We have all experienced miracles in our lives. An incredible chance encounter that changes everything…help that suddenly appears from nowhere…kindness handed to us when it is least expected.

Every December we can look back and marvel at the designs of God and realize how very little we are in control of the events that shaped the past year. But with hearts full of hope we look forward to the celebration of that silent, holy night.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury has collected a series of real-life stories about people whose lives were changed by the mystery and wonder of Christmastime. In Christmas Miracles (Worthy Books, October 17, 2023, ISBN: 9781546005520), Karen brings undeniable proof of God’s presence in our lives. With an uplifting voice, she gives us a joyous reminder of the true meaning of Christmas: The greatest miracle of all is opening our hearts to love.

Now updated with a new story, this format comes with gorgeous artwork for a treasured keepsake for years to come.

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty-nesters, living in Tennessee near four of their adult children. For more information visit Karen on Twitter @KarenKingsbury or on Facebook or at www.karenkingsbury.com.

October 2023 | WESTMONT, IL—The fifth season of The Disrupters podcast launches on October 16 with a discussion between host Kaitlyn Schiess and her first guest, Tyler Burns, president of The Witness. Together they will begin to explore this season’s central question: What does it mean to disrupt ourselves in a meaningful way?

Seasons one and two of The Disrupters podcast, hosted by Esau McCaulley, asked the question, What does it mean to disrupt the church? Seasons three and four, hosted by Nancy Wang Yuen, asked the question, What does it mean to disrupt culture? For the fifth season, Schiess will explore the ways that Christians can prepare themselves—spiritually, emotionally, and relationally—to faithfully disrupt the church and the world. Pastors, scholars, activists, and therapists will share their own experiences of formation and transformation to educate and inspire listeners who seek lasting change, both within themselves and in their communities.

The Disrupters season five guests are:

October 16

Tyler Burns is a pastor, speaker, writer, and podcaster. He currently serves as the president of The Witness, an organization founded to educate, encourage, and empower Black Christians to be free in soul and in body. He also cohosts the organization’s flagship podcast Pass the Mic.

---

October 23

Aundi Kolber is a licensed professional counselor and bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Try Softer as well as her new book Strong like Water. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge about the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain.

---

October 30

Russell Moore is Christianity Today’s editor in chief and the director of the Public Theology Project. An ordained Baptist minister, Moore served previously as president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and, before that, as the chief academic officer and dean of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also taught theology and ethics. Moore also hosts the weekly podcast The Russell Moore Show and is cohost of Christianity Today’s weekly news and analysis podcast, The Bulletin.

---

November 6

Walter Kim is the president of the National Association of Evangelicals. He previously served as a pastor at Boston’s historic Park Street Church and at churches in Vancouver, Canada, and Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as a campus chaplain at Yale University. He preaches, writes, and engages in collaborative leadership to connect the Bible to the intellectual and cultural issues of the day. He serves on the boards of Christianity Today and World Relief and consults with a wide range of organizations.

---

November 13

Shannan Martin, author of Start with Hello, The Ministry of Ordinary Places, and Falling Free, is a speaker and writer who found her voice in the country and her story in the city. She also works as a cook at The Window, a local nonprofit dedicated to feeding its community. Martin is currently running for a seat on the city council in her hometown of Goshen, Indiana, as she desires to love her neighbors through local political activism.

---

November 20

Luke Bretherton is Robert E. Cushman Distinguished Research Professor of Moral and Political Theology and senior fellow of the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University. His most recent book is titled Christ and the Common Life. He also hosts the Listen, Organize, Act! podcast, which focuses on the history and contemporary practice of democratic organizing and the role religion plays in forms of grassroots, democratic politics.

---

November 27

Amy Williams, a youth ministry veteran, ministers to teens involved in gangs and those lost in the criminal justice system with a key strategy of life-on-life mentoring. As a certified gang intervention specialist, she heard God’s call to move into a Latino gang neighborhood in Chicago’s Humboldt Park community to be a “Hope Dealer” doing street outreach and walking life with young people on her block. Amy is project coordinator at New Life Centers, bringing in restorative justice programming to youth at juvenile prisons.

---

December 4

Michael Wear is the founder, president, and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution based in the nation’s capital with the mission to contend for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. For well over a decade, he has served as a trusted resource and adviser for a range of civic leaders on matters of faith and public life, including as a White House and presidential campaign staffer. Michael is a leading voice on building a healthy civic pluralism in twenty-first-century America.

---

December 11

Mark Charles is coauthor of Unsettling Truths. He was also a 2020 Independent candidate for the office of President of the United States. His vision is to build a nation where “We the People” truly means #AllThePeople. Charles is one of the leading authorities on the 15th-century’s Doctrine of Discovery and its influence on US history and its intersection with modern-day society.

---

December 18

Kathryn A. Freeman is a leader, writer, and speaker at the intersection of faith, justice, and culture. She has served as the director of public policy for the Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission. She also worked as the press secretary to two Texas-elected officials and a policy attorney for two nonprofits focused on issues affecting low-income families. Kathryn is one half of the podcast Melanated Faith, which is a conversation about race, faith, and culture from the perspective of two Black Christian women.

The Disrupters podcast will be available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast distributors.

Contact: Krista Clayton | kclayton@ivpress.com

Carol Stream, IL (October 13, 2023)—Tyndale House Publishers will release five new kids and middle-grade books in the spring of 2024. In line with Tyndale’s corporate purpose, the new products—BabbleLand Breakout, Peabody the Mini Horse, Quirky Critter Devotions, Dangerous Dilemmas, and Jesus vs. the Bad Guys—are designed to minister to the spiritual needs of children.

BabbleLand Breakout:  The Dead Sea Squirrels #12

Mike Nawrocki, cocreator of VeggieTales, tackles themes of sacrificial love, forgiveness, and friendship in the twelfth installment of The Dead Sea Squirrels series.

In BabbleLand Breakout, Merle and Pearl have again escaped from Dr. Simon’s goons. Now it is the squirrels’ turn to rescue the kidnapped Gomez family from BabbleLand—a Bible-themed amusement park with talking animals. With the help of an old-enemy-turned-ally and Adriana’s hilarious disguise, the squirrels’ roller-coaster rescue is overflowing with adventure and humor.

 

---

Peabody the Mini Horse:  Peabody and Pals #1

Peabody the Mini Horse is a fictional tale featuring a real-life miniature horse with dwarfism—Peabody. The author, Faith San Severino, rescued and trained him as a therapy animal. Once Faith started sharing videos of Peabody on TikTok, this mini horse captured the hearts of millions—including Kelly Clarkson who featured Peabody on the “What I’m Liking” segment of her television show.

In this first picture book from the Peabody and Pals series, Peabody is told that he is too small to ever amount to anything. But with the help of new friends who also feel small, Peabody learns that he is just the way he is supposed to be, that God made him, and that God doesn’t make mistakes.

 

---

Quirky Critter Devotions: 52 Wild Wonders for Kids 

Through a blend of Scripture and science, Quirky Critter Devotions is specially designed for curious minds interested in God’s animal kingdom.

Formatted to look like an explorer’s field journal, this devotional encourages kids to embark on their own expedition. They will discover wildly weird animal facts with full-color snapshots, record their thoughts in the journaling space, apply new memory verses, and gain hands-on experience with a variety of activities. The pages include a wide range of critters spanning seven animal categories—mammals, insects, amphibians, birds, fish, reptiles, and spiders. From familiar faces like turtles and honeybees to quirky creatures like the Goliath bird-eating spider, this devotional will cultivate a passion for God’s Word and his creation.

 

---

Dangerous Dilemmas:  Patrick Wigglesworth’s Bizarre Bible Adventure #3

Dangerous Dilemmas is the third book in a series ideal for even the most reluctant reader. The chapters create familiarity with Bible stories in an easy-to-read format, complete with daily journal entries and drawings.

Kids join Patrick as he takes on new challenges as Student Council President. He is reminded of his BBA (Bizarre Bible Adventure) when he meets his tour guides (King David, King Solomon, and Daniel) and is led through biblical events from Psalms to Malachi, observing unexpected leaders having to make hard decisions with tough consequences. Filled with humor, Patrick learns biblical truths regarding leadership in this chapter-book-meets-graphic-novel.

 

---

Jesus vs. the Bad Guys: A Story of Love and Forgiveness:  Jesus Is for Kids #1

Jesus vs. the Bad Guys shows what true heroism is through Jesus’ words and actions in the story of His arrest, conviction, and crucifixion. However, Jesus’ heroism is not like the superheroes that kids see on TV. Jesus defeats evil with forgiveness, peacemaking, nonviolence, and love.

Authors Connor Shram and Jared Neusch created the Jesus Is for Kids series to provide stories about Jesus that are exciting, reflect the playful imagination God gave to each of His children, and reveal the radical, timeless example of Jesus’ message. The series leads kids to meet the real Jesus so they can build a lifelong, unshakable trust in Him.

 

• BabbleLand Breakout | ISBN: 978-1-4964-4993-1 | Softcover: $6.99 | January 2024
• Peabody the Mini Horse | ISBN: 978-1-4964-8093-4 | Hardcover: $14.99 | February 2024
•  Quirky Critter Devotions | ISBN: 978-1-4964-7700-2 | Hardcover: $17.99 | March 2024
• Dangerous Dilemmas | ISBN: 978-1-4964-6304-3 | Softcover: $9.99 | April 2024
• Jesus vs. the Bad Guys | ISBN: 978-1-4964-7816-0 | Hardcover: $14.99 | April 2024

 

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

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

Have You Forgotten Who You Really Are?  New Book from John and Angel Beeson Explores True Identity

Trading Faces is an important book for our cultural moment. John writes as an experienced pastor and Angel as a wise counselor. Together, they expose false identities, leading readers to Christ and the revolutionary new life he offers. John and Angel’s work is biblical, honest, vulnerable, and worshipful. I believe it will help many find freedom and joy in Christ.
– Kevin P. Halloran, author of When Prayer Is a Struggle

GRAND RAPIDS, MI —  In their new book, Trading Faces: Removing the Masks that Hide Your God-Given Identity, authors John and Angel Beeson face the topic of identity head-on. Whether through vocation, family, marriage, political party, gender, economic status, or even what grocery store we frequent, the Beesons show how we lean toward these identity substitutes, beginning from childhood to adulthood. As a counselor and pastor, this husband-and-wife-team walk with people who wear masks and are engaged in identity battles every day. In Trading Faces, they bring personal experiences and  life stories, so readers will know they are not alone.

“To answer the question “Who am I?” is to set the true north of your life. Who you are in Christ is unchangeable and nonnegotiable. Understanding that your true identities are in Christ allows you to step into being who you were made to be and living how you were designed to live.” says the Beesons.

In Trading Faces, the Beesons deep dive into ten identities that masquerade as truth, and give readers help and hope that they exchange those false labels for true identities.  From shame to good works to individuality to careers, they leave no identity stone unturned in the life of the reader. Each of the chapters end in a heart -felt prayer. Trading Faces also includes other helpful resources, like a Now What? section helping readers know what to do next, and an appendix, Our Biblical Identities, that breaks down who we are collectively, and what we are called to as believers.  Perfect for individual or small group study, Trading Faces is a life-changing and  life-giving resource  for the times we are in, when knowing who we are is more important than ever.

John Beeson is the co-lead pastor at New Life Bible Fellowship in Oro Valley, Arizona. His previous work includes Blogging for God’s Glory in a Click-Bait World with Benjamin Vrbicek.

Angel Beeson is the founder of and a counselor at Whole Hope Christian Counseling. More information can be found at www.thebeehive.live.

Trading Faces
Kregel Publications
By John and Angel Beeson
ISBN-13: 9780825447846
October  2023 ,  Softcover
224 pages, $18.99

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

Beloved pastor and bestselling author Dr. Charles Stanley was dedicated to knowing Christ and making Him known. In his final book, TRUSTING GOD WITH TODAY: 365 DEVOTIONS (Thomas Nelson; hardcover; October 17, 2023), Dr. Stanley inspires readers to see how God transforms our hearts and lives when we trust Him with an unknown future.

Dr. Stanley was guided by Biblical truths. He believed that God’s Word is full of promises and guidance, and that “trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.” Dr. Stanley also knew that trusting God in difficult times can be a challenge. “When things are going our way, trusting God is easy,” writes Dr. Stanley in TRUSTING GOD WITH TODAY. “But when overwhelming battles, painful trials, unmet needs, or lost hopes assail us, we may be tempted to ask, can we still trust Him?”

In TRUSTING GOD WITH TODAY Dr. Stanley resoundingly answers yes, patiently guiding readers to trust and believe in God’s love and rest in His purpose. With this daily devotional, readers will work to grow that trust in God day by day, bringing greater joy and peace than we could ever find leaning on our own understanding. “Every challenge presents an opportunity for the Lord to display His faithfulness and love,” said Dr. Stanley. “Rejoice that God faces the coming days with you forevermore.”

Dr. Charles F. Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries and pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia, where he served more than fifty years. He was also a New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy books. Until his death in 2023, Dr. Stanley’s mission was to get the gospel to “as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, as clearly as possible, as irresistibly as possible, through the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God.” This is a calling that In Touch Ministries continues to pursue by transmitting his teachings as widely and effectively as possible. Dr. Stanley’s messages can be heard daily on In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley broadcasts on television, radio, and satellite networks and stations around the world; on the internet at intouch.org and through In Touch+; and via the In Touch Messenger Lab. Excerpts from Dr. Stanley’s inspiring messages are also published in the award-winning In Touch devotional magazine.

October 3, 2023—Paraclete Press announces the release of All Creation Waits Children’s Edition: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings (Hardcover Book: ISBN 978-1-64060-828-3 | October 3, 2023 | 64 pp | 8.5X9.5 | $20.99) from bestselling author Gayle Boss: a stunningly illustrated picture book edition of her beloved Advent book, All Creation Waits. Information about the November East Coast Book Tour, events in the Grand Rapids area, free resources, and more is at https://allcreationwaits.com/

Children open the book’s double-page spreads as they would the doors on an Advent calendar. Each day of Advent a different animal shows children its own amazing way to meet the dark and cold. Wood Frog freezes into a frog-shaped cube of ice! For six months Painted Turtle doesn’t breathe! Woodchuck can’t be wakened, even if shaken! With each creature, children hear the refrain: The dark is not an end. It’s a door. It’s the way a new beginning comes. Here is the ancient truth of Advent enacted in the lives of 24 common woodland animals and culminating in the birth of the Human One who perfectly lived that truth. In an often chaotic “holiday season,” children ages 5-10 will learn to slow down and wait with all creation, delighting in the lilting poetic lines, the vivid descriptions of animals’ winter lives, and the original watercolor paintings by award-winning artist Sharon Spitz that convey the radiance of each creature.

“Saying I loved All Creation Waits is an understatement. It moved me and inspired me. My family will be using it to welcome in Christmas, not just once, but for years to come. As a parent, I love the space the book leaves for my own kids’ responses and the prompts that are truly at a child’s level. It’s a delight and my new go-to recommendation for families.” —Meredith Miller, pastor and author of Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kids Don’t Have to Heal From

“This book is at once gorgeous and glorious, quiet as falling snow, and still as a hibernating animal. It captures the magic and promise of Advent in words and pictures—reminding us, gently but powerfully, of God’s love for all His creatures—including us.”
—Sy Montgomery, National Book Award Finalist and New York Times bestselling author of How to Be a Good Creature

“A gorgeous exploration in words and pictures of animals in winter, life in darkness, beauty in nature, the wonder of the world…”
—Deborah Heiligman, author of Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith, a National Book Award Finalist

“All Creation Waits is an Advent book as exquisite as it is unusual. In a season which often centers on human stories and celebrates the triumph of light, this enthralling book directs our gaze elsewhere: to our animal kin and what they can teach us about stillness, waiting, and the generative power of darkness. Poetic, wise, stunningly illustrated, and rich in mystery, All Creation Waits is an ideal Advent companion for curious children (and grownups too). I can hardly wait to share it with my own family.”
—Laura Alary, author of Look! A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas and many other books

Gayle Boss writes in Michigan, where she was born and raised. Her life-long love of animals and her immersion in spiritual texts and practices have melded in poems and essays that explore how relationships with animals specifically, and an attentive presence in the natural world generally, restore us to our deepest selves. The mother of two grown sons, she lives in Grand Rapids with her husband.

Sharon Spitz is an illustrator and a graphic designer currently based between Berlin and Haifa. She was the winner of the 2021 Jewish Children’s Book Award.

For interviews with Gayle Boss, or review copies of All Creation Waits Children’s Edition, contact Publicist Rachel McKendree at rachelm@paracletepress.com or 508-246-4700. 

Bestselling author Joel Osteen shares life-changing strategies for greater energy, a more focused mind, and a calmer soul.

What if a healthy, abundant, joyful, faith-filled life is within reach? What if you could increase your energy, vitality, and happiness, and stop dragging through the day, living discouraged and depressed, and settling for less than the life you want?

In 15 WAYS TO LIVE LONGER AND HEALTHIER (FaithWords, October 10, 2023, ISBN: 9781546005087), New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen, with his trademark wisdom and encouragement, helps you to discover greater success, stronger relationships, tame stress, and find real happiness. He shows that the key to good health, longevity, and abundance is to keep your soul healthy by focusing on your attitude, your thoughts, and your emotional well-being. In this book, he shows you how to:

• Stay positive toward yourself;
• Deal with difficult people;
• Let go of control;
• Choose to be happy;
• Unclutter your mind;
• Live in the present;
• Tame the tongue; and
• Take care of yourself.

JOEL OSTEEN is a New York Times bestselling author and the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Millions connect daily with his inspirational messages through television, podcasts, Joel Osteen Radio on Sirius XM, and global digital platforms. To learn more, visit his website at JoelOsteen.com.

We have the opportunity to live each day to the fullest, and every day that we live can be a good one! This doesn’t mean that we won’t face situations that throw us off course. We encounter circumstances that make us extremely happy and fill our hearts with joy, and we encounter events and circumstances that anger, frighten, or sadden us. While we don’t have control over many things we deal with each day, we can determine how we respond to them.

This intimate, comforting, and encouraging devotional provides daily readings and scripture references that allow readers to return again and again, each day, to the steadfast truth of God’s faithfulness and to remind readers of His promise to us that His love for us is bigger than our trials and frustrations. Each reading of this 90-day devotional (FaithWords, Oct. 10, 2023, ISBN: 9781546029243) comes with a Bible verse, wisdom from Joyce, and a prayer for an easy and effective way to incorporate Scripture into our lives.

We can’t choose what happens to us, but we can choose whether to respond out of stability from God’s truth or out of the vagaries of our human emotions. Readers will learn to manage their emotions instead of letting their emotions manage them, experience the freedom that comes from choosing stability, and live a richer, happier life.

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading Bible teachers. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, she teaches practically and candidly, openly sharing her experiences and helping millions of people to apply biblical principles to their situations and ultimately find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Her book Battlefield of the Mind has been a perennial bestseller, teaching people how to win the war in their minds and “think about what they think about.” Joyce holds conferences across the United States, and her Enjoying Everyday Life program is broadcast on TV, radio and online to millions in over 100 languages.

She has also authored over 140 books, which have been translated into over 160 combined languages. Joyce’s passion to help people who are hurting is the foundation of Hand of Hope, the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries, which provides humanitarian relief through its hundreds of global outreaches.

October 6, 2023 — We are pleased to share that The Wayfarer: Perspectives on Forced Migration and Transformational Community Development (Langham Publishing: HippoBooks,  2021) has been longlisted for the Michael Ramsey Prize 2023. The Wayfarer was chosen from more than 110 titles submitted by readers and publishers for this year’s Michael Ramsey Prize longlist.

Luke Lewis, Director of Publishing at Langham Publishing commented, “It brings great joy to see this significant work being acknowledged by such a prestigious award. I was with Dr. Msabah in Nairobi when we received the news of his book making the longlist; he was equally overjoyed. In a world confronted with regular crises prompting mass migrations, books like this are vital for the church, and there is no one more suited to address this particular subject than Dr. Msabah.”

About the Book

In The Wayfarer, Dr. Barnabé Anzuruni Msabah engages the global refugee crisis from an interdisciplinary perspective that encompasses both development studies and theological reflection. Using specific examples from Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, Msabah provides an overview of the sociopolitical, economic, and environmental dynamics of forced migration while simultaneously exploring theological and cultural frameworks for understanding transformational community development.

While the church’s mandate is to act with justice and mercy towards the world’s most vulnerable populations, Msabah also reminds us that refugees are not passive recipients but powerful examples of courage, resilience, and hope who can, in their turn, transform our nations and our faith communities for the better.

About the Author

BARNABÉ ANZURUNI MSABAH holds a PhD in Theology and Development (Practical Theology), specializing in community development, from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He is Tearfund’s Regional Coordinator for Church and Community Transformation (CCT) in East and Central Africa and teaches theology and development at Pan Africa Christian University, Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Msabah is a former refugee and has experienced many of the challenges that refugee communities face around the world, as well as the resilience, courage and hope with which refugees face those challenges.

Praise for the Book

Weaving in his personal journey, Dr. Barnabé Anzuruni Msabah lays the groundwork to grasp the breadth and depth of the global and African challenge of migration and refugees to move the body of Christ to action. Practical paths for engagement are provided for people of faith and faith-communities to embody the good news. This book issues a call to use our collective power of Ubuntu towards hope and transformation while recognizing the God-given image and resource of the stranger in our midst.  –Selena D. Headley, Cornerstone Institute

Dr. Anzuruni’s book outlines the means by which the church can respond to the critical needs of refugees. In doing so, this work makes a defiant claim for the radical nature of God’s identification with those on the margins. This book is a must read!  –Anthony Reddie, Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture

About Langham Publishing

Langham Publishing is a ministry of Langham Partnership whose vision is to strengthen the global church. Through Langham Publishing, we publish books for Christian leaders, preachers, and scholars that represent a diverse church around the world, furthering our understanding of scripture, our mission as God’s people, and our love in Christ.

Find out more about The Wayfarer.
Get more information about Langham Publishing.
Get more information about Langham Partnership.
Download the Media Pack.

Contact: For press related questions and information on the The Wayfarer, sophia.soloviy@langham.org

TEMPE, ARIZ., OCTOBER 9, 2023 – ECPA has announced the recipients of the Emerging Leader scholarship and mentorship program for ECPA PubU – the industry’s training and networking event for Christian publishing professionals, taking place as an online conference in six publishing tracks from October 27 to November 13, 2023.

Nominations were made by Christian publishing companies to invest in the emerging leaders in their organizations. Since 2016, 100 emerging leaders have gone through the program, adding now an additional 28 professionals from 16 companies – the largest class to date.

“What a joy it has been to watch the Emerging Leaders program develop over the past eight years and to encounter people who are doing remarkable work in Christian publishing, even early in their careers,” Jeff Crosby, ECPA president, said. “I extend my congratulations to each of the 28 people in this year’s class, and look forward to the sessions at PubU and to hearing how the mentoring relationships have impacted participants.”

Edwina Perkins, managing editor for Harambee Press – serves on the ECPA PubU Brain Trust as the coordinator of this year’s Emerging Leader program. She will be coordinating the matching of each mentee with an industry mentor.  “Emerging leaders are the ones to impact the future direction of the Christian publishing industry,” states Edwina. “What an honor and privilege it is to assist in connecting them with mentors. I believe this class of 28 will greatly contribute to the industry and the lives they touch through their growth as leaders.” 

ECPA is pleased to present the 2023 PubU class of Emerging Leader scholars:

 

Whitney Walker Alexander serves as the Marketing Strategist for trade books and kids books for B&H Publishing, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources.  She brings her years of experience in healthcare marketing to Christian publishing and has already been leading in the industry, most recently as the Marketing Brain Trust lead for PubU. @whitneywalexander

 

---

 

Nick Bannister is a sales manager for The Good Book Company utilizing his relational strengths and passion for excellent content. He holds an MA in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and previously worked in content/curriculum development at David C. Cook.

 

---

 

Rachael Wing Betz is a Copywriter and the Fiction Social Media Manager at Bethany House Publishers where she crafts copy for books of all varieties and strategizes, creates, and forms connections through multiple platforms. Her passion lies in helping both publishers and authors tell their stories through strong copy and engaging visual social content. @sincerely.rachael

 

---

 

Alberto I. Bonilla-Giovanetti is the Academic Editorial Assistant at InterVarsity Press. He loves working with books on biblical studies, history, theology, and languages and culture.  He is a native Spanish speaker and has studied Greek and Hebrew, and has an MA and ThM in biblical studies from Asbury Theological Seminary.

 

---

 

Elysia Brewer is a proofreader and developmental editor with 1517 Publishing and sees her role as the bridge between author and reader. She looks forward to many decades of working alongside writers, helping to convey their words of wisdom to a world of eager readers.  She has an MA from University of Exeter and resides in England.

 

---

 

Shauna Carlos is a Publicity Assistant at WaterBrook & Multnomah and Convergent Books, working on a wide range of titles including Christian Living, memoirs, general nonfiction, and fiction. She is an avid book lover and hopes to continue with a career in publishing to help continue the pursuit of diverse voices in Christian literature.

 

---

 

Ruth Castle serves as the managing editor of adult resources at New Growth Press where she has worked for six years. With a background in English, French, and counseling, Ruth is passionate about biblical counseling, missions, and discipleship. Ruth grew up in West Africa and graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

 

---

 

Molly Crowson is a Publishing Assistant for Harrington Interactive Media (HIM Publications) where she enjoys editing, managing content creation, assisting in managing book production, and helping people share their stories. She has a BA in English with minors in French, Editing and Publishing.

 

---

­­­­

Fanny Gonzalez is an Operations and Business Analysis Manager at Lexham Press. She is responsible for managing inventory, print production, and domestic and international distribution. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, and a good cup of coffee.

 

---

 

Emma Greydanus is an Assistant Marketing Manager at Baker Publishing Group, helping bring a broad range of engaging nonfiction books to market. Having previously marketed for life science companies and nonprofits, Emma is now using her years of experience to fuel her passion for publishing and leading her team into new areas of innovation and growth.

 

---

 

Elizabeth Groening is a Publicity & Marketing Assistant at WaterBrook & Multnomah where she has built intentional relationships with colleagues and authors, while leading multiple publicity campaigns for fiction, creative, and children’s titles. As a creative writer with an MA in Journalism, she’s covered everything from winemaking to wildfires to women’s rights.

 

---

 

Lauren Groves is an acquisitions editor for B&H Kids. Lauren enjoys editing and writing and has particularly loved acquiring new authors. Lauren has edited for Bible Studies for Life, The Gospel Project, and ParentLife Magazine, wrote curriculum for TeamKid, and wrote a 365-day devotional for B&H called New Year, New You.

 

---

 

Subaas Gurung is the Rights and Contracts Coordinator for InterVarsity Press.  He was raised by missionary parents, spending much of his childhood in Nepal.  After receiving a BA from Wheaton College, he worked in refugee resettlement with World Relief in Chicago. He now enjoys working with IVP’s international publishing partners.

 

---

 

Anthony Jones is a freelance editor for Publishing in Color and a contributor for Our Daily Bread Ministries, authoring several devotionals on modern society. Previously, he worked as an editorial intern for Urban Ministries. He is a graduate of Fisk University, and currently working toward a Masters in Journalism from Northwestern. He loves pairing his passion for editing and writing to help others in their walk with Christ.

 

---

 

Amanda Keesee is a Rights and Contracts Assistant at InterVarsity Press. Her work includes managing permission requests, protecting the copyright of IVP books, and assisting with contracts for sublicensing and freelancers. She derives great joy seeing IVP books in different languages.  Amanda has a B.A. from Moody Bible Institute and enjoys singing, crafting, and finding good stories.

 

---

 

Karina Lopez is the Publishing Coordinator at XO Publishing. Her lifelong learner mindset launched her from proofreading marketing copy to being invited to join the developing publishing department, where she oversees title management, income statement reporting, and distribution. She is passionate about connecting people with fulfilling resources.

 

---

 

Ashley Mulder is the marketing director for Reformed Free Publishing Association (RFPA), responsible for promotional efforts, author interviews, reviews, and conference attendance. She also manages their social media and blog.  Before that role, she worked for RFPA as a freelance copywriter. She is from Grand Rapids, Michigan and attended Dordt University in Iowa.

 

---

 

Natalie Nyquist works as an editor at Nelson Books, a trade imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Before that she taught the editing course sequence at UC Berkeley and did freelance editing for traditional publishers.  She did her undergrad in biblical studies at Moody Bible Institute before earning the graduate editing certificate at the University of Chicago.

 

---

 

Muthoni Omukhango is the National Director at CLC Kenya. She has been instrumental in setting up book programs, a publishing arm, an author’s program serving over 900 authors from 13 countries in Africa, writing classes, missions programs and children’s publishing programs. She writes on marriage, parenting, and publishing in Africa at muthoniomukhango.kenyaclc.org.

 

---

 

Levi Phillips is a Marketing Associate with WaterBrook & Multnomah and is passionate about creating innovative ways to connect readers to content. His multi-cultural background gives him understanding across diverse marketing demographics.  He has served at Biblica and The Navigators, and trained at the Focus Leadership Institute and the Walt Disney College Program.

 

---

 

Rebecca Schriner, a nonfiction publicist with Baker Publishing Group, earned her MA in Public Relations from Ball State University. Before Baker, she worked as a publicist for Light Messages and in digital marketing. She has been a guest speaker in Taylor’s Professional Writing program and her writing has been featured in Brio and The Secret Place magazines. @Rebecca_Publicist

 

---

 

Lindsay Schubert joined the Bethany House Publishers marketing team in 2021 and is also a writer of poetry and picture books. She is a graduate of Central Washington University’s English: Professional and Creative Writing B.A. program, volunteered as a poetry reader for Chestnut Review, and is also a nurse. Her work appears in Poetry Northwest.

 

---

 

Kristen Terrette is the Media Manager for Elk Lake Publishing, Inc., an author, and literary agent. With a background in education and theology, Kristen served as a children’s ministry director and women’s leader for many years before returning to her first love—writing the stories playing out in her head—and now diving into the publishing world. kristenterrette.com

 

---

 

Kaylee Terry is the Finance Manager for New Growth Press where she provides financial guidance to the NGP leadership team. Kaylee’s deep-rooted faith and reliance on Biblical counsel drive her decision-making, creating a harmonious blend of values and expertise.  She is a graduate of Messiah University and a former emerging leader with the Piedmont Fellows.

 

---

 

Anna Tjernstrom is the Publicist for IVP Kids, focusing her efforts on connecting with bloggers and media outlets. She brings years of children’s ministry experience to her post and in addition to managing the publicity operations, Anna has stepped up to increase the reach of the IVP Kids line of books.

 

---

 

Irene Tucker is a Marketing Copywriter for David C Cook.  She’s currently advancing her storytelling skills at the Los Angeles Film School, specializing in cinematic storytelling to capture stories that define the human experience through writing and film. Irene finds her purpose in supporting women and fellow mothers who’ve braved the storms of hardship and loss.

 

---

 

Anne Van Solkema is the Fiction Publicist for Bethany House Publishers, with previous roles at Baker Publishing as a marketing and publicity assistant. She graduated from Calvin University with a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature and has held positions at Calvin University and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

 

---

 

Ashley Veneman serves as a Marketing Specialist for books for B&H Publishing, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources. She holds a BA in Communications from Union University, and an MA in Communication Rhetoric from The University of Memphis. Ashley loves teaching young women in her local church, photography, and planning epic road trips.

 

---

ECPA PubU Online will include over 40 webinars, master classes, and networking sessions in several training tracks for Design, Editorial, Marketing, Production & Operations, Rights, and Children’s Literature – offered from October 27 to November 13.  Registration is open at ECPAPubU.org.

About ECPA PubU: ECPA PubU has delivered training, connection, networking and inspiration to the industry’s frontline practitioners since 2004.  Industry leaders develop the program to invest in the expertise of their colleagues, and train up the next generation of leaders.  For more information, visit ECPAPubU.org.

About ECPA: 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. ECPA.org

Media Contacts:
Jeff Crosby, ECPA President & CEO, jcrosby@ecpa.org or 480-966-3998 ext. 101
Sheri Toomb, Marketing Manager, stoomb@ecpa.org or 480-966-3998 ext. 104