October 2023 | DOWNERS GROVE, IL—Less than two years since the first episode released on January 1, 2022, IVP has announced that the Get in the Word with Truth’s Table podcast has surpassed one million downloads.

Get in The Word with Truth’s Table is a daily Bible podcast featuring two cohosts of the popular Truth’s Table podcast—Christina Edmondson and Ekemini Uwan—who narrate the entire Bible and offer daily prayers over the course of a year.

“Hitting the one million download milestone for Get in The Word with Truth’s Table is an affirmation and confirmation of the importance of this kingdom work,” said Uwan. “We knew there was a void in the audio Bible podcast market, and we sought to fill that void so that Black women and everyone knows that the gospel of Jesus Christ belongs to us too.”

Produced in partnership with the popular show Truth’s Table, Get in The Word with Truth’s Table is one of a growing number of projects underwritten by IVP’s Every Voice Now initiative, which seeks to amplify and elevate voices of color.

“When Ekemini first shared with us her dream of creating an audio Bible featuring the voices of women of color, I had no idea whether or not IVP could bring this dream to reality,” said Helen Lee, IVP’s Director of Product Innovation. “Thankfully, through the generosity and support of IVP’s Every Voice Now fund and The Grace & Mercy Foundation, both of which caught Ekemini’s vision, we have been honored to create a resource that continues to bless and inspire listeners every day. Reaching this milestone underscores the reality that so many people want to hear God’s Word in voices that either resonate with their lived experiences or that expand those experiences to include marginalized voices. Historically in the church, the voices of Black women have not always been among those heard and heeded. I’m so grateful to Ekemini and Christina for lending their respected and trustworthy voices towards this project that will help listeners hear and obey God’s Word.”

Edmondson (PhD, Tennessee State University) is a higher education instructor, organizational consultant, and cohost of the Truth’s Table podcast. She is the coauthor of Faithful Antiracism and has served in a variety of roles including as the Dean for Intercultural Student Development at Calvin University. She is also a certified Cultural Intelligence facilitator, public speaker, mental health therapist, and a consultant in the areas of ethics, equity, and Christian leadership development. Her writing has been seen and referenced in outlets like Essence.com, YourBlackWorld.com, and Gospel Today magazine.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with our colleagues at IVP to bring this resource to the public,” Edmondson said. “First and foremost, Get in The Word with Truth’s Table presents the power and beauty of God’s Word through the voices and prayers of Black women. We’re grateful and amazed at reaching one million downloads, and we are trusting God for one million more. We know that God’s Word lifts burdens, transforms hearts, and reassures us of the bounty of grace extended to all of us.”

Uwan (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary) is a public theologian and the cohost of the Truth’s Table podcast. Her writings have been published in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Huffington Post Black Voices, Christianity Today, and The Witness: A Black Christian Collective. Ekemini has appeared on MSNBC, and her insights have been quoted by NPR, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker, among other publications. In 2021, she earned the IMPACT Award from The Institute for the Study of the Black Christian Experience.

Featuring the New English Translation and a reading plan developed by Peter Schrock of Bible Study Together, the Get in The Word with Truth’s Table episodes move chronologically through the Old Testament and make relevant connections between the Old and New Testaments along the way, interweaving Scripture passages together in a single tapestry so that Old Testament stories, psalms, and prophecies connect as much as possible to New Testament teaching without losing their original context.

“The partnership between InterVarsity Press and Get in The Word with Truth’s Table has been a great example of what we strive to do—to create and publish resources that deepen lives in Christ,” said IVP publisher Terumi Echols. “What this milestone of one million downloads means is that so many people have had their faith deepened through the encouragement of the Scripture and prayers offered in each podcast episode. I am deeply grateful to the hosts, Christina Edmondson and Ekemini Uwan, for the investment of their time and willingness to collaborate with us on this meaningful and important reading of Scripture that has blessed so many listeners.”

Contact | Krista Clayton | kclayton@ivpress.com

October 2023 | Downers Grove, Ill.—Respected New Testament scholars Nijay K. Gupta and Amy Peeler have signed a contract with IVP Academic to serve as volume editors for Hard Sayings of the New Testament, scheduled to release in 2026.

The forthcoming volume will be a continuation of the Hard Sayings series that began in 1983 with the publication of The Hard Sayings of Jesus by F. F. Bruce, which was then followed by Hard Sayings of Paul by Manfred Brauch in 1989. The most well-known volume, Hard Sayings of the Bible by Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Peter H. Davids, F. F. Bruce, and Manfred Brauch, was published in 1996. The Hard Saying books eventually became one of the first dynamic features of the IVP website with a rotating banner that linked to the “Hard Saying of the Day.” This daily feature is still active and continues to draw readers decades later.

“The Hard Sayings books were an important set of foundation blocks in IVP’s long history of Bible reference books connecting top-notch scholarship with felt needs of a wider readership of Christians,” said Jon Boyd, IVP’s academic editorial director. “The original books still have their place (and some remain in print), but this ‘reboot’ forty years on will bring both the questions and the scholarship solidly up to date. Professors Gupta and Peeler have deep knowledge of what’s needed to do the project justice in both the academy and the church. We are grateful to them for their passion for refreshing an IVP classic.”

Gupta (PhD, New Testament, University of Durham) is a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. His books include Tell Her Story and Worship That Makes Sense to Paul, and he’s written Bible commentaries and over a dozen academic articles in theological journals. He is also coeditor the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (Second Edition).

Peeler is the Kenneth T. Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College and a priest in the Episcopal Church (USA). Author most recently of Women and the Gender of God (Eerdmans, 2022) and the Hebrews commentary in the Commentaries for Christian Formation series (Eerdmans, 2024), she continues to research and teach on these topics and others across the New Testament.

With Gupta and Peeler as series editors of Hard Sayings of the New Testament, they will feature contributions by nearly twenty contributors. “What sets this apart from a commentary or other reference work is that each section is focused on a ‘hard saying’ or tricky passage, so it’s going after common felt needs of readers more than what each scholar thinks is important,” Boyd said.

Gupta said, “I remember purchasing Hard Sayings of the Bible when I was in seminary, twenty years ago. It was an invaluable resource for Bible study. The opportunity to produce a new version for a new generation is a dream come true. Curious Bible readers today are asking some new and different questions about the Bible; Dr. Peeler and I are excited to bring together a team of experts to engage those meaningful questions.”

Contact: Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Zondervan today announced that Andrea Palpant Dilley is joining the company as senior acquisitions editor for Zondervan Books. Zondervan Books is the home to multiple award-winning books and bestselling authors including Rick Warren, Shauna Niequist, Craig Groeschel, Lee Strobel, and Rebekah Lyons.

Palpant Dilley is joining Zondervan from Christianity Today, where she served most recently as online managing editor, overseeing cultural commentary, opinion, and critical essay content for CT’s international audience. She has worked closely with a broad array of Christian authors, including Philip Yancey, Fleming Rutledge, Esau McCaulley, Tish Harrison Warren, and many others.

As the new senior acquisitions editor for Zondervan Books, Palpant Dilley will help identify, acquire, and develop new captivating authors for the imprint’s portfolio. “I’m thrilled to join forces with the talented people at Zondervan Books,” says Palpant Dilley. “While moving my book collection from work to home recently, I was reminded of the many authors who’ve been friends, conversation partners, and even pastors to me over the decades. I’m enormously grateful for the chance to join Zondervan in acquiring books that offer the same friendship, conversation, and care to readers across the globe.” Her first day will be November 6, 2023.

“Andrea has deep experience in identifying new Christian voices who speak richly and deeply to our time,” commented Webster Younce, VP and publisher of Zondervan Books. “We are thrille that she is joining Zondervan.”

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

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

EUGENE, Ore. (October 30, 2023) – It’s an extraordinary time for Harvest House Publishers and author Stormie Omartian as we joyfully celebrate her remarkable achievement of surpassing 10 million copies sold of her transformative book The Power of a Praying^® Wife since its debut in 1997.

This milestone is a testament to the profound impact that The Power of a Praying^® Wife has had on marriages and families across the globe. The book empowers women to fortify their marriages through targeted prayers for their husbands in all the key aspects of life. That’s a cornerstone of The Power of a Praying^® series, a compelling collection that boasts more than 30 million copies sold across 20 enlightening titles.

“I am grateful to God for every woman who read my book and was willing to pray powerfully for her husband, herself, and her family. I am thankful to my Harvest House family for their solid support throughout the years. And thank you very much, ECPA, for your kind recognition of my book. This milestone means so much to me beyond anything I ever dreamed.”

The Power of a Praying^® Wife was the 15th book to receive the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s (ECPA) Diamond Award in February of this year and was also the recipient of the ECPA Pinnacle Award in 2020.

“Stormie’s accomplishments speak volumes about the uncompromising quality and honed intentionality of her hard work on every book she has ever written,” said Bob Hawkins, president of Harvest House Publishers. “Her heartfelt messages on relational prayer offer a timely beacon of hope and a timeless source of inspiration. She has a unique way of guiding her readers toward a richer relationship with Jesus, the ultimate source of hope. We couldn’t be prouder to be part of her journey and this amazing accomplishment of rarified sales distribution.”

Beyond her successful book series, Stormie continues to spread her insights and prayers via her YouTube channel and with RightNow Media. Here, she offers viewers practical ways to deepen their faith and connection with God. For those interested in diving into Stormie’s world of wisdom, copies of The Power of a Praying^® Wife and other valuable resources are available at stormieomartianbooks.com.

This is more than just a sales achievement; it’s a celebration of the positive change that Stormie Omartian has inspired in millions of lives. Congratulations, Stormie, and here’s to the continued spreading of hope, one prayer at a time.

Stormie Omartian is the bestselling author of The Power of a Praying^® series with over 42 million books sold worldwide. In high demand as an international speaker, Stormie’s passion is to help people know God and love Him in a deep way. A survivor of child abuse, Stormie brings a deep understanding of the power of God’s forgiveness and restoration to bring emotional healing to people’s lives.

About Harvest House Publishers: Harvest House Publishers, a Christian publishing company based in Eugene, Oregon, publishes 130 books per year and carries a strong backlist offering more than 1,200 titles. Over 140 million Harvest House books have been sold worldwide through diverse distribution channels, and additional tens of millions have sold in over 75 different languages. For more information, visit www.HarvestHousePublishers.com.

WESTMONT, IL—October 2023—Saint Patrick the Forgiver from IVP Kids has won the 2023 Bronze Moonbeam Children’s Book Award in the spirituality and religion category.

This is Ned Bustard’s second Moonbeam Award. His first children’s book with IVP Kids, Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver, also won a Bronze Moonbeam Award in 2021. “It’s been such a joy to work with Ned Bustard on several books for IVP Kids!” said IVP Kids editor Elissa Schauer. “Saint Patrick the Forgiver reminds us that March 17 is about so much more than shamrocks and leprechauns, because Saint Patrick led a remarkable life of love and faith and forgiveness.”

Launched in 2007, the Moonbeam Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to celebrate children’s books and lifelong reading. The purpose of the Moonbeam Awards is to highlight books that encourage children to be generous and compassionate, and to stand up for the rights of themselves and others. The awards attract nearly 1,500 entries from around the world.

Saint Patrick the Forgiver is a retelling of the fascinating life of the real Saint Patrick. After escaping from slavery in Ireland, Patrick is prompted by God’s love to return to the land of his captivity and share the Christian faith with its inhabitants. Saint Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland and is Ireland’s patron saint.

Bustard, who is both the author and illustrator of Saint Patrick the Forgiver, said, “I’m third-generation Irish with my family coming from Donegal in the northwest region of the island. I feel like, in many ways, Patrick is my saint. Certainly, my family grew up in an area that was Christian because of the work of Patrick. My faith heritage can be traced through to him.”

Bustard also added, “Saint Patrick gives us examples of what it looks like to live a life of forgiveness. He also shows us what it looks like to give up our lives for the kingdom of God. . . . Saint Patrick is a bridge to our culture across which we can walk to discuss what real Christianity looks like. Many people may not have heard of Saint John or Saint Matthew, but they will have heard of Saint Patrick. For those with children in their lives, they can honor Saint Patrick’s Day as a day to celebrate with Irish food and music while focusing on God’s work through the life of Saint Patrick, which is why this book can be helpful.”

Bustard is a graphic designer, a children’s book illustrator, an author, and a printmaker. As the creative director for Square Halo Books Inc. and curator of the Square Halo Gallery, he has lectured at colleges, schools, churches, and conferences. His work is found in numerous titles including Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver, The O in Hope, Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups, and Every Moment Holy. He lives with his family in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

For a complete list of children’s titles from IVP, visit www.IVPKids.com.

Contact: Anna Tjernstrom, atjernstrom@ivpress.com

WESTMONT, IL—October 2023—IVP has announced the launch of a new imprint called IVP Bible Studies that will kick off with the February 2024 release of Upheld: Meeting Our Trustworthy God Through Isaiah—A 6-Week Bible Study Experience by Kori de Leon.

In addition to the small group and Bible study resources that carried the IVP Connect label, the IVP Bible Studies imprint will include a new collection of Bible studies that continue IVP’s legacy of rich Bible content while featuring trusted Bible teachers, fresh perspectives, and an accessible format.

“We wanted these Bible studies to include all the key elements that participants expect: group sessions, video teaching, and individual studies throughout the week,” said executive editor Elissa Schauer. “And we’ve also designed these studies to be accessible and engaging. So whether someone is newer to Christianity or they’ve grown up in the church, they’ll experience both the relevance and refreshment of studying Scripture.”

Bible studies have been a significant part of IVP’s publishing history. As an extension of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF), an interdenominational Christian campus ministry founded in 1941, IVP’s history with Bible study is closely tied to its outreach on college campuses. In the early 1940s, Jane Hollingsworth brought her experience with Bible study to IVCF. As millions of men went to war in Europe and Asia, many jobs were filled by women—like Jane, who was recruited to join IVCF campus staff in 1942. A Wheaton College graduate, Hollingsworth had been trained in inductive Bible study at the Biblical Seminary in New York, and she went on to write IVP’s first inductive Bible study guide in 1943 titled Discovering the Gospel of Mark.

In 1985 IVP published the first seven of what have become the press’s most recognizable Bible studies, LifeGuide Bible Studies (LBS). Since then, IVP has sold more than fifteen million copies of the nearly one hundred fifty LBS titles.

Out of IVP’s mission to prioritize what IVP does best—creating valuable content—the IVP Bible Studies imprint will encompass the current LBS titles, along with the newly launched Bible study format.

The upcoming collection is for both groups and individuals and can be used in a variety of ways. “These studies are great for a church to use—for Bible study, small groups, or adult Sunday school classes—and they are just as appropriate for a few friends who prefer to meet at a coffee shop. But even folks who aren’t connected with a group can still engage with these studies and have a meaningful experience,” Schauer said.

Each study will focus on a portion of Scripture through a thematic lens. The current tentative schedule of titles among the forthcoming IVP Bible Studies includes:

• February 2024: Upheld: Meeting Our Trustworthy God Through Isaiah—A 6-Week Bible Study Experience by Kori de Leon
• April 2024: Moms at the Well: Meeting God Through the Mothers of Scripture—A 7-Week Bible Study Experience by Tara Edelschick and Kathy Tuan-MacLean
• May 2024: Hear My Prayer: Learning from the Faith of Elijah—A 6-Week Bible Study Experience by Liz Ditty
• June 2024: Live in the Light of Christ: Radiating the Hope of the Letters of John—A 6-Week Bible Study Experience by Tara Beth Leach

Other authors contracted for 2025 IVP Bible Studies include Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Kristel Acevedo, and Ashley and Bryce Hales.

Each study includes six to eight weeks of content, and each week begins with a group session: a teaching video and discussion questions designed to take about sixty minutes. The group session is followed by five days of individual study, each designed to take about twenty to thirty minutes. The content for individuals includes both traditional Bible study as well as a variety of opportunities for reflection and prayer.

These IVP Bible Studies are authored by a cast of wise Bible teachers and pastors. Schauer said, “I’ve been so encouraged in my work on these studies. The folks teaching us are passionate about God’s word—encouraging and guiding us every step of the way!”

For a complete list of IVP Bible Studies, visit www.ivpress.com.

Contact: Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

Carol Stream, Ill. (October 20, 2023)—Focus on the Family, in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, will release four new kids and middle-grade titles in the spring of 2024. The new products—Big Risks in Russia, What a Croc!, Keep It Together, and Courage at the Castle—equip parents to raise their children with thriving faith.

 

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Big Risks in Russia
AIO Imagination Station Books #31

Big Risks in Russia highlights true accounts of Brother Andrew, “God’s Smuggler,” as he aims to get the Bible into communist countries. In the story, cousins Patrick and Beth are on the trail of Amelia Darling, the government agent who followed them on their last two adventures. The cousins arrive in Russia in 1961 and are determined to help a pastor smuggle Bibles past the Soviet police. Meanwhile, Amelia continues to use the Imagination Station for her own greedy purposes.

Tensions rise as Patrick and Beth try to stop their old nemesis while avoiding prison for bringing God’s Word to Christians.

 

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What a Croc!
Magnificent Mulligans #4 

After their second child is born blind, Michael and Tracy Mulligan follow God’s call to care for those in need as a diverse family who tend the animals in their Wild Animal Park.

After visiting Madame Claire’s fortune-telling booth, the Mulligan kids are concerned that “the curse” might be real. After all, things keep going wrong. Their troubles escalate until all the animals escape the park, challenging Mike’s bid to oust the corrupt mayor.

Through their faith in Christ, commitment to one another, and ability to laugh at themselves, the Mulligans are able to face any challenge.

 

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Keep It Together
Adventures in Odyssey #76

Adventures in Odyssey audio dramas open the imaginations of both young and old as listeners follow a host of characters through adventures in the town of Odyssey. Geared toward kids ages 8 and up, these high-quality audio dramas teach biblical truths.

When Odyssey’s resident hacker is accused of a serious computer crime, Suzu, Cooper, and Mr. Whittaker race to investigate what really happened. But the newly formed team isn’t united. Emily Jones’s past dealings with Morrie cloud her desire to help.

Meanwhile, Jules Kendall gets a unique opportunity to use her musical talents with a band, but joining them could mean hurting a friend and lying to Connie. And Buck Meltsner’s new life takes an intriguing turn when Jason Whittaker arrives in Baltimore with a spy job for him.

Friendships are on the line and loyalties are up for grabs as everyone in Odyssey tries their best to Keep It Together.

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Courage at the Castle
AIO Imagination Station Books #32

In Courage at the Castle, cousins Patrick and Beth are swept away to sixteenth-century England to learn how the English Bible came to be—and the real costs to make it a reality.

They meet Christian hero William Tyndale and the hotheaded King Henry VIII. Patrick and Beth begin to see that God’s people have always had enemies desperate to stop the spread of His love and truth.

 

 

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• Big Risks in Russia | ISBN: 978-1-64607-117-3 | Hardcover: $11.99 | January 2024
• What a Croc! | ISBN: 978-1-64607-120-3 | Softcover: $14.99 | February 2024
• Keep It Together | ISBN: 978-1-64607-136-4 | Audio CD: $17.99 | March 2024
• Courage at the Castle | ISBN: 978-1-64607-123-4 | Hardcover: $11.99 | April 2024

 

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. 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. Tyndale.com

Focus on the Family, which reaches about 38 million people in 120 countries, is a global faith-based ministry that helps families thrive in Christ. Tyndale House Publishers is pleased to partner with Focus on the Family to help provide trusted resources for strengthening believers in their faith and sharing the gospel; building resilient marriages that reflect God’s design; equipping parents to raise their children with a thriving faith; advocating for the preborn, orphaned, and life at every stage; and engaging the culture through a biblical worldview. Visit Focus at FocusontheFamily.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact: Natalie Wierenga, nataliewierenga@tyndale.com, 630.784.5211

Who better to guide Christians through the advent season than the mother of Jesus herself: Mary

At Christmastime we remember that an ordinary, young, poor, oppressed woman was chosen to play a significant and breakthrough role in the redemption of the world. It is no mistake that a woman gets to be a part of all this, and that her voice, her questions, her fears, and her actions matter.

Mary’s faith and her wisdom form an astonishing aspect of the story of how God became a person for the love of this world. And in our weary world that is waiting and longing for light, meaning, peace, and love, we can do as Mary did when she “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

MARY’S VOICE (Worthy Books, October 24, 2023, ISBN: 9781546004523) features full-color interior with reproductions of classic and contemporary art.

Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing is an international author, speaker, and theologian who addresses the deep questions of our day with meaningful answers found in the Christian Faith. Amy is the author of multiple books including Where is God in All the Suffering? and the bestselling Why Trust the Bible?

Over the last twenty years, Amy has given talks on university campuses around the world. She holds a doctorate in Theology from the University of Oxford and is Honorary Lecturer in Divinity at the University of Aberdeen.

From the 50-Yard Line to the Supreme Court — How a Marine Turned Football Coach Won Religious Liberty for All

Average Joe Is the Inspiring True Story of an Unlikely Hero Who Took a Stand Against Tyranny By Taking a Knee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 8, 2023) — When Coach Joe Kennedy became a football coach, he made a promise to give thanks to God after each game, no matter the outcome. What started as a simple act of thanks turned into an investigation by the school board and an attempt to silence one man’s freedom of speech and religion. Coach Kennedy soon became an unlikely champion of religious freedom. A former atheist, Kennedy never imagined he’d lead the defense of Americans’ First Amendment rights. He certainly didn’t intend to be at odds with his wife, who was the school district’s personnel director. But his love for God and country and his never-say-die courage landed the Marine in the fight of his life. After a seven-year legal battle, which went to the Supreme Court twice, Coach Kennedy not only won his case but set a precedent that will continue to protect First Amendment rights for generations to come.

Now, Coach Kennedy is sharing how God transformed his life and gave him the courage to take a knee while taking a stand for his beliefs in his debut book, Average Joe: The Coach Joe Kennedy Story (Salem Books, October 24, 2023) along with revelations about the case that will keep readers on the edge of their seat.

“Those prayers I prayed on the fifty-yard line after the Bremerton High School football games were never for attention, and certainly never to proselytize impressionable minors,” writes Kennedy. “As a twenty-year Marine Corps veteran who fought in the First Gulf War, I simply took issue with my constitutional rights being assaulted—the rights I had risked my life to support and defend against when I took my Oath of Enlistment.”

“What most people don’t know is that the Court’s final decision has much greater ramifications nationwide. His is the most significant victory for religious freedom in over fifty years … [as] the Supreme Court overruled another major case, Lemon v Kurtzman, which has been cited more than seven thousand times in the last fifty years and created hostility toward religious expression across America,” shared Coach’s attorney, Kelly Shackelford, from the book’s foreword.

“Thanks to Coach Kennedy, Lemon is now dead. Six of the Supreme Court justices agreed that it was not only an outdated method of judging religious expression, but now all seven thousand citations over the past fifty years have to be reconsidered. Where crosses were once torn down, they can now go back up. Where Ten Commandments displays were put into storage, they can now come back out. Where prayers were banned through the threat of job termination, workers can now pray again. This all happened because of one average Joe with a heart for God and his country who knew how to fight and to persevere, and knew the importance of the freedoms he fought for.”

In this compelling and inspirational personal account, Coach Kennedy invites readers into his life to experience everything from his troubled youth to his victory at the Supreme Court and will encourage them to stand up for their constitutional rights.

A film about his life, also titled Average Joe, is currently in production.

Coach Kennedy is available for interviews and can speak to:

• Fighting for our rights — Why free speech and religious liberty are worth fighting for
• Cancel Culture — How core Christian beliefs can become the center of controversy
• How to stand up for your beliefs even when faced with persecution
• What to do when faced with government overreach

Coach Joe Kennedy, a twenty-year Marine veteran, was an assistant coach for the Bremerton High School (BHS) varsity football team. Before he even coached his first game, the Marine-turned-football coach made a commitment to God that he would give thanks at the conclusion of each game for what the players had accomplished and for the opportunity to be part of their lives through football. This was met with disapproval from his school district and turned into a lengthy court battle. On June 27, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Coach Kennedy and his First Amendment right and on March 8, 2023, Coach Kennedy was officially reinstated as assistant coach and is excited to be back with his team. Joe and his wife, Denise, are parents to four and reside currently in Pensacola. A film inspired by his life is in development. He continues to speak across the country promoting freedom of speech. His new book, Average Joe, will be available for purchase nationwide October 24, 2023. Connect with him online at https://coachjoekennedy.com/.

Helping Children Impacted by a Trauma

The world can be scary place, and any number of experiences can prove to be traumatic for a young child. Something Scary Happened (New Growth Press/October 16, 2023) by Darby A. Strickland helps children process their feelings after experiencing a trauma and provides comfort through the story of a little lamb named Miles.

Miles is a happy little lamb until something bad happens. All of a sudden, Miles feels like he is alone in a deep dark valley, but it is there in the valley that he meets his good Shepherd who promises to always be with him, no matter what. Strickland, a counselor and trauma expert, uses the story of Miles to help parents and caregivers share the comfort of taking their fears to the Good Shepherd by applying Psalm 23 to difficult experiences.

“I work with many parents whose children are facing trauma and adults who experienced trauma as children. Talking about trauma (to God and others) is critical to healing, but many parents do not know how to help their children through trauma,” Strickland shares. “We have a faithful shepherd who can help parents and children, so I wanted to create a resource steeped in truth but could make a connection point for parents to talk to and guide their children through life’s distresses.”

Children ages four to seven will be drawn to the playful illustrations by Carlotta Notaro, and the story will minister to both parent and child, by explaining how one might feel after a scary or traumatic event. Something Scary Happened will remind children of their faithful shepherd, who will never leave them, but also acknowledges the reality that it will take time to heal.

Through a special section at the end of the book, Strickland helps parents recognize the feelings and behaviors children might have in response to their trauma and guides them in how to help children talk about what scared them. Also included are key promises from Psalm 23 and John 10 to talk about together. “The deepest delight of God’s heart is to care for his children, and he has appointed us as his under-shepherds to help care for them. After a traumatic event, your shepherding can make a child feel safe and loved by you and the Lord. You can help children navigate their fears, guide them through their distress, and assist their recovery.”

Strickland has also written a companion minibook, When Children Experience Trauma: What to Do When Something Scary Happens, which gives even more detailed help for parents and caregivers. Parents can also purchase a Miles toy lamb to go along with Something Story Scary Happened. The plush Miles gives kids something soft and comforting to cuddle when they’re scared and serves as a tangible reminder that the Shepherd who comforted Miles in the story is also with them.

Jonathan Holmes, executive director of Fieldstone Counseling writes, “In our broken world, trauma and suffering are not only experienced by adults. In Darby’s latest resource, she compassionately takes hurting children to the truest and most stable source of comfort they can find—the Good Shepherd. Don’t let the idea of a children’s book fool you—rich, biblical theology flows from page to page as children are brought close to the Lord in the midst of their scary and hard things. I know I’ll be reading this with my family, and I trust you will as well.”

Something Scary Happened is the first book in the Comfort for Children in Hard Times series, addressing difficult experiences that children may face and offering gospel hope and help. Future titles will include Something Sad Happened, slated release in the fall of 2024, followed by A Big Change Happened in early 2025.

Something Scary Happened
Comfort for Children in Hard Times Series
By Darby A. Strickland, Illustrated by Carlotta Notaro
ISBN 978-1-64507-385-7
October 16, 2023 / Retail Price $16.99
Religion / Christian Education / Children & Youth

Darby A. Strickland, MDiv, is a faculty member and counselor at the Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF). Her speaking and writing focus on training churches and counselors to care well for those who have been victims of trauma and abuse. Strickland is the author of Is It Abuse? A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims, the children’s book Something Scary Happened, and the minibook When Children Experience Trauma. She is also a contributor to Becoming a Church That Cares Well for the Abused and Caring for Families Caught in Domestic Abuse. She writes regularly for the Journal of Biblical Counseling. Strickland and her husband, John, have three children.  Learn more at www.darbystrickland.com and follow her on Facebook (Darby A. Strickland) and Instagram (@darby_strickland).

About the Illustrator:  Carlotta Notaro is an Italian illustrator and animator. Sometimes she draws for kids, other times she draws for grown-ups, and occasionally she makes little animations for herself. Somehow, one of her animations ended up on a giant screen in Hong Kong. When not drawing, she enjoys long walks with her favorite music, upcycling old stuff, and petting her dog Molly for way too long.