Angels on Your Side by best-selling children’s author Marty Machowski helps fearful children by reassuring them with biblical stories about God’s army of angels complete with 3D imagery.
When children are scared by a storm, afraid of the dark, or wake up from a bad dream, how can you remind them of God’s protection and love? When a storm keeps Logan up one night at Grandpa’s house, Grandpa comforts him with stories about angels in the Bible who are ever at the Lord’s command. When an incredibly powerful angel is on your side, there’s no reason to be scared or worried!
Logan’s Grandpa teaches him that not only are angels real, but God uses his mighty warriors to guard him. Logan learns that God’s angels are an invincible army fighting on our behalf in the strength of the Lord. Young readers will learn along with Logan that angels are watching over us and are always on our side.
- Uses 3D illustrations by Rommel Ruiz to depict the spiritual realm.
- Two sets of 3D glasses come with each book.
- Will become a favorite bedtime story, helping children ages 4–7 remember the best way to combat our fears is to take them to God.
Angels on Your Side: When Your Feeling Scared
By Marty Machowski
September 11, 2023 / Retail Price: $16.99
Print ISBN 978-1-64507-059-7
Religion / Christian Education / Children & Youth
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About the Author and Illustrator:
Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, PA, where he has served on the pastoral staff for over thirty years. He is the author of a number of family devotionals, curricula (including the Gospel Story for Kids), children’s books, and parenting titles. His latest releases include Darkest Night Brightest Day, The Light Before Christmas, The Treasure, and Angels on Your Side. He and his wife, Lois, have six children and several grandchildren, and reside in West Chester, PA.
Rommel Ruiz was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and moved to sunny Southern California to pursue his passion for creative expression and storytelling. An accomplished designer and illustrator, he incorporates influences from theater, film, animation, and mid-century design. His work includes animated visuals for Cartoon Network and the award-winning Luther documentary, as well as illustrations for books including Golly’s Folly, The Gospel in Color, Why Do We Say Good Night, Angels on Your Side, and more. He is also the cofounder and art director of Patrol. He and his wife, Anny, live with their two joyful girls in Vancouver, WA.
For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
“Marty’s talent for exceptional storytelling never ceases to amaze me. Angels on Your Side will usher into the hearts of fearful children a calm reassurance of God’s protection. A must-read for every child who struggles with fear and anxiety.”
– Ginger Hubbard, Coauthor of the Teaching Children to Use Their Words Wisely series; cohost, Parenting with Ginger Hubbard podcast
“Angels on Your Side is more than just a great book to read to an anxious child during a thunderstorm—it’s a celebration of God’s sovereign care for his people through angels, ending with a powerful presentation of the gospel. Add in 3D glasses and bold illustrations, and this book is bound to be a hit with kids.”
– Kate Hox, Author of Who Is Jesus? 40 Pictures to Share with Your Family
“I’ll have to see it to believe it.’ That’s the philosophy of so many in our world. But the Bible reminds us that much of the real world God created is beyond our sight. Though invisible to us, God’s messengers relay prayers to his throne, ministering spirits guard young children, and great battles are fought with evil dragons thrown down in defeat. In Angels on Your Side, Marty Machowski and Rommel Ruiz use clear prose, engaging illustrations, and 3D glasses (!!) to introduce children to God’s sovereignty, his providential care, and the spiritual realm where God’s army is invisibly but powerfully deployed. What a fun and important book!”
– Jared Kennedy, Editor, The Gospel Coalition; author of The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible and Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission
WaterBrook’s Ink & Willow to publish Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggett’s “Black Joy Playbook”
Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional and author of Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration, Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts’s Black Joy Playbook shows Black readers how to find and create joy in their present-day lives.
In a beautifully designed and thoughtful guide with creative prompts and space for reflection questions, Lewis-Giggetts helps readers mine their memories to find out what joy looks and feels like to them—and then reveals how to outline a strategy to experience that joy in their present-day life.
The book is scheduled for publication in Fall 2024.
World rights were acquired by editor Jamie Lapeyrolerie for WaterBrook’s Ink & Willow creative gift line from Cait Hoyt at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). For rights queries: Denise Cronin, decronin@prh.com
WaterBrook is an imprint of the Random House Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
The Parable Group shares mid-year Christian bookstore market update
Christian Retail Sales Surge 9.7% Year-Over-Year at Mid-Year Mark
(July 20, 2023) – The Christian retail industry is celebrating a significant milestone as mid-year sales data reveals a robust 9.7% increase compared to the same period last year. The Parable Group, a leading provider of data analysis and marketing solutions for Christian retailers, has meticulously analyzed sales and performance data reported to ParableConnect from over 220 independent Christian retailers nationwide, offering valuable insights into the market’s growth.
Amidst ongoing economic challenges, Christian retailers have displayed exceptional drive and determination. From January to June of this year, same-store sales experienced a remarkable 9.7% surge compared to the corresponding period in 2022. Both receipt count and units purchased experienced positive gains, with a 5.3% increase in receipts and a 1.6% rise in units sold. While it is important to acknowledge that some of this year-on-year increase can be attributed to inflationary activity, these figures signify a healthy and steady growth trend within the industry.
An intriguing highlight from the data is the distribution of sales performance among reporting stores. Of the retailers reporting to ParableConnect, a remarkable 81% reported an increase in sales during the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year, while only 12% witnessed a decline. 7% of retailers reported flat sales and steady performance.
“The Christian retail industry has shown incredible tenacity and adaptability, overcoming various challenges while continuing to serve their customers with unwavering dedication,” commented Greg Squires, President of The Parable Group. “As we enter the second half of the year, independent Christian retailers are primed to build upon their momentum and bring the year to a successful close.”
In addition to the overall sales growth, the mid-year data also revealed the top-selling books within the Christian retail industry during the first half of 2023:
- Jesus Calling for Moms – Sarah Young
- Good Boundaries & Goodbyes – Lysa TerKeurst
- Experiencing God – Henry T. Blackaby
- Jesus Calling – Sarah Young
- God’s Promises for Graduates: Class of 2023 – Jack Countryman
- You’re Going to Make It – Lysa TerKeurst
- All My Knotted Up Life – Beth Moore
- He Gets Us – Max Lucado
- Jesus Listens – Sarah Young
- The 5 Love Languages – Gary Chapman
These books have resonated with readers, offering inspiration, guidance, and spiritual enrichment. Their popularity reaffirms the enduring demand for uplifting and faith-based books. It also illustrates Christian Retail’s commitment to legacy authors and backlist.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, Randy Ross, Senior Director of Christian Retail Sales for The Parable Group, expressed optimism about the new books set to release, anticipating further increased traffic and sales in Christian bookstores. He stated, “Retailers are excited about the lineup of new books launching in Q4. Highly anticipated titles, including new releases from Christian Retail favorites like Ruth Chou Simons, Dr. David Jeremiah, and Anne Graham Lotz are expected to resonate with readers and drive significant interest, further fueling the health of Christian bookstores in 2023.”
The Parable Group, headquartered in San Luis Obispo, CA, has been a trusted partner to Christian retailers, publishers, and ministries for over three decades. With their wealth of experience and expertise, they connect their clients with engaged Christian consumers, pastors, and church leaders, providing invaluable insights and innovative marketing solutions. For more information, contact sally.ross@parablegroup.com or visit www.parablegroup.com.
Contact: Sally Ross, (805) 329-4020, sally.ross@parablegroup.com
New Growth Press releases field manual for domestic abuse ministry in the church
Caring for Families Caught in Domestic Abuse is a comprehensive, Christ-centered response to the spiritual, emotional, and physical harm that domestic abuse causes to the abused spouse, the abusive spouse, and their children.
Written by an experienced team of biblical counselors, Caring for Families Caught in Domestic Abuse editor Chris Moles and contributors Darby Strickland, Joy Forrest, Greg Wilson, Kirsten Christianson, and Beth Broom are all leaders in biblical domestic abuse ministry in the local church. Each section of the book: The Intersection of Biblical Care and Domestic Abuse, Biblical Counseling and Care for Victims, and Biblical Counseling and Confrontation of the Abuser provides a detailed overview of how to minister biblically and faithfully to both the abusers and the abused.
Topics addressed include the biblical and theological foundations for counseling each family member impacted by domestic abuse, direction on how to counsel the victims (spouse and children) and the abuser, and how to offer practical, actionable help to protect families from harm.
- A field manual for pastors and counselors in domestic violence prevention, intervention, and education.
- Common tactics of domestic abuse and a biblical response are outlined.
- Key resource for the conservative evangelical church to understand and respond to this widespread problem.
September 18, 2023 / Retail Price: $31.00 / Print ISBN:978-1-64507-258-4
Religion / Christian Ministry / Counseling & Recovery
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About the Editor
Chris Moles, MA, is senior pastor of the Chapel in Winfield, West Virginia and an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He is a certified biblical counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and the International Association of Biblical Counselors. Moles is a contributor to the West Virginia intervention curriculum used throughout the state prisons, correctional facilities, and community organizations. He is the author of The Heart of Domestic Abuse and a contributor to Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused, as well as the editor of Caring for Families Caught in Domestic Abuse. Learn more at chrismoles.org.
For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
“Like murky water, domestic abuse has a lot of suspended sediment that’s hard to see through as you’re trying to rescue people. What rescuers need is a way to see clearly and a plan to help. This book provides both—a biblical framework and a practical strategy for helping hurting families.”
– Jeremy Pierre, Dean, The Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Chris Moles has assembled a team of people who are competent in their field, biblically faithful, and write with clarity and conviction. There’s no abstracted theology here, but solid counsel from Scripture about how to navigate the complex world of abuse and serve the families it entangles. Read, pray, grieve the evil that is abuse, and move humbly to help those most in need.”
– Jonathan D. Holmes, Executive Director, Fieldstone Counseling
“This book is a practical resource for pastors, counselors, and individuals dedicated to fostering healing, restoration, and safety in the lives of those affected by domestic abuse. It gives insightful guidance on essential topics to help you respond with compassion, grace, and biblical wisdom. This book is a must-have for any helper!”
– Eliza Huie, Director of Counseling, McLean Bible Church; licensed clinical and biblical counselor
FaithWords releases new book from Joyce Meyer, “How to Talk with God”
Prayer transforms lives every day. But for those who pray, how many truly understand its power?
Derived from material previously published in The Power of Simple Prayer, How to Talk with God (FaithWords, July 25, 2023, ISBN-13: 9781546016106) explains the keys to unanswered prayers, the hindrances to prayer’s effectiveness, and the Bible’s role in prayer.
People want to grow in their prayer lives and to see their prayers become more powerful as they pray for others and themselves. In her straightforward and profound style beloved by millions worldwide, best-selling author and Bible teacher Joyce Meyer reveals the incredible force that comes through the simple act of prayer.
In How to Talk With God, a compact digest, she gives readers a new perspective on how best to communicate with God and reveals that through prayerful conversation comes the ability to be successful in life, strong at heart, and sincere with others.
Simple prayer, powerful results.
Baker Book House Company COO to retire in September
Ada, Mich. (July 20, 2023)—Dan Baker, Chief Operating Officer for Baker Book House Company, has announced his decision to retire in early September. He will continue to remain engaged in active ownership and board involvement.
Dan joined his family-owned company in 1997 and began his career in the marketing and publicity department. He later transitioned to a special markets role and held this position until 2008 when he took on the responsibilities of the human resources manager. Dan served in this capacity for nine years and was then promoted to chief operating officer. In addition to serving on the executive leadership team, he also oversees the human resources, information technology, warehouse, production, and design departments. Dan holds a BA degree from St. Olaf College and an MBA from Western Michigan University. He also obtained the Senior Professional in Human Resources certificate.
Dan Baker’s decision was made with “the settled assurance that the company is in good hands.” He stated, “Our team has an abundance of talent and creativity, and I’m eager to be of encouragement during and following this transition.” Baker added, “It has been a profound honor to serve alongside so many wonderful and dedicated employees during my 26 years of full-time work. While I’ll miss the daily collaboration I’ve enjoyed with my dear colleagues and friends at Baker Book House Company, I enter this new season full of optimism for the future of our organization and its mission.”
President and CEO Jesse Myers stated, “Dan has had a tremendous positive impact on this company during his tenure here. I’ve valued and enjoyed working with him both here at Baker and as a fellow member of the ECPA research committee before joining the team. So, I’m grateful that I’ll continue to work with Dan as he serves Baker in ownership and board decisions. The entire Baker team extends its gratitude and best wishes to Dan as he moves on to this next chapter.”
Founded in 1939, Baker Book House Company includes Baker Publishing Group and the Baker Book House retail store in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Baker Publishing Group is the world’s largest independent publisher of Christian books and is composed of six divisions: Bethany House, Revell, Baker Books, Chosen, Brazos Press, and Baker Academic. For more information, visit http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com.
Contact: Karen Steele, (616)676-9185 x100, ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup.com
“The Ancient Ladder” offers path to overcome life’s difficulties
Author and corporate executive Scott MacLellan, shares how to triumph through suffering
(July 18, 2023 — COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado) – For anyone longing to find purpose beyond suffering and faith beyond despair, author and corporate executive Scott MacLellan’s new book, The Ancient Ladder: A Journey to the Fullness of Life with God, offers a biblically based three-step spiritual passage that ancient mystics saw as a way to follow Jesus toward mature faith and deep, abiding devotion to God.
In The Ancient Ladder, Scott MacLellan shares his personal journey through suffering. His youngest daughter was born with a rare form of cancer and survived cancer three times by the age of 7.
“She has had two liver transplants and more than 150 surgeries in her lifetime. More than once, we took her home to die,” said MacLellan, who recounts his grueling trials as a parent of a chronically ill child in the book. “During her second liver transplant, she developed an addiction to opioids. She turned to the drug culture and was an addict and alcoholic for over 13 years.”
It was during this struggle that MacLellan sought purpose in his family’s suffering and asked a profound question about the transformation of faith from intellectual knowledge to passionate love for God. He discovered an answer in a three-step passage based on the writings of Solomon, which he delves into in The Ancient Ladder.
The book helps readers apply the wisdom of the past to current challenges by:
- Gaining a new perspective on the Christian life
- Progressing from fearing the Lord (the beginning of wisdom) to honoring the Lord and ultimately to loving the Lord
- Moving from stagnant spirituality to a vibrant and meaningful faith that enhances relationships, self-awareness, and enjoyment of God.
The Ancient Ladder is a guide for those yearning for purpose and faith beyond despair. MacLellan’s insights shed light on the reasons behind our suffering and doubts, empowering readers to let go of their former selves and embrace their true purpose.
Scott MacLellan is an acclaimed author of eight books and a seasoned business executive who has lead several multi-billion dollar companies. During his decades-long career in the marketplace and through heartbreaking challenges in his personal life, God has taken him on an unexpected journey of faith.
The Ancient Ladder is published by David C Cook and releases on November 7, 2023.
Scott MacLellan is available for interviews. To schedule, please contact Cathy Herholdt at cathy.herholdt@davidccook.org.
David C Cook is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping the global church with leadership, discipleship, and worship resources to help Christians grow in faith and pass it along to the next generation. Read more about David C Cook and its global ministry outreach at www.davidccook.org.
Media Contact: Cathy Herholdt, VP, Communications, cathy.herholdt@davidccook.org, 719.533.3011
Jana Zachman promoted to COO of David C Cook
Twenty-year Veteran Will Lead the Ministry’s Strategic Business Operations
(July 14, 2023 — COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado) – David C Cook recently announced the promotion of Jana Zachman to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Building on her 20 years of experience with the ministry, in her new role Zachman will oversee business and ministry operations for the 148-year-old Colorado-based publishing company, and will lead the Finance, IT, and Warehouse and Distribution divisions.
Since joining the ministry in 2003, Zachman has served in a diverse range of roles, beginning as a senior accountant, then moving into finance management. She oversaw the company’s curriculum business as Associate Publisher/Business Director; served as VP of Financial Operations, and has led operations and analytics for the music side of the business with Integrity Music. In 2020, Zachman was promoted to VP of Operations and Analytics for the entire ministry, after which she helped launch numerous strategic initiatives, including building the platform for David C Cook’s proprietary, fully customizable digital children’s curriculum, Wonder Ink®, in her role as SVP of Services and Innovation.
In May of this year, David C Cook’s President and acting CEO, Rick Rekedal, announced that Zachman would step into the role of COO. “Jana Zachman is one of the best leaders I have worked with,” said Rekedal. “Her attention to detail, acumen with finance and operations, and her abilities in leading people are a powerful combination to help move us forward. Most of all, she has a heart for the ministry. We are in great hands with Jana leading all operations at David C Cook.”
“Everything I’ve done to this point has prepared me for this role,” said Zachman. “Over my 20 years at David C Cook, I have had opportunities to serve in nearly all areas of our ministry. I’m excited to help propel us forward in equipping the church with Christ-centered resources for today’s generations. This is why I’m here. God has used David C Cook for nearly 150 years and continues to use this ministry in His Kingdom work, and I am blessed to be a part of that, “For such a time as this.”
Zachman is passionate about developing the next generation of female leaders at David C Cook. In 2021, she launched a women’s leadership initiative called the “Female Power Hour,” through which she gathers monthly with upwards of 100 women to empower, enrich, and inspire those who serve with the organization.
Zachman holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Newman University and an MBA from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.
She lives with her husband on the farm she grew up on in Bucklin, Kansas, surrounded by beautiful Kansas prairie, a herd of cows, a donkey, a horse, a spoiled dog, and several farm cats. She serves in children’s ministry at their small church in Bucklin, and started a cooking ministry for youth with her husband, teaching youth to cook simple meals for themselves and their families, as well as for the community.
For more information about David C Cook, please visit www.davidccook.org.
David C Cook is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping the global church with leadership, discipleship, and worship resources to help Christians grow in faith and pass it along to the next generation. Read more about David C Cook and its global ministry outreach at www.davidccook.org.
Media Contact: Cathy Herholdt, VP, Communications, cathy.herholdt@davidccook.org, 719.533.3011
Eric Metaxas announces sequel to blockbuster bestseller
Religionless Christianity Calls Believers Out of the Pews and Onto the Battlefield
NASHVILLE, Tenn., (July 11, 2023) — Eric Metaxas woke up slumbering Christians with his bestselling Letter to the American Church. In the inspiring sequel, Religionless Christianity (Salem Books, March 12, 2024), he will spur them on with the prophetic words of the martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who appealed to Christians not to “practice” their faith but to live it.
“The remarkable response to Letter to the American Church has given me tremendous hope that many in the American church are eager to repent of their ‘mission drift’ into ‘faith without works’ and ‘silence in the face of evil’ and to chart the biblical way forward. We have to understand what God wants us to do right now, before it’s too late,” says Metaxas.
Like the German church of the 1930s, today’s American church has settled into the merely “religious” faith of Sunday mornings, a counterfeit Christianity that is impotent in the face of evil. The acclaimed biographer of Bonhoeffer, Metaxas draws on the words and deeds of the anti-Nazi hero to show why we must live our faith in every sphere of life. Our times demand nothing less than the vibrant and courageous faith of historical Christianity.
“There is real hope and a reason to be excited about what lies ahead if we do what God asks of us,” says Metaxas. “If we understand where we have gone wrong and rediscover our duty to live out our faith adventurously and fearlessly, God can not only turn things around but can use His people to change the world for His purposes in history.”
The head of Salem Books, Julie Jayne, shares her author’s enthusiasm. “We are proud to stand with Eric in this battle for the soul of the church. Religionless Christianity represents a powerful counter-thrust against those forces that have taken a weak and dispirited church for granted.”
To pre-order a copy of Religionless Christianity, visit www.amazon.com/Religionless-Christianity-Gods-Answer-Evil.
ERIC METAXAS is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Is Atheism Dead?, Fish Out of Water, Martin Luther, If You Can Keep It, Bonhoeffer, Amazing Grace, and Miracles. His latest book is Letter to the American Church (September 2022). He has written more than thirty children’s books, and his books have been translated into more than twenty-five languages. His writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the New Yorker, and Metaxas has appeared as a cultural commentator on CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. He is the host of The Eric Metaxas Show, a nationally syndicated daily radio show heard on 300 outlets nationwide and aired on television by TBN. He lives in New York City with his wife and daughter. His new book, Religionless Christianity, will be available nationwide on March 12, 2024.
Christianity Today 2024 Book Awards
CAROL STREAM, Ill., July 10, 2023 — Christianity Today is calling for submissions for the 2024 Christianity Today Book Awards. The CT Book Awards, along with our “Beautiful Orthodoxy” Book of the Year, will be announced in December at ChristianityToday.com.
Winners will be featured prominently in the January/February 2024 issue of CT and widely promoted in CT newsletters and on the site. Publishers of the winning books will also have the opportunity to participate in a promotion organized by CT’s marketing team.Here are this year’s awards categories:
1. Apologetics/Evangelism
2a. Biblical Studies
2b. Bible and Devotional
3a. Children
3b. Young Adults
4. Christian Living/Spiritual Formation
5. The Church/Pastoral Leadership
6. Culture and the Arts
7. Fiction
8. History/Biography
9. Marriage and Family
10. Missions/The Global Church
11. Politics and Public Life
12a. Theology (popular)
12b. Theology (academic)
Nominations:
To be eligible for nomination, a book must be published between November 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. We are looking for scholarly and popular-level works, and everything in between. A diverse panel of scholars, pastors, and other informed readers will evaluate the books.Publishers can nominate as many books as they wish, and each nominee can be submitted in multiple categories. There is a $40 entry fee for each title submitted in each category. To enter your nominations, please click the following and follow the prompts. (Note: You will be directed to upload a PDF of each book you wish to nominate.) https://christianitytoday.
Finalist Books:
If your book is chosen as one of the four finalists in any category, we will contact you and ask that you send a copy of the book directly to the four judges assigned to that category. We will provide mailing addresses for each judge.
Deadline:
The deadline for submitting nominations is Monday, July 31, 2023.
Any questions about any aspect of the process? Email us at bookawards@christianitytoday.
CONTACT: Jordyn Hibdon, jhibdon@christianitytoday.com
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