Inter-Varsity Press (IVP) has appointed Professor Beth M. Stovell, Chair of General Theological Studies at Ambrose Seminary, Canada, as the new editor for their Apollos Old Testament Commentary Series.

Professor Stovell joins David W. Baker as co-editor of the Apollos Old Testament Commentary (AOTC) series, replacing former editor Gordon J. Wenham on his retirement. Written by an international team of scholars, the AOTC series expounds the divine and human aspects of scripture, and emphasises the relevance of the Old Testament for modern readers.

Stovell is currently Professor of Old Testament at Ambrose University, teaching courses in Old Testament, Hebrew, and Biblical Theology, and overseeing seminar programmes in her role as Chair of General Theological Studies.

In her new role as AOTC editor, Stovell will work with Thomas Creedy, Editorial Director for IVP.

Creedy says: “Beth is a fantastic addition to the AOTC team. She is a scholar who embodies the sensitive exegesis and thoughtful biblical theology that the series is known for, and I look forward to seeing it flourish further under her work. I’m excited to see Beth interact alongside co-editor David Baker, with manuscripts already in the pipeline, and to see her work on David’s Genesis contribution to the series. We at IVP are so grateful to David and Gordon for their pioneering and faithful stewardship of the AOTC to date, and pray for God’s continued blessing on the work of the series”

Stovell says: “I am so honoured to come into this role. The AOTC has been excellently run by Gordon Wenham and David Baker for over 20 years. I want to honour what has come before, while offering my unique skills and experience as the series continues.  I am aware of the great responsibility and the great joy of offering my service in this way, and am proud to work with the well-respected scholars who are the authors of the AOTC series. When I think of the AOTC, I think of the values of inspiration and authority of Scripture, and how both the divine and human aspects of Scripture shape our understanding of who God is, who we are in light of Him, and what we should do with our lives, and how to engage with the world around us. For over two decades, this series has provided valuable international voices exploring the historical, literary, and theological depth of the Old Testament. I am so excited to be part of editing a series that reminds us all of the enduring value of biblical theology”.

About Inter-Varsity Press (part of SPCK Group)
Inter-Varsity Press (IVP) publishes Christian books that are true to the Bible and that communicate the gospel, develop discipleship and strengthen the church for its mission throughout the world.

We publish evangelical Christian books for the church and the world, including for academic audiences under the imprint Apollos. As a British publisher, we aim to be at the centre of the UK evangelical church’s conversation with itself and with the wider world. We also seek to have a global reach and impact through worldwide distribution, licensing and partnerships.

Our roots are in the university Christian Union movement. IVP started back in the 1930s as the publishing wing of UCCF. IVP is now a subsidiary charity of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK), an Anglican mission agency and publisher. Engaging students and the academy are still important to our mission, and we remain committed to publishing books true to the UCCF Basis of Faith. You can find some of our resources for students, produced in partnership with UCCF, here.

Press contact: Emily Beater, ebeater@spck.org.uk, 07494430503

April 2024 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce that Shane White has been named Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Publicity.

White joins IVP with more than twenty-eight years of sales management experience, most recently as the Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Publicity for Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

“As someone who has clearly left a lasting impression on those he has worked with in the past, Shane quickly rose to the surface in our search,” said Terumi Echols, President and Publisher at IVP. “We heard from numerous publishing professionals about Shane’s innovative ideas, knowledge of the industry, and his genuine interest in the people he works with. We are grateful for the skills and passion Shane brings to IVP and look forward to working with him to build on IVP’s long history as we expand our digital infrastructure, grow our publishing program, and move into Spanish-language publishing.”

White said, “I am honored to be joining the IVP team. For over seventy-five years, IVP has had a reputation for creating and publishing books that deepen lives in Christ. It is a privilege for me to contribute to this legacy of excellence. I look forward to collaborating with IVP’s dedicated staff, our esteemed authors, and our valued trading partners to expand our market presence and increase distribution.”

White’s career includes significant roles at Sourcebooks, Kidsbooks, and Harvest House Publishers, where he was instrumental in identifying and leveraging strategic opportunities to bolster business and ministry efforts.

LaRae Weikert, former Vice President of Editorial at Harvest House Publishers, said, “Not only is Shane White a seasoned sales professional, he is a creative and gifted product developer. During our time working together, he was responsible for finding several bestselling books and authors. Shane has an extensive knowledge of the book-publishing industry, and he has a keen sense of what books will sell well in the market. One of his best qualities is how much he loves brainstorming product ideas with authors, coworkers, and book buyers. Shane is sincerely interested in people and he makes relationships a priority, which is an incredible asset to any company. As an acquisition editor, I loved interacting with Shane about new products and authors to pursue for the publishing company where we worked.”

White’s first day as IVP’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Publicity will be April 29.

Contact: Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

 

A former counterterrorism official explores how modern evangelicalism and right-wing conservatism intermingled to form the combustible ideology that resulted in the January 6 attacks on the Capitol—and which threatens to destroy the American Church from within.

How did a Church that purports to follow the teachings of Jesus – the Prince of Peace – become a breeding ground for violent extremism?

When Elizabeth Neumann began her anti-terrorism career as part of President George W. Bush’s Homeland Security Counsel in the wake of the September 11 attacks, she expected to spend her life protecting her country from the threat of global terrorism.

But as her career evolved, she began to perceive that the greatest threat to American security came not from religious fundamentalists in Afghanistan or Iraq but from white nationalists and radicalized religious fundamentalists within the very institution that was closest to her heart – the American evangelical church. And she began to sound the alarm, raising her concerns to anyone in government who would listen, including testifying before Congress in February of 2020. At that time, Neumann warned that anti-Semitic and white supremacist terrorism was a transnational threat that was building to the doorstep of another major attack. Shortly after her testimony, she resigned from her role as Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention in protest of what she believed was then-President Trump’s failure of leadership and his stoking of the hatred, anger, and division from which she had dedicated her life to protecting her country.

Her worst fears came true when she witnessed the attack on the capital on January 6, 2021.

In Kingdom of Rage, Neumann explores the forces within American society that have encouraged the radicalization of white supremacist, anti-government and other far-right terrorists by co-opting Christian symbols and culture and perverting the faith’s teachings. While Neumann offers decades of insights into the role government policies can play to prevent further bloodshed, she believes real change must come from the within the Christian church. She shines a bright light on the responsibility of ordinary Americans – and particularly American Christians – to work within their families and their communities to counteract the narrative of victimization and marginalization within American evangelicalism. Her goal for this book is not only to sound a warning about one of the greatest threats to our security but to rescue the Church from the forces that will, if left unchecked, destroy it – culturally, morally, and ultimately quite literally. This is a book for anyone who wants to understand the unholy marriage of right-wing politics and Christian exceptionalism in America and who wants to be a part of reversing the current path towards division, hatred, violence and the ultimate undermining of both evangelical Christianity and American democracy.

Elizabeth Neumann served as the Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Neumann is an ABC News contributor and the chief strategy officer at Moonshot. She is based in the Denver, CO area.

A funny, thought-provoking memoir-in-essays about learning to understand—again and again—that we can’t earn God’s love no matter how many rules we follow or boxes we check, and learning to accept the grace that is freely given.

Growing up, Kimberly Stuart got really good at strapping on her spiritual tap shoes and trying to be a star for Jesus. She could sing all the songs, ace the sword drills, and know all the right theology. From earning creepy Jesus paperweights in her church’s faux Girl Scout program to trying to calm an actual storm on the Mediterranean, she was doing her best… and still found herself longing for something more. She didn’t mean to completely ignore the most beautiful tenets of her faith—the unwavering grace and tenacious love of God—but she did. Which, of course, was the problem. Her best was lackluster, and God wasn’t looking for a star performer anyway.

Star for Jesus (And Other Jobs I Quit), is an invitation for readers to spot unvarnished, amazing grace when they see it. With her trademark wit and transparency, Stuart brings readers through both big and small moments that teach us to cling to the fierce love of God instead of the flimsier versions we find elsewhere.

With unflinching honesty and relatable humor, Stuart encourages readers to take another look at unrelenting grace; why, contrary to the cultural narrative, we are not actually enough, and that’s good news; how we always, remarkably, have all the grace we need; and why this moment in history is the perfect time to extend no-strings-attached grace to an emotionally bedraggled, wary world.

Kimberly Stuart is a writer, speaker, podcaster, and dark chocolate obsessive. She is the author of eight novels. Stuart’s books have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Huff Post, and the Chicago Sun-Times. She and New York Times-bestselling author Bob Goff have coached hundreds of aspiring authors through their executive coaching, online courses, podcast, and live events in the San Diego area. Stuart has made her home in Minneapolis, Houston, Chicago, Costa Rica, Nebraska, and Iowa, where she now lives with her brave husband and three wily children.

Lake Mary, FL (April 12, 2024)—Embolden Media Group is honored to announce the appointment of Rebekah Von Lintel as literary agent. Rebekah is a respected and influential leader in the publishing industry, with over twenty years of experience. With a passion for fostering emerging voices and an unwavering dedication to excellence, her contributions have played a significant role in the success of numerous best-selling titles across various genres.

“I’m thrilled and honored to be joining Embolden Literary,” Rebekah said. “Their values and mission align closely with my own, successfully amplifying underrepresented voices and contributing to a more inclusive literary landscape. I look forward to continuing to serve authors and writers in this way.”

Rebekah joins Embolden Media Group after serving as editorial director for Baker Books for ten years, where she had the privilege of developing many award-winning authors, including NYT-bestselling author Mo Isom, Sheila Walsh, Sheri Hunter, Ruth Graham, Greg Laurie’s Jesus Revolution, and Wendy Speake’s The 40-Day Sugar Fast.

Rebekah’s love of books, passion for storytelling, and commitment to supporting talented authors will breakthrough in her work with Embolden Media Group as she seeks authors writing in nonfiction categories such as memoir and biography, narrative nonfiction; business, career development, personal time management; advice and relationships; mental health and wellness, mindfulness, self-help, personal growth; home decorating, organization; inspirational and religion and spirituality. She particularly responds to books that have an important cultural, social, or psychological focus, as well as young adult voices. Rebekah also looks for select gift books, lifestyle, or photography-driven books.

In fiction, she is interested in select upmarket, literary, and book club fiction, and stories that offer a new twist or retelling of some kind.

For children’s books, she will focus primarily on YA and middle grade, and her tastes vary broadly in those areas. She will also consider select children’s picture books.

“I am strengthened by Rebekah’s presence on our team,” said Jevon Bolden, founder and CEO of Embolden Media Group. “She is a force in the industry. Her outstanding industry knowledge and brilliance in discerning and developing compelling concepts and culturally significant trade books fits in seamlessly with our mission to see elevated and thoughtful books by creative and diverse voices published.”

Embolden Media Group is a boutique literary agency and publishing consulting firm representing some of the most engaging, transformative, and authentic voices in our culture including several USA Today, Publishers Weekly and ECPA best-selling authors. Founded in 2017, Embolden Media Group is a market leader in cultivating and amplifying the works of inspirational women, authors of color, and diverse creators through written, audio, and visual content.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact: woodley.auguste@theawarenessagency.com

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Good Book Company is delighted to announce God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook and The Songs of a Warrior as finalists for the 2024 Christian Book Award®.

God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook (The Good Book Company, September 2023) is a finalist in the Children’s category.

Written by Carl Laferton and illustrated by Jennifer Davison, this children’s Bible for kids ages 2-6 contains both familiar stories, such as Noah and the ark, David and Goliath, and Daniel and the lions’ den, and lesser-known stories such as Jacob and Esau and Joshua’s farewell. Together, these 92 theologically faithful stories point to the one big story of the Bible: God making and keeping his promises to redeem his people.

The Songs of a Warrior (The Good Book Company, February 2023) is a finalist in the Young People’s Literature category.

Written by Katy Morgan, this dramatic retelling of the accounts of the first two kings of Israel follows the intertwining stories of Jonathan, David, Saul, and Michal documented in 1 and 2 Samuel. This exciting chapter book is a great way to help kids ages 8-12 engage with God’s word. They’ll be left thinking about what it means to trust God and realizing that only Jesus can really be the king God’s people need.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) annually presents the Christian Book Awards® program to honor the best books of the year in 12 categories.

ABOUT THE GOOD BOOK COMPANY
Founded in 1991, The Good Book Company (TGBC) is an international Christian publisher. Their Bible studies, books, devotionals, videos, tracts, evangelistic courses, and training materials are used throughout the English-speaking world, and in translation in over 35 languages worldwide. Everyone at TGBC is passionate about the Lord Jesus, His word, His church, and His gospel of grace. They create and publish biblical, relevant, and accessible resources that will encourage Christians to keep going, keep growing, and keep sharing their faith.

For media inquiries and access to promotional assets, contact: publicity@thegoodbook.com.

Carol Stream, IL (April 11, 2024) – Tyndale Momentum is pleased to announce that their book All My Knotted-Up Life received the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s (ECPA’s) Milestone Double Bronze Sales Award for surpassing 250,000 books sold.

A New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestseller, All My Knotted-Up Life is an incredibly thoughtful, disarmingly funny, and intensely vulnerable glimpse into the life and ministry of a woman familiar to many but known by few.  The audio book, which is voiced by Moore, also made the New York Times bestsellers list.

“Beth’s memoir is the story of a woman who consistently clings to Jesus throughout a life marked by heartache, redemption, and a passionate calling,” says Karen Watson, Publisher of Tyndale Fiction. “Whether readers encountered this story in print or by audio, Beth’s familiar voice shines through in unforgettable ways. Tyndale is honored to have partnered with her on this wonderful book.”

Moore’s earlier works with Tyndale include: So Long, Insecurity (2010), which, along with the accompanying devotional and study guide has sold nearly 1 million copies;  The Undoing of Saint Silvanus (2016), Moore’s debut novel, which has sold more than 125,000 copies, and Chasing Vines (2020), which is approaching 200,000 copies sold.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact Andrea Martin, Sr. Director of Public Relations & Author Relations, andreamartin@tyndale.com

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a trusted voice for generations of readers. Today, it is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale has proved a faithful guide, helping readers discover the life-giving truths of the Bible. Its mission is to open God’s Word to as many people as possible in language they can relate to and understand. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a substantial portion of annual revenue—millions of dollars per year—through corporate donations and the work of Tyndale House Foundation. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. ECPA.org

Contact:  Andrea Martin, andreamartin@tyndale.com

April 2024 | LISLE, IL—The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced that two InterVarsity Press (IVP) titles—Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest and the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters—are among the finalists for the 2024 Christian Book Award® program.

“It is always a joy to recognize excellence in Christian book publishing through this award program, and this year’s finalists represent that very well,” said Jeff Crosby, ECPA president and CEO. “Books like these have the ability to transform lives, to shed light, to build bridges, and to foster faithfulness. We congratulate each of the finalists, their authors and publishers.”

Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again was selected as a Christian Book Award® finalist in the ministry resources category. Sharing her own story of practicing sabbath for the past twenty years, Ruth Haley Barton offers hard-won wisdom regarding the rhythms of sabbath, exploring both weekly sabbath keeping as well as extended periods of sabbatical time.

Drew Jackson, poet and author of God Speaks Through Wombs, said, “In Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, Ruth Haley Barton invites us into a holy place—what Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel called ‘a sanctuary in time.’ Barton profoundly weaves together disparate strands of the practice of sabbath-keeping into a beautiful quilt that tells us a story about ourselves—we were meant for wholeness, not just individually, but communally. Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest shows us that this gift from God is not just indispensable for the life of faith but also in our discovery of what it means to be human. Barton has given us a treasure—a must-read for anyone longing for freedom from the tyranny of endless work and overproduction.”

The other Christian Book Award® finalist, chosen for Bible Reference Works category, is IVP Academic’s Dictionary of Paul and His Letters: A Compendium of Contemporary Biblical Scholarship (Second Edition), edited by Scot McKnight, Lynn H. Cohick and Nijay K. Gupta.

David Lincicum, University of Notre Dame, said, “A staple of syllabi and a first stop for research, the original Dictionary of Paul and His Letters became a fixture in the landscape of Pauline studies. Much has changed in the past three decades, and this completely new dictionary, with contributions from no less than 141 scholars, provides an authoritative overview of the present state of Pauline scholarship. From Abraham and Adam to worship and wrath, and from classic theological topics to matters of pressing contemporary concern, the broad coverage of this remarkable project will be welcomed by novice student and seasoned scholar alike.”

The Dictionary of Paul and His Letters takes its place alongside the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (Second Edition) and the other volumes in the IVP Bible Dictionary Series as a unique presentation of the fruit of biblical studies—committed to Scripture, using the best of critical methods, and maintaining dialogue with both contemporary scholarship and the challenges facing the church.

Classic topics such as Christology, justification, hermeneutics, and book studies of individual epistles receive careful treatment by specialists in the field. Topics new to this edition—including Paul and politics, patronage, and interpretations from various historical and cultural perspectives—expand the volume’s breadth and usefulness. Over 95 percent of the articles have been written specifically for this edition.

The Christian Book Award® program has recognized the highest quality in Christian books since 1978 (originally called the Gold Medallion Award). Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and impact, the Christian Book Awards are the oldest and among the most prestigious awards in religious publishing.

The winners in each category, along with the 2024 Christian Book of the Year®, will be presented at the ECPA Awards & 50th Anniversary Celebration, held the evening of April 30 in Chicago, during the ECPA Leadership Summit.

For a complete list of IVP award-winning titles visit ivpress.com.

Contact:  Krista Clayton, 630.734.4013, kclayton@ivpress.com

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO.—April 12, 2024—Renowned Bible study writer Cynthia Heald will release a new book on June 6, 2024, for women and men. It explores the everyday journey of becoming like Christ. Becoming Like Jesus: Reflecting Christ in Your Everyday Life is designed for personal or group use. Heald is the author of the Bible study series “Becoming a Woman . . .” which has sold more than two million in the series.

“Cynthia Heald is the kind of author you imagine in your head. She’s written these transformational Bible studies that have shaped the discipleship of generations of women,” says David Zimmerman, NavPress Publisher. “And then you meet her, and you realize that she has spent her life in pursuit of becoming like Jesus. And then you marvel at her in an entirely different way. We’re grateful for Cynthia’s long legacy and faithful witness.”

With the seasoned guidance of a lifelong faith, Cynthia shares the challenges and rewards of embodying Christlikeness, as well as her own imperfect, stumbling experiences in learning to become like Jesus. In this insightful, accessible, and thought-provoking book, perfect for your quiet time or for a six-week small-group study, you’ll find yourself inspired and encouraged to step into the simple yet powerful ways God molds us into the image of his Son.

In Becoming Like Jesus, you will find:

• Devotional reflections on the invitation to daily spiritual growth
• Thoughtful prayers and insightful quotations from godly writers
• Scripture references and Bible study reflection questions

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

NavPress is a business ministry of The Navigators. With a rich catalog of bestselling books, discipleship resources, and The Message® Bible, NavPress supports readers as they 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.

Contact: Andrea Martin, andreamartin@tyndale.com