Ada, Mich. (December 5, 2024)—Gary Johnson, who served as President of Bethany House Publishers for nearly five decades (1960-2008) and was widely credited with establishing Christian fiction as a viable publishing category, has passed away.

After studying music at Bethany College and Augsburg University, Johnson along with his wife, Carol, pursued early careers as singers, but they found their true calling in Christian publishing, where they would go on to revolutionize the industry during their 48-year tenure.

Under Gary’s leadership as President and Carol’s guidance as VP/Editorial of Fiction, Bethany House became the premier publisher of Christian fiction, effectively creating the genre through groundbreaking works such as Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly and Beverly Lewis’ The Shunning. Their vision extended beyond fiction, publishing influential nonfiction works including Leonard Ravenhill’s Why Revival Tarries and Larry Christenson’s The Christian Family.

The Johnsons’ commitment to excellence was consistently recognized through numerous industry accolades, including ECPA’s Christian Book Awards, Gold Medallion Awards, Gold and Platinum Awards, and the prestigious Jordon Lifetime Achievement Award. At the ceremony, former ECPA President/CEO Mark Kuyper noted, “The Johnsons’ prescient vision for Christian fiction and their industry leadership have provided a driving force in the rise of the Christian fiction category to its current prominence.”

Andy McGuire, Editorial Director for Bethany House, stated, “Gary left an incredible legacy at Bethany House, and we’re so grateful for all that he and Carol did to build a biblical, God-honoring foundation for us as a publisher that we are continuing to build on to this day.”

Former president of Baker Publishing Group, Dwight Baker, added, “For many of his publishing colleagues and companions, Gary Johnson was a consistent model of professional grace and dignity. We have all been blessed by our association with him. During our final conversation as colleagues, Gary shared with me that he wished to “finish well” and I am certain that he accomplished precisely that.”

Following his retirement from Bethany House in 2008, Johnson continued to influence the industry as a publishing consultant, sharing his wealth of experience and wisdom with the next generation of Christian publishers.

Gary Johnson’s legacy lives on through the countless lives touched by the books he helped bring into the world, and through the continuing work of Bethany House Publishers in bringing quality Christian literature to readers everywhere.

Johnson is survived by Carol, his wife of 62 years and his two daughters, six grandchildren and soon four great-grandchildren.

Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, has been publishing high-quality books for more than 60 years, and has been recognized as the pioneer and leader in Christian fiction. They continue to publish in nonfiction categories as well, and are known for bringing outstanding Christian books to readers that inspire and uplift.

Contact: Karen Steele, (616)676-9185 x100, ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Grand Rapids, Mich. Dec. 2024 – Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, announced The Jesus Bible, in both New International Version (NIV) and English Standard Version (ESV) editions, have sold more than 500,000 copies combined. Through a partnership with Passion Publishing, Zondervan first published The Jesus Bible, NIV Edition in 2017 and The Jesus Bible, ESV Edition in 2018.

“It has been deeply rewarding to see the impact our partnership with Passion Publishing has had over the years,” said Melinda Bouma, vice president and publisher of Bibles for Zondervan. “In less than a decade, we have reached more than half a million students and leaders throughout the nation and the world. We look forward to reaching many more in the years to come, as we help Bible readers come to see that the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem isn’t the beginning of the story of Jesus, but rather the entire Bible points to Him.”

Featuring nearly 1000 articles and 66 book introductions, The Jesus Bible helps readers discover Jesus throughout the fullness of Scripture. Six feature essays highlight how the Bible, while a collection of 66 books, is truly one story with six “acts” all about one name—Jesus.

“We could not be more thrilled to see The Jesus Bible cross this significant milestone,” said Kevin Marks, managing director of Passion Publishing. “It is a powerful indicator that Passion’s core mission of making Jesus more known is being fulfilled. We are immensely thankful for the Bible team at Zondervan and our strategic partnership with HarperCollins Christian Publishing.”

In 2018, The Jesus Bible, NIV Edition was re-designed to feature Zondervan’s exclusive NIV Comfort Print® typeface. Expertly designed to be used for the NIV text, Comfort Print offers an easier reading experience. A highlight of this product line has been the introduction of The Jesus Bible, Artist Editions – editions of each of the Bibles featuring unique cover designs by emerging artists. Artist Editions, in both translations, have featured artwork from Britt Bass (2019) and Joshua Noom (2022)

About Passion Publishing:  Passion Publishing’s mission is to lift and amplify life-shifting messages globally from the Passion movement. Above all else Passion is about glorifying God by inviting people to live for what matters most, the name and renown of Jesus. Since 2014, Passion Publishing has enjoyed an imprint partnership with HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

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.

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

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — As a pastor of 17 years and now Lifeway’s president and CEO, Ben Mandrell has seen increasing loneliness and a decreased sense of belonging among Christians. This growing trend is one of the main reasons why Mandrell wrote his first short-term adult Bible study, “Together,” to recapture God’s vision for biblical community within the local church.

In this six-week study, Mandrell seeks to challenge believers to step out of surface-level relationships and into the deeper, familial community the early church displayed. By anchoring the study in Acts 2, Mandrell challenges Christians to move beyond exchanging surface-level pleasantries to pursuing deep friendship within the local church. Pursuing biblical community, he argues, includes investment, sacrifice and love.

“The first generation of believers embraced the idea of church in a way that impacted every aspect of their lives and empowered the gospel to spread far and wide,” said Mandrell. “The early church humbly shared their hurts, struggles and failures, and their willingness to do so increased the power of their witness and deepened their connection with one another.”

The aftereffects of the pandemic coupled with the larger state of apathy toward organized religion in America are a few reasons why isolation among American Christians may be on the rise. According to a poll from NORC at the University of Chicago, 88% of Americans do not trust organized religion or religious leaders even though the same population believes in a higher power or spirituality.

Even within the local church, people seem to be growing apathetic in their commitment. Lifeway Research found that 66% of Americans say worshiping alone or with one’s family is a valid replacement for regularly attending church and 75% of pastors identified “people’s apathy or lack of commitment” as a significant concern.

“God’s vision for unity in the local church is crystal clear,” said Mandrell. “For the church to carry out this vision, it’s vital for each member to be fully devoted to one another. This study lays the foundation for God’s vision and purpose for the local church and how this is lived out in the context of teaching, fellowship, forgiveness and prayer.”

This study includes six video sessions, group discussion guides and personal study opportunities for ongoing spiritual growth, with each week focusing on a different aspect of what it means to be committed to the local church. This study also invites believers to challenge their distinctions between attending church and actively pursuing biblical community.

Additionally, Lifeway is releasing “Together for Teens,” which will be released alongside the adult edition. The teen study focuses on how students are not just the “future of the church” but addresses how students can see that they have a vital role in the church today. The teen study includes six group sessions, six weeks of personal study and a leader guide that encourages students to pursue a deeper understanding of God’s vision for the local church.

Drawing from his experience of planting Storyline Fellowship in Denver, Colorado, Mandrell described how a shared love of Christ and his mission to reach the lost strengthened the relationships within the church plant. “We were in it together, we were on mission together and we had each other’s backs,” he said.

“We’re together in different circumstances. But God’s vision for his church today is the same as it was for the early church in its very first days,” said Mandrell. “As he was then, the Holy Spirit is at work now—in us, through us and around us. The question is, will we open ourselves up to Him as He does that work?”

“Together” will be released on January 2, 2025, and is now available for pre-order. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.

In operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, group curriculum, Christian music and movies, Vacation Bible School and church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Based in Brentwood, Tennessee, Lifeway operates as a self-supporting nonprofit. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Aaron Earls, aaron.earls@lifeway.com

by Lauren Pratt, a contracted publicist for Lifeway Christian Resources

 

AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 10, 2025

Imagine what it would have been like to witness the events in the life of Jesus—from the perspective of the animals who could have been there. 

The bright burst of blinding light sent the wolf pack running, leaving Belzib behind after he hit his head in all the commotion. Liora, a lamb venturing out on her own, found him out cold, but the angel’s booming voice soon awoke Belzib. It wasn’t natural for a sheep to make friends with a wolf, but the angel’s song declaring peace on earth drove away all concern. Excited about the angel’s big announcement, the unlikely pair had to follow the brightest star they had ever seen to find the Savior.

The Light and the Life by bestselling author Marty Machowski follows the adventures of the animals who could have witnessed the events of Jesus’s life. Join the lamb and wolf as they head to Bethlehem, lizards living in the temple, camels traveling with the wise men, turtles in the Sea of Galilee, hyrax at the Mount of Transfiguration, squirrels at Lazarus’s tomb, and the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem.

• Third of four books in the Redemption Tales series for ages 8–12, retelling Bible narratives from the perspective of the animals who could have witnessed the events firsthand.
• Includes Bible study questions to acquaint kids with the “truth behind the tales.”
• Offers a new point of view of God’s overarching story of redemption found throughout his Word.

The Light and the Life
Redemption Tales Book 3
by Marty Machowski
February 10, 2025 / Retail Price: $16.99
Print ISBN: 978-1-64507-491-5
Juvenile Fiction / Religious / Christian / Action & Adventure

Marty Machowski is a family life pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, PA, where he has served on the pastoral staff for over 30 years. He is the author of a number of family devotionals, curricula (including the Gospel Story for Kids), children’s books, and parenting titles. His latest releases include The Treasure, The Redemption Tales series, and Promises Made Promises Kept. He and his wife, Lois, have six children and several grandchildren and reside in West Chester, PA.  Learn more at martymachowski.com.

Blair Files is an illustrator and textile designer based in New York City. She is inspired by colorful characters, travels abroad, and of course, great stories. She is the illustrator of the Redemption Tales series. Her work and sketchbook can be found at www.blairfiles.com.

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

December 2024 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is proud to announce that it has received the ECPA Bronze Milestone Award in recognition of the remarkable impact of two titles that have surpassed 100,000 copies sold across print, digital, and audio formats. The books are The Common Rule by Justin Whitmel Earley and First Nations Version by Terry M. Wildman and the First Nations Version Translation Council.

Published in 2019, The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction provides a set of daily and weekly practices designed to form people in the love of God and neighbor.

“I would say I’m ‘so humbled’ by this milestone, but honestly the humility comes in the form of genuine surprise,” said Earley. “When I started writing about habits as spiritual disciplines a few years ago, it was mostly to help myself process the way God was using the grace of habit to bring me back to mental health, because my life had collapsed. I never imagined that so many people from so many walks of life were struggling with the same. I had no idea so many people would tell me that this little book would help them rethink the spiritual habits in their own lives.”

On June 3, 2025, IVP will release The Common Rule Youth Edition: Growing Your Faith in a Distracted World to similarly empower young readers to break free from the stress and anxiety of modern life.

Earley added, “All I can say is that God is so good to work through my failure and my clumsy writing efforts to bring such great good in others’ lives. And it makes me all the more excited that a version of this book for teens is coming out this Spring! May God continue to bless it, and all glory to the one who uses our failures to work his good!”

Published in 2021, First Nations Version: An Indigenous Bible Translation of the New Testament (FNV) is a dynamic equivalence translation of the New Testament that captures the simplicity, clarity, and beauty of Native storytellers in English, while remaining faithful to the original language of the Bible. The culmination of a rigorous five-year translation process, this Bible translation is a collaboration between organizations like OneBook and Wycliffe Associates, Indigenous North Americans from over twenty-five different tribes, and a translation council that consisted of twelve Native North American elders, pastors, young adults, and men and women from different tribes and diverse geographic locations.

Wildman, lead translator and project manager of the FNV, said, “The hopes and dreams that guided our Translation Council and me in creating the FNV have exceeded all expectations. Since its release, the FNV has become a bridge for Indigenous people to connect with Creator’s Good Story (Gospel), touching readers across Turtle Island (North America) and beyond. Surpassing 100,000 copies sold isn’t just a milestone; it reflects lives transformed, stories honored, and relationships deepened across cultures. The FNV has found a home at Native gatherings, college campuses, churches, schools, study groups, and personal devotions, affirming the power of language and culture to heal, build understanding, and warm hearts on a shared journey of faith.”

Based on the profound impact the FNV has had on so many readers, in September IVP also published an IVP Kids title, Birth of the Chosen One: A First Nations Retelling of the Christmas Story, that features Native American art by illustrators Hannah Noel Buchanan and Holly Buchanan. And in Summer 2025 IVP will release the FNV leather bound edition (June 24, 2025) as well as First Nations Version Psalms and Proverbs; An Indigenous Bible Translation (August 5, 2025).

“The First Nations Version is a groundbreaking, fresh translation of the New Testament filled with vivid, evocative language and imagery,” said Al Hsu, senior editor for IVP. “We’re thrilled with how the FNV New Testament has been received and are excited to be developing the FNV Psalms and Proverbs as the sacred songs and words of the wisdomkeepers.”

Established in 1990, the ECPA Milestone Sales Award program recognizes outstanding sales achievement in the publication of quality Christian literature. Eligibility for these awards is attained whenever a book achieves the designated sales level in all of its formats.

Contact:  Krista Clayton | kclayton@ivpress.com

December 2024 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) will kick off the second season of The Digital Examen on January 8. Hosted by pastor and author Jay Kim, the podcast will expand on the theme of “Living at the Pace of Peace.”

“Like many people these days, I often find myself overwhelmed by the chaos of the digital age—so much frenzy, so little peace,” Kim said. “My hope is that The Digital Examen will offer people not only a learning experience but also an invitation into stillness with God as we slow down enough to listen as much as we learn.”

Building on the topics of listening, peace, and slowness explored in season one, season two will seek to not only equip listeners to perceive God’s voice but to also notice God himself in the everyday with one’s whole self.

New episodes of The Digital Examen release weekly on Wednesdays starting January 8 through March 26.  In the first episode Kim will introduce the second podcast season by posing questions about what it means to slow down and notice God amid the noise and pace of the digital age. 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. Kim has also written on the topic of the digital age for Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Missio Alliance, and Relevant Magazine.

Kim’s guests for season two include:

January 15
Ashlee Eiland is a thought leader, writer, and Bible teacher. She formerly served as colead pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church in West Michigan. She is the author of Human(Kind) and Say Good.

January 22
Glenn Packiam is the lead pastor of Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, California. He is the author of several books, including The Resilient Pastor, Worship and the World to Come, Blessed Broken Given, and the most recent title, The Intentional Year, coauthored with his wife, Holly.

January 29
Ruth Haley Barton is founding president of the Transforming Center, a spiritual formation ministry to pastors and Christian leaders. She is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life, including Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Sacred Rhythms, Longing for More and Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership.

February 5
Michael John Cusick is the CEO and founder of Restoring the Soul, an intensive counseling ministry in Denver. He is a licensed professional counselor, spiritual director, and former assistant professor of counseling at Colorado Christian University. Michael is the author of Surfing for God and Sacred Attachment.

February 12
A.J. Swoboda is an associate professor of Bible and theology at Bushnell University and lead mentor for the doctor of ministry program on spiritual formation and soul care at Friends University. He is the author of many books, including The Gift of Thorns, After Doubt, and the award-winning Subversive Sabbath.

February 19
Kathy Tuan-MacLean is the national faculty ministry director for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where she invites and resources faculty to follow Jesus together. Since joining InterVarsity in 1990, she has led numerous students and faculty in Bible study, spiritual formation, and leadership development. She is the coauthor, with Tara Edelschick, of Moms at the Well.

February 26
Natasha Smith is a grief advocate, speaker, and podcast host. She is the author of Can You Just Sit with Me? and Black Woman Grief. Her work has appeared in Guideposts, Propel Women, Influence magazine, her.BIBLE, and elsewhere.

March 5
Kevin Chapman is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialty in cognitive behavioral therapy. He is the founder and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders and has appeared on TLC and the Today show as well as in USA Today, Huffington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Chapman leads Sound Mind Ministries and is the author of Mastering Our Emotions.

March 12
Steve Cuss is the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety. He spent twenty-six years in local church leadership after serving as a trauma and hospice chaplain. He now hosts emotional health workshops all over the world for non-profit organizations and businesses and cultivates an online community of learners at Capable Life.

March 19
Andy Crouch is partner for theology and culture at Praxis, an organization that works as a creative engine for redemptive entrepreneurship. Crouch served for more than ten years as an editor and producer at Christianity Today, including serving as executive editor from 2012 to 2016. His work and writing have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Time. He is the author of numerous books, including Culture Making, Strong and Weak, and The Life We’re Looking For.

March 26
Kim will wrap up the second season of The Digital Examen with a final episode focused on reorienting our lives so that we can notice God with the entirety of our beings—heart, soul, mind, strength—in both the mundane and majestic moments of everyday life.

The Digital Examen podcast 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

 

Chattanooga, TN – As followers of Jesus, we know that prayer is essential to our daily walk with Him. But at times, the practice of prayer can begin to feel stagnant or obligatory—just another thing to check off the list. Jesus invites us to something much deeper—a flourishing prayer life that draws us closer to the heart of God.

In The Purpose of Prayer: A Collection on Prayer, Volume One, users will journey through Scripture, using the Precept Bible Study Method, to discover the true purpose of prayer and its ability to transform our hearts and lives and our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Users will find thought-provoking reflection questions, journaling prompts, Scripture meditation exercises and more. The study is four weeks in length and perfect for both group and individual study.

This Bible study is the first installment in Precept’s new Know God Deeply™ study series that will focus on using the tapestry of Scripture to explore various themes that help users to know God deeper and grow in their relationship with him.

Since 1970, the mission at Precept is to engage people in God’s Word through Bible study, helping them discover truth for themselves and deepen their relationship with God. Today, millions in the US and around the world have studied with Precept. Founded on a commitment to inductive Bible study, Precept provides a variety of Bible study workbooks, training, and tools that empower individuals, small groups, and churches to study Scripture in a meaningful and transformative way. Precept publishes a range of Bible Study resources tailored for people at any level of biblical understanding, including Know God Deeply studies, Precept Upon Precept, Yarrow by Precept, 40-Minute Studies, Lord Studies, New Inductive Studies as well as Precepts for Life and Discover 4 Yourself. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to go deeper, Precept exists to equip you to engage with Scripture, not just as a reader, but as a true disciple. Find out more at https://www.precept.org/.

December 2024 | Bellingham, WA — Lexham Press celebrates numerous award wins this year. We are delighted to report that several books received multiple awards and recognitions:

The Thing That Would Make Everything Okay Forever: Transcendence, Psychedelics, and Jesus Christ by Ashley Lande was a finalist in the 2025 Christianity Today book awards for Christian Living / Spiritual Formation and Ashley received a first-time author Award of Distinction from The Gospel Coalition.

Our FatCat children’s series received four recognitions. The Ten Commandments: For All God’s Children was a Moonbeam gold award winner in Religion/Spirituality and a finalist in the American Book Fest Children’s religious category alongside Who is Our King?, which was also a Moonbeam silver award winner in Religion/Spirituality.

Other awards we received this year include:

A Quiet Mind to Suffer With: Mental Illness, Trauma, and the Death of Christ by John Andrew Bryant received an ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Award, in addition to being the 2024 Christianity Today book award winner in the Christian Living / Spiritual Formation category.

Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction by Harrison Perkins received an award from Credo Magazine in the Systematic Theology & Dogmatics category.

Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Pentateuch received a Biblical Studies Award of Distinction from The Gospel Coalition.

Conquerors Not Captives: Reframing Romans 7 for the Christian Life by Joseph R. Dodson with Mattie Mae Motl received an Award of Merit from Christianity Today in the Bible and Devotion category.

A Bit of Earth: A Year in the Garden with God by Andrea G. Burke was named by Jared Wilson as his runner-up for book of the year at For the Church.

To learn about Lexham Press, visit lexhampress.com.

Media: Lindsay John Kennedy, Marketing and Business Development Manager,  lindsay@lexhampress.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (December 16, 2024)—Christianity Today has selected the NavPress title Nearing a Far God: Praying the Psalms with Our Whole Selves by Leslie Leyland Fields as the winner of the Bible and Devotional category.

Nearing a Far God offers readers an immersive survey of the Psalms in their various forms—lament, wisdom, trust, confession, creation, thanksgiving, and praise—and facilitates a prayer practice of psalm writing in these various forms. As an internationally recognized teacher and trainer in faith and writing, Leyland Fields is well suited to this uniquely crafted project. She previously won the 2017 Christianity Today Book Award for Christian Living/Discipleship with her NavPress title Crossing the Waters.

“Helping people find their way to God is deeply important work,” said Caitlyn Carlson, senior editor at NavPress. “Leslie does a beautiful job of demonstrating how the Psalms equip us to enter prayer with renewed honesty and hope.”

Also recognized as a finalist in the category of Marriage, Family, and Singleness was Anna Broadway’s NavPress release Solo Planet: How Singles Help the Church Recover Our Calling. Broadway’s editor, Deborah Sáenz, was “thrilled to see this important work receive well-deserved recognition as a CT Book Award finalist. Anna Broadway brings deep insight and compassion to the complex experiences of single Christians around the globe. I hope that Solo Planet will continue to challenge assumptions about singleness and spark meaningful conversations in the church.”

“It’s thrilling and immensely validating to have these books represented among Christianity Today’s annual Book Awards,” writes David Zimmerman, publisher for NavPress. “As we enter our fiftieth year as a publishing program, we’re gratified to know that our books are contributing to the vitality and impact of the church’s life and witness.”

For more information about NavPress titles, please visit www.navpress.com.

From 1975 until today and into the future, NavPress equips people with bold, loving, and sensible disciplemaking resources, including books, Bible studies, and The Message® Bible. A business ministry of The Navigators, NavPress supports readers as they know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same®. NavPress has been in a publishing alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, one of the largest independently owned Christian publishers in the world, since 2014. NavPress resources are sold, distributed, and marketed worldwide through Tyndale House Publishers. Learn more at navpress.com/purpose or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

Contact:  Andrea Martin, andreamartin@tyndale.com

WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, is celebrating the extraordinary sales track of 5.3 million copies sold in the bestselling God Gave Us children’s series by Lisa Tawn Bergren; illustrated by Laura J Bryant and David Hohn. The debut title, God Gave Us You (illustrated by Laura J Bryant), originally published in 2000 and has gone on to sell more than 2.1 million copies in all formats.

Now, with 14 titles in the series, each book offers a tender story of a young animal family, featuring either the curious polar bear Little Cub or wolf Little Pup asking big questions about life.  Among the bestselling titles are seasonal favorites such as God Gave Us Christmas (illustrated by David Hohn), 1.2 million sold, and God Gave Us Easter (illustrated by Laura J Bryant), 942,000 sold. The charming picture books for readers 3-8 address a range of topics, including prayer, Thanksgiving, love, heaven, sleep, family and so much more.

The series also includes God Gave Us the Bible (2019) featuring 45 stories from the Bible, with reflections from adorable Little Cub and her friends.

“I am amazed that my little children’s book (that God woke me up in the middle of the night to write) has grown to this epic number sold,” says Lisa Tawn Bergren. “Truly, God does great things when we listen to him!”

“We are so grateful to Lisa for the 25-year publishing relationship and that all of the wonderful titles in the God Gave Us series continue to delight readers worldwide, helping children have a clearer understanding of God and Jesus,” added Campbell Wharton, SVP, Publisher, Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group.  “It is a joy to see the next generation of parents discover these beautiful stories.”

The God Gave Us series has been translated into 12 languages worldwide. For rights inquiries, contact Denise Cronin, decronin@penguinrandomhouse.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Tawn Bergren is a bestselling, award-winning author of more than 70 books that span many genres, from children’s books to YA fiction, devotionals to books on prayer. She and her husband, Tim, live in Colorado Springs.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORS
Laura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You and multiple other titles in the God Gave Us series, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

David Hohn is an illustrator based in Portland, Oregon. His previous books include God Gave Us the Bible, God Gave Us Prayer, God Gave Us Thankful Hearts, and God Gave Us Christmas, as well as Just Like Beverly: A Biography of Beverly Cleary and A Gaggle of Geese and a Clatter of Cats. His past and current clients include Scholastic, Viking, Random House, Sasquatch Books, and Spider magazine, as well as Nike, Proctor & Gamble, and Oregon Children’s Theater.

Full listing of the God Gave Us Series, authored by Lisa Tawn Bergren:

• God Gave Us You: Published  9/19/2000; Illustrated by Laura J Bryant
• God Gave Us Two: Published 9/18/2001; Illustrated by Laura J Bryant
• God Gave Us Christmas: Published 10/10/2006; Illustrated by David Hohn
• God Gave Us Heaven:     Published 8/19/2008; Illustrated by Laura J Bryant
• God Gave Us Love: Published 9/15/2009; Illustrated by Laura J Bryant
• God Gave Us So Much: Published 8/10/2010; Illustrated by Laura J Bryant
• God Gave Us the World: Published 1/11/2011; Illustrated by Laura J Bryant
• God Gave Us Easter: Published 1/15/2013; Illustrated by Laura J Bryant
• God Gave Us Angels: Published 9/16/2014; Illustrated by Laura J Bryant
• God Gave Us Sleep: Published 9/8/2015; Illustrated by Laura J Bryant
• God Gave Us Thankful Hearts:  Published 8/23/2016; Illustrated by David Hohn
• God Gave Us Family: Published 10/17/2017; Illustrated by David Hohn
• God Gave Us The Bible: Published 9/17/2019; Illustrated by David Hohn
• God Gave Us Prayer: Published 3/2/2021; Illustrated by David Hohn

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

Contact: Beverly Rykerd, VP, Publicity Director, PRHCPG, bykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com.