Scripture-based guidance for navigating anxiety, emotional struggles, and life’s challenges

ST. LOUIS—Strong in the Lord: A Women’s Bible Study on Faith and Mental Health offers a careful, Scripture-centered approach to understanding mental and emotional struggles in light of God’s Word. Written by Dr. Jennifer K. Londgren—a licensed marriage and family therapist, nationally certified counselor, and professor with expertise in anxiety, addiction, and women’s mental health—this eight-week study thoughtfully brings together clinical insight and Lutheran theology.

“You were created in God’s image, which means you are designed for relationships—with God, others, and yourself. Our emotions, thoughts, and bodies are not accidents; they are part of God’s perfect design. However, sin has distorted how we experience our existence as children of God. … My goal with this book is to encourage you while constantly pointing you back to Scripture,” Londgren writes.

Addressing experiences such as anxiety, rumination, emotional overload, and relational strain, this study does not separate mental health from the life of faith. Instead, it returns again and again to Christ’s promises—given in Scripture and in Baptism—where identity, comfort, and hope are certain. Each session includes Scripture, guided teaching, reflection questions, and prayer, making it well suited for both personal study and group conversation.

Visit cph.org for more information about the book. Contact CPH Publicity to schedule an interview with the author.

About the Author
Dr. Jennifer K. Londgren is the coordinator of the alcohol and drug studies program and an associate professor of health science at Minnesota State University. Dr. Londgren is a licensed marriage and family therapist, nationally certified counselor, and board-certified telemental health provider. She has clinical expertise working with addiction, anxiety disorders, and women’s issues. She presents at local and national levels on self-care, well-being, stress and burnout, and innovative teaching techniques.

About Concordia Publishing House
Concordia Publishing House (CPH) is the publishing arm of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. For 155 years, CPH has been providing individuals, churches, and schools with products that are faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. From books and Bibles to church supplies, curriculum, and software, CPH offers more than 10,000 products to support the proclamation of the Gospel worldwide. Visit CPH online at cph.org.

CONTACT:
Erica Sontag, publicity@cph.org

AUGUST 2026 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is expanding its library of resources based on the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament (FNV) with a new Bible study tentatively titled Creator Sets Free: An FNV Bible Study. IVP recently signed a contract with coauthors Terry M. Wildman and Joshua S. Hopping for this Spring 2028 release.

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. The project was birthed out of a desire to provide an English Bible that connects, in a culturally sensitive way, to the traditional heart languages of the over six million English-speaking First Nations people of North America.

More than 100,000 copies of the FNV New Testament have been sold, and more than eight million people have looked up a New Testament chapter in the FNV translation at Bible.com.

“The FNV truly is a groundbreaking project, both in the scope of the translation work and in its profound ministry impact,” said IVP president and publisher Terumi Echols.

Based on the strong response to the FNV, first published in 2021, IVP has gone on to publish the First Nations Version Psalms and Proverbs: An Indigenous Bible Translation (2025) by Terry Wildman and the IVP Kids title Birth of the Chosen One: A First Nations Retelling of the Christmas Story (2024) by Wildman and illustrated by Hannah Noel Buchanan and Holly Buchanan. Releasing in Fall 2028, When the Great Spirit Walked Among Us by Wildman will offer a First Nations retelling of the the story of Jesus in the four gospels.

IVP is also planning to introduce the FNV Old Testament over the next ten years. The FNV Old Testament will be released in four phases, with Genesis through Joshua available 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.

The newly contracted Bible study will release ahead of the first phase of the FNV Old Testament. It is a ten-session Bible study guide on the life of Jesus through the text of the FNV. “This study approaches the life of Creator Sets Free (Jesus) as a story meant to be entered, not merely explained. It invites readers to slow down, to notice place and movement, to pay attention to who is gathered and who is missing, and to listen for how the Creator’s work unfolds in and through community,” write Wildman and Hopping in the introduction.

Wildman has served as the lead translator, general editor, and project manager for the FNV and serves as the director of spiritual growth and leadership development for Native InterVarsity. Hopping is an Indigenous author, teacher, spiritual leader, and brand protection professional.

Wildman and Hopping note that this study is really for anyone wanting to study the life of Jesus. “This study does not assume that all readers are Indigenous. Some will come from Native communities. Others will come as guests. Wherever you begin, you are invited to listen with humility and care. Some ideas will feel familiar. Others may feel unsettling. That is part of the journey.”

Al Hsu, IVP’s lead editor on the FNV resources, said, “The FNV has helped thousands of readers encounter Scripture in a vivid way. We’re excited that this Bible study guide will be a companion for even more individuals and groups to meet Jesus and to walk the good road with him.”

To learn more about the story behind the FNV, read this interview with Wildman.

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.

Contact:  Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

AUGUST 2026 | LISLE, IL—On August 27 InterVarsity Press (IVP) will release the first episode of a five-part miniseries of The Digital Examen podcast, hosted by pastor and author Jay Kim.

In this special miniseries Kim will join writers, pastors, and thought leaders to uncover the gifts of an examined life by meditating on the five key movements of the Prayer of Examen:

• Invitation: Amid the toil of absence in a distracted age, the Examen begins by offering us the gift of presence, right here, right now.
• Gratitude: Amid a culture constantly striving for more and telling us if we’re not winning we’re losing, the Examen reorients us around the gift of gratitude.
• Reflection: Amid the pressure to react with immediacy about anything and everything, the Examen invites us into the gift of tempered and mature reflection.
• Confession: Amid our enslavement to the shackles of shame—for what we’ve done, what we’ve left undone, and what’s been done to us—the Examen offers us the freeing gift of confession.
• Looking Forward: Amid the tendency and temptation to habit-stack our way to success and life-plan our way to meaning and purpose, the Examen asks us to offer our plans to God, seeking the daily bread of his gracious provision.

The original idea for The Digital Examen was developed in response to the exhaustion so many people are experiencing amid the noise of the modern digital age, where peace is scarce and self-reflection is infrequent. Throughout the first three seasons Kim has conversed with a variety of leaders, pastors, and scholars who are working to reorient their lives in the direction of listening, tuning their hearts and minds to hear the voice of God in all of its clarity, kindness, and strength.

As the lead pastor at WestGate Church in Silicon Valley, Kim has experienced the digital church in all its splendor and writes about it in his two books, Analog Church and Analog Christian. His newest book is titled The Pace of Peace: Distraction, Attention, and the Gifts of an Examined Life.

 In this miniseries of The Digital Examen, Kim will talk with these guests about the individual movements of the Prayer of Examen:

August 27: Episode one on invitation welcomes Tyler Staton, the lead pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, and the national director of 24-7 Prayer USA.

September 3: Episode two on gratitude features Drew Hyun, the founder and pastor of Hope Church Midtown in New York City. He is also the president of the Emotionally Healthy Discipleship team, a movement that is dedicated to transforming church culture through the multiplication of deeply changed leaders and disciples.

September 10: Episode three on reflection includes a discussion with Ken Shigematsu, senior pastor of Tenth Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, one of the largest and most diverse city-center churches in Canada.

September 17: Episode four will focus on confession as Kim talks with Ericka Andersen, author of Freely Sober and a journalist whose writing has appeared in Christianity Today, World Magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.

September 24: Episode five wraps up the season around the movement of looking forward. Kim will talk with Faith Eury Cho, the founder of The Honor Summit, a ministry that exists to equip and activate Asian American women for the mission of God. Alongside her husband, Pastor David Cho, she is also the co-pastor of Mosaic Covenant Church, a church plant based in New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area.

The Digital Examen miniseries will be available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast distributors. Check out the IVP YouTube page for a peek at The Digital Examen trailer

Contact: Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

 

NASHVILLE (August 19, 2026) — HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) today announced that Damon Reiss will return to the company as SVP, Group Publisher of Christian Trade Publishing. Reiss will be based in Nashville, report to Mark Schoenwald, President and CEO of HCCP, and serve on the executive leadership team.

In this role, Reiss will set the strategy and direction for trade publishing at Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, including the imprints Nelson Books, W Publishing, Zondervan Books, Thomas Nelson Fiction, Zondervan Fiction, HarperChristian Resources, Renew, and Harper Catholic. He will partner with the publishers to drive growth, develop new business initiatives, and manage relationships with key authors, retailers, distributors, and staff.

Reiss returns to HCCP from Tyndale, where he served as Chief Publishing Officer overseeing publishing strategy and leading the company’s publishing teams. Prior to that, he was VP/Publisher of W Publishing at HCCP. Under Reiss, the imprint published works from some of Christian publishing’s most impactful nonfiction authors, including Dr. David Jeremiah, John Bevere, Louie Giglio, Savannah Guthrie, Philip Anthony Mitchell, Kathie Lee Gifford, Rabbi Jason Sobel, and Sarah Jakes Roberts. Over more than two decades at HCCP, he held a variety of roles that gave him a deep understanding of both the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan sides of the business.

“Damon’s contributions to HCCP over decades have been invaluable,” said Schoenwald. “His extensive experience, dynamic leadership, and passion for the work make him the perfect choice to fill the role of group publisher. We are thrilled to see him return to HCCP.”

“I’m thrilled to return to HarperCollins Christian Publishing and to have the opportunity to serve as Group Publisher alongside such a talented team,” said Reiss. “HCCP is a place I value and deeply believe in, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue its mission of publishing Christian content that inspires, encourages, and equips readers around the world.”

HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) is the world’s leading Christian publisher and home to renowned brands Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. It also operates various digital platforms, including FaithGateway, ChurchSource, and Bible Gateway—the world’s largest Christian website. HCCP specializes in bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, children’s books, academic resources, curriculum, gift books, audio, and digital content crafted for the Christian market. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, with an office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, HCCP is part of HarperCollins Publishers. For more information, visit HarperCollinsChristian.com.

Media Contact: Erin Crum, HarperCollins Publishers, erin.crum@harpercollins.com  

Companion product to Tara-Leigh Cobble’s bestselling The Bible Recap continues to help readers better understand Scripture

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (Aug. 20, 2026) — Baker Publishing Group is pleased to announce The Bible Recap Study Guide by Tara-Leigh Cobble has surpassed 100,000 copies sold, cementing its place as an essential companion for readers working through The Bible Recap’s chronological, one-year Bible reading plan.

The milestone comes as The Bible Recap ecosystem continues to expand: the podcast has surpassed half a billion downloads and reached #1 on Apple’s Overall chart, and a new kids’ spinoff, The Bible Recap Kids, recently debuted at #1 in Apple’s Kids & Family category.

The study guide offers discussion questions, reflection prompts, and space for personal notes designed to deepen individual study or anchor group and small-group discussion. It can also be used alongside The Bible Recap Bible.

Several new editions of The Bible Recap Bible are scheduled this fall, including two ESV Large Print editions (hardcover and teal) releasing on Oct. 13, 2026, following KJV editions (hardcover, pink, and black) releasing Sept. 8, 2026. A Bible Recap Journal Deluxe Edition will be released on Nov. 10, 2026, giving readers even more ways to engage with Scripture alongside The Bible Recap podcast and study guide.

About Tara-Leigh Cobble
Tara-Leigh Cobble is the creator of The Bible Recap podcast and book, and the founder of D-Group (Discipleship Group) International. She is passionate about helping people read, understand, and love the Bible—and the God who wrote it.

Contact:
Kelli B. Smith, ksmith@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Book Launched with Museum of the Bible Fox Nation Special, National Media

HarperCollins Christian Publishers celebrates as Max Lucado’s 2026 release, Unbreakable Courage: Strong Faith in an Age of Anxiety, Chaos, and Exhaustion, lands the No. 8 spot on Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous on The New York Times bestsellers list, making it a back to back bestseller following 2025’s Tame Your Thoughts.

“It is a blessing to see Unbreakable Courage on The New York Times bestseller list,” says Max Lucado. “Any recognition like this is not about me, but about the timeless hope of God’s Word reaching hearts. I’m thankful the story of Elijah is helping people find courage in this age of anxiety and exhaustion.”

“America’s pastor”^[1] Max Lucado’s latest book, Unbreakable Courage, was featured on a July 30 FoxNation live broadcast from Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, called “A Night of Unbreakable Courage with Max Lucado and Shannon Bream.” The special broadcast was promoted on Fox Sunday (August 1), and the broadcast can now be viewed on-demand at FoxNation.

Max Lucado and Unbreakable Courage have been featured on national media outlets such as The Rick Burgess Show, The 700 Club, TBN Praise, New Life LIVE Radio, Moody Broadcasting. Upcoming media hits include:

• Proverbs 31 Podcast with Lysa TerKeurst,
• Theology in the Raw Podcast with Preston Sprinkle,
• Christianity Today’s The Russell Moore Podcast,
• Focus on the Family’s Pastor to Pastor Podcast
• Practice Makes Parent Podcast with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James
• Rooted and Real Podcast with Sheila Walsh,
• 4:13 Podcast with Jennifer Rothschild,
• Harvest’s A New Beginning with Greg Laurie, and
• The Jennie Allen Podcast

In Unbreakable Courage, Max Lucado offers a fresh exploration of the prophet Elijah – a man who faced cultural upheaval, spiritual opposition, personal exhaustion, and deep discouragement. Elijah’s story reveals critical insight for people today to discover unwavering, unshakeable, unbreakable courage through faith in the one true living God.

“Elijah’s story is relevant because the challenges he faced are similar to yours,” writes Max Lucado. “By the time Elijah appeared on the scene, Israel was six decades and four kings deep in a cesspool of death and decadence. Ungodly idol worship. Unholy clergy. Unbridled evil. Untold sordid scandals. Sound like a good era in which to live? Sounds like the era in which we live?”

ABOUT MAX LUCADO
Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as the teaching minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry and society at large. He is America’s bestselling inspirational author with more than 150 million products in print, and host of The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast, with over 10 million downloads. Visit his website at MaxLucado.com or join Max on socials, with more than 4 million followers: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

ABOUT THOMAS NELSON
Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational products for more than 200 years. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, cookbooks, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For more information visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Media Contact:
Jana Muntsinger, MMPR, jana@mmpublicrelations.com

 

^[1] https://www.christianitytoday.com/2004/03/americas-pastor/

Introduce Kids to Studying the Bible for Themselves

Milestone arrives as bestselling author launches a new year-long Bible study, 52 Weeks with Women of the Bible, co-authored with Jean E. Syswerda

NASHVILLE (August 20, 2026) — HarperChristian Resources today announced that Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks: Expanded Edition has surpassed 250,000 copies sold across all formats. The bestselling year-long Bible study by Ann Spangler was released in 2023 and guides readers through the major names and titles of God and Jesus found throughout Scripture.

Based on Spangler’s bestselling books Praying the Names of God and Praying the Names of Jesus, this 52-week Bible study was designed for both individual and group use pairing each name of God with Scripture study, reflection questions, and space for readers to write their own prayers. The study is also available in a spiral-bound edition, sold exclusively by FaithGateway, which lays flat for easier use and includes bonus tear-out cards featuring the 52 names of God, built for memorization or further study.

“I’m both thrilled and honestly a little astonished that this Bible study has now reached more than 250,000 copies,” says Spangler. “When I wrote it, my hope was simple: to give people a fresh way to encounter God through Scripture—to see more clearly who He is and who we are in relationship with Him. I certainly never dreamed I’d hear from friends saying, ‘I just saw your Bible study in an airport!’ I mean, how does a Bible study end up in an airport? But the book has become a surprising sign of something hopeful: people are hungry for God.”

The 250,000-copy milestone arrives alongside the August release of Spangler’s newest study, 52 Weeks with Women of the Bible, co-authored with longtime collaborator Jean E. Syswerda. The year-long study introduces readers to 52 women of Scripture—from Ruth and Esther to Anna and Mary—offering a structured rhythm of reading and reflection designed to help readers find their own stories inside the biblical narrative.

52 Weeks with Women of the Bible builds on the legacy of Spangler and Syswerda’s original 1999 devotional, Women of the Bible, which has sold more than 900,000 copies and remains one of the most enduring women’s Bible studies in the Christian market. The new Bible study reintroduces that legacy in the same 52-week format that has made Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks a mainstay in churches and small groups nationwide.

“Ann has spent her career helping readers slow down long enough to actually meet the people and the God they’re reading about,” said John Raymond, Vice President and Publisher, HarperChristian Resources. “Praying the Names of God crossing 250,000 copies shows just how much that approach resonates. And with 52 Weeks with Women of the Bible now in readers’ hands, we believe this study will help women see themselves in the stories of Scripture.”

Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks, Expanded Edition and 52 Weeks with Women of the Bible are available now wherever books are sold.

About Ann Spangler
Ann Spangler is an award-winning author whose books have helped millions of readers deepen their love and understanding of the Bible. In addition to Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks and Women of the Bible, she is the author of Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus (co-authored with Lois Tverberg), The One Year Devotions for Women, and general editor of The Names of God Bible.

About HarperChristian Resources
HarperChristian Resources publishes video Bible studies, study guides, and small-group curriculum designed to help people better understand Scripture, cultivate spiritual growth, and live an inspired faith, featuring teaching from today’s most trusted pastors, authors, and Bible teachers. HarperChristian Resources is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, whose imprints also include Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. For more information, visit HarperChristianResources.com.

Media Contact:
Lu Aguilar, Marketing, HarperChristian Resources —luis.aguilar@harpercollins.com

 

August 21, 2026 — Grammy nominated worship leader Phil Wickham’s new book, EVERYDAY HALLELUJAH: Unlocking Deep Joy Through Everyday Acts of Worship, made an impressive debut across three major national bestseller lists, landing at #4 on The New York Times Best Sellers list, #2 on Publishers Weekly’s bestseller list, and #97 on the USA TODAY Bestselling Booklist. After learning that EVERYDAY HALLELUJAH had become a New York Times bestseller, Phil shared the news with his combined 6.4 million social media followers in a heartfelt post thanking the fans, followers, and readers who supported the book. He also reflected on what the milestone means beyond the recognition itself: the opportunity for EVERYDAY HALLELUJAH to reach people who may never have considered picking up a book about Jesus and invite them into its message of faith, worship, and joy.

“I’m honestly still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Everyday Hallelujah is a New York Times bestseller. This wasn’t even on my radar when I wrote this book, so to see it on the list after just one week is completely blowing my mind. More than anything, I’m just so grateful that these words are already connecting with so many people. And I love thinking that being on this list might put the book in front of someone outside my normal world, someone who may not usually pick up a book about faith or Jesus, and invite them to discover what it means to live out their ‘everyday hallelujah.’ I’m so grateful, and truthfully kind of emotional over God’s grace and kindness in it all. I can’t wait to see where He takes it from here,” said Wickham.

In EVERYDAY HALLELUJAH, Wickham expands the conversation beyond music and into the rhythms of daily living, exploring how worship is not confined to church services or moments on stage but expressed through ordinary acts of faith, gratitude, and surrender. Drawing from Scripture, personal stories, and 20 years of leading worship around the world, he reframes worship as a posture of the heart that can transform work, family life, relationships, and even seasons of struggle. The book traces a biblical vision of worship from Genesis to Revelation while offering readers a practical and deeply personal pathway to experience God’s presence in everyday moments. The message resonates with audiences navigating a culture marked by distraction and pressure, inviting them into a more grounded and enduring sense of joy, purpose, and connection with God.

The release also marks a unique intersection of Wickham’s music and writing. The book directly inspired his new single “Everyday Hallelujah,” which has already begun connecting with audiences. Performing the song in an intimate acoustic setting during the Song Of The Saints Tour has also brought the core message of the book to life, creating a cohesive experience that bridges worship music and spiritual formation. Together, the song and book reflect a unified vision that encourages people to see every moment as an opportunity for worship.

“In EVERYDAY HALLELUJAH, Phil Wickham reminds readers that worship isn’t characterized by certain creative expressions or moments, but instead is a beautiful, powerful part of daily life,” said Andrew Stoddard, VP and Publisher of Nelson Books. “We are proud to publish Phil and we believe that this book will inspire and encourage readers to encounter God in a meaningful way every day.”

This fall, Wickham will continue leading worship across the country on the Song of the Saints Tour with Chandler Moore and special guest Jamie MacDonald. For tour dates, tickets, and additional information, visit philwickham.com.

About Phil Wickham
PHIL WICKHAM is a Grammy-nominated, Dove Award–winning worship leader whose songs have amassed billions of streams and become staples in churches around the world. Known for writing modern worship anthems that unite congregations in powerful declarations of faith, Phil has become one of the most trusted and influential voices in contemporary worship music.

Born and raised in Southern California, Phil began leading worship at just thirteen years old. Since then, he has traveled the world ministering through music–from local churches to arenas and stadiums. Through it all his heart’s mission has remained the same: to create moments where people encounter God and respond to Him in authentic worship.

Everyday Hallelujah is a natural extension of that calling, inviting readers to carry a lifestyle of worship into their everyday lives. He currently resides in Southern California with his wife and their four children.

About Nelson Books
Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, is an industry leader in Christian nonfiction publishing. Nelson Books publishes a diverse array of leaders, experts, and creatives, crafting biblically informed and spiritually fresh books from a Christian perspective that enliven, educate, and encourage readers. The Nelson Books roster of bestselling authors includes Lysa TerKeurst, Tim Tebow, John Mark Comer, John & Stasi Eldredge, Jennie Allen, Jefferson Bethke, Bob Goff, Ruth Chou Simons, Tyler Staton, Jason Wilson, Christine Caine and Zach Windahl.

Contact:  Devin Duke, Senior Publicity Manager, Nelson Books, Devin.Duke@HarperCollins.com