Carol Stream, Ill. (January 24, 2024) In April 2024, NavPress will release The Message Student Bible, a new way for young people to understand and enjoy the wisdom and beauty of God’s Word through Eugene Peterson’s beloved translation, The Message.

Generations of Bible readers have discovered that the Bible is written not only to people in the past but also to people in the present. In these pages, readers become insiders to a conversation in which God forms, guides, and ultimately saves human beings. The Message Student Bible invites a new generation into this holy conversation, guiding young men and women into a lifelong love of reading God’s Word.

This Bible will enable students to learn the essential context surrounding every book of the Bible as they engage with Scripture. Eugene Peterson’s understandable and enjoyable translation combines the authority of God’s Word with the energy and cadence of conversational English. New supplemental features will make this a highly useable and engaging resource for contemporary students as they seek to discover the way of Jesus in the pages of the Bible.

Features include

• “Introduction to The Message”
• “What You Need to Know about the Books of the Bible”
• “Well-Known Stories from the Bible”
• Maps

The Message Student Bible releases April 9, 2024.

The Message Student Bible
Softcover: $24.99 | ISBN 978-1-64158-796-9
Hardcover: $34.99 | ISBN 978-1-64158-804-1
April 9, 2024
NavPress.com

NavPress is the book-publishing arm of The Navigators. With a rich catalog of bestselling books, ministry resources, and The Message^® Bibles, 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: Kristen Schumacher, kristenschumacher@tyndale.com, 630.784.5103

Ada, Mich. (January 24, 2024)—Baker Publishing Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Vos to the position of editorial director for Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Vos began his publishing career at Baker Publishing Group in 1999 holding various roles in marketing prior to joining the Baker Books acquisitions team in 2009. Since that time, he has helped grow the Baker Books division through strong acquisitions and editorial work with authors such as Robert Jeffress, Caroline Leaf, Matthew Barrett, and New York Times bestselling author Jon Acuff.

“Brian has proven himself as a talented and insightful editor who excels at helping his authors elevate their work. He’s also a keen strategic thinker with a strong vision for the Baker Books division,” said Jennifer Leep, Executive Vice President of Trade Publishing. “We look forward to seeing the Baker Books team continue to thrive under Brian’s leadership.”

“It’s an honor to step into this new role at Baker Books, a growing imprint with a clear vision for the future,” said Vos. “I’m looking forward to working with exceptional authors and our talented team to share remarkable, life-changing messages with readers around the world.”

Baker Books has a vision for building up the body of Christ through books that are relevant, intelligent, and engaging. We publish titles for lay Christians on topics such as discipleship, apologetics, spirituality, relationships, marriage, parenting, and the intersection of Christianity and culture. We also publish books and ministry resources for pastors and church leaders, concentrating on topics such as preaching, worship, pastoral ministries, counseling, biblical reference, and leadership.

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.

Contact: Holly Scheevel, (952) 829-2555, hscheevel@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Nashville, TN (January 25 2024) –  Today the HarperCollins Christian Publishing Gift Group announced that Jessica Lamb has joined the Thomas Nelson Gift and Zondervan Gift imprints as acquisitions editor.  Thomas Nelson Gift and Zondervan Gift are industry leaders in Christian gift book products, publishing meaningful, high-design books.

Lamb has nearly a decade of experience in Christian book publishing, most recently as Chief Content Officer at She Reads Truth.  Her experience also includes roles in marketing and publicity at WaterBrook & Multnomah, imprints of Penguin Random House. Lamb earned a BA English Literature and Language at Ouachita Baptist University, a Certificate in Publishing at University of Denver, and an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Denver Seminary.

“Jessica is an accomplished editor with extensive experience in the Christian publishing industry,” said Laura Minchew, SVP and Group Publisher of the Children’s and Gift Book Group at HarperCollins Christian Publishing.  “She will be a great asset to authors with her understanding of topics and trends that work in the marketplace, extensive experience in shaping manuscripts, strong eye for design, absolute commitment to excellence, and collaborative spirit. We are delighted to welcome her to the Gift team.”

As acquisitions editor for Thomas Nelson Gift and Zondervan Gift, Lamb will identify, acquire, develop, and edit Christian gift books, high-design devotionals, seasonal gift books, traditional gift books, and lifestyle books.

“It is my absolute joy to join the team at Thomas Nelson Gift and Zondervan Gift in crafting beautiful, impactful books,” said Lamb. “I look forward to partnering with authors to pair compelling, faithful content with thoughtful design.”

Publicity contact: MacKenzie Collier, MacKenzie.Collier@HarperCollins.com

WHY CAN’T I GET IT TOGETHER? — THE LATEST BOOK BY TOP-CHARTING PODCAST HOST & BESTSELLING AUTHOR JAMIE IVEY — ENCOURAGES READERS TO EXCHANGE THE WAY THINGS ARE “SUPPOSED TO BE” FOR A LIFE FAR MORE FULFILLING

Known for meaningful conversations about life and faith on her popular podcast, The Happy Hour (45.5 million downloads), Jamie Ivey brings the same transparency to the page in her latest book, where she reminds readers they aren’t alone in wanting “better,” but first they have to give up the pursuit of perfection. 

“Ivey strikes a relatable tone that will easily earn readers’ trust. Her steadfast reassurances to ‘chase holiness rather than looking or feeling like you have it together’ resonate. This will be a balm to stressed-out believers.” – Publishers Weekly

_________________________________________________________________

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) November 28, 2023 —“I always thought the older I got, the more I’d have my life in order,” admits Jamie Ivey, host of one of the fastest-growing podcasts, The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, and author of the forthcoming title, Why Can’t I Get It Together? (2/13/24, HarperCollins).

That revolving door of “I know better but I can’t seem to do better” can get the best of anyone. Who hasn’t said, “I should be over this by now”? Who hasn’t been discouraged at falling into the same traps, the same old habits, the same struggles for perfection or control over things beyond our grasp?

As Jamie Ivey freely admits in this book, the struggle is all-too-real sometimes. Yet her newest title presents a welcome opportunity—one that she has personally experienced: the opportunity to escape the cycle of shame and frustration and open the door to a new path. A path that leads to greater peace and a surprising sense of personal satisfaction.

Sharing honest stories of her own relatable struggles—from marital conflicts to parenting challenges to physical insecurities—Jamie Ivey understands the flawed perceptions that keep people from living in the present moment and enjoying life as it’s meant to be enjoyed. For example, she writes, “When it comes to taking care of my body, I wonder how everyone on Instagram makes it look so easy. Do they wake up every morning and choose to drink water all day? Somehow they get to the gym five times a week and still have a job and family and friends. I can’t figure it out. No carbs? No sugar? No dairy? No fun! It’s hard to find what makes me feel good and doesn’t just push me toward wanting to look good. My body insecurities keep creeping up while I’m just trying to be healthy!”

The popular pattern of trying to “get it together” is essentially to embark on a hopeless quest. We have to exit the revolving door, she says, in order to find a new path. And what Ivey has discovered in her own journey is how much better it is to spend one’s energy on embracing the transforming power of God’s love versus spending it in the strive for the ideal.

Our own efforts to get it together in areas we have no control over, says Ivey, will “never move the needle to a better future because it has nothing to do with us or anything we can do. You don’t always have to give in to what the world, your family, or your own self declares is the way things are ‘supposed’ to be. God desires goodness and joy for us. [He] went to great lengths to offer you and me the best good news ever.”

To help move that needle toward joy and away from perpetual frustrations, Ivey guides readers through an examination of six critical areas of their lives:

1. Past and Present Hurts
2. Obligations
3. Needs
4. Desires
5. Expectations
6. Responsibilities

This inventory can then be used to map out what “getting it together” means for each person.

Ivey’s credibility on the subject matter stems from her breadth of experience as a writer, speaker, mother, wife, and podcast host. Her immensely popular podcast, boasting 4.5 million downloads and over 600 episodes, has become a gathering place for meaningful conversations about life and faith. Ivey’s ability to share raw, redemptive stories from her own life, coupled with her gift for delivering God-empowering messages, has garnered her a dedicated and diverse following.

Her fans and new readers alike will be relieved to give up the futile pursuit of perfection and redefine what it means to fully embrace themselves from a divine point of view and gain a personal definition of self-satisfaction that is achievable for them. Why Can’t I Get It Together? offers valuable insights on such relevant topics as:

• How to get clear on your reality and shatter the illusion of the ideal
• How to deal with the areas of life that seem stubbornly out of your control
• How to put an end to the unhealthy spiral of self-shaming
• How to set healthier expectations that won’t damage your sense of satisfaction
• How to take steps toward a life of chasing holiness

Jamie’s latest work is a fresh reminder that we are all in this together, and there are rewarding ways to enjoy life for exactly what it is.

Why Can’t I Get It Together?: Kick Unrealistic Expectations to the Curb and Rest in God’s Truth will be available everywhere books are sold on February 13, 2024. Learn more at www.jamieivey.com/get-it-together. Subscribe to Jamie’s podcast, The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or other streaming services. Follow Jamie Ivey on social media @jamieivey on Instagram, @jamie_ivey on X (formerly Twitter), and @TheJamieIvey on Facebook. To learn more about Jamie, visit www.jamieivey.com/read.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JAMIE IVEY is the creator and host of the popular podcast, The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, a central gathering place for talking about life and Jesus, which boasts 45.5 million all-time downloads and 600+ episodes. Jamie is an author who shares gospel truths with raw, redemptive stories from her life. She loves to deliver God-empowering messages to women. Jamie and her husband, Aaron, live in Austin, Texas, with their four teenagers and two dogs.

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER: THOMAS NELSON is a world-leading publisher and provider of Christian content, providing readers with quality inspirational products for more than 200 years. With over 250 new, original books and Bibles published each year and distributed in more than 100 countries, translating content into more than 65 different languages, Thomas Nelson is committed to one central mission: inspiring the world by meeting the needs of people with content that promotes biblical principles and honors Jesus Christ. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, cookbooks, curricula, and digital content. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information, visit ThomasNelson.com.

Lake Mary, Fla.—President and founder of Christians Engaged, Bunni Pounds, will be featured on Charisma Magazine Online for a question-and-answer session with guest host Corey Russell. The live, interactive session will allow for audiences to engage with Pounds as she tackles the biggest topics about Christians in the political system on February 6 at 4:00 p.m. EST.

As dedicated Christians in government become far and fewer, Pounds will provide the proper tools and Scriptural basis to show how everyone—regular citizens and beyond—can get involved in government to see a lighter and brighter change in America happen and illuminate the glory of God.

In her new book, ‘Jesus and Politics,’ Bunni Pounds delves into these topics, which she will open the floor for viewers to ask questions about. As her heart and passion is to see America ignited for Christ, she wants to empower and equip people with the knowledge they need to make a difference.

“All parts of our culture, especially politics, need followers of Jesus to be involved within the system,” Pounds writes. “I want to inspire you to get involved somewhere. The founders of our nation gave us a gift in our Constitution, but our liberty requires our participation.”

Pounds also says that beyond the political realm, we all have the opportunity to make a difference for the Kingdom of God; each interaction we have is an open door for us to genuinely make an impact on someone else’s life.

“Seek to hear Jesus’ voice, know His Word, and be daily obedient to Him—this is how we change the world,” Pounds writes. “My story might be walking with members of Congress, but we can all impact someone’s life somewhere. Our nation is changed one heart and life at a time, and God loves to use weak vessels just like us.”

Viewers can tune in to Charisma Magazine and Charisma News YouTube and social media channels on February 6 at 4:00 p.m. EST to watch this special live question-and-answer session.

You can watch the Q&A here:

• Charisma Magazine Youtube
• Charisma News Youtube
• Charisma Magazine Facebook
• Charisma News Facebook
• Charisma House Youtube
• Charisma Magazine X
• Strang Report Rumble

Bunni Pounds is the founder and president of Christians Engaged, which seeks to awaken, educate, and empower Christians to pray, vote, and engage regularly in efforts to improve the nation’s well-being. She was a political consultant for sixteen years, helping several members of Congress run their campaigns in addition to serving more than thirty federal, state, and county candidates through her firm. In 2018 she ran for Congress herself, becoming the only candidate in the nation endorsed by Vice President Mike Pence during that primary season. A graduate of Christ for the Nations and Dallas Baptist University, Pounds loves Jesus and sharing the gospel with anyone who will listen—whether she’s in the halls of Congress or her own hometown. She and her husband, Tim, have been married since 1996 and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Keep in touch with Bunni Pounds:

• Website: https://www.bunnipounds.com/, https://christiansengaged.org/
• Facebook: bunnipoundsTX, christiansengaged
• Twitter: @bunnipounds, @prayvoteengage
• Instagram: @bunnipounds, @christiansengaged
• YouTube: @christiansengaged

Colorado Springs, CO.—January 26, 2024—NavPress title Bearing God by Marlena Graves (released in September 2023) has been named a finalist in the annual book awards program from the Martin Institute Dallas Willard Center (MIDWC).

Since 2015, this annual award has honored exemplary scholarship that shares Dallas Willard’s vision of invisible things—such as soul, spirit, and the Kingdom of God—being a part of reality.

“I am overjoyed to see Bearing God chosen as a finalist for this award,” said NavPress acquisitions editor Deborah Sáenz Gonzalez. “Marlena’s insights on spiritual formation are fresh and timely; her writing is authentic and will enrich the souls of all who read it.”

In Bearing God: Living a Christ-Formed Life in Uncharted Waters, Graves shows that God is present in the midst of our everyday experiences and that our context points the way to God’s mission for us. Perfect for readers who feel spiritually lost, this clear and concise text offers guidance for discerning God’s calling.

The MIDWC will announce the winner of this year’s award in spring 2024.

For additional information about Bearing God, as well as other NavPress products, visit navpress.com.

Marlena Graves is an author, writer, professor, preacher, and speaker on spiritual formation and justice, especially in areas of racism and immigration in the United States. Her books include The Way Up Is Down, Who’s My Neighbor?, A Beautiful Disaster, and 40 Days on Being a Nine (Enneagram Daily Reflections). Marlena is an assistant professor of spiritual formation at Northeastern Seminary on the campus of Roberts Wesleyan University. She is a member of INK: A Creative Collective and lives in the Rochester, New York, area with her husband and three daughters. Learn more about Marlena at marlenagraves.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: Natalie Wierenga, nataliewierenga@tyndale.com, 630.784.5211

JANUARY 2024 | LISLE, IL— Ned Bustard, author and illustrator of Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver and Saint Patrick the Forgiver, will release his third saint book with IVP Kids on January 16. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Bustard’s latest book is titled Saint Valentine the Kindhearted: The History and Legends of God’s Brave and Loving Servant.

“It’s been such a joy to work with Ned on these books about saints because he does a terrific job of blending enough history and theology with just the right amount of whimsy and delight,” said IVP Kids editor Elissa Schauer. “The addition of his stellar illustrations—a unique style that perfectly suits the genre—creates a winning combination!”

Bustard’s first picture books in the series, Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver and Saint Patrick the Forgiver, were both honored with Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. With their success came requests for a third saint book, and Bustard obliged. Told as a charming poem, Saint Valentine the Kindhearted is the story of the real Saint Valentine, a man whose love and kindness inspired the traditions behind Valentine’s Day. All of the saint books are written in rhyme and illustrated with Bustard’s signature linocut artwork.

”It is clear what the ‘big idea’ is from the title of each book—Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver, Saint Patrick the Forgiver, Saint Valentine the Kindhearted. So generosity, forgiveness, and kindness are the takeaways,” Bustard said. “But with this new book I have another idea I’d like to communicate, which is that love is not just romance. We are all to be loving, and that love can be of different types—it doesn’t only have to be romantic. Throughout my book I demonstrate the four loves through the life of Valentine: storge—natural love/affection; philia—true-blue friendship; eros—romantic love; and agape—pure, unconditional/divine love. When the story is focusing on each one of the loves, I put colored hearts into the illustrations. For natural love, the hearts are green; for friendship, the hearts are blue; for romantic love, the hearts are red; and for the love of God, the hearts are white!”

Ned 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 The O in Hope, Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups, and Every Moment Holy. He lives with his family in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Through story and illustration, books from IVP Kids engage, challenge, and delight IVP’s young readers. And in keeping with IVP’s historic mission, IVP Kids offers resources that reflect and celebrate diverse voices, equipping and encouraging children to follow Jesus in every area of their lives. Visit ivpkids.com to see a complete list of IVP’s children’s books.

Contact: Anna Tjernstrom | atjernstrom@ivpress.com  

Longstanding book publishing tech companies continue to invest in strengthening their technology team with appointment of new CTO, Tom Shawver

Newburyport, MA  (January 11, 2023)—Firebrand Technologies (firebrandtech.com) and NetGalley, LLC (netgalley.com)—each a strategic part of the Firebrand Group collection of companies owned by Media Do International (MD-i)—announced today the appointment of Tom Shawver in the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO). As CTO of both companies, Shawver will lead and refine the overall technology strategy, ensuring scalability, security, and efficiency across multiple product lines. Shawver’s official start date is January 16, 2024.

“I’m excited to be part of two companies so pivotal to book publishing and helping publishers reach their audiences in the growing digital space,” said Shawver. “Strengthening the way readers find and enjoy new stories, information, and perspectives is both a professional and personal passion of mine. Firebrand and NetGalley define the industry standard with a collection of tools vital to their publishing partners and distribution network, and I’m both humbled and invigorated to have the opportunity to expand and streamline that platform with such an experienced team.”

A lifelong technologist, Shawver has spent over 15 years leading companies of all sizes—ranging from seed-stage to the Fortune 500—in embracing cutting-edge solutions to drive growth. Before Firebrand Technologies and NetGalley, LLC, Shawver was the Chief Technology Officer at 360 Media Direct, working with both book and magazine publishers to drive digital content adoption among readers.

Starting at the ground level of the cloud computing boom, Shawver has specialized in building software platforms that scale globally, react quickly, and stay highly integrated with other industry-leading software. He maintains and contributes to widely used open source software products that power thousands of companies worldwide, focusing on security and customer identity. He holds a degree in Computer Science from Albright College, where he also studied in the Music and Digital Media programs.

“We’re beyond excited for Tom to join our teams as Chief Technology Officer,” said Firebrand Technologies and NetGalley, LLC CEO Angela Bole. “Our unique, community-focused approach to technology development creates an optimal atmosphere for innovation and product success. I’m certain Tom’s experience and personal aptitude will fit in perfectly and prove vital to the future of our companies as we continue to adapt to serve our clients’ needs.”

Firebrand Technologies and NetGalley, LLC are fully-virtual technology companies working in and for the book publishing industry. In partnership, the companies have been helping publishers manage their internal workflows, digital distribution, and marketing efforts for over 35 years with technology solutions that touch the lives of thousands of print, ebook, and audio professionals every day.

In February 2021, Firebrand Technologies and NetGalley, LLC were acquired by Media Do International (MD-i), the US-based subsidiary of Japan’s Media Do Co., Ltd, one of the largest ebook distribution companies in the world retaining the largest share of Japan’s $4.5 billion ebook market. Bole, former CEO of the Independent Book Publishers Association, succeeded Fran Toolan as CEO of Firebrand Technologies and NetGalley, LLC on February 1, 2023. Toolan remains on the companies’ board.

About Firebrand Technologies
Firebrand Technologies—a strategic part of the Firebrand Group collection of companies—is dedicated to providing leading software and services to help publishers succeed. Title Management tracks titles from pre-acquisition through post-production, marketing, and sales. Eloquence on Demand is the industry gold standard for implementing ONIX and maximizing control of how data reaches the marketplace. Eloquence on Alert’s proprietary title performance monitoring service collects key, hard-to-access details about your products from major online marketplaces and review sites, and puts all of that information directly at your fingertips. Firebrand Flywheel harnesses the power of AI-supported technology to identify hidden opportunities for driving backlist sales, precisely when it matters most. For more information, visit firebrandtech.com.

About NetGalley, LLC
NetGalley helps publishers and authors promote digital review copies and audiobooks to book advocates and industry professionals. Hundreds of thousands of members rely on NetGalley’s secure, sustainable, and easy-to-use platform to discover books, share reviews, and champion literacy. The NetGalley team coordinates closely with publishers on targeted promotions, and provides training, strategy, and consultation for incorporating NetGalley into overall marketing and publicity efforts. NetGalley is a strategic part of the Firebrand Group collection of companies, which together provide leading software and services to help publishers achieve success. To learn more, visit netgalley.com/tour.

About Media Do International (MD-i)
Media Do International (MD-i) owns the Firebrand Group, a collection of companies including Firebrand Technologies, NetGalley, LLC, and Supadu Ltd. that provide leading software and services to help publishers achieve success. MD-i is itself the US-based subsidiary of Japan’s Media Do Co. Ltd, one of the largest ebook distribution companies in the world retaining the largest share of Japan’s ebook market. Media Do Co. Ltd.’s mission is to make more content available for more people. For more information, visit mediado.jp/english.

Carol Stream, Ill. (January 10, 2024) — Tyndale House Publishers (@tyndalehouse) will release Precious in His Sight: A Mother’s Guide to Praying for Her Children by Rachel Norman on March 12, 2024. In the book, Norman, founder of A Mother Far from Home, an online community that reaches more than a million readers per year, provides busy, overwhelmed, and exhausted moms with intentional words to lift up their children before the Lord.

The countless responsibilities of moms can make it challenging for them to find time to pray for their children as they want to. Precious in His Sight will guide moms in prayer for specific areas of their children’s lives and through all ages and stages. This beautifully designed devotional guide contains hundreds of prayer prompts, organized by topics, including:

• Stages of Life
• Sons
• Daughters
• Health
• Talents, Interests, Callings, and Careers
• Salvation and Spiritual Growth
• Friendships
• Family Life

The perfect gift for moms, Precious in His Sight offers encouragement from God’s Word to turn worries into prayers that will plant spiritual seeds to bear fruit for generations to come.

For more information or for media inquiries, please contact Kristen Schumacher, kristenschumacher@tyndale.com.

Precious in His Sight by Rachel Norman
ISBN: 978-1-4964-5984-8 | Hardcover: $22.99 | March 2024 release

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 majority of annual revenue—more than $110 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

Contact: Kristen Schumacher, kristenschumacher@tyndale.com, 630.784.5103