NASHVILLE, Tenn., February 2025—Zondervan Books is thrilled to announce that New York Times Opinion columnist Ross Douthat’s latest work, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious, has made its debut on the New York Times bestseller list. Believe ranked as number eight in Hardcover Nonfiction and number ten in Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction after its release on February 11, 2025.

Douthat’s previous works have garnered widespread acclaim, and Believe continues his tradition of intellectual rigor—striking a chord with readers seeking understanding in an era marked by uncertainty and division. Known for his thoughtful exploration of spiritual topics, Douthat presents a persuasive case for belief in a skeptical age, arguing that modern science and reason make faith not only credible but essential. WORLD magazine calls Believe “a Mere Christianity for the 21st century.”

“Ross Douthat has long been one of our most perceptive and persuasive writers on issues of the greatest importance, especially matters of faith and belief,” said Webster Younce, vice president and executive editor of Zondervan Books. “We couldn’t be happier that Believe is resonating with so many readers at this particular cultural moment.”

Recently seen on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, The World and Everything in It, and The Sean McDowell Show, Douthat has offered clarity and insight amid the confusions of our age. His extensive knowledge of theology, philosophy, and current events weave a compelling web of understanding that invites readers to consider deeply the complexities of belief.

In celebrating this milestone, Daniel Marrs, vice president and publisher of Zondervan Books, remarked, “We are incredibly proud of Ross Douthat and the success of Believe, as well as the tremendous work of the Zondervan team. Ross is not only a talented writer but also a profound thinker who has extraordinary insight into the questions our readers are grappling with as they seek to understand the complexities of faith and culture in our world today. We trust that this book will resonate for years to come.”

A New York Times bestseller, Believe is now available at major retailers and on online platforms. For more information or for media inquiries, contact Rebecca Schriner at rebecca.schriner@harpercollins.com.

Ross Douthat has been a New York Times Opinion columnist since April 2009. Previously, he was a senior editor at The Atlantic. He is the author of The Deep Places; The Decadent Society; To Change the Church; Bad Religion; Privilege; and, with Reihan Salam, Grand New Party. He is the film critic for National Review. He lives with his wife and five children in New Haven, Connecticut.

Zondervan is a HarperCollins company and part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Zondervan is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian communications. The company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For additional information, please visit zondervan.com.

Contact:  Rebecca Schriner, Publicity Manager | Zondervan Books, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Rebecca.Schriner@HarperCollins.com

January 2025:  Whitaker Corporation appointed industry veteran Ned Clements to shape the future of Sales as Vice President.  Ned Clements has built a rewarding career in Christian publishing since 1996. A graduate of Vanguard University with a degree in Finance and Management, Ned has held influential roles at leading publishing houses, including Multnomah Publishers, Charisma House, and Destiny Image. As a seasoned sales executive, he has brought numerous national bestsellers to market.

With nearly three decades of experience in the book publishing industry, Ned brings a wealth of experience to Whitaker Corporation’s sales operations. His appointment reflects the company’s commitment to driving innovation in sales strategies and delivering exceptional value to its customers.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ned to our leadership team as Vice President of Sales,” states Robert Whitaker Jr., President of Whitaker Corporation. “His proven track record of driving growth, cultivating meaningful client relationships, and mentoring high-performing teams aligns perfectly with our company’s values and vision for the future. Ned brings a fresh perspective that will undoubtedly help us strengthen our market position and expand our reach.”

Looking ahead, Whitaker Corporation is confident that Ned’s leadership will be pivotal in achieving growth goals and further establishing the company as a leader in the industry.

“It is an honor to step into this role and become part of Whitaker Corporation and its family of companies. I look forward to collaborating with this talented team to build on their legacy of success, expand our reach, and continue serving readers with impactful, faith-based resources. Together, we will drive growth, foster new opportunities, and uphold the values that have made Whitaker Corporation a trusted name in publishing.” -Ned Clements

Whitaker Corporation announces well-known literary agent and former publisher Chip MacGregor as new Executive Editor.

“I am so thrilled to announce that we have hired Chip MacGregor to join the Whitaker team as Executive Editor,” says Christine Whitaker, publisher at Whitaker House. “I have worked with Chip over ten years, and he has brought Whitaker such a rich array of authors and content. He has been a personal mentor and friend to me over the years.”

Chip MacGregor refers to himself as a “book guy,” having spent nearly his entire life in the world of publishing after starting in magazines. A former publisher at Time-Warner and Hachette Book Group, he has more than twenty-five years’ experience as a literary agent and has completed more than a thousand book contracts. Over the past fifteen years, he has executed more book deals than any other literary agent in the United States, had dozens of books hit various bestseller lists, had twenty books made into a movie or documentary, and represented a handful of books that have been made into feature films. Chip is currently on the publishing board for JourneyWise and will work with both entities moving forward.

“I’m excited to be helping with acquisitions and contracts in this, the 55th year of Whitaker House Publishers,” Chip states. “I’ve done deals with Christine, I’ve worked with Managing Editor Amy Bartlett before — she is someone I know and respect — and I have long respected Whitaker Corporation President Bob and his work with Anchor. I’m genuinely excited to be joining the team and trying to add whatever I can to the group of people working at Whitaker House.”

In this new role as Executive Editor, Chip will be helping in acquisitions, project development, contract negotiations, and business development.

“Whitaker House is honored to have the opportunity to publish the Berean Bible. This translation has been so well-received in recent years by readers and offers a rich understanding of the Scripture through thoughtful interpretation and diligent scholarship. We look forward to the partnership and expanding the reach of this compelling translation.”
-Christine Whitaker, Publisher, Whitaker House

Meant to be shared between people, cultures, and generations, the Berean Bible was created with the modern reader and the Great Commission in mind. Developed to push the frontiers of mission work, the hope is that it will reach people in the far four corners of the earth.

The Berean Bible is a completely new English translation of the Holy Bible, done in a contemporary style, and effective for public reading, study, memorization, and evangelism. Inspired by the zeal of the Bereans in Acts, and based on the best available manuscripts and sources, each word is connected back to the Greek or Hebrew text to produce a transparent text that can be studied for its root meanings. Additional components, including translation tables, lexicons, outlines, and summaries, are available online and in a variety of apps and software.

“We wanted to humbly stand on the shoulders of those who preceded us. Get a consensual view of how they all flow together. Not depart from those lines. But where added readability or anticipated reader confusion was a point, we would have original language experts on both sides of the language aisle in Hebrew and Greek and work with the stylists so we could put something forward—a translation you could trust.” -Dr. Gary Hill, advisory Editor and lead coordinator for Berean Bible

Form-centered, smooth, open source, and developed to anticipate the cultural knowledge and understanding of a new age, the Berean Bible is ideal for the next generation of those seeking God or spreading His word to others.

“Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.” – Acts 17:11 (BSB)

FEBRUARY 24, 2025 — New York Times bestselling authors Candace Lee and Eric Newman’s GEORGE GRANT DRAGON SLAYER, launching the Order of the Dragon Slayer trilogy, a middle-grade adventure that reimagines the legend of Saint George in a fading West Virginia coal town, where a young Scout and his friends are forced to put their survival skills and courage to the ultimate test, to Bunmi Ishola at PRH Christian Publishing Group for WaterBrook, at auction, in a three-book deal, for publication in Spring 2026, by Shannon Marven and Sydney Delahoussaye at Dupree Miller & Associates (world), with the support of Scouting America and ties to the World Scout Organization, representing 57 million active Scouts worldwide.

For Film/TV rights inquiries, contact: Sydney Delahoussaye sydney@dupreemiller.com

For additional rights inquiries, contact Denise Cronin, decronin@penguinrandomhouse.com.

WaterBrook is an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

Contact: 
Beverly Rykerd, VP, Publicity Director, WaterBrook & Multnomah/ Penguin Random House, brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com

FROM A LIFE SENTENCE TO A LIFE TRANSFORMED: JUDY HENDERSON’S POWERFUL MEMOIR WHEN THE LIGHT FINDS US RELEASES APRIL 2025

Judy Henderson shares her journey of wrongful conviction, resilience, and faith in “When the Light Finds Us,” releasing April 15, 2025.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI / FEBRUARY 11, 2025 – When the Light Finds Us: From a Life Sentence to a Life Transformed is a gripping narrative that explores the depths of human resilience and the transformative power of hope through the story of Judy Henderson, a woman who was wrongfully convicted of a crime and given a life sentence in prison.

While building her own business and raising two children, Judy Henderson’s life took a devastating turn when she was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Despite facing relentless hardships, Judy pursued an education, became a paralegal, and advocated for the rights of incarcerated women, all while behind bars.

Through her perseverance, faith, and the support of key advocates, Judy was finally granted a full pardon in June 2018, after 36 years in prison. Today, she advocates for justice system reform, sharing her powerful testimony to fight wrongful convictions and support incarcerated women. Her new book with Jimmy Soni, When the Light Finds Us: From a Life Sentence to a Life Transformed, is more than a memoir — it’s a powerful reminder that hope and faith can prevail in even the darkest of circumstances.

TALK WITH JUDY HENDERSON ABOUT

• The shock of adjusting to life behind bars and the challenges of reentering society after decades of wrongful imprisonment.
• How Judy’s faith gave her strength, hope, and the ability to persevere even in the darkest of moments.
• The power of forgiveness and its role in personal transformation.
• The heartbreaking reality of being separated from children while serving a life sentence, the ways she stayed connected to them, and the emotional journey of rebuilding relationships after 36 years apart.
• Her advocacy efforts to improve the rights and conditions of incarcerated women, bringing attention to the urgent need for prison reform.
• Her pioneering work creating programs to help incarcerated mothers maintain relationships with their children.

You can pre-order your copy of When the Light Finds Us today.

Judy Henderson was a thirty-two-year-old mother of two running a successful business when she was wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Rather than surrender to despair, she transformed her sentence into a mission. Behind bars, Henderson earned her GED and paralegal certification, pioneered programs connecting incarcerated mothers with their children, and became a powerful voice for women’s rights and prison reform. Her advocacy work led to landmark legislation recognizing battered women’s syndrome as a legal defense in Missouri. After thirty-six years of unwavering faith and persistence, Henderson was pardoned in 2018. Her release wasn’t just freedom—it was vindication. Today, she channels her hard-won wisdom into serving others through Catholic Charities and advocating for criminal justice reform. A sought-after speaker and activist, she shares her inspiring message of hope and redemption while cherishing time with her two children, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Her remarkable journey from wrongful conviction to transformational leader demonstrates how one voice, even from behind bars, can ignite lasting change.

Jimmy Soni is an award-winning author whose latest book, The Founders: The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley, was a national bestseller. His ghostwritten works have appeared on multiple bestseller lists. He Lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Worthy Books, a division of Hachette Book Group, publishes inspirational, transformational, and educational books that inspire readers to grow in faith, wisdom, and purpose. Worthy is committed to excellence in both content and presentation, delivering resources that engage thoughtful readers and strengthen their spirits. Their titles span across Christian living, memoir, business and leadership, women’s interest, and more.

Hachette Book Group is a leading book publisher based in New York and a division of Hachette Livre, the third-largest publisher in the world.

Contact:  Carly Hamilton, 575-621-0371, carly@130a.com

• Media Tip Sheet 
• Suggested Questions
• Headshots and Bios 
• For press materials, visit: 130a.com

In support of Gather25, a 25-hour worldwide gathering

Grand Rapids, MI, Feb. 2025 – Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is pleased to announce its partnership with Gather25 founder and Bible teacher Jennie Allen for the release of the NIV Jesus Everywhere Bible.

“It has been our great pleasure to partner with Jennie and support her vision for this monumental event and the significant evangelism opportunity it creates,” said Melinda Bouma, vice president and publisher of Bibles for Zondervan. “The Jesus Everywhere Bible, available in the easy-to-read and understand New International Version, is the ideal outreach tool for Gather25 participants to share with others looking to discover God through his Word.”

Taking place February 28th and March 1st, Gather25 is the first 25-hour simultaneous gathering of Christ followers from all over the world for prayer, worship, repentance, and commissioning for the purpose of equipping Christians to go into the world to make disciples of all people. Gather25 will feature seven live events over six continents in one 25-hour period, with the goal of gathering the 2.5 billion Christians on earth to ultimately reach the 5.5 billion people who don’t yet know Jesus.

“March 1, 2025 will be some of the most important hours of our lives! 2.5 billion Christians calling on the name of Jesus to win hearts for Him,” said Allen. “We are so happy to have partnered with Zondervan on this wonderful resource that will help us realize our goal—one prayer, one heart, one moment at a time.”

The Jesus Everywhere Bible features:

• The full text of the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV)
• A letter from Jennie Allen and the Gather25 team to welcome readers to God’s Word
• An invitation to follow Jesus, along with a video explaining the Gospel shared via a QR-code from the Gather25 team
• A selection of Old Testament and New Testament maps
• Getting to Know God – A step-by-step guide to becoming a follower of Jesus
• About the Bible – Answers questions about what the Bible is, how it was written, and how it came to us
• Promises from the Bible – Scripture passages on 20 difficult, yet common, emotions everyone experiences
• 30 Days for Beginning Your Walk with Christ reading plan that gives an overview of the Bible and God’s love for his people
• Perspectives from the Bible – Scripture passages on how to respond to 30 common life situations
• 30 Days with Jesus reading plan that covers the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus
• Double-column format
• Exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface
• Print size: 9.9

The New International Version (NIV) is the world’s bestselling modern-English Bible translation—accurate, readable, and clear, yet rich with the detail found in the original languages. The NIV is the result of over 50 years of work by the Committee on Bible Translation, who oversee the efforts of many contributing scholars. Representing the spectrum of evangelicalism, the translators come from a wide range of denominations and various countries and continually review new research to ensure the NIV remains at the forefront of accessibility, relevance, and authority.

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 different genres and subject areas for the general reader; curriculum for individual and group Bible study; books for children and young adults; academic resources including textbooks and reference books; ministry resources; and books on faith and culture. Zondervan is located in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, visit www.zondervan.com.

About Comfort Print:  Zondervan Bibles teamed up with 2K/Denmark, the world’s foremost Bible typeface foundry, to create exclusive Comfort Print Bible fonts. NASB Comfort Print Bibles are easy to read at any size because the typeface was designed to be both efficient and readable. Zondervan Bibles believes that the beauty of the message should be reflected in the physical form of the book. Choosing the right typeface is one significant element in creating beautiful Bibles.

Contact:  Amy Morris, Director of Public Relations, amy.morris@harpercollins.com 

Social historian Sarah C. Williams’ newest book When Courage Calls: Josephine Butler and the Radical Pursuit of Justice for Women published in the US by Hodder Faith on February 11

Sarah C. Williams presents a re-examined biography of the radical political activist Josephine Butler. From the beauty of her childhood in Northumbria, to the stifling intellectual environment of mid-Victorian Oxford; from the impoverished streets of Liverpool and the brothels of London, Brussels and Paris, to the offices of Westminster and the Houses of Parliament. Butler’s relentless drive to secure rights for women against the sexual double standard of her day captures a remarkable woman with deeply held values for equality.

This biography presents a fresh interpretation of the relationship between Josephine Butler’s public leadership, her political activism and her spirituality.

Among the first feminist activists, Butler raised public awareness of the plight of destitute women, worked to address human trafficking and led a vigorous campaign to secure equal rights for women before the law. In her pursuit of justice, Butler did as much for women as William Wilberforce did for African slaves within the British Empire, and yet, while Wilberforce remains a household name, Butler is forgotten.

Underpinning Butler’s public life of political activism lies the full corpus of her writing and the spirituality that grounded her activism. When Courage Calls offers a profound examination of Butler’s inner life of prayer, defined by her radical sense of justice that was able to transform Victorian society. Such conviction offers us a taste of what might be possible for our own time and culture.

Sarah C. Williams is a highly respected social historian. A specialist in 19th and 20th-century cultural and religious history, she has taught on Butler in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US as well as Britain. Having taught history at the University of Oxford; she moved to Regent College, Vancouver, teaching the History of Christianity to graduate students from all over the world. Williams remains a Research Professor at Regent and also has a collegiate attachment at the University of Oxford.

For marketing and press enquiries, please contact: 
Kaitlyn Shokes, kaitlyn.shokes@johnmurraypress.co.uk

NASHVILLE, TENN. (FEBRUARY 13, 2025)  Award-winning author and artist Ellie Holcomb has released her new children’s book, Spring Sings (B&H Publishing). This beautiful picture book climbed to the No. 1 new release on the “Children’s Easter Books” chart on Amazon after release.

Check out Spring Sings now.

Holcomb uses her beloved lyrical writing style to encourage young readers to watch as the world slowly wakes from winter – to know that the new life of spring also retells the story of God’s Son.  Illustrated by Laura Ramos (Sounding Joy), Spring Sings is Holcomb’s fourth book in a series. Her children’s books include Who Sang the First Song?, Don’t Forget to Remember, Sounding Joy, and now Spring Sings.

“We all know what it feels like to walk through winter seasons, but winter never gets the final word,” shares Ellie Holcomb. “Spring always sings a song of hope, reminding us that God loves to make ALL THINGS NEW! This book is an invitation to open our eyes and ears – to hear the beauty all around us, to remember that no matter how dark things may seem, love always has the final word.”

As she has with her other books, Holcomb will simultaneously release a companion children’s album produced by Nathan Dugger. Sing: Spring Songs will be released on March 21st featuring seven songs including five original songs. The project will include the title track, “Spring Sings,” which will be available on February 21st on all digital platforms.

About Ellie Holcomb
For eight years, Ellie recorded and toured full-time with her husband’s band, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, before stepping off the road when her first child was born. Her solo debut, As Sure As The Sun (2014), landed her a Top 10 hit and a GMA Dove Award for “New Artist of the Year.” Her critically acclaimed sophomore LP, Red Sea Road, followed in 2017. In 2021, she released her third full-length solo project, Canyon, to much acclaim, earning her a second Top 10 radio single with the song, “I Will Carry You.”  Holcomb has also released four children’s books – each with a companion EP of original music written specifically for kids. Her kids’ books, Who Sang The First Song? and Don’t Forget to Remember have each achieved the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Bronze Award for selling more than 100,000 copies. Her debut book was also on the ECPA juvenile bestseller list and was a finalist for the 2019 Christian Book Award in the children’s category. She has also authored two additional children’s books, Don’t Forget To Remember and her Christmas book, Sounding Joy, which landed at No. 4 on ECPA’s Christian Juvenile Bestsellers, Christmas 2022 list. Her first adult book and devotional, Fighting Words: 100 Days of Speaking Truth into the Darkness (2021), has spent many months on the ECPA Bestseller list and is also a Bronze Award book. Ellie won the GMA Dove Award for “Children’s Album of the Year” in 2020 for her Sing: Remembering Songs album, “Recorded Music Packaging” for her album Canyon as well as in 2023 for “Children’s Recorded Song of the Year” for her Christmas song “Sounding Joy.” She resides in her hometown of Nashville, TN with her husband Drew Holcomb, and their three children. For more information visit: ellieholcomb.com

Leyland, UK – February 2025 10Publishing is delighted to announce that author and Lead Pastor at McLean Bible Church, David Platt, will be releasing a new evangelistic gift book, All You Want for Christmas, ready for distribution for Christmas 2025.

In four simple chapters, David Platt explains why Jesus came, what it means for us, and how he is the answer to our deepest need that stands apart from anything and anyone else.

Editorial Director at 10ofthose.com Jonathan Pountney said, “It’s our pleasure to partner with David on what we hope—Lord willing—will be an effective and innovative evangelistic book for gifting to friends and neighbours. For decades, David has been at the forefront of communicating gospel hope in North America and worldwide. Our prayer is that a huge audience will pick up the book, read it, and see that all they want—indeed, all they need—for Christmas is the forgiveness offered by the Saviour.”

With this release, Platt will follow in the footsteps of other trusted authors writing gospel-centred books intended for wide distribution at Christmas.

Past 10Publishing Christmas evangelistic releases have included The Four Emotions of Christmas by Bob Lepine, Light of the World by Jonathan Griffiths, and A Very Messy Christmas by Jago Wynne, and have proved popular among those with and without faith.

Along with major retail outlets, the book will be sold at 10ofthose.com, who provide the bookstore for The Gospel Coalition, Radical, and Getty Music among others.

All You Want for Christmas was acquired by 10Publishing, the publishing imprint of 10ofthose.com.

Advance review copies of the book and media interviews are available upon request; please contact Siwan Davies (siwan.davies@10ofthose.com).

About the author:
As well as being Lead Pastor at McLean Bible Church, David Platt is the Founder and Chairman of Radical, an organization that helps people follow Jesus and make him known in their neighbourhoods and all nations. David received his B.A. from the University of Georgia and M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Some of his published works include Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, and Don’t Hold Back. He lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area with his wife and children.

About the book:
All You Want for Christmas
Author: David Platt
ISBN: 978-1-83728-0-698
Paperback (will also be available as eBook and audiobook)
Release date: August 2025