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

Once Upon a Divorce Brings Hope that Divorce is Not the End

“Reading Betsy St. Amant Haddox is like having coffee with a friend who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. She takes us from the end of her marriage to the other side, and she does so buoyed with hope, compassion, and wisdom for anyone walking the same road.” 
-Micha Boyett- author, speaker, creator, and podcast host of The Slow Way

GRAND RAPIDS, MI.—What happens when the author of several happily-ever-after romances gets divorced? In her anticipated debut non-fiction release, Once Upon a Divorce: Walking with God After “The End”, author Betsy St. Amant Haddox, puts everything on the table as she tells her own story of divorce. Women will walk with Betsy as she talks about her husband’s abandonment, and the challenging journey that followed Countless women will connect with Betsy through the pages of this book, as she shares openly about one of life’s most difficult situations. Raw and riveting, poignant, yet filled with humor, Betsy shows that there is life after divorce – and not just any life, but a healed, whole, joyful life.

“I wrote Once Upon a Divorce: Walking with God After “The End”, because I want women going through the dark spaces of divorce to feel seen. When they’re sitting up late at night, surrounded by tissues and debating that second bowl of ice cream while binge watching a show they’ve seen a thousand times, I want them to have hope that this chapter doesn’t last forever. That despite the torrent of emotions, it’s not, in fact, The End,” says Betsy.

Once Upon a Divorce is filled with personal illustrations, scripture, and lessons learned, and Betsy thoughtfully ends the book with A Prayer for you Dear Reader. Once Upon a Divorce is the book that women in all stages of divorce will want to read for themselves, but more than that it will be the life-giving guide they share with other women – so they know they aren’t alone.

Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the multi-published, award-winning author of many romantic comedies, including Tacos for Two, The Key to Love, and over twenty other romance novels and novellas. This is her first nonfiction book. She has a degree in communications and a passion for seeing women restored to truth. Betsy is remarried and lives in north Louisiana with her family. Find out more at betsystamant.com.

Once Upon a Divorce: Walking with God After “The End” by Betsy St. Amant Haddox
Kregel Publications/ January 2024/ Softcover, $17.99, 192 Pages

Media Contact: Jeane Burgess, jeane@wynnwynnmedia.com, 918-630-9695

Ada, Mich. (January 12, 2024)—Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is pleased to announce that Susie Finkbeiner, author of The All-American, and Erin Bartels, author of Everything Is Just Beginning, have been selected as 2024 Michigan Notable Book Award Winners.

Michigan Notable Book (MNB) began in 1991 and is “designed to pay tribute and draw attention to the many people, places, and things that identify Michigan life as unique and vibrant.” Each year, MNB selects twenty books published the previous year that are set in Michigan or the Great Lakes or are written by Michigan authors. The genres can vary from fiction to nonfiction, but the topics and issues are “close to the heart of Michigan residents.” For a complete list of Michigan Notable Book Award winners, please visit https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/about/library-press-releases/library-of-michigan-announces-2024-michigan-notable-books.

Dr. Michael Rice, Michigan’s State Superintendent, stated, “We grow in our lives when we open our eyes and minds to the rich experiences of others through fiction and nonfiction. This year’s Michigan Notable Books provide opportunity for young and old alike to bring knowledge and perspective into their lives about what others have seen and lived. Books should be mirrors that reflect our own lives, as well as windows for us to see others.”

Susie Finkbeiner and Erin Bartels will be honored at the annual Night for Notables reception on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Library of Michigan. They will also participate in library tours throughout Michigan to discuss their books and engage with local communities.

Revell offers their congratulations to both Susie Finkbeiner and Erin Bartels and would like to thank Michigan Notable Books for recognizing their rich stories that highlight Michigan.

The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner
July 11, 2023; ISBN 9780800739362; Ebook ISBN 9781493436293; $16.99; Paper

In this 1950s coming-of-age story, two sisters are left reeling when their father is accused of being a member of the Communist party. Bertha finds a haven with the All-American Girls Baseball League. Flossie finds herself in an unexpected friendship. Both are about to discover how much good there is in the world—even in the hardest of circumstances.

Susie Finkbeiner is the author of All Manner of Things, Stories That Bind Us, The Nature of Small Birds, and A Cup of Dust. The All-American is her ninth novel. Susie is a two-time Michigan Notable Book honoree, a Shakespeare enthusiast, and an amateur actress. She and her husband live in West Michigan with their three teenaged children. Learn more about her at www.susiefinkbeiner.com.

Everything Is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels
January 17, 2023; ISBN 9780800741655; Ebook ISBN 9781493439720; $17.99; Paper

On the night of December 31, 1989—as the Berlin Wall is coming down, the Soviet Union is inching toward democracy, and anything seems possible—a down-on-his luck musician crashes a party and crosses paths with the accomplished and enigmatic young heir to a fading musical dynasty, forever altering both of their futures.

Erin Bartels writes character-driven fiction for curious people. She is the award-winning author of We Hope for Better Things, The Words between Us, All That We Carried, The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water, and The Lady with the Dark Hair. She infuses her fiction with her own passions, including painting, gardening, photography, sewing, hiking, and playing guitar. Erin has been a publishing professional for more than twenty years and lives with her husband and their teenage son in Mason, Michigan.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, publishes books that help bring the Christian faith to everyday life. Whether through fiction, Christian living, self-help, marriage, family, or youth books, each Revell publication reflects relevance, integrity, and excellence.

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

JANUARY12, 2024 | WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that Ten Words to Live By: Delighting in and Doing What God Commands by bestselling author Jen Wilkin has surpassed 100,000 in sales across all formats (print, ebook, and audiobook).

In the book, Wilkin presents a fresh biblical look at the Ten Commandments, showing how they come to bear on believers’ lives today as they seek to love God and others, to live in joyful freedom, and to long for that future day when God will be rightly worshiped for eternity. Readers will learn to see the law of God as a feast for their famished soul, open to anyone who calls on the name of the Lord.

“The Ten Words are encouraging words, meant to give us hope—hope that we will live rightly oriented to God and others, hope that we will grow in holiness (Romans 15:4),” writes Wilkin. “They are not given to discourage but to delight. They are no less than words of life.”

Ten Words to Live By is Wilkin’s fourth book with Crossway to surpass 100,000 in sales:

• Women of the Word
• In His Image
• None Like Him

In the Gospel Coalition’s 2021 Book Awards, Ten Words to Live By received an honorable mention in the Proper Theology category and has received commendations from Ruth Chou Simons (founder, GraceLaced.com), Sam Allberry (Associate Pastor, Immanuel Nashville), and Hannah Anderson (author), among others.

Jen Wilkin is a Bible teacher from Dallas, Texas. As an advocate for biblical literacy, she has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts and authored multiple books, including the best seller Women of the Word. You can find her at JenWilkin.net.

• facebook.com/wilkinjen
• twitter.com/jenniferwilkin
• instagram.com/jenwilkin

Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-based content to honor our Savior and serve his church. Crossway seeks to help people understand the all-encompassing implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s word—for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God alone. Crossway is the global publisher of the ESV® (English Standard Version®) Bible, more than 1,000 Christian books, and an extensive list of gospel literature. For additional information, visit crossway.org.

Contact: Lauren Susanto, lsusanto@crossway.org

JANUARY 2024 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) has been awarded a $1.25 million grant in Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative.

Building on recent research that affirms the pivotal role parents, grandparents, and other caregivers play in the religious lives of children, Lilly Endowment launched the Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative in 2022. The initiative is part of Lilly Endowment’s grantmaking that supports efforts to help individuals and families from diverse Christian communities draw more fully on the wisdom of Christian practices to live out their faith fully and to pass on a vibrant faith to a new generation.

“When we first learned about this new initiative from the Lilly Endowment Fund, we jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this exciting project,” said Helen Lee, director of strategic initiatives for IVP. “Caring about the spiritual formation of the next generation has always been a core part of IVP’s identity as a division of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and imagining new ways that our library of content could serve parents, pastors, and caregivers was a welcome challenge. We are so honored to be selected as one of the organizations to receive this substantive support from Lilly, and we look forward to the beginning of a fruitful partnership together, to ultimately help children and youth deepen their walk with Christ.”

In this national and competitive initiative, grants range from $240,000 to $1.25 million and are supporting a variety of approaches that draw on cutting-edge research about child development and parenting to inform faith practices in the home. These approaches include forming parenting support groups in congregations and creating intergenerational parenting mentoring networks.

Some organizations are producing resources to help parents and children engage in daily Christian practices in their homes through prayer, scripture readings, and storytelling.  Many organizations are helping families develop faith-based rituals to help children grow spiritually by marking significant milestones in the lives of their children and at family celebrations. Other organizations are developing peer-coaching programs and offering training so that parents and caregivers can develop confidence in sharing faith.

“We’ve heard from many parents who are seeking to nurture the spiritual lives of their children, especially in their daily activities, and looking to churches and other faith-based organizations for support,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion.  “These thoughtful, creative and collaborative organizations embrace the important role that families have in shaping the religious development of children and are launching programs to assist parents and caregivers with this task.”

Between July 2024 and May 2029 IVP will produce a variety of resources for families around the Lilly initiative. From July 2024 through December 2024 phase one will begin with the development of a video course, in partnership with Seminary Now, around the topic of the book Teach Your Children Well: A Step-by-Step Guide for Family Discipleship by Sarah Cowan Johnson. During the first half of 2025 IVP will develop an audiobook and podcast based on Teach Your Children Well, and from July to December 2025 the press will begin to create additional multimedia content to help teach spiritual practices for family discipleship. From 2026 to 2029 IVP will consolidate these multimedia resources and expand beyond them in order to create a digital discipleship resource hub for families featuring content based on IVP books.

“We are grateful for the innovation and ministry made possible by this grant, which contributes to helping families and fostering the spiritual growth of the next generations,” said Terumi Echols, IVP’s president and publisher. “This initiative from Lilly Endowment aligns perfectly with the history and ongoing mission of InterVarsity, both the worldwide campus ministry and the press. Since 1941, when InterVarsity Christian Fellowship began ministering to college students, the organization has recognized the profound importance of investing in the next generation. For seventy-five years, IVP has contributed resources to campus ministry, nurturing and deepening the faith of young people. In recent years, the press has expanded its discipleship resources for families and developed the IVP Kids line of books to invest in an even younger generation. With this grant, IVP has a unique opportunity to develop additional resources—from multimedia content to an exciting resource hub—to support and foster the faith of families, children, and grandchildren for generations to come.”

Among the organizations receiving grants through the Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative are denominational judicatories, congregations, colleges and universities, faith-based camps, seminaries, and publishing houses. Reflecting the diversity of Christianity in the United States, they are affiliated with mainline Protestant, evangelical, Catholic, Pentecostal, and Orthodox Christian faith communities. Many of the organizations are rooted in Black, Hispanic, and Asian church traditions.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of diverse religious traditions by supporting fair and accurate portrayals of the role religion plays in the United States and across the globe.

Contact: Krista Clayton | kclayton@ivpress.com

NASHVILLE, TENN. – We are delighted to announce the appointment of Rebekah Von Lintel as the new senior acquisitions editor for Nelson Books, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. She joins the team on January 29, 2024.

Von Lintel brings over twenty years of experience in the publishing industry, during which she has emerged as a respected and influential leader. Committed to fostering emerging voices and maintaining the highest standards of excellence, Von Lintel has played a pivotal role in the success of numerous bestselling titles across various genres.

Most recently, as the editorial director for Baker Books, she collaborated with an impressive array of bestselling authors, such as Sheila Walsh, Greg Laurie, Wendy Speake, and New York Times bestselling author Mo Isom. Her passion for books and storytelling and her commitment to authors have been the cornerstone of her successful career.

“I am honored to join such a dynamic team and contribute to the rich literary tradition of HarperCollins Christian Publishing,” said Von Lintel. “Together, we will continue to shape the publishing landscape and bring transformative works to readers worldwide.”

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Rebekah to Nelson Books. She brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and editorial talent that aligns with our mission and vision,” says Andrew Stoddard, VP Publisher for Nelson Books. “Her track record of identifying and developing award-winning authors speaks for itself, and we’re eager to see the excellent publications that she will bring to market in the midst of this exciting season of dynamic growth.”

Von Lintel is a Colorado resident and enjoys exploring the state’s natural beauty with her family. We look forward to her valuable contributions to HarperCollins Christian Publishing and Nelson Books.

Contact: Lisa Beech, Director of Publicity, Nelson Books, Lisa.Beech@HarperCollins.com, 719-439-9403

April 30 to May 1 in Chicago: For management teams in Christian publishing
Early bird registration now open

TEMPE, ARIZ., JANUARY 22, 2024 – In its 50th anniversary year as an association, ECPA will conduct its annual management conference – the ECPA Leadership Summit for executive teams in Christian publishing  – on April 30 to May 1 at the Hilton Rosemont at Chicago O’Hare.

THE EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION PERIOD IS OPEN, OFFERING $200 SAVINGS UNTIL MARCH 8.

ECPA will celebrate 50 years of serving the Christian publishing community as an association to further their mission to bring the world life-transforming content.  A book on the association’s history and mission is being written by ECPA president and CEO Jeff Crosby and will be distributed there.

“It’s always a joy to work with our team to assemble the program for Leadership Summit, but the 2024 event has been especially meaningful to pull together,” expressed ECPA president and CEO Jeff Crosby. “We will be sprinkling in special touches about our 50-year history throughout the event, even as we dive deeply into our current and likely future realities as leaders in Christian publishing.”

The conference theme on Global Impact through Christian Publishing will not only look back at the global impact of the industry, but will look toward the new horizons the industry is tackling together.  Plenary and breakout sessions and speakers include:

Madeleine Lambert of Originality.ai, who will offer a plenary on “Navigating the Future of Publishing in the Uncharted Era of AI.” Lambert will also participate in a panel on developments in AI, moderated by Jon Hirst, chief innovation officer of the missionary SIL International, an agency doing work with linguistics around the globe.  Russell Moore, editor in chief of Christianity Today and author of the recent book Losing Our Religion, will deliver a keynote on Wednesday morning, while Kathryn Scanland of Greystone Global, a Chicago-based consulting agency, will offer a session on “The Seven Elements of Leading with Bold Grace.” Former ECPA president and CEO Stan Jantz will explore “Lessons from The Chosen” in his plenary address.  Other main stage speakers include Michelle Sanchez, Claude Atcho, and Aubrey Sampson. Three breakout sessions will also be offered on Tuesday afternoon on various topics.

The ECPA Awards & 50th Anniversary Celebration, held Tuesday evening on April 30^th, will present the 2024 Christian Book Awards, the industry’s Pinnacle and Sales Awards, and the Kenneth N. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award. The Alloy Horn Quartet, an acclaimed musical group, will provide music during the banquet.

All ECPA members are encouraged to send their leadership teams to this event.  Multi-attendee discounts and early bird rates now available.  Registration, schedule, speaker and program information are available at ECPALeadership.org.

ECPA is grateful to the following event sponsors who have already committed to support and participate in the event:  The Firebrand Group, Ingram, Nord Compo, knk Software, Lakeside Book Company, Advantage CS, Baker & Taylor, Bethany Press, Bookstat, and Metacomet Systems.

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

Media contact:  Jeff Crosby, ECPA president/CEO, jcrosby@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998

Our Daily Bread Ministries’ acquisition of the Institute for Bible Reading helps fuel a Global Bible Engagement Movement

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – December 28, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODBM), a global non-denominational nonprofit, announced today it has acquired the Institute for Bible Reading (IFBR), an action-oriented, nonprofit think tank that aspires to “Change the Way the World Reads the Bible.” The acquisition includes the award-winning Immerse: The Reading Bible as well as Immerse for Schools, InstituteforBibleReading.org, The Bible Reset podcast, and other intellectual IFBR properties.

“We are very excited about having the Institute for Bible Reading join our ministry,” commented Dr. Matt Lucas, president and CEO of ODBM. “We seek to fuel a global Bible engagement movement but cannot do it alone. That is why one of ODBM’s key strategies is to come together with like-minded organizations to extend our reach and increase our impact.”

IFBR was formed in 2014 when a small group of Bible publishing executives came together to explore the unsettling research finding that while access to Bibles in North America had sky rocketed, Bible reading was in a severe decline. The acquisition of IFBR with its unique blend of research, education, resources, and mobilization, follows ODBM’s recent acquisition of the Center for Bible Engagement (CBE) and absorption of the Bible Literacy Coalition (BLC) into the ministry.

Scott Bolinder, IFBR’s co-founder and board chair said, “We are delighted to join ODBM to advance our mutual goal of Bible engagement. For more than a decade we’ve had a front row seat to watching people fall in love with the Bible. Aligning with ODBM will create exponential opportunities, both in North America and around the world.”

IFBR’s co-founder, Paul Caminiti, will join ODBM as senior director of the Institute for Bible Reading at Our Daily Bread Ministries, bringing his extensive experience and expertise into ministry to catalyze the impact of the acquisition. “In our rigorous due diligence, we were excited to discover ODBM to be a deeply kindred spirit, with multi-faceted competencies, and a remarkable global footprint,” Caminiti states. “While the Bible reading crisis worldwide is real, it is not hopeless. There is much to be done. It’s an exciting time!”

About Our Daily Bread Ministries
Our Daily Bread Ministries is a global Bible engagement ministry with a staff of 700 serving in 32 offices to distribute more than 60 million resources in 58 languages throughout 150 countries. Often known for its global devotional, the ministry produces short form Bible content across print, video, audio, and digital platforms with the goal to fuel a global Bible engagement movement. For more than 85 years, the ministry’s mission has remained the same: to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.

About the Institute for Bible Reading
The Institute for Bible Reading is an action-oriented think tank uncommonly focused on providing resources and experiences that fundamentally change the way people read the Bible, so it can achieve its mission and become the story that defines their lives. IFBR’s first resource, Immerse: The Reading Bible, was awarded the Christian Book Award® for the Bible category by the ECPA in 2022. IFBR’s mission is to invite people into God’s transformative story by changing the way they read the Bible.

BLOOMINGTON, MN (January 4, 2024)—On January 1, 2024, five years after its inaugural episode, The Bible Recap podcast ascended to No. 1 in All Categories on Apple Podcasts. The accompanying book, The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible, published by Baker Publishing Group’s Bethany House division, also secured the No. 2 spot in All Books on Amazon, with The Bible Recap Study Guide ranking at No. 20.

Tara-Leigh Cobble, creator of The Bible Recap and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Bible Recap book line, began The Bible Recap podcast in 2019, guiding readers through a comprehensive one-year chronological Bible reading plan. “My prayer was that 300 people would listen. I never dreamed we’d be the number one podcast in All Categories,” she says. “God has blown my little heart wide open with His exceedingly more.”

Today, The Bible Recap podcast has exceeded 328 million downloads, inspiring individuals to engage in daily Scripture reading and experience a deeper faith.

Since its publication in November 2020, The Bible Recap book has sold more than 350,000 copies, and the entire product line—including the original hardcover, deluxe faux leather, real leather, personal-sized, study guide, devotional, discussion guide, and journal—has collectively sold more than 600,000 books.

Baker Publishing Group CEO Jesse Myers praised Cobble’s achievements, saying, “Tara-Leigh’s winsome, approachable, and faithful guide to reading the Bible is helping Christians all over the world to read and understand the Bible better. The Baker Publishing Group team is immensely proud to be a part of bringing The Bible Recap to the world.”

Cobble expressed her gratitude to listeners and readers, saying, “Thank you for being here, and thank you to my incredible team. And thanks most of all to God, who keeps drawing people in to read, understand, and love His Word.”

On January 30, 2024, The Bible Recap book line will add its first resource for children, The Bible Recap Kids’ Devotional: 365 Reflections and Activities for Children and Families. This book, tailored for children ages 6 and up, follows the adult Bible reading plan, making the story of Scripture accessible to the whole family.

All The Bible Recap products are available wherever books are sold, and interested parties are invited to join The Bible Recap reading plan at TheBibleRecap.com/Start.

Tara-Leigh Cobble is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, the creator of The Bible Recap line of books, and the creator and host of the daily podcast The Bible Recap, which has garnered over 328 million downloads. She is also the founder of D-Group, an international network of discipleship and Bible study groups, and the host of a daily radio feature called The God Shot. Tara-Leigh lives in Dallas, Texas.

For more information:
TaraLeighCobble.com | TheBibleRecap.com | MyDGroup.org
Social media: @TaraLeighCobble | @TheBibleRecap | @MyDGroup

Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, seeks to uplift readers’ families, faith, and free time with our library of industry-leading fiction and bestselling, Christ-centered nonfiction.

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

Media Contact: Rebecca Schriner, (952) 829-2512, rschriner@bakerpublishinggroup.com