GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., January 2026 — Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is celebrating a significant milestone for the NIV Application Bible, which has now surpassed 100,000 copies sold since its release just last year. In conjunction with this achievement, Zondervan is also pleased to announce that Dr. Joel Muddamalle will serve as the season two host of the NIV Application Bible Podcast and ambassador for the NIV Application Bible, helping expand its reach and impact among readers, pastors, and church leaders.

The NIV Application Bible brings together the trusted scholarship of the bestselling NIV Application Commentary series—which has sold over 2 million copies worldwide—in a single, accessible Bible designed to help readers understand Scripture in its original context and thoughtfully apply it to their everyday experiences. Notably, the Bible launched exactly 30 years after the release of the first NIV Application Commentary volume, marking three decades of Zondervan’s commitment to bridging biblical meaning and modern life.

“The response we’ve seen to the NIV Application Bible has been incredibly encouraging,” said Melinda Bouma, VP and Associate Group Publisher for Bibles at Zondervan. “Reaching 100,000 copies sold within a year of its release affirms that readers are hungry for Scripture engagement that is both faithful to the text and deeply relevant to our modern world. We’re also thrilled to welcome Joel Muddamalle as our next representative for this Bible; he is a voice who embodies our same commitment to thoughtful, lived theology.”

Built on the award-winning methodology of the NIV Application Commentary series, the NIV Application Bible features thousands of study notes organized around two of the NIV Application Commentary’s core pillars: Original Meaning notes help readers understand the historical, literary, and cultural context of the biblical text, and Application notes guide readers in integrating Scripture into their personal, communal, and vocational experiences. This approach equips readers not only to comprehend Scripture, but to live it out with wisdom and discernment.

Following in the footsteps of bestselling author and Bible teacher Lisa Harper, who served as the first podcast host and ambassador, Joel Muddamalle will help lead conversations that reflect the heart of the NIV Application Bible—exploring how biblical theology intersects with discipleship, culture, leadership, and everyday faithfulness. A theologian, speaker, and respected voice in the church, Muddamalle brings both academic depth and pastoral clarity to the role, making him uniquely suited to engage a broad audience seeking thoughtful engagement with Scripture.

“The NIV Application Bible is designed to help people move from reading Scripture to being formed by it,” said Muddamalle. “I’m honored to partner with Zondervan in inviting readers into deeper reflection on how God’s Word speaks meaningfully into our lives today.”

Available in a range of print and digital formats, the NIV Application Bible continues to serve pastors, students, and everyday readers looking for a reliable and accessible resource for personal study, teaching, and discipleship.

For more information about the NIV Application Bible, visit nivapplicationbible.com, and to watch the podcast, visit nivapplicationbible.com/podcast.

Joel Muddamalle, PhD, is the director of theology and research at Proverbs 31 Ministries and cohosts the Therapy and Theology podcast with Lysa TerKeurst and licensed professional counselor Jim Cress. Joel speaks frequently at churches, conferences, and events and is the author of The Hidden Peace and upcoming new release with Zondervan Reflective, The Unseen Battle. Stay connected with Joel through his social media @muddamalle or online at www.muddamalle.com.

About Zondervan
Zondervan, a worldwide leading Christian publisher of books and Bibles, is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Its publications include a variety of Bible translations for all ages; books in numerous genres and subject areas; academic and reference works; curriculum resources; and books for children and young adults. Zondervan is based in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, visit zondervan.com.

About the NIV
The New International Version (NIV) is the world’s bestselling modern-English Bible translation—accurate, readable, and clear, yet deeply faithful to the detail of the original languages. For over 50 years, the Committee on Bible Translation has overseen the work of scholars from around the world to ensure the NIV remains accessible, relevant, and authoritative. Every NIV purchased helps Biblica translate and distribute Scripture to people around the globe. Learn more at thenivbible.com.

To schedule interviews with Joel Muddamalle or for more information, contact: 
Serena DeKryger, Manager, Publicity & Reader Engagement at serena.dekryger@harpercollins.com

NASHVILLE, TN (January 7, 2026) – HarperCollins Christian Publishing today announced that Wes Jakacki was named Vice President of Marketing for HarperChristian Resources (HCR). Jakacki will begin his new role on February 9 and will report to John Raymond, VP and Publisher, HarperChristian Resources.

SHIPPENSBURG, PA (January 2026) — Nori Media Group (NMG) today announced two strategic leadership promotions designed to strengthen its publishing operations, expand author impact, and accelerate growth across its imprints.

Effective January, 2026, Larry Sparks has been promoted to Vice President of Publishing, providing senior-level oversight and direction to strengthen acquisitions and publishing development across Destiny Image and Harrison House, while expanding high-impact media partnerships and mentoring emerging publishing leaders.

Effective January, 2026, Shaun Tabatt has been promoted to Publisher of Destiny Image, Inc., serving as the senior day-to-day publishing leader for the Destiny Image imprint—responsible for identifying, acquiring, developing, and executing high-impact publishing projects within the Spirit-filled / Charismatic space, while stewarding author relationships and the acquisitions pipeline.

Strengthening the Publishing Team for the Next Season of Growth

In his new role, Sparks will focus on developing major author projects, broadening strategic media opportunities, and supporting cross-imprint growth—while empowering internal leadership to manage day-to-day execution.

Tabatt will lead Destiny Image’s publishing execution with a mandate to ensure strong author relationships, a thriving acquisitions pipeline, and operational alignment across production, marketing, sales, and media. The Publisher role operates under the strategic oversight of the VP of Publishing, ensuring the imprint remains prophetically aligned, culturally relevant, and commercially successful.

“Larry’s author relationships, publishing instincts, and media expertise have helped shape the strength of our catalog for years,” said Don Nori, Chief Executive Officer of Nori Media Group. “As VP of Publishing, he will provide high-level strategic leadership across our imprints while continuing to build an exceptional lineup of projects and partnerships.”

Nori continued, “Shaun has demonstrated outstanding leadership and discernment in serving authors and advancing our mission. As Publisher of Destiny Image, he will drive day-to-day publishing excellence, strengthen acquisitions, and help position Destiny Image for sustained growth and global influence.”

About Nori Media Group
Nori Media Group is a publishing and media company serving faith audiences through mission-driven content and author partnerships. NMG is home to imprints including Destiny Image and Harrison House, delivering books and multi-format resources designed to inspire, equip, and impact readers worldwide.

 

January 2026 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is thrilled to announce the honoring of two IVP titles in the 2025 Englewood Readers’ Best Awards. Beauty and Resistance: Spiritual Rhythms for Formation and Repair received an honorable mention and Remissioning Church: A Field Guide to Bringing a Congregation Back to Life won the overall award.

The Englewood Review of Books was launched in 2008 with a mission of “covering books related to the themes of community, mission, imagination, and reconciliation, and hope.” They champion a way of reading that is “driven by an attentiveness to the communities in which we are embedded: church, family, neighborhood, workplace.”

The 2025 Englewood Readers’ Best Awards celebrates the highest-ranking favorite books among Englewood readers for books with an initial publication in 2025.

Written by pastor Josh Hayden, Remissioning Church offers practical tools and field-tested methods for church leaders to resurrect their congregations. Hayden runs remissioning trainings through `Iwa Collaborative across various denominational, non-denominational, and global networks. He is the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Ashland, Virginia.

In Beauty and Resistance, Jonathan P. Walton provides the spiritual scaffolding needed to sustain both interior formation and outward engagement. Walton introduces practices and frameworks for a rooted life, where the pursuit of justice flows from a place of authentic restfulness, not reactivity.

Walton leads Beauty and Resistance Cohorts, writes The Crux on Substack, and is a senior resource specialist for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship focusing on political discipleship and civic engagement. He has written five books, including Twelve Lies That Hold America Captive.

The Englewood Review of Books is published by Englewood Christian Church, located on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis. From fall 2010 to spring 2020, Englewood published a quarterly print magazine.

For a complete list of IVP award-winning titles, visit https://www.ivpress.com/award-winners.

Contact: Eva Pankratz, epankratz@ivpress.com

January 2026 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce that Birth of the Chosen One: A First Nations Retelling of the Christmas Story by Terry M. Wildman has received a 2025 Northern Lights Book Award in the religious/spiritual category.

The Northern Lights Book Awards considers children’s books to be an art form and honors books that excel in aesthetic and literary qualities with an emphasis on permanency. Judges comprise industry experts in the fields of education, publishing, and writing.

In addition to this award, Birth of the Chosen One has been honored with an American Fiction Award, an Illumination Award, and a Moonbeam Award. It is also a 2025 Children’s Book Council (CBC) Teacher and Librarian Favorite and an Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorite.

This unique children’s picture book is an Indigenous translation of the Creator’s Story told in the tradition of Native oral storytellers. With text from the bestselling First Nations Version (FNV) and stunning illustrations by Native artists Hannah and Holly Buchanan, Birth of the Chosen One is a picture book that illuminates the Christmas story in a fresh and new way.

“Birth of the Chosen One weaves together Indigenous artwork and storytelling in a beautiful way that encourages our youngest siblings to know the love of Creator Sets Free,” said Amy N. Allan, PhD student with NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community. “This fresh presentation of a familiar story inspires imagination, worship, and awe, especially during the seasons of Advent and Christmastime. Native American names and images invite all to the circle to join the drumbeat celebrating the arrival of the Chosen One.”

The FNV is a dynamic equivalence translation of Scripture that captures the simplicity, clarity, and beauty of Native storytellers in English while remaining faithful to the original language of the Bible. IVP’s published FNV titles currently include Birth of the Chosen One, First Nations Version: An Indigenous Bible Translation of the New Testament and the First Nations Version Psalms and Proverbs. The FNV Old Testament will be released in four phases over the next ten years. Genesis through Joshua will release in 2029, Judges through Esther in 2032, the Major and Minor Prophets in 2034, and the full FNV Bible of both the Old and New Testaments together in 2035.

For a complete list of IVP Kids award winners visit ivpress.com/award-winners.

Contact:  Anna Tjernstrom, atjernstrom@ivpress.com

 

December 2025 | LISLE, IL— Lutheran Church Charities has received a $4,894,190 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life 2025 for the Good Samaritan Stories Project—that will include key roles by Spiritual First Aid, Values Partnerships, InterVarsity Press (IVP), and the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College.

Lutheran Church Charities is one of sixty organizations from across the United States that have received grants through the initiative since 2024. The groups include media organizations, denominational judicatories, church networks, publishers, educational institutions, congregations, and other nonprofit charitable organizations.

The Good Samaritan Stories Project will share moving accounts of neighbors helping one another during and after disasters in the United States, inviting audiences to know and love God through stories of care and resilience. Rooted in the biblical call to love God and neighbor, the stories will seek to engage and transform—toward deeper faith and more active compassion. The project will consist of a multi-platform campaign that connects a national TV/streaming docuseries, three books, and curricular resources for churches, classrooms, and small groups. Together, these products will form a coordinated storytelling initiative with broad reach and lasting impact.

“We need compelling stories that invite and inspire us—not just abstract exhortations that tell us—to love God and our neighbors,” says Kent Annan, the Good Samaritan Stories Project Director, who is also Co-Founder of Spiritual First Aid and Co-Director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute. “With deep social fragmentation and skepticism toward institutions, I believe (and our team’s initial audience research shows) that people with a range of faith perspectives want credible, embodied examples of Christian faith in action. Well-told, theologically-grounded stories can bridge divides, spark imagination, and invite people into a living encounter with the God who ‘became flesh and lived among us’ (John 1:14).”

The key roles on this team of complementary partners include: Lutheran Church Charities as the grantee providing fiscal management, on-the-ground community support through their K-9 team, and church engagement through their network; Spiritual First Aid providing project leadership, developing the curricula, and co-executive producing the docuseries; Values Partnerships as the production company for the docuseries and leading outreach efforts; InterVarsity Press publishing books and engaging readers; and the Humanitarian Disaster Institute leading evaluation. Additional partners have already and will continue to contribute to this project in important ways.

“We’re deeply grateful for Lilly Endowment Inc.’s vision and generosity,” says Chris Singer, President and CEO of Lutheran Church Charities, “that has enabled this team to begin working as partners dedicated to loving and serving our neighbors around the country through storytelling.”

The aim of Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative on Christian Faith and Life is to help organizations identify, produce and share with a wide variety of audiences compelling stories that portray the vibrancy and hope of Christian faith and life.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A primary aim of its grantmaking in religion is to deepen the religious lives of Christians, principally by supporting efforts that enhance congregational vitality and strengthen the leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment values the broad diversity of Christian traditions and endeavors to support them in a wide variety of contexts. The Endowment also seeks to foster public understanding about religion by encouraging fair, accurate and balanced portrayals of the positive and negative effects of religion on the world and lifting up the contributions that people of all faiths make to our greater civic well-being.

Contact:  Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – December 16, 2025 – Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODBM) has received a grant of $5M from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support its Witness & Wonder: Everyday Encounters with God initiative – a four-year storytelling initiative designed to help young adults (ages 18–34) encounter, know, and love God through real-life stories of vibrant faith. The project is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life 2025.

“The gap between faith and everyday life for young adults continues to widen,” said Dr. Matt Lucas, CEO of Our Daily Bread Ministries. “Witness & Wonder steps directly into that gap with honest, emotionally resonant stories that show how God meets people in the middle of real questions, struggles, and hopes. Our desire is to help a new generation see that Christian faith is deeply relevant and spiritually transformative in today’s world.”

As part of the initiative, ODBM will produce and distribute more than 200 original multimedia storytelling resources and more than 600 social media resources. These will include short-form videos, podcasts, thematic Bible content, digital Bible engagement tools and derivative media designed for platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Featuring people from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, life experiences, and cultures, each resource is crafted to reflect the questions, struggles, and spiritual hunger of today’s young adults.

“Many in this generation are navigating big questions about meaning, purpose, and truth,” said Dave Gavette, Vice President of Media Programs. “With innovative media and multi-tiered content journeys, Witness & Wonder features everyday people whose faith shapes their choices, relationships, and daily rhythms. These stories reveal how God is at work in ordinary moments and invite young adults to encounter Him in meaningful, personal ways.”

ODBM is one of 60 organizations from across the United States that have received grants through the initiative since 2024. The groups include media organizations, denominational judicatories, church networks, publishers, educational institutions, congregations and other nonprofit charitable organizations.

The aim of Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative on Christian Faith and Life is to help organizations identify, produce and share with a wide variety of audiences compelling stories that portray the vibrancy and hope of Christian faith and life.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A primary aim of its grantmaking in religion is to deepen the religious lives of Christians, principally by supporting efforts that enhance congregational vitality and strengthen the leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment values the broad diversity of Christian traditions and endeavors to support them in a wide variety of contexts. The Endowment also seeks to foster public understanding about religion by encouraging fair, accurate and balanced portrayals of the positive and negative effects of religion on the world and lifting up the contributions that people of all faiths make to our greater civic well-being.

About Our Daily Bread Ministries
Our Daily Bread Ministries is a donor-supported, global Bible engagement ministry with a staff of 700 serving in 32 offices to distribute more than 60 million resources each year in 58 languages throughout 150 countries. Often known for its global devotional, the ministry produces long- and short-form Bible content across print, video, audio, and digital platforms to help people connect with God every day in every way. For more than 87 years, the ministry’s mission has remained the same: to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.

 

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., December 2025 — Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, celebrates a significant achievement as the NIV Quest Study Bible surpasses 2 million copies sold worldwide. Known for its innovative Q&A approach that directly engages the real questions readers bring to Scripture, the NIV Quest Study Bible has steadily grown into one of the most trusted and approachable study Bibles on the market, particularly resonating with new believers and first-time Bible readers. This milestone highlights the enduring appeal of a resource designed not to lecture but to guide—helping millions move from curiosity to clarity as they read God’s Word.

First released in 1994 and developed in partnership with Christianity Today (CT), the NIV Quest Study Bible pioneered a new way of engaging Scripture by centering on the research-based  questions readers ask. Instead of leading with commentary or academic notes, this study Bible tackles more than 7,000 of the most commonly asked questions about the Bible—questions about history, cultural context, difficult passages, and everyday application—answered with clarity, accuracy, and pastoral warmth. The unique Q&A format, paired with an approachable tone and clean design, continues to make the NIV Quest Study Bible a trusted resource for new and seasoned Bible readers alike.

Reaching this milestone reflects an impact far beyond the page. Through Zondervan’s partnership with Biblica, sales of the NIV Quest Study Bible help advance Bible translation efforts, bringing Scripture closer to communities around the world still waiting to encounter God’s Word in their own language.

“The NIV Quest Study Bible has always been about meeting people where they are—with the real questions they bring to the text,” said Melinda Bouma, VP and Associate Group Publisher for Bibles at Zondervan. “Passing 2 million copies reinforces how deeply readers resonate with this approach. Generation after generation has found that the NIV Quest Study Bible helps them move from curiosity into deeper confidence in God’s Word.”

Designed with an intuitive, question-driven layout, the NIV Quest Study Bible features:

• Over 7,000 insightful notes arranged in a Q&A format
• Nearly 350 articles exploring big themes and challenging topics
• An extensive NIV concordance
• Full-color maps and charts
• Thought-provoking book introductions that frame each biblical book around the questions readers most often ask

The NIV Quest Study Bible is available in multiple bindings and both print and digital formats, and continues to serve as an essential companion for personal study, small-group exploration, and discipleship settings. It is also available as the NIV Quest Study Bible for Teens and a kids’ edition, the NIrV Kids’ Quest Bible.

To learn more, visit nivqueststudybible.com.

About Zondervan
Zondervan, a worldwide leading Christian publisher of books and Bibles, is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Its publications include a variety of Bible translations for all ages; books in numerous genres and subject areas; academic and reference works; curriculum resources; and books for children and young adults. Zondervan is based in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, visit zondervan.com.

About the NIV
The New International Version (NIV) is the world’s bestselling modern-English Bible translation—accurate, readable, and clear, yet deeply faithful to the detail of the original languages. For over 50 years, the Committee on Bible Translation has overseen the work of scholars from around the world to ensure the NIV remains accessible, relevant, and authoritative. Every NIV purchased helps Biblica translate and distribute Scripture to people around the globe. Learn more at thenivbible.com.

For more information, contact: 
Serena DeKryger, Manager, Publicity & Reader Engagement at serena.dekryger@harpercollins.com

LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce the recognition of Don’t Despise Our Youth: Renewing Hope for Urban Youth Ministry in the 2025 Rooted Book Awards. The book tied for first place in the Best New Books for Youth Ministers category.

For over a decade, Rooted Ministry has engaged in the spiritual lives of young people. Rooted promotes the discipleship of youth, reaching thousands of students by equipping leaders to witness through gospel-centered youth ministry. The organization is headquartered in Homewood, Alabama.

In Don’t Despise Our Youth, David A. Washington (DMin, North Park) challenges traditional views of youth ministry to see the full potential and worth of youth, urging church leaders and congregations to build ministries that reflect discipleship, community, and the foundation of God’s Word.

Rooted wrote, “For any church leader, parent, or youth worker who is serious about shaping the next generation, Don’t Despise Our Youth stands out as a timely, courageous, and gospel-centered resource. It offers both a strong narrative and a life-giving roadmap, providing readers with a work that seeks to bring change, empower leaders, and foster transformation in the lives of teenagers in the urban context and beyond.”

Washington writes from his own powerful experience, having come to faith through the work of youth ministry in inner-city Chicago. He credits this ministry with rescuing him from a life of gang involvement, crime, prison, and imminent death, providing the guidance he once lacked.

David is the founder and senior pastor of Kingdom Covenant Church, an urban inner-city ministry on the South Side of Chicago.

For a complete list of IVP award-winning titles, visit https://www.ivpress.com/award-winners.

Contact:  Eva Pankratz, epankratz@ivpress.com  

Who Is God? invites families to get to know God better through fifty-two devotions and pictures that display his attributes, characteristics, and names. AVAILABLE 2/9/26

When you meet a new friend, how do you get to know them? You might ask their name, then what they’re interested in. What are their likes and dislikes? The more time you spend with them, the more you get to know them. It’s similar with God. As we spend time with God in his Word, we get to know him better. We learn his names, his attributes, and the different ways he reveals himself through stories, symbols, and imagery in Scripture.

In Who Is God? devotions written by Kate Hox are paired with illustrations by Joe Hox to present families with a big view of God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Each devotion includes a captivating illustration, a key verse to remember, Bible passages for reference, reflection questions, and song suggestions.

• With fifty-two chapters, families can use Who Is God? as their weekly devotional​for an entire year.
• Stories from the Old and New Testaments show readers how all Scripture is connected and what it reveals about God from beginning to end.
• Follows the same format and style as Kate and Joe Hox’s popular family devotional Who Is Jesus?
• Free printable cards that correspond with the pictures and song links can be found at www.katehox.com.

Kate Hox is a mom of four and wife to illustrator Joe Hox. She holds a degree in elementary education from Dordt University and now works as a writer for Dwell Kids. Kate is the author of Who Is Jesus? 40 Pictures to Share with Your Family, and Who Is God? 52 Pictures to Share with Your Family. She loves helping kids understand the Bible.  Learn more at www.katehox.com, Facebook (@KateHox), and Instagram (@katehox).

Joe Hox was raised on a farm in southern Iowa where he doodled whenever he wasn’t spading thistles or bottle-feeding calves. Everyone knew by his crooked hay rows that he would choose art over farming. Joe taught art for twelve years before becoming a full-time illustrator. He is the illustrator for more than thirty books including the Good News for Little Hearts series, as well asWho Is Jesus? 40 Pictures to Share with Your Family​and Who Is God? 52 Pictures to Share with Your Family, both written by his wife, Kate. Learn more at  www.joehox.com, Facebook (@joehox.illustrator), Instagram (@joehox), and Twitter (@joehox).

For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com