GRAND RAPIDS, MI — On May 31, 2023, the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference announced the winners for their annual Selah Awards. Seven Kregel titles were named in this announcement.

Colorful Connections (Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith and Lori Stanley Roeleveld) is the first-place winner in General Nonfiction, Death to Deconstruction (Joshua S. Porter) the first-place winner in Christian Life, and The Songs That Could Have Been (Amanda Wen) the first-place winner in Historical Romance.

Second-place winners include When Stone Wings Fly (Karen Barnett) in General Fiction and Circle of Vengeance (Ramona Richards) in Mystery/Suspense.

Fruit Full (Christie Thomas) won third place in Children’s Literature.

Circle of Vengeance (Ramona Richards) also won first place in the Director’s Choice Award for Romantic Suspense/Suspense/Mystery, and On Purpose (Julie Zine Coleman) won first place in the Director’s Choice Award for Christian Life. Colorful Connections (Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith and Lori Stanley Roeleveld) won second place in the Director’s Choice Award for Christian Life.

Kregel is pleased to congratulate all these winners. Blue Ridge’s full press release can be viewed here.

The mission of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference is to inspire writers to connect with God, other writers, and industry professionals as they embrace their calling with excellence. The Selah Awards open each year and accept books that were published within the last calendar year, from January to December, and include books published traditionally and nontraditionally.

Kregel Publications is an evangelical Christian publisher that aims to develop and distribute—with integrity and excellence—trusted, biblically based resources that lead individuals to know and serve Jesus Christ.

Contact: Publicity Department, 616-451-4775, publicity@kregel.com

Carol Stream, Ill. (June 7, 2022) In September, NavPress will release The Message of Matthew: Echoes, a creative approach to experiencing and interacting with Eugene Peterson’s beloved Message translation.

The Message of Matthew: Echoes demonstrates the Bible’s diverse impact on our culture. Alongside the text of Matthew (in the accessible Message translation), readers will see how contemporary authors, screenwriters, and musicians have mined key passages to enhance their work. Also included are writing prompts to spark creative interaction with the Scriptures. The Message of Matthew: Echoes shows how the Bible has impacted every generation and prompts readers to explore how it will shape their own culture.

Thoughtful creatives who are intrigued by the intersection of faith and culture will particularly enjoy the artistic thought behind The Message of Matthew: Echoes. Unique features include

• song lyrics and passages from contemporary literature, film, and television set alongside the texts of the Bible that inspired them;
• “Original Language” entries pointing out the biblical origins of everyday words and phrases;
• “Experiments in Echoing Scripture,” creative prompts to inspire Scripture engagement; and
• ample space for Bible journaling.

The Message of Matthew: Echoes releases September 5, 2023.

The Message of Matthew: Echoes | ISBN: 978-1-64158-510-1
Softcover: $11.99 | September 5, 2023

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. NavPress.com

Contact: Publicist Isabella Graunke, isabellagraunke@tyndale.com, 630.784.5298

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 8, 2023) – NavPress is pleased to announce a partnership with Jim Putman and Real Life Ministries, a trusted source in developing church leaders and communities to live out Jesus’ method of discipleship and disciplemaking. The partnership will include releases of several revised and new projects starting in 2024.

Putman’s bestselling Real-Life Discipleship and Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual have been foundational in equipping the church for the work of grounded and relational disciplemaking. Three upcoming projects—revised releases of Putman’s The Power of Together and The Power of Together Workbook alongside new resource The Disciple’s Journey—will join updated versions of Real-Life Discipleship and Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual to create a cohesive Real Life Discipleship Resources product line.

“It’s hard to imagine someone more aligned with NavPress’s calling than Jim Putman, who is deeply committed to training disciples who disciple others,” said NavPress Senior Editor Caitlyn Carlson. “We are grateful to join Jim and Real Life Ministries in equipping the church with a robust library of resources that develop discipleship-minded individuals, leaders, and communities.”

“When the church looks the way God originally intended and discipleship empowers Christians to be more like Christ, we will become a light in the community,” Putman said. “We believe these resources will equip all of us in that journey of becoming effective, spiritually mature disciples of Jesus.”

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.

For inquiries or questions, please contact Katie Dodillet: katiedodillet@tyndale.com.

 

June 9, 2023, WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin (Crossway, March 2021) has surpassed 100,000 units in sales.

In 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity, Rebecca McLaughlin helps teens see that what look like roadblocks to the Christian faith might actually be signposts. “I want to suggest that following Jesus doesn’t only give us a way to live our best life forever after we die,” writes McLaughlin. “It also—in some unexpected ways—means living our best life together now. Don’t get me wrong. Jesus said that following him would be hard. Really hard. He said it would be like dying to yourself. But he also promised that it was the way to really live: ‘I have come that they may have life,’ he said, ‘and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10).”

Backed by state-of-the-art research, personal stories, illustrations from popular literature and movies, and careful biblical study, this book doesn’t dodge tough questions. Instead, it invites teenagers to ask their hardest questions about Christianity and to find surprising, life-giving answers.

“We give thanks to God for Rebecca McLaughlin and this wonderful book,” writes Justin Taylor, Crossway’s executive vice president of book publishing. “One of the reasons that Crossway exists is to help equip the next generation to embrace the Christian faith in all of its fullness, and we are so grateful to see how the Lord is putting this book into the hands of teenagers to help them see that there are clear and compelling answers to the hardest questions.”

Rebecca McLaughlin (PhD, Cambridge University) is the author of Confronting Christianity, named Christianity Today’s 2020 Beautiful Orthodoxy Book of the Year. Her subsequent works include 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity; The Secular Creed; and Jesus through the Eyes of Women.

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

Carol Stream, Ill. (June 9, 2023)—Focus on the Family and NavPress, in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, will release five new kids and middle-grade books in the fall of 2023. The new products—Otter B Friendly, Smoke in the Air!, The Second Storm, Heart of Belonging, and Big Feelings Days—equip parents to raise their children with thriving faith.

From Focus on the Family:

Otter B Friendly
Otter B #12
Otter B Friendly is the twelfth in a series of children’s books that teach young children basic biblical values. In this story, Otter B learns how to make friends with someone who seems different from him. When a new family moves to the neighborhood, Otter B isn’t quite sure what to think. This book explores how Otter B and his buddies make friends with their new neighbor. Each book in the series ends with a rhyme that reinforces the lesson and includes an appropriate Bible verse.

Smoke in the Air!
Magnificent Mulligans #3
Still used to life on the streets, Hector is having a hard time fitting in at school, unless you count regular fights with other boys as “fitting in.” But now he’s got a few friends who seem willing to accept him . . . if he can prove he belongs. But the actions of this gang may prove perilous for the Mulligan Wild Animal Park. While this is unfolding, Janelle is learning to extend grace to the girl who plays her sister in the school musical: the snobby, super-rich Chloe Richardson. But now a message from home informs Janelle that she’ll need to spend even more time with Chloe. Meanwhile, back at the animal park, the rest of the Mulligans are dealing with one emergency after another when a wildfire breaks out in the grasslands of the park. Many of the animals need to be evacuated to another location. The Mulligans must work together to make sure everyone gets home safely.

The Second Storm
High Water #4
The Second Storm is the fourth book in the High Water series. It blends contemporary mystery and suspense, dramatic situations, and high adventure. A Category 5 hurricane is heading for southern Florida, and Parker Buckman’s friend Wilson Stillwaters is caught in its crosshairs. It’s going to be bad, and Wilson will need help. But that means going back to the Everglades—a place filled with some bad memories. Angelica will do anything she can to get her friend Parker back home safely. What she doesn’t realize is the real threat—the second storm—is threatening to be far deadlier for Parker and his friends than the hurricane. The storm has allowed Clayton Kingman to escape from prison, and he has a big surprise in store for the group, one he intends to deliver personally.

Heart of Belonging
Riverbend Friends #6
Heart of Belonging is the sixth book in a series that travels alongside four friends as they deal with teen life in Riverbend, Indiana. The novel inspires young women to deepen their relationships with God as they face real-life issues and solve their problems in God-honoring ways. Shay desperately longs to feel loved—to be part of a real family. She thought that finally meeting her real father, a famous horse trainer, might change her life for the better. And it did. Sort of. She’s more inspired to work with horses now, but a “normal” family—like her friends talk about—doesn’t seem like it’s in her future. Living with her aunt and working with horses every day doesn’t seem to give her the love and acceptance that she desires. So Shay finds herself seeking acceptance elsewhere—on the Internet, looking at stuff she doesn’t think she can ever tell anyone about. She’s ashamed of where this takes her, and she suspects her friends, especially Izzy, would reject her if they found out. This book explores whether Shay can begin to recognize the blessings she already has—that God’s true love, the acceptance of her friends, and the kindness of her aunt are enough.

From NavPress:

Big Feelings Days
Speaker, pastor, podcaster, and author of The Louder Song, Aubrey Sampson has dealt with a lot of big feelings and heartache in her life and has written about lament for a grown-up audience. Knowing that adults don’t have a monopoly on strong, difficult emotions, Aubrey turns to writing about feelings for children in Big Feelings Days. Children have a lot of emotions too, and feeling sad or angry or brokenhearted can be overwhelming. Sampson helps kids understand that their feelings are valuable and normal—and that they can creatively express what they feel to Jesus, who created emotions and deeply cares about every one. Big Feelings Days is a tender and engaging picture book that helps children ages 3–7 learn how to release their feelings of grief, anger, and heartbreak in creative ways to a God who cares.

Otter B Friendly | ISBN: 978-1-64607-043-5 | Hardcover: $12.99 | October 2023
Smoke in the Air! | ISBN: 978-1-64607-119-7 | Softcover: $14.99 | October 2023
The Second Storm | ISBN: 978-1-64607-097-8 | Softcover: $15.99 | November 2023
Heart of Belonging | ISBN: 978-1-64607-089-3 | Softcover: $14.99 | December 2023
Big Feelings Days | ISBN: 978-1-64158-689-4 | Hardcover: $16.99 | October 2023

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a substantial portion of annual revenue—millions of dollars per year—through corporate donations and the work of Tyndale House Foundation. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world. Tyndale.com

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

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.  NavPress.com

 

 

Carol Stream, IL (June 9, 2023)—D. J. Williams’s debut young adult thriller, Hunt for Eden’s Star, kicked off the Beacon Hill series on April 4, 2023, released from Wander, the YA imprint of Tyndale House Publishers. Kirkus praised Hunt for Eden’s Star for its “fast-paced action” as the “beginning of a promising paranormal saga.”

The series opener quickly garnered traction, reaching number one status on Amazon’s Hot New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Christian Action & Adventure, prerelease. Hunt for Eden’s Star has seen strong sales since its release, with Williams recently finishing a 15-city book tour selling out at Barnes & Noble stores along the West Coast and Arizona. In conjunction with the publication of Hunt for Eden’s Star, D. J. released an original soundtrack, several book trailers, and a web series taking readers behind the scenes of writing the Beacon Hill series entitled Chasing Lewis, Tolkien & Rowling, all of which have received strong engagement.

Linda Howard, associate publisher at Tyndale House Publishers, stated, “We‘ve been thrilled with the release of Hunt for Eden’s Star and the success we’ve already seen. D. J. is one of the hardest working authors I’ve had the privilege of partnering with. We’re excited to see the momentum continue to build as we move forward.”

Hunt For Eden’s Star is also currently under consideration for film, television, streaming series, and animated series by various producers, production companies, and studios.

The second book in the Beacon Hill series, Secrets of the Highlands, will release from Wander on November 7, 2023. Continuing the epic journey of good battling evil, Secrets of the Highlands promises to thrill YA audiences looking for a clean, action-packed adventure.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact Natalie Wierenga, nataliewierenga@tyndale.com.

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a substantial portion of annual revenue—millions of dollars per year—through corporate donations and the work of Tyndale House Foundation. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

Wander is an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois.

Carol Stream, Ill. (June 9, 2023)—Tyndale House Publishers will release five new kids and middle-grade books in the fall of 2023. In line with Tyndale’s corporate mission, the new products—Pawverbs for Kids, The Size of Everything, ’Twas the Night, SuperChef Family Cookbook, and He is There—are designed to share God’s love with readers while teaching faith-filled lessons.

Pawverbs for Kids
Pawverbs for Kids includes 30 true-to-life short stories, or “pawverbs.” These stories feature kids and animals, including dogs, cats, frogs, birds, horses, a bearded dragon, and a grasshopper. Each story illustrates a biblical principle or lesson found in the Bible book of Proverbs. This book presents biblical teaching in a whimsical way and invites kids to explore deep spiritual truth alongside loveable pets.

Each pawverb includes a Bible verse from Proverbs, a short story with reflection questions, and a child-friendly prayer.

 In this book, children will find inspiring and heartwarming animal tales, as well as spiritual truths reminding them of God’s unfailing love, wisdom, and grace.

The Size of Everything
The Size of Everything helps children understand why they were created and how they fit into God’s world. It emphasizes that humans are the most special part of God’s creation because we are made in his image. The book begins in the middle and gives readers the option to turn the pages to the left and explore creations that progressively get smaller and smaller—or they can turn the page to the right and explore creations that get bigger and bigger!

This book touches on the themes of God’s power and creativity, as well as how special humans are to God. It’s also an informational book that includes fun science facts about each creation mentioned.

’Twas the Night
This retelling of the beloved Christmas poem captures the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus.

’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the land,
not a creature suspected that God became man.

So hear now the story that tells of God’s grace:
long ago was the time, Bethlehem was the place.

In the spirit of Clement C. Moore’s well-loved poem, this retelling of Luke 2 was written in 2018 for a church Christmas program. It has been brought to life by Sarah Lowe’s artistry. Originally read aloud to children who were nestled by a Christmas tree, this true story is meant for sharing the joy of Christmas with little ones year after year.

SuperChef Family Cookbook
SuperChef Family Cookbook is a superhero-themed cookbook that includes the life story of rising Food Network star Darnell SuperChef Ferguson, as well as his favorite family recipes.

The biographical introduction, containing full-color comic-style illustrations, provides motivational content that helps children learn how to be superheroes for Christ. It follows Darnell’s journey from childhood to culinary school, the Olympic cooking team, his eventual fall from grace into trouble with the law, and his lifesaving decision to put himself into God’s hands. Darnell’s story goes on to describe his development of a successful chain of SuperChef restaurants and his current journey as a Food Network star and host of his own television program.

This cookbook includes creative and approachable recipes that the entire family will love. Culinary tips and techniques are featured throughout to help children learn to be a super chef like Darnell. The book includes information about knife-cutting techniques, safety in the kitchen, and more. There are even QR codes that will take kids to online videos where Darnell demonstrates his techniques and shares other inspirational helps.

Accompanying children in their culinary journey is Little Super, a character from Ferguson’s Becoming Super comic book.

He Is There
He Is There is a creative, poetic, and interactive book that helps kids learn about the invisible but surprising presence of God. We can’t see God with our physical eyes, but He Is There uses poetry and flashlight fun to help kids look for the hand of God in creation and in their daily lives.

This book affirms the biblical truths of God’s sometimes seemingly hidden presence, his friendship, and his care in a creative and engaging way.

Pawverbs for Kids | ISBN: 978-1-4964-6147-6 | Hardcover: $19.99 | September 2023
The Size of Everything | ISBN: 978-1-4964-6253-4 | Hardcover $15.99 | September 2023
‘Twas the Night | ISBN: 978-1-4964-7607-4 | Hardcover $15.99 | September 2023
SuperChef Family Cookbook | ISBN: 978-1-4964-6228-2 | Hardcover: $19.99 | October 2023
He Is There | ISBN: 978-1-4964-6710-2 | Hardcover: $14.99 | October 2023

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a substantial portion of annual revenue—millions of dollars per year—through corporate donations and the work of Tyndale House Foundation. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.  Tyndale.com

Radiant Church Pastor Aaron Burke shares from the life of Joseph how to turn unfair events to our advantage

TAMPA BAY, June 9, 2023 – While it is often the categorically unfair events in our lives that derail our dreams, Pastor Aaron Burke in his literary debut shares why it is often these very struggles that fuel our passion and propel our vision. In “The Unfair Advantage: 7 Keys from the Life of Joseph for Transforming any Obstacle into an Opportunity,” releasing Aug. 8 from Thomas Nelson Publishers, he explains how responding to tragedies appropriately makes all the difference.

“While it’s comforting to hear that all the pain, all the rejection, and all the struggle is actually helping us move toward our destiny, these words aren’t necessarily true,” Burke writes. “Just because something bad happened to you doesn’t mean it will position you to receive something good. It is available, but it is not automatic. There are things you need to do, attitudes you need to adopt, resolve you need to gain, and effort you have to put in for you to walk into your destiny. This book will walk you through the strategy needed to turn what is negative into what is necessary for your destiny to come to pass.”

Burke draws inspiration from the biblical account of Joseph, who was betrayed by his brothers, enslaved unfairly, imprisoned unjustly, and forgotten about for years. No one can argue that he didn’t have reason to become bitter and give up on his dreams, but it wasn’t simply what happened to Joseph that became his unfair advantage – it was how he responded. Burke explores how Joseph’s actions and attitudes in the midst of the pain propelled him to his God-given purpose.

Beginning with a foreword by Burke’s friend and mentor, Pastor Mark Batterson of National Community Church, the book is broken into seven chapters, each one dedicated to one of Joseph’s challenges turned into unfair advantages:

• The Discouraged Dreamer
• The Redirected Reject
• The Wageless Worker
• The Seduced Saint
• The Oppressed Opportunist
• The Forgotten Faithful
• The Limited Leader

Each chapter also includes examples from Burke’s own life as well as success stories from industry icons and historic leaders bearing out his points. Discussion questions follow, encouraging readers to apply the principles discussed to their own circumstances and conditions.

“We live life forward, but we understand life backward,” Burke adds. “The only way to truly embrace hard seasons is to know these seasons are frustrating but also foundational. Our lives might look strange, but our God is very strategic. When you look backward you will see how every difficult moment was developmental for where God was taking you.”

More information and a link to pre-order “The Unfair Advantage,” are available here. For more information about Radiant Church or Pastor Aaron Burke, visit www.weareradiant.com.

About Aaron Burke
Aaron Burke (DMin, MBA) is the lead pastor of Radiant Church, which he and his wife, Katie, started in 2013 after selling everything and moving in faith to a new city. Radiant Church now has eight campuses throughout the Tampa Bay community. Aaron’s passions are building the local church and helping Christians live into their God-given potential. In addition to pastoring at Radiant, Aaron regularly speaks at churches and conferences across America. He also works heavily with planting churches and developing leaders in South Asia (Sri Lanka and India). His work with equipping leaders includes his Made for More leadership podcast and partnering with the Association of Related Churches (ARC) and the Church Multiplication Network (CMN) to train church planters. Aaron and his wife have been married since 2010 and have five beautiful children. He loves to travel, spend time with his family, and do CrossFit.

Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934

New JourneyWise Ministry Helps Christians “Love Jesus and Love Like Jesus”

Coming Fall 2023: JourneyWise Trade Book & Life Along the Way Devotional

Memphis, TN, (May 24, 2023) — JourneyWise, a multimedia network dedicated to helping people “Love Jesus and Love Like Jesus,” will launch its first two books this fall with publishing partner Whitaker House. Releasing this September is JourneyWise: Redeeming the Broken & Winding Roads We Travel, authored by Dr. Shane Stanford, President/CEO of the Moore-West Center for Applied Theology and JourneyWise. In October, a four-volume daily devotional series, Life Along the Way, will launch volume one, Jesus with Us: Meeting Him Where He Began, with the next three volumes set to publish in 2024.

JourneyWise: Redeeming the Broken & Winding Roads We Travel is penned by pastor and author Dr. Shane Stanford, who has endured a long road of suffering. His life was forever impacted as a teenage hemophiliac when he contracted HIV and hepatitis from a blood transfusion. Stanford’s journey as a Christian and pastor has been marked by serious illnesses, personal betrayal, and early church rejection. And yet, as he enters his 32nd year of ministry and his first year leading JourneyWise, Stanford is experiencing a renewal of both joy and faith. He brings this fresh encounter to the pages of his new book.

Shane Stanford was introduced to the JourneyWise concept as a young boy, when his grandmother encouraged him to be “JourneyWise.” She taught him the value of discovering and applying wisdom during every season of life. Shane writes: “My grandmother always said that the best kind of wisdom was the wisdom you learned on the road of life. Wisdom gleaned from the steps you took along the way could change you. Grow you.”

As a lifelong student of the Bible, Shane Stanford recognized his grandmother’s wisdom reflected in Jesus’ most famous discourse, known as the Beatitudes. And Stanford’s new book, JourneyWise, reveals how the Beatitudes are more than poetic verses at the start of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.” The Beatitudes, he writes, present the very essence of Jesus’ ministry, establish the overall tone of Jesus’ teaching ministry and reveal His most deeply held values.

As Stanford unpacks the daily wisdom of the Beatitudes, JourneyWise readers will discover how to:

• Find meaning in each step along the path of life
• Be transformed by the journey as a whole
• Align your values to reflect the life of Jesus
• Have Jesus Himself as your life companion, tapping into His wisdom
• Intertwine your own story intimately with Jesus and his followers
• Be transformed in day-to-day living
• Love Jesus and love like Jesus along the way

“The steps and stops along the way can settle in and shape us as Jesus participates in the journey with us,” Shane Stanford explains. “This bond defines a life that is not just ‘lived well,’ but a life that my grandmother would have called ‘JourneyWise.’ A type of wisdom gleaned from each step along the way so that we are faithfully formed by the journey as a whole.”

Christians can access JourneyWise discipleship resources across a variety of platforms. The ministry recently launched two podcasts: The JourneyWise Podcast with co-hosts Shane Stanford and Dr. Ronnie Kent, and The Choosing Cheer Podcast hosted by Nicolet Bell. A third podcast will launch summer 2023; the You Matter Podcast will be an interview-based show hosted by Shane Stanford. In 2024, JourneyWise will publish a year-long video curriculum designed for church-wide use. JourneyWise has also partnered with United Theological Seminary, Asbury Seminary, and World Methodist Evangelism, to create a library of topical articles at www.JourneyWise.Network.

JourneyWise creates multimedia discipleship resources across numerous platforms and is led by Dr. Shane Stanford, President/CEO of the Moore-West Center for Applied Theology. JourneyWise was founded by sisters Betty Moore and Carole West, daughters of Kemmons Wilson (founder of Holiday Inn), along with their husbands, Jack Moore (former Chair and CEO of Regions Bank) and Dr. Bill West (world renowned oncologist; founder of the West Cancer Center in Memphis, TN). https://journeywise.network/

Whitaker House is part of Whitaker Corporation, which also includes Anchor Distributors, Whitaker House Español, and Word Alive, its Canadian distribution division. A Christian, family-owned business established in 1970, Whitaker Corp. is dedicated to proclaiming the power of the gospel and ministering to the spiritual needs of people around the world. www.WhitakerHouse.com IG: @WhitakerHouse

Dr. Shane Stanford (MA, Duke University; DMin, Asbury Theological Seminary) is President/CEO of The Moore-West Center for Applied Theology and JourneyWise. Stanford served as a pastor and church planter for more than thirty years, most recently as Senior Pastor of a 5,000+ member church in Memphis, TN. Dr. Stanford is the author of several books, including JourneyWise, The Seven Next Words of Christ, The Cure for the Chronic Life, and The Eight Blessings: Rediscovering the Beatitudes. Shane Stanford’s memoir, A Positive Life, details his experiences as an HIV+ and HepC+ hemophiliac, husband, father, and pastor. He is the co-host of the Covenant Bible Study program, now used in more than 1,000 churches. Shane Stanford is married to Dr. Pokey Stanford, and they have three adult daughters and two sons-in-law. www.JourneyWise.Network IG: @DrShaneStanford

Media Contact: Jana Muntsinger, MMPR, jana@mmpublicrelations.com, 832-247-9308

---

JourneyWise: Redeeming the Broken & Winding Roads We Travel
By Shane Stanford
Available September 5, 2023, from Whitaker House Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-8-88769-060-5 • US $17.99 • Paperback • Pages: 208
BISAC: Religion/Christian Living/Spiritual Growth (REL012120)

Review copies, reprint permission and interviews are available.
Contact Jana Muntsinger, McClure Muntsinger Public Relations, 832.247.9308, jana@mmpublicrelations.com.

Coming Soon: Volume One, Life Along the Way daily devotional
Jesus with Us: Meeting Him Where He Began
by Dr. Ronnie Kent, Anthony Thaxton, Dr. Shane Stanford, Dr. Ray Cummings
Releases October 17, 2023
ISBN: 9798887690582 • US $17.99 • Paperback • Pages 208

Ada, Mich. (May 23, 2023)— Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is pleased to announce it recently signed a two-book deal with Erin Moon, the resident Bible scholar on The Bible Binge podcast and creator of the popular Substack newsletter The Swipe Up.

Her first book, scheduled for release in early 2025, is tentatively titled I Have Questions. The book will be for readers who feel the disenchanting divergence between God as he says he is and cultural Christianity. Through a compassionate and curiosity-friendly framework, they will discover how to reconstruct a Jesus-centered spirituality that is strong and authentic enough to sustain the weight of living in our complex world today.

“When I went through my own experience of disentangling the spirituality of my youth, I desperately wished for a guide to help me make sense of the rubble around me,” said Moon. “I am delighted to partner with Baker and offer a way forward for those who desire to transform the fear and trembling of childhood religion into the wonder and curiosity of a grown-up faith.”

Moon is represented by agent Jonathan Merritt with the Christopher Ferebee Agency.

“Erin is a trusted voice and a gifted community-builder who has never shied from asking real questions, and this book speaks to the heart of the questions that matter most to her readership,” said Stephanie Duncan Smith, senior editor, Baker. “Baker Books is honored to partner with her in her highly anticipated traditional publishing debut.”

Erin Hicks Moon is a writer, podcaster, and storyteller who helps people disentangle faith by creating kind and curious communities that welcome honest doubt and pressing questions. She’s the Resident Bible Scholar on The Bible Binge podcast, where she uses her 20+ years of Bible study writing and editing experience to gently rebuke and hilariously re-teach what we did (and didn’t) get in Sunday school. She’s also the online mayor of her weekly newsletter and subscription community, The Swipe Up, as well as the writer of several Bible study guides. A displaced Texan in Alabama, there is a yellow queso-sized hole in her heart. Erin is married with three kids and an emotional support dog who needs his own emotional support.

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. Learn more at www.BakerBooks.com.

Contact: Kelli B. Smith, (616) 676-9185 x394, ksmith@bakerpublishinggroup.com