Jesus more closely because they want more of what they see in you? This book is an invitation to think about the personal impact you could make on those around you. Read it with an open heart, and ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to be a world-changer for Christ.

About Warner Press
At Warner Press, our goal is to equip the Church for ministry. We strive to help churches and Christian organizations communicate better within their walls, encourage spiritual growth and biblical literacy, and share the hope of Christ and the good news of the gospel with a broken world. Warner Press publishes and distributes Christian products worldwide, including ministry resources, church supplies, kids’ books, and greeting cards. We also own and produce artwork by the artist Warner Sallman, which includes some of the most recognizable images of Christ known throughout the world. Warner Press is in Anderson, Indiana, and is a not-for-profit organization.

For further information, contact Warner Press at (765) 644-7721 or visit us online at www.warnerpress.com or go.warnerpress.org.

The bestselling author of The Holy Longing turns his attention to one of the stigmas of our time: suicide.  His book, Bruised and Wounded, presents a new way of understanding death by suicide with chapters on:

• Removing the Taboo
• Despair as Weakness Rather than Sin
• Reclaiming the Memory of Our Loved One

“Unique insights on the nature of suicide, its devastating effects, and God’s embracing love throughout. Fr. Ron is exactly who I would have wanted at my side when my daughter died.”  –Marjorie Antus, author of My Daughter, Her Suicide, and God: A Memoir of Hope 

Bruised and Wounded: Struggling to Understand Suicide
On-sale Date: December 1, 2017
US Retail Price: $10.99
Format: Trade paperback
ISBN: 9781640600843

Ronald Rolheiser is a Catholic priest, president of The Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, an internationally renowned speaker, and a spiritual writer whose books appeal to Christians of all backgrounds and spiritual seekers of all kinds. He is the author of many books, including the bestselling The Holy Longing, and the award-winning weekly column “In Exile,” which is carried by more than seventy newspapers worldwide.

For more information, contact Sr. Antonia Cleverly, srantonia@paracletepress.com, (508) 255-4685 x 329​​

New Series Aims to Promote Generosity and Contentment in 2 to 8-year-olds

MINNEAPOLIS (October 27, 2017) – Sparkhouse Family announces Generous Kids, a series of books for children ages 2-8 published in partnership with brightpeak financial, a division of Thrivent. Generous Kids books teach age-appropriate concepts about money, possessions, generosity, and contentment.

The series will launch on August 14, 2018, with three books:

Mine! – A group of children counts up the things that belong to them. Mine, mine, mine! But then—surprise!—they share with each other to make one big party for themselves and their friends! Especially designed for toddlers, Mine! is a counting book that teaches the concepts of yours and mine, while also reminding kids that we all have more fun when we share together. (board book)

It’s Not Fair! – Misty Martinez wants a new backpack—but she also wants a shiny toy rocketship, and she doesn’t have enough money for both. It’s not fair! Neither is the man who cuts in line at the store, or the fact that she has to take the bus while her friend gets to ride a shiny car. But then, a surprising encounter makes Misty reconsider her notions of what’s fair. Now, will she spend that money on a backpack, a rocket—or on someone in need? Written for kids 4-6, It’s Not Fair! teaches kids about money, choices, fairness, and having enough.

The Wrong Shoes – Marco loved his Super Stepper Running Shoes when he saw them in the store—but on the first day of school he discovers that everybody was wearing Jupiter Jumpers. He wanted those shoes. He needed those shoes. But his dad said no, and his mom said he should earn some money and save up for them himself. Marco never had a job before! So he grabbed his trusty Field Guide and his best friend Amelia for a quest through the wild world of money—a quest that teaches them some unexpected things. Written for kids 7-8, The Wrong Shoes teaches kids about money, hard work, self-esteem, and the real value of the stuff we own.

All three books are written by Caryn Rivadeneira, the author of seven books for both children and adults, including Grit and Grace: Heroic Women of the Bible (Sparkhouse Family, 2017) and Broke: What Financial Desperation Revealed about God’s Abundance (IVP Books, 2014). Caryn serves on the worship staff at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church and is a proud member of INK: A Creative Collective and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Caryn lives in the near-west suburbs of Chicago with her husband, three kids, and one rescued pit bull.

In addition to the three books, the partnership between Sparkhouse Family and brightpeak financial will include a small group study course that families can complete through church and school groups.

About Sparkhouse Family
Sparkhouse Family creates Bibles, books, and videos designed to spark new life in today’s Christian families. Through creative and entertaining storytelling, Sparkhouse Family helps kids laugh, learn, and grow in faith all at the same time.

About brightpeak financial
brightpeak’s mission is to help a younger generation of Christians become financially stronger so they can live with confidence and generosity. As a division of Thrivent, brightpeak offers a holistic financial and relational approach for couples to appreciate each other’s perspectives, align on financial goals, and achieve them together. brightpeak’s emphasis on wellness in love and money is paired with simple solutions like term life insurance, disability income insurance and retirement plans. Learn more at brightpeakfinancial.com.