A finalist in the “New Author” category, Rev. Dr. Jared Ayers’ book invites readers into a compelling, hospitable conversation about faith, doubt, and a God who understands suffering.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 10, 2026) — NavPress is pleased to announce that Jared Ayers’ 2025 release, You Can Trust a God with Scars: Faith (and Doubt) for the Searching Soul, has been recognized as a finalist in the “New Author” category for the upcoming Christian Book Award® program. Written especially for anyone whose experience of Christianity has been touched by suffering, skepticism, or disillusionment, Ayers’ timely book invites readers into an honest, hospitable, and intellectually compelling conversation about Christian faith.
“It’s a joy to see Jared Ayers recognized as a finalist for this award,” shares Deborah Saenz, acquisitions and developmental editor at NavPress. “This book meets readers in their questions and doubts — something we all need, especially in this cultural moment. My hope is that it will continue to offer wisdom and strength to those wrestling with faith.”
With more than two decades of pastoral experience, Rev. Dr. Jared Ayers currently serves as senior minister at First Presbyterian Church in North Palm Beach, Florida, and as adjunct faculty at Palm Beach Atlantic University. He is a graduate of Western Theological Seminary and the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination.
Winners of the 2026 Christian Book Award program will be announced later this month at the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Awards Celebration, during the annual ECPA Leadership Summit. One of the most prestigious award programs in religious publishing, the Christian Book Award program was established in 1978 to recognize and promote excellence in Christian books and Bibles.
Visit NavPress.com to learn more about You Can Trust a God with Scars and other NavPress titles.
About NavPress
NavPress is a business ministry of The Navigators. With a rich catalog of bestselling books, discipleship resources, and The Message® Bible, NavPress equips readers “to know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same®.” Since 2014, NavPress has been in a publishing alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, one of the largest independently owned Christian publishers in the world. NavPress resources are sold, distributed, and marketed worldwide through Tyndale House Publishers. NavPress, the NavPress logo, and The Message ® are registered trademarks of NavPress, The Navigators, Colorado Springs, CO.
About The U.S. Navigators
The Navigators is a ministry that shares the gospel of Jesus and helps people grow in their relationship with Him through Life-to-Life® discipleship, creating spiritual generations of believers. Since its founding in 1933, The Navigators has upheld the mission “to know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same®.” Our Worldwide Partnership includes around 6,000 staff of 85 nationalities, serving in 123 countries. Navigators encourage spiritual growth across life stages, serving wherever people work, live, worship, and play: on college campuses and military bases as well as in urban neighborhoods, workplaces, churches, local communities, and hard-to-reach places. To learn more, visit www.navigators.org.
Contact: Mariah Franklin, Marketing and PR Content Editor
Marketing and Communications, mariah.franklin@navigators.org
God created you in His image, with specific skills and gifts. You are completely one-of-a-kind, and there’s no one in the whole world exactly like you. But the world often tries to conform us to its image instead. You may have felt the pressure of these lies: that you’re not good enough, that things would be better if you were more like someone else, or that you need to become the person others want you to be in order to be loved and accepted.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul encourages believers to attain the fullness of Christ, and to be growing in every respect more like Him. But everywhere we look, it seems like there’s another thing pulling our minds in a different direction: worry over work or family, frustration when life doesn’t go our way, or shame over things from our past and lies about who we are. Instead of feeling set back by these challenges, you can learn from Christ’s example to overcome these obstacles and walk more closely with God!
Ada, Mich. (April 10, 2026)— Baker Publishing Group is pleased to announce that nine titles across its imprints— Baker Academic, Baker Books, Bethany House, Brazos Press, Lexham, and Revell—were selected as finalists for the
Pittsburgh, PA. (April 13, 2026) — Whitaker House publishers is thrilled to announce the involvement of seven of their authors at upcoming national event America Reads the Bible.
Pittsburgh, PA. (April 13, 2026) — America Reads the Bible, an event bringing Christian leaders from all spheres of influence together to read the Bible aloud from beginning to end and inspire the nation, will be using Whitaker House publisher’s King James Version Easy Read Bible (KJVER™) as their chosen translation.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 13, 2026 — Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, proudly announces the upcoming release of Graceful Warrior: The True Story of a Son, a Father, and a Family Who Carried Each Other Through (Nelson Books, November 10, 2026) by acclaimed actor and advocate Gary Sinise. Set to publish on November 10, 2026, this highly anticipated book will be released on the birthday of Sinise’s late son, Mac. The memoir explores profound themes of love, unexpected loss, enduring faith, and the remarkable resilience of the human spirit.
Gary Sinise is an Oscar-nominated actor and has won an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and two Screen Actors Guild awards. Known for roles in beloved films like Forrest Gump and Apollo 13, he is also a New York Times bestselling author. Sinise has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has dedicated nearly forty years to advocating for America’s veterans. He received the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor awarded by the president of the United States to citizens for “exemplary deeds performed in service of the nation.” The book is co-authored by Marcus Brotherton.
March 23, 2026 – NASHVILLE, Tenn. — New York Times bestselling author Mary Beth Chapman and multi-Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman have two new milestones to celebrate: 40 years of marriage and writing their first book together. “Still Here: Life Together on the Long Way Home” (B&H Publishing Group) reveals, for the first time, behind-the-scenes stories of a couple held together by divine grace and mercy.
(Ada, Michigan) March 25, 2026 – Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is pleased to announce that The Road Less Triggered: Turning Conflict into Connection with a Single Choice by Dr. Kelly Flanagan is #23 on USA TODAY’s Best-selling Booklist for the week of March 8.
Grand Rapids, MI (March 30, 2026) — Petradi International Rights Services has announced that Mr. Jade Doyel will assume ownership of Riggins Rights Management, effective April 1, 2026. Jade has worked closely with clients, licensing, partners and the team as vice president of Riggins Rights Management for seven years. Under his continued leadership, the newly formed Petradi Rights Management team will maintain its emphasis on proprietary rights management. Petradi will remain focused on serving existing and future clients as well as licensing partners worldwide.
Jade is thrilled to take the helm of this company which will continue with the same team. All team members have expressed their support and commitment to providing quality service to each client and publishing partner. Existing clients and licensing partners express their gratitude to Cindy for her important contribution to Christian publishing. They have also been supportive of this transition, restating their commitment to continue working with Petradi Rights Management and wishing Jade Doyel success. Everyone truly appreciates the company will continue with the same team and quality service provided by Riggins Rights Management. Cindy Riggins, Owner and President of Riggins Rights Management, will retire but she will become a board member of Petradi.




