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Tyndale Refresh to publish “The Body Revelation” from fitness professional and founder of Revelation Wellness, Alisa Keeton

February 10, 2023 by Sheri Toomb

Carol Stream, Ill. (February 9, 2023) — Tyndale Refresh, an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers (@tyndalehouse), will release The Body Revelation in June 2023, the latest book from Alisa Keeton, founder of Revelation Wellness and host of the popular podcast by the same name.

Research suggests that the emotional and relational pain we’ve lived through has a profound negative physical effect on our bodies. Fitness professional Alisa Keeton proposes that the reverse is also true: What we do with our bodies can have a dramatic positive effect on our emotions, relationships, and connection with God. In The Body Revelation, she shows readers how to use their bodies as a means of healing past pain to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Commenting on this important new release, acquisitions manager Kara Leonino shared, “In The Body Revelation, Alisa Keeton, a highly trusted and sought-after voice in the wellness space, details what it means to transform our pain so that we can live healthy and whole. We are thrilled to partner with her on this book that brings a vitally important message—of healing in order to be set free—to the world.”

In the book’s foreword, Jess Connolly, author of Breaking Free from Body Shame and You Are the Girl for the Job, says, “Maybe you’ve tried—maybe you’ve even had some success at—making healthier choices but still feel stuck. Alisa will show you how to partner with your body to begin processing the pain that has kept you trapped. She will teach you how to move your body and quiet your mind in ways that will bring lasting healing and better health. God is going to use this book to change your life.”

In addition to Connolly, endorsers of The Body Revelation include bestselling author, speaker, and podcast host Lisa Whittle; singer-songwriter JJ Heller; and Jamie Ivey, bestselling author and host of The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast, who said, “No one in my life has encouraged me more in my journey with my body than Alisa. She has continually pointed me to the things that are true about my body and the One who created it. She has helped me see that God created me as a whole person—body, mind, spirit—and that all three need my attention.”

Alisa Keeton is a wholehearted pursuer of God’s love in heart, mind, soul, and strength. A fitness profes­sional for over 30 years, she is the founder of Revelation Wellness, a nonprofit ministry that uses physical and mental health practices to spread the gospel by inviting participants to become integrated and whole beings through biblical teachings, online events, productions, and in-person retreat experiences. Alisa is the author of The Wellness Revelation and Heir to the Crown and hosts the popular Revelation Wellness podcast with over seven million downloads. Alisa lives in Phoenix with her husband, Simon, and they have two children. As a family, they are on a mission to change the world with the kind and courageous love of God.

Alisa is represented by Illuminate Literary Agency.

For more information or an advanced reader copy of The Body Revelation, contact Amanda Woods, amandawoods@tyndale.com, 630-784-5125.

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.

Contact: Amanda Woods, amandawoods@tyndale.com, 630.784.5125

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Bestselling author Ruth Chou Simons signs new multi-book publishing deal with Thomas Nelson

February 10, 2023 by Sheri Toomb

(Nashville, Tenn.) February 9, 2023 – Bestselling author Ruth Chou Simons has inked a six-project deal with Thomas Nelson, across three of the publishing groups’ imprints, and HarperChristian Resources. The multibook deal includes a children’s book, two devotionals, a trade book, a lifestyle book, and video study curriculum.

The first book of the new deal will be a children’s book, Simons’ first, slated to release in the fall of 2024 with Tommy Nelson, the company’s children’s imprint. Thomas Nelson Gift, Nelson Books, and HarperChristian Resources imprints will also publish projects as part of the new deal. Subsequent project timelines have not yet been released, though expected to fall into the 2025 and 2026 calendar years.

“Ruth—an artist, mother, speaker, and entrepreneur—intimately knows how to speak to readers,” said MacKenzie Howard, executive editor at Thomas Nelson for the Children’s and Gift Book division. “Working with her in this capacity is an incredible opportunity to elevate Ruth’s life-giving messages and stunning art. Our teams across Thomas Nelson are excited about utilizing our many and wide-ranging resources to collaborate on a dynamic interdisciplinary go-to-market strategy to position Ruth as a leading voice in Christian life.”

“I’m honored to partner with Thomas Nelson and Harper Christian Resources for these upcoming projects and can’t wait for the Kingdom impact we’ll have together,” said Ruth Chou Simons.

Simons’ book When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace was released on October 12, 2021, through Nelson Books.

Jenni Burke of Illuminate Literacy Agency negotiated the book deal.

About Ruth Chou Simons: Ruth Chou Simons is a Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author of several books and Bible studies, including GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, and When Strivings Cease. She is an artist, entrepreneur, podcaster, and speaker, using each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people’s hearts. Through her online shoppe at GraceLaced.com and her social media community, Simons shares her journey of God’s grace intersecting daily life with word and art. Ruth and her husband, Troy, are grateful parents to six boys—their greatest adventure. Learn more at RuthChouSimons.com.

About Thomas Nelson:  Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational product 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, 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 ThomasNelson.com.

About Tommy Nelson: Tommy Nelson® is the children’s division of Thomas Nelson. As a leading provider of Christian content, Tommy Nelson offers a wide variety of high-quality products, designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while inspiring them toward a closer relationship with Jesus. For more information visit TommyNelson.com.

Contact: MacKenzie Collier, Thomas Nelson Gift Books, MacKenzie.Collier@HarperCollins.com

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Companion to bestselling Kregel book releases on Feb. 21

February 10, 2023 by Sheri Toomb

Companion to Bestselling Book Offers a Practical & Biblical Approach to Fighting Back Against Anxiety & Depression

‘Finding Rest’ Guiding Workbook by Jonathon M. Seidl helps individuals better understand themselves, God and the tools to combat mental health disorders 

DALLAS (Feb. 3, 2023) – Jonathon M. Seidl, author of the bestselling book “Finding Rest,” invites anyone affected by mental health disorders to join him on an action-based, thought-provoking and therapeutic journey to find peace, hope and healing in the new companion resource, “Finding Rest: An Invitation to Go Deeper” (Kregel Publications, Feb. 21, 2023).

The “Finding Rest” Guiding Workbook walks through each chapter of Seidl’s original book — “Finding Rest: Navigating the Valleys of Anxiety, Faith, and Life” — which chronicles Seidl’s personal journey while providing practical, scripturally-based insight into mental health disorders. That book immediately hit No. 1 on numerous Amazon bestseller category lists when it released in September 2021 and became a Top 100 bestselling book on all of Amazon. It is endorsed by leaders such as actor and producer Kirk Cameron, author Dr. Kathy Koch, pastor and The Gospel Coalition member Afshin Ziafat, and licensed professional counselor Michael Dawson, and has received praise from readers around the world who testify to how it has changed their lives.

Full of compelling new stories, scriptural truths and humor from Seidl – a guide who’s still in the process of overcoming crippling anxiety, life-altering OCD, and suicidal thoughts – the “Finding Rest” Guiding Workbook challenges readers to dive deep and answer tough questions as they consider how their struggles can be used for their good and God’s glory.

“This isn’t your normal stare-into-your-coffee-cup-and-smile type of resource. It’s meant to challenge you. It’s meant to push you. It’s meant to grow you,” writes Seidl. “I haven’t overcome in the past tense, but I am overcoming in the present tense. I’m journeying right along with you. In other words, I’m working on everything in this workbook right along with you. When I challenge you, I’m challenging myself as well. And I’m never going to ask you to do something I’m not willing to do.”

Mental health disorders have increased following the COVID-19 pandemic, and those within the Church are not immune. A 2022 Lifeway Research study found that 54% of the pastors said they “have known at least one church member who has been diagnosed with a severe mental illness such as clinical depression, bipolar or schizophrenia.” Further, 26% of pastors said they have personally struggled with some type of mental illness.

The “Finding Rest” Guiding Workbook not only gives those struggling helpful insight but also provides a lifeline for friends and family who long for ways to help relieve the suffering of their loved ones as well as thoughtful, needed paths for leaders in the Church and the general body of Christ to become a refuge of hope for the anxious.

“If you’re a friend or family member, you can be used by God. If you’re an anxiety sufferer, God can use others to help you, and He can use you to help others understand how He is at work amid your mental health struggles. It’s a beautiful, multifaceted story that shows us exactly how God can work,” Seidl writes.

“Finding Rest: An Invitation to Go Deeper” provides original content and key takeaways, Scripture, prayer prompts, introspective questions and plenty of space for journaling. Each chapter also links to exclusive chapter intro videos from Seidl via a QR code. The “Finding Rest” Guiding Workbook is intended to be done on an individual and personal level, or in a small-group setting.

The forward is written by Christian anxiety and OCD counselor Justin K. Hughes, MA, LPC.

“The ‘Finding Rest’ Guiding Workbook is on the front lines of a shifting epoch in history and the church,” Hughes writes. “Jon Seidl provides a call to action—led by personal example—to see and address mental health as part of the journey of what it means for Christians to love God with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.”

For more information, visit findrestnow.com.

About Jonathon M. Seidl
Jon Seidl is the founder and president of The Veritas Creative, a digital media consulting and content creation firm. For over a decade he has been telling stories. He’s written over 6,000 of them, first after helping start a top-50 news site, then as the editor-in-chief of the popular non-profit, I Am Second, and also created and oversaw Kirk Cameron’s media venture, TheCourage. Seidl’s passion is to help people with mental health struggles, while also sharing what he’s learned telling stories for—and working with—some of the media’s biggest names and organizations, including Glenn Beck, Kirk Cameron, and Chip and Joanna Gaines. He graduated with a degree in politics, philosophy, and economics from The King’s College in New York City and currently resides in Dallas, with his wife and two children.

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End Game Press announces partnership with CNI Distribution

February 10, 2023 by Sheri Toomb

MEMPHIS, TN. February 2023 — End Game Press is excited to announce that CNI Distribution will now serve as their warehouse and fulfillment center beginning in February this year. CNI Distribution is a division of Christian Network International and is one of the largest independent distributors in Contemporary Christian retailing.

CNI Distribution is located in Nashville, TN and has earned a reputation for exceptional, award-winning service and state of the art networking systems. They represent numerous ministries and publishers in the book, music, and film industry and deliver to markets all over the world.

End Game Press has experienced exponential growth since its beginning in 2021. They have contracted over 50 authors for more than 80 book projects through 2024, and they are looking forward to CNI’s partnership to achieve even greater success in the seasons to come.

“Each step of our journey has been bolstered by those willing to come alongside to offer their support and help to get us to the next level.” says Victoria Duerstock, founder of End Game Press. “We look forward to this next phase in our growth and for the opportunity to work with the exceptional team at CNI.”

About End Game Press
Launched by award-winning author Victoria Duerstock in 2020, End Game Press is a traditional publishing house where ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things. End Game Press puts authors first, educating them on the entirety of the publishing process, and providing them with the needed training to be successful. With a goal to create beauty and cultivate community, End Game Press publishes fiction, nonfiction, and children’s titles into both general and Christian markets. Learn more at www.endgamepress.com.

About CNI Distribution
CNI Distribution is an award-winning, 30-year-old fulfillment and distribution service in one of the Nation’s largest independently owned faith and family-based product suppliers. Founded in 1990 by Ed Clydesdale and a team of industry professionals, CNI is best known for exceptional turnaround, accuracy, and their highly customized services designed specifically for each publisher.

Media Contact: christina@endgamepress.com

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New Bible storybook for kids releasing fall 2023 from The Good Book Company

February 6, 2023 by Sheri Toomb

CHARLOTTE, NC– The Good Book Company is excited to announce the upcoming release of God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook (The Good Book Company, September 2023).

This collection of 92 Bible stories is written by Carl Laferton, author of the bestselling book The Garden, The Curtain and The Cross (The Good Book Company, February 2016), and illustrated by Jennifer Davison, the artist behind the beloved kids’ book series Very Best Bible Stories (The Good Book Company).

Designed for reading aloud to kids from their earliest days, God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook contains vibrant and historically accurate illustrations as well as simple, faithful, kid-friendly retellings of Bible stories. Included are both familiar stories such as Noah’s  ark, David and Goliath, and Daniel and the lions’ den, along with lesser-known parts of the Bible like the golden calf, Joshua’s farewell, Isaiah, and Philip and the Ethiopian.

One of the unique features of the Bible Storybook are five themed paths to follow throughout, each one tracing one of God’s promises through Scripture. Readers can identify the promise being made and the promise being kept through memorable icons on the pages. This equips even very young readers to see that together, these 92 theologically faithful stories point to the one big story of the Bible: God making and keeping his promises to redeem his people.

Laferton, who serves as EVP Publishing at TGBC, says “From their youngest days, our kids need to hear the foundational stories of Scripture told faithfully as well as simply—and to see how they tell the big story of our promise-keeping God. My prayer is that young kids will grow up confident and excited that, through Jesus, God always keeps his promises.”

Reflecting on the decision to publish this new bible storybook, James Burstow, president of The Good Book Company, says, “A passion for God’s word is at the heart of everything we do at The Good Book Company and so we are thrilled to be launching this new Bible Storybook for younger children. So much prayer and careful thought has gone into the writing and illustration and now we can’t wait for families and churches around the world to start reading it together and rejoicing in our faithful, promise-keeping God!”

For media inquiries and access to promotional assets, contact: publicity@thegoodbook.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carl Laferton is EVP Publishing at TGBC. He is the bestselling author of the kids’ books The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross and The God Contest, and also serves as series editor of the God’s Word For You series. Before joining TGBC, he worked as a journalist, a teacher, and pastored a congregation in Hull. Carl is married to Lizzie and they have two children. He studied history at Oxford University.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Jennifer Davison is an illustrator from Northern Ireland. Having worked as a digital artist in the animation industry, Jennifer now pursues her passion for children’s picture books. She strives to have a deeper intimacy with God, while cultivating her spiritual gifts so that she can walk in the fullness of what God has called her to. Realising that creativity and spirituality are connected unlocked something in Jennifer. A desire to reveal heaven’s culture through creativity, to illustrate visuals that tell stories which have the power to transform lives.

ABOUT THE GOOD BOOK COMPANY
Founded in 1991, The Good Book Company (TGBC) is an international Christian publisher. Their Bible studies, books, devotionals, videos, tracts, evangelistic courses, and training materials are used throughout the English-speaking world, and in translation in over 35 languages worldwide. Everyone at TGBC is passionate about the Lord Jesus, His word, His church, and His gospel of grace. They create and publish biblical, relevant, and accessible resources that will encourage Christians to keep going, keep growing, and keep sharing their faith.

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Jessica Kastner Keene joins WaterBrook & Multnomah

February 6, 2023 by Sheri Toomb

WaterBrook and Multnomah is pleased to announce that Jessica Kastner Keene has joined the publicity team as Publicity Manager, reporting Beverly Rykerd, VP, Director of Publicity. With nearly ten years of book publicity experience, Jessica comes from Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, where she has led hundreds of highly successful media campaigns for well-known authors and experts such as Cindy Williams, Toni Tennille, Mark Obama Ndesandjo, Caron Butler, and many more. Her titles have recently garnered national media attention in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fox & Friends, The Today Show, CNN, Hannity, 60 Minutes, CBS This Morning, and many national NPR programs. 

Jessica has a background in journalism and is also the published author of Hiding from the Kids in My Prayer Closet and a writer in the Christian market, featured regularly on CBN.com, GodTV.com, Crosswalk.com, Beliefnet.com, and many more.

Jessica will bring her expertise and media savvy to WaterBrook and Multnomah’s Christian Living, women’s and some children’s titles. She will be working with such authors as ‘Dude Dad’ Taylor Calmus on the children’s book Dad and The Recycling-Bin Roller Coaster, award-winning author and neurosurgeon W. Lee Warren’s Hope is the First Dose, as well as Pastor Michael Todd’s next release.

WaterBrook and Multnomah are imprints of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

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Parasource Marketing and Distribution Limited will close operations on May 31

February 6, 2023 by Sheri Toomb

Parasource Marketing and Distribution Limited located in Paris, Ontario, Canada, has had to make a very difficult decision to close operations on May 31, 2023.

Greg Tombs, President of Parasource said, “Following the pandemic, we have not seen the rebound that we would have expected on several fronts. The continued decline in CBA Bookstore numbers, along with a softening of the general market and only a partial direct-to-church volume rebound compared to 2019 levels, are the contributing factors. By contrast, our direct webstore, Parasource.com, is the one part of our business that has grown substantially over the past 2 years. It is our intention to find a buyer for our webstore and our strong on-line businesses.”

Parasource will continue operations to supply their customers – business as usual – through the Lent, Easter, Mother’s Day/Father’s Day periods.

“While having discussions with so many of our suppliers over the last week, it is clear that Parasource was widely respected and appreciated for the service we provided and the incredible staff we employed. I’m so very proud of our people and the way we have conducted our business over the years,” Greg added. “It was both our pleasure and calling to come alongside (para) and resource the Christian Community in Canada – as our name suggests.”

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Two NavPress resources among 2022 top Disciplemaking books

February 6, 2023 by Sheri Toomb

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. (February 2, 2023)— Every year, Discipleship.org compiles a list of the best books for disciplemaking published in the past year. This year, two NavPress titles were included in the list: Following Jesus: A Year of Disciplemaking and Movement-Building in the Gospels by Peter Roennfeldt and How to Save the World: Disciplemaking Made Simple by Alice Matagora.

“A great Bible study for a small group/discipleship group” is how Discipleship.org founder Bobby Harrington describes Peter Roennfeldt’s Following Jesus. Roennfeldt lives in Australia and trains Christians throughout the world in disciplemaking and church-planting movements. His book takes readers through five phases on display in the Gospels—from preparing people to be disciplemakers to multiplying leaders and ultimately galvanizing disciplemakers into a movement. Originally published in Australia, the fifty studies that make up the book are highly interactive with the goal of helping readers grasp a disciplemaking ethos and put it into practice.

How to Save the World is the debut book from Navigators leader Alice Matagora and draws on recent research conducted by The Navigators with the Barna Group. Ed Stetzer praises the book’s “honesty and humility,” while Navigators president Marvin Campbell calls it a “practical and holistic worldview of disciplemaking.” It made the list at Discipleship.org for being “practical, readable and helpful for those who desire to be more effective at disciple making.”

“We’re always grateful to see our releases resonate with friends such as the folks at Discipleship.org,” said NavPress publisher David Zimmerman. “The Great Commission call to make disciples is the privilege of every follower of Jesus, and a transformed world is its great promise. We’re proud to work with authors like Peter and Alice who help people find their way into this participation in God’s mission for us.”

Discipleship.org is a collaborative community of men and women committed to the discipleship lifestyle—being disciples of Jesus and making disciples of Jesus.

NavPress is the book publishing arm of The Navigators. With a rich catalog of bestselling books, ministry 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 media inquiries, please contact: Katie Dodillet, katiedodillet@tyndale.com.

 

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Louie Giglio’s bestselling Indescribable Kids series expands with first activity book

February 6, 2023 by Sheri Toomb

“Indescribable Activity Book for Kids: 150+ Mind-Stretching and Faith-Building Puzzles, Crosswords, STEM Experiments, and More About God and Science!” hits shelves April 4.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 2023) – For years, bestselling author and founder of the Passion movement Louie Giglio has encouraged kids to discover the wonders of the universe with his massively popular Indescribable Kids series, which has sold nearly one million copies. Now he is expanding the award-winning series with a new book Indescribable Activity Book for Kids: 150+ Mind-Stretching and Faith-Building Puzzles, Crosswords, STEM Experiments, and More About God and Science! releasing on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

A follow-up to the bestselling kids’ devotionals Indescribable, Indescribable for Little Ones, How Great Is Our God and The Wonder of Creation, the Indescribable Activity Book for Kids invites children to embark on an interactive journey to learn more about God and the Bible in the series’ first activity book. The educational guide weaves together faith and science with key biblical truths, fun scientific facts, exciting STEM-based activities, beautiful photography, and vibrant illustrations.

“The Indescribable series was born out of a desire to share the Creation story in a way that kids could grasp the magnitude of the Lord’s greatness and grace. My hope is that this new activity book will provide kids with a hands-on resource to explore, discover, and engage with God and science,” says Giglio.

In the Indescribable Activity B­ook for Kids, children will explore the wonder of God’s creation at a whole new level! With more than 100 activities, this book includes:

  • mazes, puzzles, riddles, and logic games
  • word searches, crosswords, and complete-the-story exercises
  • STEM projects for kids
  • simple science projects and at-home activities
  • ideas for helping your community and people around the world
  • maps and diagrams
  • coloring and drawing prompts and much more!

With bright, kid-friendly artwork by Lynsey Wilson and Nicola Anderson, this activity book is perfect for families looking for a faith-based, educational homeschooling resource, an activity to cure boredom at home, a fun diversion on car rides, and a healthy alternative to screen time.

Indescribable Activity Book for Kids: 150+ Mind-Stretching and Faith-Building Puzzles, Crosswords, STEM Experiments, and More About God and Science! (ISBN: 9781400235889) releases on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, everywhere books are sold.

More information about Louie Giglio can be found at louiegiglio.com. To learn more about the Indescribable Kids series, podcast, and to access free downloadable activity sheets and educator guides, visit www.indescribablekids.com.

About Louie Giglio
Louie Giglio is Pastor of Passion City Church and the Original Visionary of the Passion movement, which exists to call a generation to leverage their lives for the fame of Jesus. Since 1997, Passion Conferences has gathered collegiate-aged young people in events across the US and around the world. Most recently, Passion hosted 50,000+ in Mercedes-Benz Stadium and 1 million people joined online. Louie is the national-bestselling author of over a dozen books including his newest release, Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table, as well as Goliath Must Fall, Indescribable: 100 Devotions about God & Science, The Comeback, The Air I Breathe, I Am Not But I Know I Am, and others. Louie and Shelley make their home in Atlanta, Georgia.

About Tommy Nelson
Tommy Nelson® is the children’s division of Thomas Nelson. As a leading provider of Christian content, Tommy Nelson publishes a wide variety of high-quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson’s award-winning products are designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while inspiring them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit https://www.tommynelson.com/.

Media contacts:
Megan Wordsworth, Publicity Manager, 615-902-1747, megan.wordsworth@harpercollins.com
Jen Roberts, Senior Marketing Director, 615-902-1190,  jen.roberts@harpercollins.com

 

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The Parable Group shares annual State of Christian Retail report for 2023

February 6, 2023 by Sheri Toomb

Agile Christian Retailers Have the Advantage

(February 2, 2023) – Today, the Parable Group released its 2023 State of Christian Retail report, providing data and insights into the current climate within the Christian retailing industry. The report, titled Agile Not Fragile, draws on over 3 billion rows of data from over 220 U.S. Christian bookstores—and represents over $84 million in sales data, 2.3 million consumer receipts, and nationwide survey results. Important industry findings are explored to help strengthen business and ministry in the year ahead.

The report highlights surprising key findings: In 2022, sales showed a slight decrease from 2021—but a significant increase when compared to 2019, indicating that stores are performing better than they were pre-pandemic. Overall, same-store sales were up 12% over 2019. Additionally, a January 2023 nationwide survey revealed that 83% of Christian retailers indicated a positive outlook for the future.

Other report highlights include an analysis of Q4 sales, comparisons of bestsellers across channels, leading trends in product categories, and an exploration of Christian retailers’ agility in the marketplace.

Despite three years since the start of the pandemic, Christian retailers faced pandemic-related challenges in 2022—namely inflation, labor shortages, and soaring gas prices. Retailers that beat the year’s challenges leaned heavily on their resourcefulness: 89% of survey responders answered that they adapted their Christian retail ministry to combat challenges in 2022. 56% of retailers adjusted their inventory mix; 52% increased their prices, and 40% increased their digital marketing to attract both new and existing customers.

Generally speaking, retailers across the country reported similar trends: the return of customers to in-store shopping led to stable, not stellar, sales compared to 2021; stores are hosting more in-person and community events again; and many customers are feeling a pinch in their pocketbooks as the price of goods continues to rise.

“While 2022 fell short of 2021’s banner numbers and record-breaking holiday season, Christian retailers continue to demonstrate their agility and resolve,” stated Greg Squires, President of The Parable Group. “The retail leaders in our industry are meeting customers’ needs by drawing on their purpose-driven drive, resilience, hard work, and resourcefulness—it’s inspiring work with great kingdom impact.”

To view the report, click here. For a guided tour of the report, join The State of Christian Retail webinar, to be held on February 16th at 9 am PST. Register here.

The Parable Group helps Christian retailers, publishers, and ministries magnify their mission by connecting them to engaged Christian consumers, pastors, and church leaders. The San Luis Obispo, CA. based data-driven marketing agency and media group has served over 1000 Christian organizations since 1985. For more information, contact sally.ross@parable.com or visit www.parablegroup.com.

Contact: Sally Ross, (805) 329-4020, sally.ross@parable.com

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