On February 6, 2024, Joseph (“Joey”) Eugene Paul, known and loved by an extended family of creatives in the world of Christian publishing, passed on to be with His Lord and Savior. His loving wife, Sharon, was faithfully at his side as she had been for more than 40 years.

Born in Mobile, Alabama, May 24, 1945, Joey graduated from Mobile College (now University of Mobile), earned a master’s degree from Southwestern Seminary, and began working on a doctoral degree at Baylor University. In 1970 while a grad student at Baylor, he went to work part time at Word, Incorporated in Waco, as a copy editor.  His graduate work, however, was interrupted in 1971 when the President of Word, Jarrell McCracken, asked him to come to work full time to be a part of the new educational film curriculum department.  That was at a time when Word was largely defined by innovative contemporary Christian music, including such artists as Rich Mullins, The Imperials, Petra, Carman, and The Gaithers.

In 1976 Joey was impressed with what he heard and saw in the beginnings of Dr. James C. Dobson’s ministry and radio show, Focus on the Family, then based in Southern California. Working on behalf of Word, Joey connected with Dr. Dobson and managed the production and distribution of what was to become the innovative, seven-part, Focus on the Family Film Series.  Film series rentals began in 1978 and, over the next half-dozen years, it was screened by thousands of churches across North America, winning an award from the Christian Film Distributors Association (CFDA).

In November of 1988 Word was relocated from Waco to Las Colinas, Texas. This move triggered the complete reorganization of Word Books by Byron Williamson, its new Executive Vice President, Executive Publisher. Joey was promoted from his role as Director of film/video to Vice President of Word Books, reporting to Kip Jordon, Publisher.

In this new role at Word, Joey’s impact on the Christian book industry mushroomed. He worked creatively with such bestselling authors as Billy Graham, James Dobson, Josh McDowell, Anne Graham Lotz, Barbara Johnson, Charles Swindoll, Tony Campolo, David Jeremiah, and many more.

In 2001 Joey left Word joined Byron Williamson in the start-up of Integrity Publishers, serving as Vice President, Editorial. In short order the Integrity team published Sarah Young and her multi-million copy bestselling Jesus Calling. At Integrity Publishers Joey worked with many well-known authors such as Beth Moore, Max Lucado, David Jeremiah, Emerson Eggerichs, Henry Cloud and John Townsend, Gary Smalley, Jerry Jenkins, Pat Robertson, Roma Downey and T.D. Jakes, in addition to Sarah Young.

Integrity was acquired by Thomas Nelson at the end of 2006. Joey made the transition back to Nelson, serving as Vice President of Editorial and Acquisitions. But Joey left Nelson again in 2008 to join Nashville-based FaithWords, a division of Hachette Book Group USA. As Executive Editor, he worked with such authors as David Jeremiah, Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen.

In 2017 Joey returned to Thomas Nelson, which by then was a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP), as an Executive Editor. “With over forty-six years of industry experience when he returned to Nelson, Joey was an invaluable asset not only to the editorial process, but to our business as a whole,” said David Moberg, former Senior Vice President and HCCP Group Publisher.

“Throughout his career in Christian publishing,” says Byron Williamson, “Joey Paul was known as a person who took his faith seriously, working so creatively with a broad list of best-selling authors, whose books sold millions of copies around the globe.”

When they heard of Joey’s passing, these leading Christian authors said of him:

“Cynthia and I loved Joey Paul. We had a great relationship with him for so many years.  Our hearts go out to Joey’s wife Sharon as she does her best to press on without him.”
Chuck Swindoll

“I loved working with Joey on several of my books over the years. He was always so very creative as we worked together.  I will never forget that it was through Joey’s wonderful creativity that we came up with the idea for one of my most successful books, The Book of Signs.  Joey’s brilliance was all over that very effective book.  We will all miss Joey.”
David Jeremiah

“Joey Paul loved books, loved publishing, and loved authors. And, since I’m an author, I benefitted from his loyalty and advice. He was an ever-ready source of encouragement and good counsel. Always a phone call or flight away, he made himself available at all times. He is irreplaceable.  I will miss him very much.”
Max Lucado

“In my fifty years of publishing and creative work, I have collaborated with many publishers, producers, and writers.  One of my favorite colleagues was Joey Paul.  I have loved this man like a brother, and I will miss him in the days ahead.”
James Dobson

And, industry veteran, Rolf Zettersten, had this to say about Joey:

“It was my privilege to work with Joey beginning very early in both our professional careers.  Over those 50 years that our work with Christian publishing overlapped, Joey and I worked together with many authors and books, and many others working in Christian publishing.  I knew him as a loyal, devoted, and dedicated teammate. He loved golf, fishing, and a robust Cabernet. Our relationship became much more than as professional colleagues, we became close personal friends as well.   My thoughts and prayers his wife Sharon until she and Joey are reunited in eternity.”

On behalf of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Mark Schoenwald, CEO and President, stated:

“HarperCollins Christian Publishing mourns the passing of Joey Paul, whose work helped to shape the Christian publishing landscape of the past several decades.  Joey was a masterful editor, acquiring and shaping remarkable books over his more than 50-year career in Christian Publishing.  His work impacted and enriched millions of lives.”

Doing life with Joey Paul is one of the most important relationships of my life. He and I also shared the joys of the Scriptures, golf, a glass of excellent wine, sushi, reading great authors, fishing on the waters of the deep, and family. Joey loved the authors he had the privilege to advise, edit and serve. But Joey’s greatest joys were found in Jesus, Sharon, and his son, daughters, and grandchildren. He was a great father, a true man of God and a lover of the Word of God. He blessed so many so well, and so many will miss him dearly. It is certain I will!  I am also certain that as Joey stepped into heaven, Kip Jordon, Ernie Owen and Brian Hampton were right there at the pearly gates ready to sing, dance and play a round of golf with their old friend!

Joey is survived by his wife Sharon, son Jeffrey, daughters Kimberly and Kristen, sisters Susan and Sylvia, and seven grandchildren.

Article composed and submitted by Sealy Yates, founding partner of Yates & Yates, Literary Agency, and Joey Paul’s longtime friend.

Nashville, TN (February 13, 2024) – In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, Michele Clark Jenkins and Stephanie Perry Moore of Sisters in Faith asked the Lord, “What shall we do in the face of continued injustice and oppression?” The answer came as the duo’s third Bible project with Thomas Nelson, The Breathe Life Bible. Looking to replace hopelessness and despair with hopeful encouragement through scriptural clarity, this Bible aims to apply the truth of the gospel to the enduring fight against societal injustice.

The Breathe Life Bible is available February 13 at major retailers including Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Walmart, as well as independent Christian bookstores.

The Bible includes an introductory article by Reverend Dr. Bernice A. King and features a foreword by Ambassador Andrew Young. Gospel recording artist and Presiding Prelate of the Pentecostal Churches of Jesus Christ Fellowship, Bishop Hezekiah Walker authored the prayer of dedication.

Letters of encouragement written by Reverend Matthew Wesley Williams, president of the Interdenominational Theological Center, Dr. Thelma Thomas Daley, president of the National Council of Negro Women, and president of the NAACP, Derrick Johnson greet readers as they embark upon this empowering journey through the Scriptures.

Other contributors include Bishop Marvin Sapp, Bishop Vashti McKenzie, Pastor Debra B. Morton, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Dr. Franklin Perry, Sr., Dr. Charrita Danley Quimby, Dr. Eric Lee, Pastor Derrick Moore, Arthur Satterwhite, Pastor Tommy Kyllonen, Dr. Helen Delaney, Pastor Tommy Stevenson, LaKeesha Walrond, De’Leice Drane, First Lady Jamell Meeks, James Guitard, Dr. Lakeba Williams, Walter Kimbrough, and Jekalyn Carr.

The Breathe Life Bible’s include articles that explore Scripture through the lens of the BREATHE acronym (Believe, Reconcile, Exalt, Act, Trust, Hope, and Elevate), Q&A format articles addressing difficult life situations, short biographical profiles, and more features.

“I’m grateful for the team of editors and writers who have created the notes for The Breathe Life Bible,” said Philip Nation, vice president and publisher of Bibles for Thomas Nelson. “This is an edition that leads us to put action to our faith. I hope that their work will give everyone greater courage to stand strong during days that feel overwhelming, shed light on the dark places of this world, and activate us to walk boldly in faith.”

Believers searching for biblical guidance as they pursue justice in the world will find The Breathe Life Bible an important addition to their spiritual library.

Trusted by millions of believers around the world, the New King James Version (NKJV) is a bestselling modern “word-for-word” biblical translation. It balances the literary beauty and familiarity of the King James tradition with an extraordinary commitment to preserving the grammar and structure of the underlying biblical languages.

About Michele Clark Jenkins and Stephanie Perry Moore
Michele Clark Jenkins is the author of She Speaks, a former HBO and Black Family Channel executive, and previous general manager of the Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She currently acts as the Senior Director, Consulting Group for Griffin & Strong, P.C. where she specializes in disparity research. Stephanie Perry Moore is a bestselling author of 80 novels and is the showrunner for The Cool and the Strong a scripted SCETV/PBS show based on her newest book series, Magic Strong. Together, Jenkins and Moore are the cofounders and leaders of Sisters in Faith, a ministry devoted to encouraging and empowering African American women with God’s Word, and co-general editors of the Sisters in Faith Bible.

About Thomas Nelson
Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational products for more than 200 years. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, cookbooks, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson, is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information visit www.thomasnelsonbibles.com.

For interviews, contact:
Kymberlee Norsworthy/Worth Ink Public Relations, Worthinkpr@gmail.com

To request a review copy, contact:
Aaron Armstrong, aaron.armstrong@harpercollins.com

New York Times bestselling author and pastor Steven Furtick shows readers how to find their God-given identity and to grow into the person God designed them to be all along.

Do you ever get a glimpse of yourself that is exactly who you want to be, but always seems just out of reach? The happier, kinder, less stressed, more courageous you? The ideal version of you isn’t imaginary at all. It’s actually the authentic you trying to break through. And it’s not a future version of yourself you have to chase. The true you may be new to you, but  it’s not new to God. It’s the you he knew all along.

In Do the New You, New York Times bestselling author and pastor Steven Furtick speaks directly to the challenge of living out your God-given identity and calling. He explores and unpacks six practical mindsets everyone can adopt to get from who you are today to where God is taking you. These six statements are truths you can speak over yourself any time and anywhere:

• I’m not stuck unless I stop.
• Christ is in me. I am enough.
• With God there’s always a way and by faith I will find it.
• God is not against me, but he’s in it with me, working through me, fighting for me.
• My joy is my job.
• God has given me everything I need for the season I’m in.

These simple, powerful, memorable phrases will shift your focus, feelings, and actions to align with God’s vision of you. God isn’t just calling you to do you. He’s calling you to do the new you—the unique and powerful person he created you to be.

A Study Guide is also available for purchase.

A Spanish edition, ¡Renuévate!, is also available for purchase.

Steven Furtick is a pastor, New York Times best-selling author, and Grammy-award winning songwriter and producer. As founder and senior pastor, he has helped grow the multi-site Elevation Church into a global ministry through online streaming, television, and the music of Elevation Worship. He holds a master of divinity degree from Southern Theological Seminary and is the author of Crash the Chatterbox, Greater, Sun Stand Still, (Un)Qualified, and Seven-Mile Miracle. Steven and Holly live in Charlotte, NC with their two sons, Elijah and Graham, and daughter, Abbey.

CHICAGO – Independent Publishers Group (IPG) is excited to announce an unprecedented new print offering in partnership with Dulles, VA-based Books International.

Hardcovers have mostly eluded the world of short run digital printing so far, largely because the cost of quick-turn, small-batch casebound production has been too high—especially when foil stamping and dust jackets need to be part of the equation. Recent leaps in technology, workflow, and know-how promise to change all that.

In partnership with Books International, IPG is pleased to offer a hardcover short run digital printing program at prices that make small-batch production compelling for the first time. The cost of the average black and white, 200-page, 6 x 9 casebound title with foil stamping and dust jacket is now deep into the single digits per copy and may approach half the price of what many are used to seeing in the marketplace. If all that is needed is case laminate, the price drop is even more pronounced.

David Hetherington, Books International’s VP Global Business Development, said, “The partnership with Books International allows IPG’s client publishers to enjoy hardcover book sales even after offset inventory has run out and titles have entered the deep backlist. Backorders for as few as 50 copies can be quickly produced at a quality indistinguishable from offset, and, most importantly, at a price point that is actually affordable for the publisher. We are incredibly excited to offer this new service to IPG publishers.”

Clark Matthews, VP of IPG Ink, stated, “Since 1971 IPG has shaken its head ruefully as it cancels backorders from eager customers simply because the request is for a hardcover title and it’s just too expensive and slow to print more copies at the relatively small quantity needed. We hope this arrangement breathes new life into backlist hardcovers and converts more of those longstanding backorders into sales for our client publishers.”

The program is expected to go live in March of this year. Interested client publishers will receive access to a pass-protected website where their hardcover costs can be calculated and print orders will be fielded by the Digital Printing Team, POD@ipgbook.com, along with any other questions.

About Independent Publishers Group:  Founded in 1971, IPG was the first organization specifically created for the purpose of marketing titles from independent presses to the book trade. Today, IPG’s wide reach into the book market includes distribution of both print and e-books from a wide array of publishers, digital printing and traditional publishing. With consistent growth year over year, IPG’s success has come from supporting and encouraging the growth of its publishing partners in the United States and worldwide. IPG was acquired by Chicago Review Press in 1987, and this acquisition formed the parent company Chicago Review Press, Inc., which now owns Chicago-based indie publishers Chicago Review Press and Triumph Books. In October 2021, IPG acquired UK-based United Independent Distributors (UID) and its subsidiary companies Eurospan, Marston Book Services and Orca Book Services, extending IPG’s menu of services and global reach.

About Books International:  Books International, Inc. (https://booksintl.presswarehouse.com/) of Dulles, Virginia. Founded in 1984, Books International is a family-owned business providing full service digital book manufacturing, e-book distribution, and traditional pick/pack/ship services for a prestigious list of clients that includes Taylor & Francis, Peter Lang, Edward Elgar, Casemate, Oxford University Press, and a host of other organizations.

Contact: Julia Dillman, Corporate Communications, 312.337.0747, jdillman@ipgbook.com

Nashville, TN – HarperCollins Christian Publishing and HarperCollins Focus are pleased to announce that Mark Warner will return to the company in the role of Vice President, Business Development & Operations starting Monday, February 12, 2024.

Warner will report to Senior Vice President of Sales and Centralized Marketing Doug Lockhardt, and will lead several initiatives, including the development and implementation of a comprehensive partnership plan with Ingram, pursuing business acquisition opportunities, and creating additional synergies with the broader HarperCollins family.

Warner is known for his unique teambuilding style and his ability to build both internal and external relationships and find new ways of working to grow the company. While reporting into the Sales organization, Warner will also work with Bob Edington to ensure implementation of HarperCollins Christian Publishing and HarperCollins Focus transformation initiatives across the company.

The Good Mess helps readers embrace the imperfect moments in life

“In giving away their lives and story, Debbie and Elaine provide a God-breathed guide for your own journey.”  – Charlotte Gambill, International Speaker and Author

(Dallas-Fort Worth, TX – February 20, 2024) Gateway Publishing is pleased to announce the release of The Good Mess: Finding Beauty in Imperfect Moments by Debbie Morris and Elaine Fisher.

Every day we are faced with a choice: we can chase the perfect life, or we can embrace the imperfect and see what God does. In a culture often fixated on perfection and Instagram-worthy lifestyles, pastors Debbie and Elaine are a breath of fresh air as they seek to see beauty, purpose, and hope within the messy and less-than-perfect circumstances in their lives.

In this thirty-six-day devotional, Debbie and Elaine, who are the wife and daughter of renown pastor and bestselling author Robert Morris, candidly share funny personal memories and poignant reflections about their mother-daughter relationship, their upbringing, parenting, married life, ministry, expectations, seasons, healing, friendships, grief, and even giant sticky messes on the floor. They weave biblical truth, raw transparency, and years of ministry experience to create a deeply encouraging work.

Each page feels like the reader is sitting down with a friend to share stories and simply talk about God and life. Debbie and Elaine encourage readers to “take a deep breath, laugh with us, and learn from our experiences, however messy they are.” Their unique perspective spans generational lines, so young adults, parents, and empty-nesters alike will find wisdom and strength within their words.

Above all, Debbie and Elaine wrote this book to help readers experience God’s presence within every situation. They write, “We pray for you to experience supernatural courage and strength in the days to come, whatever struggles, pain, monotony, chaos, or confusion you may face. We don’t have all the answers, but we know the One who does!” As Debbie and Elaine open their lives and detail their stories, we begin to see that every mess is an opportunity for God to do something beautiful.

Grammy-nominated and Dove Award–winning artist and worship leader Kari Jobe Carnes has known Debbie and Elaine since she was a child. She says, “I’ve seen their love for God and their love for others. This book is such a beautiful expression of who they are, with stories and truths that are as relatable as they are profound. You’ll discover there isn’t a mess God can’t handle, and there isn’t a moment He can’t bring about something good. No matter what season of life you’re in, this book will encourage you just as it has encouraged me. Debbie and Elaine, thank you for writing this!”

Debbie and her high school sweetheart, Robert, have been married for forty-three years. They have three adult kids—Josh (married to Hannah), James (married to Bridgette), and Elaine (married to Ethan)—and nine grandchildren. Her family is the best thing about her life! Robert and Debbie founded Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, in 2000, which has since grown to more than 100,000 active members. Debbie led the women’s ministry at Gateway for many years and is the visionary founder of Pink Impact, a Gateway women’s conference. Her heart is to help women understand who they are in God so they can discover their destinies and experience victory in life. As a wife who witnessed God turn her marriage around, she delights in encouraging women to believe God can and will do the same for them. She currently serves as an executive pastor but takes every opportunity to live the grandmother life (they call her Gigi) when she can! She never thought she’d write a book with Elaine about their family and experiences, but God had other plans . . . and she’s so glad He did!

Elaine and her husband, Ethan, have been married for thirteen years, and they have four kids: Adde (10), Kate (8), Preston (7), and Jackson (5). As a pastor’s kid, Elaine always had an awareness of the Lord, but she didn’t develop a personal relationship with Him until she hit rock bottom at nineteen years old. Ever since, she has been passionate about helping people by sharing authentic revelation from the lessons she is learning along the way as God writes her story of redemption and freedom. In 2019, she and Ethan moved to Houston, Texas, to plant Gateway Church Houston, where she is on the executive team and serves as a teaching pastor. Elaine is an engaging communicator and has been a sought-after speaker at churches, conferences, and on television. Elaine sees it as a great honor to write a book with her best friend, and she is so grateful that her mom didn’t give up on her in the early days because today their friendship is such a gift.

For more information, to receive a copy of The Good Mess, or to schedule an interview with Debbie Morris and Elaine Fisher, please contact:

Available now at Amazon, GatewayPublishing.com, store.gatewaypeople.com, and all eBook retailers.

Contact: Peyton Sepeda, 855.712.5774, publishing@gatewaypeople.com

 

 

Rev. Dr. Sarah Thomas Baldwin Shares Stories of God Moving in New Book Available May 7

PLANO, Texas (Feb. 8, 2023) – Rev. Dr. Sarah Thomas Baldwin, Vice President of Student Life at Asbury University, gives a captivating account of the unprecedented spiritual revival that started on the college campus and subsequently swept the world in her new book, Generation Awakened: An Eyewitness Account of the Powerful Outpouring of God at Asbury.

On Feb. 8, 2023, the Holy Spirit sparked a flame at the end of an Asbury University chapel service. Over the next 16 days, what began as a local experience within the confines of Asbury’s campus soon flared into the blaze of a global movement that captivated millions through the viral power of social media.

“While critics attempt to call into question the revival’s authenticity and true spontaneity, for those present during these days, these claims sound like the ‘wisdom of the world,’ foolish in God’s sight, for we know that we could never have lit the match of the Spirit ourselves,” writes Baldwin.

Baldwin lived the unique role of co-convening and facilitating the core ministry team for the revival. She led in the rapidly scaling logistical management and served on the President’s Cabinet to help make institutional decisions. Through Generation Awakened, she tells a beautiful, poignant and heartfelt account of the days of the revival through her eyes, describing the Asbury team’s surprise and confusion with the unexpected nature of the movement and how they chose to shepherd it rather than dictate its course.

As church attendance declines and a growing loss of trust in institutions like the church and higher education rises, Generation Awakened paints a stark contrast to the current trends.

“On an ordinary day in February, God showed up and awakened Generation Z with an outpouring of love that co-opted the communication methods of the day,” Baldwin writes. “We found a generation hungry and thirsty for the real Christian life of confession, repentance and surrender … their response to Jesus may be a corrective to the church that has tended to swing from either a casual recreational ‘faith’ on one side to a weaponized political ‘faith’ on the other.”

Generation Awakened is not merely a recounting of events but a profound witnessing of the divine at work. The stories within the book are heart-wrenching, offering a glimpse into the impact the revival had on students, the narrator and all those present. As readers delve into the pages, they too may feel the spiritual power emanating from this remarkable testimony, making Generation Awakened an unforgettable and transcendent literary experience.

“What God has done; God will do again,” writes Baldwin. “I want to be ready.”

Generation Awakened releases May 7 from Invite Press. For more information visit https://www.inviteresources.com/lp/generation-awakened-landing.

About Rev. Dr. Sarah Thomas Baldwin
Rev. Dr. Sarah Thomas Baldwin serves as the Vice President of Student Life at Asbury University in central Kentucky. Sarah has served in Christian higher education for almost 30 years as a student affairs professional, university pastor, and vice president. Baldwin holds an M.Div from Asbury Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership from Portland Seminary and is an ordained elder in the Free Methodist Church. She serves as co-pastor of a “small church” in Wilmore, Kentucky. She is a frequent speaker, preacher, and retreat leader. Married to Clint Baldwin, they have three children, Madi, a recent college grad, Kai, age 10, and Emily, age 6.

About Invite Press
Invite Press is a premier publisher of books to help readers grow in their Christian faith. It publishes books that matter to the everyday life of following Jesus as well as those that apply to the work of full-time ministry. Invite Press is an imprint of Invite Resources, which exists to build a like-hearted community of influencers who are high on Jesus, low on politics, and biased toward innovation. Visit inviteresources.com for more information.

Chicago – New York Times bestselling author, Gary Chapman and author of The 5 Love Languages® brand has collaborated with1-800-Flowers.com to create the perfect way to express love for Valentine’s. Together they are offering a specially designed Gift Guide along with a new gifting quiz that is exclusively available at the 1-800-Flowers website. When visiting the site, customers can take the new gifting quiz developed by The 5 Love Languages® brand to help them identify their partner’s primary love language and choose a meaningful Valentine’s gift that will communicate love freshly and thoughtfully. Customers can select from a collection of bestselling gifts that have been curated for each Love Language including selections of beautiful flowers, personalized expressions, fully prepared date-night dinners, and much more.

Additionally, Dr. Gary Chapman will be a featured guest on the Celebrations Chatter podcast in an exclusive conversation with the host, CEO, and Founder of 1-800-Flowers, Jim McCann. It airs on Thursday, February 8, 2024.

In October 2022, the Northfield Publishing imprint of Moody Publishers celebrated the 30^th anniversary of The 5 Love Languages® which has sold 20 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 50 languages. To date, more than 134 million people have taken the Love Language quiz online or in the app. “We’re thrilled about this opportunity with 1-800-Flowers.com and we believe it will be mutually beneficial during this special season,” said Craig Cooper, brand director of The 5 Love Languages®.  

For more information about The 5 Love Languages® brand visit www.5lovelanguages.com. To visit the curated Love Language gifts on the 1-800-Flowers.com site visit https://www.1800flowers.com/valentines-day-gift-ideas.

Nelson Books is delighted to announce that Wes Jakacki has been appointed as the new Digital Marketing Director for Nelson Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, starting February 19th. Wes joins the team with an impressive 11-year tenure at Christianity Today, where exceptional achievements and deep industry knowledge marked his career progression. Starting as a Marketing Coordinator, Wes advanced to the VP of Marketing and Business Operations role, where he spearheaded the digital marketing strategy for Christianity Today magazine, along with other esteemed publications, podcasts, and books.

Before his time at Christianity Today, Wes also contributed his keen marketing insights as a marketing intern and regular contributor for Relevant Magazine. Wes is a dedicated scholar, holding a double major in Marketing and International Business from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, and he has continued to refine his expertise with an MBA completed in the Fall of 2020 at the University of Illinois, specializing in Digital Marketing and Business Analytics.

As the newly appointed Digital Marketing Director, Wes Jakacki will be the driving force behind Nelson Books’ strategic digital marketing initiatives. Wes’ role is pivotal in articulating and implementing campaigns that efficiently and effectively promote our titles across many digital platforms. With a deep understanding of digital marketing dynamics, he will orchestrate integrated marketing campaigns that resonate with our audiences and facilitate book sales.

Wes adds, “Nelson books have shaped my faith since I became a Christian as a teenager, so I count it a privilege to now be able to expand the reach and impact of these life-changing books to others.”

Chris Sigfrids, VP of Marketing at Nelson Books, expressed his enthusiasm about Wes joining the team: “We are honored to have Wes join the Nelson Books family. His reputation proceeds him as an incredibly bright and talented digital marketer, but also compassionate, a servant leader, and deeply committed to helping followers of Jesus go deeper in their faith. His track record of innovative strategy, paired with his heartfelt passion for our mission, promises to usher in a new chapter of growth and influence for our imprint.”

Wes resides in the Western Suburbs of Chicago with his wife Jackie of 15 years and their three young children. He is committed to his family and community and actively participates at Parkview Community Church, where he demonstrates philanthropic spirit by running with Team World Vision.

Contact: Lisa Beech, Lisa.Beech@HarperCollins.com, Director of Publicity, Nelson Books