Illumination Book Awards and the Selah Book Awards honors multiple End Game Press titles with Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals

MEMPHIS, TN, May 2025— End Game Press, a traditional publishing house releasing family-friendly books in the general trade and Christian markets, is celebrating multiple prestigious wins in the book industry. Leveraging all resources to make the greatest positive impact possible, End Game Press holds a high standard for the books it publishes in both quality and design, so it’s rewarding when industry contests such as the Illumination Book Awards and the Selah Book Awards reward those efforts.

The Illumination Awards annually recognize the best Christian books in 22 different categories. These winners come from well-known publishers as well as independent publishers with a passion for the Word. Their works challenge, comfort, enlighten, and engage, truly offering illumination to readers.

This year’s Keepsake/Gift/Specialty Category was a complete sweep by a trio of beautiful books:

• Eat Like a Heroine (End Game Press, August 2024) by Lorilee Craker and Jenny Williams with Gold,
• The Compassion Storybook Bible (End Game Press, November 2024) by Crystal Bowman and Sue Schlesman with Silver, and
• I Love You, Dad! (End Game Press, June, 2024) by Blythe Daniel, William Daniel and Helen McIntosh with Bronze.

Other Gold medal recipients include Discipling World Changers (End Game Press, February 2024) by Melissa MacDonald, Ministry/Mission, and Love Connects Us All by Michelle Medlock Adams, Enduring Light, Christian Children’s Book.

Silver and Bronze winners include A Gingerbread House (End Game Press, October 2024) by Julie Lavender, Holiday, The Dance of Easter (Wren and Bear Books, an imprint of End Game Press, March 2024) by Sally Cressman, Holiday, Baseball Family (End Game Press, April, 2024) by Billie Jauss, Family/Parenting, A Tale of Two Seasons (Fusion/ACU Press, October 2024) by Paul Westphal, Biography/Memoir, and A Fifth of the Story (End Game Press, February 2024) by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Mystery/Thriller.

“I am grateful to have our books and authors honored in this way” shared Founder and Owner of End Game Press, Victoria Duerstock. “We are incredibly honored to be chosen for these awards from among many worthy entries and finalists.”

Additionally the winners for this year’s Selah Book Awards were named at an in-person awards event on May 29, 2025. The Selah Awards is an industry-wide award contest for published Christian authors within 32 categories, published within the last calendar year. The awards were designed to support the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference scholarship fund.

End Game Press is thrilled to have seven titles among those named winners out of ten previously announced finalists for the Selah Awards. They include Gold medalists Her Battle Strength (Fusion Hybrid Publishing, an imprint of End Game Press, August, 2024) by Deanne Reid, Christian Living, and Eat Like a Heroine (End Game Press, August 2024) by Lorilee Craker and Jenny Williams, Inspiration & Gift.

Silver medalists include The Dance of Easter (Wren and Bear Books, an imprint of End Game Press, March 2024) by Sally Cressman, Children’s Picture Books and The Compassion Storybook Bible (End Game Press, November 2024) by Crystal Bowman and Sue Schlesman, Children’s Literature. Bronze medalists include Heart-Shaped Hope (Fusion Hybrid Publishing an imprint of End Game Press, May 2024), I Love You, Dad! (End Game Press, June, 2024) By Blythe Daniel, William Daniel and Helen McIntosh, and The Desert Between Us (End Game Press, April 2024) by James C. Magruder, General Fiction.

About End Game Press
Launched by multi-award-winning author Victoria Duerstock in 2021, 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 online.

Media Contact:  Emma Duerstock, PR@endgamepress.com

(Nashville, Tenn.) June 2, 2025 – Nelson Books is delighted to announce that Woodley Auguste has joined their team as Marketing Director.

Auguste brings more than 15 years of publishing and marketing experience, spanning public relations, consumer engagement, and brand strategy. Throughout his career, he has led the marketing and publicity efforts behind 12 New York Times best-sellers, including The Harbinger and other million-copy-selling books that have impacted lives worldwide.

Prior to Nelson Books, Auguste worked at Universal Orlando Resort, a division of NBCUniversal, where he oversaw segmented consumer strategies and helped shape high-profile campaigns. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stetson University and brings both strategic insight and creative vision to his work.

“Returning to Christian publishing feels like coming home,” said Auguste. “Nothing is more fulfilling than using your gifts to advance the kingdom of God through the message of hope, healing, and faith. I’m deeply grateful to be part of a team committed to elevating voices that point people to truth and transformation.”

Auguste has already made significant contributions and is leading campaigns for major authors such as Tim Tebow and Jason Wilson. His infectious enthusiasm, relational warmth, and can-do attitude have brought fresh energy to our team.

“Woodley brings an impressive combination of experience, drive, and spiritual depth to our team,” said Chris Sigfrids, VP of Marketing at Nelson Books. “His strategic approach and passion for meaningful content make him an incredible asset as we continue to elevate our authors and expand our reach.”

About Nelson Books
Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, is a leader in the Christian nonfiction publishing realm. Nelson Books is dedicated to acquiring, developing, and promoting authors whose content inspires, informs, and invokes real change. The imprint publishes dozens of new titles each year in the areas of spiritual growth, inspiration, and practical living with select memoirs, biography, history, and culture releases. The Nelson Books roster of best-selling authors includes Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, Bob Goff, John Eldredge, Dr. Anita Phillips, and Jefferson Bethke.

Contact: 
Lisa Beech, Senior Director of Publicity, Lisa.beech@harpercollins.com, 719-439-9403

Kay Lee Arthur, world-renowned author of more than 100 books and Bible studies, and cofounder of the nonprofit ministry Precept, passed away on May 20, 2025, at age 91 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, surrounded by her family. She will be remembered for her love for the Lord, His Word, and His people. A dynamic speaker with a warm writing style that captivated many, Kay was a remarkable beacon of grace and truth to all who encountered her.

Arthur’s gift for teaching helped her inspire countless others to study God’s Word inductively through the Precept Bible Study Method, encouraging millions to observe, interpret, and apply the truth of Scripture. She often said, “When you know what God says, what He means, and how to put His truths into practice, you will be equipped for every circumstance of life.”

Born in Jackson, Michigan, on November 11, 1933, Arthur spent her early years moving frequently, but eventually settled in Cleveland, Ohio, to attend nursing school at Case Western Reserve University. After earning her degree as a Registered Nurse, she married Tom Goetz and had two sons, Tom and Mark, but the couple soon divorced. She went through a period of great personal hardship that the Lord later mended and used to prepare her for ministry; looking back, she would remember that season by saying, “All suffering has an end.” At age 29, she gave her life to Jesus Christ.

A few years later, she studied at Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, where she met Tennessee Temple graduate and missionary Jack Arthur. The two married in 1965, and during their 51-year-long marriage, they worked together to serve Christ and spread His Word. Jack Arthur passed on January 9, 2017, and the couple is now reunited in heaven.

Arthur and her husband served as independent missionaries in Mexico where their son, David, was born. After leaving the mission field, they settled back in Chattanooga, where Arthur started leading Bible studies for teenagers in their living room. The study group started as a small gathering but grew to what is known today as Precept, which serves nearly 190 countries in more than 110 languages. From 1999–2019, Arthur hosted Precepts for Life™, a syndicated Bible study teaching program that broadcasted to more than 30 countries and reached over 75 million households. The program was twice recognized as the Best Television Teaching Program by The National Religious Broadcasters.

Arthur’s commitment to the Lord and her desire to teach others how to study the Bible impacted millions of people around the world. She was a four-time Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Gold Medallion Award-winning author, recipient of ECPA’s Pinnacle Award, recipient of the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame Award and Lifetime Achievement award, recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Tennessee Temple University for her outstanding biblical knowledge, and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Piedmont International University. Kay was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2020 but continued to serve as part of Precept until her death.

Kay is survived by her three sons, Tom Goetz, Mark Goetz, and David Arthur (Margaret); nine grandchildren, Meg Day (John), Joseph Goetz, and Daniel Goetz; John Goetz (Whitney), Ryan Goetz and Alexandra Goetz; Jesse Callahan (Zach), Abigail Edens (Robert), and Ann Arthur; and seven great-grandchildren.

The family will host a private memorial service in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A livestream of the service will be available to the public. Details regarding date and time will be released in the coming days.

Kay Arthur’s impact on the lives of millions has been remarkable, and her hope and prayer was for every person to know God deeply. Arthur often quoted Daniel 11:32b: “…the people who know their God will display strength and take action.” In lieu of flowers, the family asks for any gifts to be directed to Precept for the Kay Arthur Memorial Fund, which will be used by the ministry to continue to engage people in relationship with God through knowing His Word.

EUGENE, Ore. (May 22, 2025) – The Bible is every Christian’s greatest possession, and for more than 50 years, Kay Arthur’s most fervent passion was to get people to study the Bible in a way that made it more personal, meaningful, and life-changing.

Countless believers around the world give Kay the credit for increasing their appreciation for Scripture and opening their eyes to a better understanding of it. Kay championed the inductive method of Bible study, which teaches people how to let God’s Word speak for itself through observation, interpretation, and application—all of which ultimately lead to transformation.

Kay’s dedication to this one passion has left an incredible legacy. A teaching ministry that began in the living room of her home went on to help large numbers of believers all over the globe.

Together, Jack and Kay Arthur began what is now known as Precept, which has trained up more than 250,000 Bible study leaders who have led many millions through Precept Bible studies that go through all 66 books of the Bible.

Kay’s commitment to encouraging people to become diligent students of God’s Word led to the creation of The New Inductive Study Bible, which has sold more than 1 million copies in English and Spanish, as well as several other languages.

We at Harvest House Publishers were richly blessed to work together with Kay and Precept on The New Inductive Study Bible and dozens of other projects. Her love for God and His Word, as well as her extraordinary creativity, zeal, and care for people, left a deep and lasting impression on all of us.

“Laboring alongside and representing Kay Arthur—supporting her always-energetic fervor for sharing the whole counsel of God’s Word—is truly one of the highlights of our 50 years in publishing,” said Bob Hawkins, president of Harvest House Publishers. “Kay was such a gifted speaker and passionate writer, filled with the Holy Spirit, and always ready to proclaim the purity of God’s truth. She was a unique voice that will continue to be heard and read for generations to come.”

Working directly with Kay and her ministry for many years gave us the opportunity to see up close the incredible impact she was having on people’s lives. Through her faithfulness to God’s Word, she enabled many to experience the power of the Bible in ways they had never imagined—a power that leaves no part of a person unchanged.

Kay’s exceptional teaching and writing ministry was widely recognized. Among the honors she received were the prestigious National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame award in 2011 and most recently, in 2025, the esteemed ECPA Pinnacle Award for her extraordinary contributions to the Christian publishing industry, the church, and society at large.

Though we grieve the loss of such a dear co-laborer in the Lord, we rejoice that she is now in His presence, face to face with the One whose written Word she loved.

Kay was faithful to proclaim the impact the Bible can have on all of us—an impact that is summed up well in these words from her: “No matter how much you know about God’s Word, if you don’t apply what you learn, Scripture will never benefit your life…This is why application is so vital. Observation and interpretation are the ‘hearing’ of God’s Word. Application is the embracing of the truth, the ‘doing’ of God’s Word…[and] the glorious end result is transformation. You’re made more like your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Harvest House Publishers, a Christian publishing company based in Eugene, Oregon, publishes nearly 100 books per year and carries a strong backlist offering more than 1,700 titles. Nearly 200 million Harvest House books have been sold worldwide through diverse distribution channels, and additional millions have sold in over 75 different languages.

 

The PRH Christian Publishing team shares in the sadness at the passing of beloved author, Bible teacher, broadcaster, and ministry leader Kay Arthur on May 20, 2025, and yet finds hope in that she is now with her Savior and God. Arthur’s impressive legacy includes the incredible library of books and Bible studies she authored in her more than 50-year career. WaterBrook is grateful to be a part of that legacy and to steward Arthur’s writing into the future.

“WaterBrook has been so honored to serve as Kay Arthur’s publisher for 50 different titles, including her 40-Minute Bible Study Series,” said Campbell Wharton, SVP, Publisher PRH Christian Publishing Group. “Her writing is a testament to her dedication to help everyone know God intimately and to deeply understand His word. It was a privilege for WaterBrook to become her publisher when it was a fledgling new imprint, and it remains our calling for years to come to share her insights and love for the Lord with readers.”

WaterBrook’s first book with Arthur, As Silver Refined (1998) was among the first titles published by the new imprint. WaterBrook continued to publish other works from Arthur, including Our Covenant God, When the Hurt Runs Deep, Lord, I Need Grace to Make It Today, an ECPA award-winner, and the 40-Minute Bible Study series.

PRH Christian remembers Kay Arthur’s incredible devotion and discipline to the Word of God and helping others to know and love it too. The team extends its prayers and sympathies to Kay’s family, coworkers, and friends. 

WaterBrook is an imprint of PRH Christian, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

Brentwood, Tenn., May 13, 2025—Lifeway Christian Resources has tapped Michael McEwen as the next publisher for B&H Academic.

McEwen most recently served as acquisitions and project editor for the academic publishing division of B&H Publishing Group. He brings pastoral, classroom, journalistic and publishing experience to the role.

“Both Michael and I are inspired by the work of Lifeway’s founder, James Marion Frost,” said Devin Maddox, publisher of B&H Books. “Taking the helm in 1891, Frost envisioned the publishing house as being distinctively Baptist, while also stewarding an important role in broader evangelicalism.”

Frost wrote in his 1914 book, “The Sunday School Board: Its History and Work,” “The ultimate aim is a great book publishing house whose output shall represent the sentiment of our people and hold commanding place with the best evangelical literature.”

McEwen affirmed this perspective. “Devin and I are after that historic-yet-ever-new vision Frost cast more than a century ago,” McEwen said. “I look forward to acquiring and empowering the best scholars to continue fulfilling Frost’s vision for the future at B&H Academic.”

In operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, group curriculum, Christian music and movies, Vacation Bible School and church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Based in Brentwood, Tennessee, Lifeway operates as a self-supporting nonprofit. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources, is a team that believes Every Word Matters®. We seek to provide intentional, biblical content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, cultivating lifelong relationships with Jesus Christ. We publish (print and digital) in the trade, church and academic markets, as well as the CSB translation. For more information, visit BHPublishingGroup.com.

Media Contact:  jill.waggoner@lifeway.com 

New Kensington, PA – Anchor Distributors is excited to announce the appointment of Sue Brewer to the company. With 25 years of experience in the Christian bookstore industry, Sue has previously worked on bringing catalog programs to bookstores across the country. Her reputation, wealth of knowledge and fresh perspectives to help to grow business through catalog programs will contribute to Anchor Distributor’s and their customer base’s continued success.

“As a faith-based company, we work with churches and Christian bookstores across the United States and Canada,” said Bob Whitaker, CEO at Anchor Distributors. “Bringing Sue onboard at Anchor Distributors allows us to better share our marketing expertise and product knowledge with the brick-and-mortar Christian bookstores to help them grow their businesses and expand their marketing efforts – a win-win for the industry.”

Anchor Distributors is part of the Whitaker House Corporation which has been in business in western Pennsylvania for over 50 years. The company supplies inspirational gifts, books, and Bibles to churches, Christian bookstores and the general gift store industry. The company’s dedication to quality and service has solidified its reputation as a trusted partner for retailers. Sue can be reached at sue.brewer@anchordistributors.com.

Media Contact:  Beth Swaney, Marketing, 800-444-4484 x203, beth.swaney@anchordistributors.com

 

A Remarkable Back-to-Back Win for Lysa TerKeurst and Nelson Books in 2024 and 2025

Nelson Books and the HarperCollins Christian Publishing audiobook team are thrilled to announce that I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t by Lysa TerKeurst was named Audiobook of the Year at the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Christian Book Award® Celebration, held in Nashville, Tennessee on April 30.

This marks Lysa’s second consecutive win in this category, following her 2024 recognition for Good Boundaries and Goodbyes. Both award-winning audiobooks were produced by Sydney Mathieu of HarperCollins Christian Publishing and published by Nelson Books.

Narrated by TerKeurst herself, the I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t audiobook provides an immersive and deeply personal experience for listeners as she invites them into her exploration of trust after betrayal, heartbreak, and loss. “Lysa’s narration is infused with personal anecdotes and thoughtful reflections, elevating the audio book experience for her listeners,” says Andrew Stoddard, VP and Publisher at Nelson Books. “She has an uncanny ability to set her audience at ease, enabling them to feel like she is chatting directly with each of them. We are so proud of the ways she offers encouragement and spiritual insight in a time when so many are searching for hope.” 

I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t examines the challenges many face when rebuilding trust with other people, with God, and even with themselves. Combining profound biblical wisdom with candid personal reflections, TerKeurst shares practical tools and faith-filled encouragement to help listeners reestablish their emotional and spiritual foundation. She offers a roadmap for navigating the complexities of human relationships with grace and resilience.

TerKeurst reflected on the honor, saying, ”This audiobook was one of the most vulnerable projects I’ve worked on, and to see it resonate with so many listeners is such a humbling experience. My hope is that it continues to help people navigate challenging relationships in healthier ways. Having your trust broken can be life altering but it doesn’t have to be life ruining.”

This win marks another milestone in TerKeurst’s enduring impact as one of the most trusted voices in Christian publishing. Her books have sold millions of copies and continue to offer hope, healing, and truth to readers and listeners around the world.

I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t is available wherever audiobooks are sold.

Contact:  Devin Duke, Sr. Publicity Manager, Devin.Duke@HarperCollins.com

Abilene, TX — After the fire came a sound of sheer silence. When the civil rights movement shook the United States, Churches of Christ largely remained silent. Only a few brave voices dared to speak out. Historian Wes Crawford, drawing inspiration from the prophet Elijah’s discovery of God’s presence in the “sheer silence,” invites readers to explore this era and the largely overlooked stories of a handful of ministers who risked everything to challenge racism within the church.

Crawford’s groundbreaking work begins with twentieth-century church leaders who openly supported White supremacy or turned a blind eye. Under their watchful guidance, they carefully managed the cultural engagement of Churches of Christ through colleges, journals, and lectureship gatherings. He then highlights the lesser-known heroes, like Carl Spain, John Allen Chalk, Walter Burch, Dwain Evans, and Bud Stumbaugh, who spoke out against the establishment at high personal and professional costs. Their sacrifices and bravery offer lessons that resonate with this day.

“Courage in the Sheer Silence” is a tour de force, an eye-opening journey into the powers that maintain racial inequality and injustice and the deep costs paid by those who choose to resist. This book reveals in stunning detail how the evil principality of racial injustice is no respecter of race. White leaders who speak against it will be silenced, shunned, pushed out, and defrocked. Wes Crawford gives voice to those forgotten for doing what is right, and in so doing, he gives us direction and courage to do what is right today.”—Dr. Michael O. Emerson, Chavanne Fellow in Religion and Public Policy, the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, and coauthor of Divided by Faith and The Religion of Whiteness

Wes Crawford serves as Associate Professor of Church History at Abilene Christian University, where he also leads the Center for Restoration Studies and holds the position of Vice Provost. Before transitioning to academia, Wes spent two decades in ministry, preaching at the Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock and the Glenwood Church of Christ in Tyler, Texas. His academic work focuses on American religious history, particularly the intersection of race and religion, a topic he explores in depth in his book Shattering the Illusion. Wes and his wife, Kim, have been married for over twenty years and are the proud parents of four children.

Courage in the Sheer Silence
By Wes Crawford
May 2025, Softcover
208 Pages, $22.99
ISBN: 9781684260133

Media Contact:  Kaylin Graves, publicity@leafwoodpublishers.com

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., May 14, 2025 — Co-founders of the global community She Reads Truth, Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams, will release a new devotional this fall, “The Bible is For You,” that draws from the ministry’s core convictions of beauty, goodness and truth.

Since its inception in 2012, She Reads Truth has grown from a small group of friends connecting online to a global community of over 3 million women and men.

This latest resource from She Reads Truth, “The Bible is For You,” features 66 devotionals curated by Myers and Williams. The artfully designed book, released from B&H Publishing Group in September, leads readers on a journey through every book of the Bible.

“We hope this devotional book will be a faithful biblical literacy resource for Bible readers as well as a welcoming invitation for those who are curious about Scripture,” said Myers.

“It is an honor to partner with Raechel and Amanda to bring this biblically rich, thoughtfully designed book to Bible readers everywhere,” said Mary Wiley, associate publisher for B&H Publishing Group. “Its open spine, marriage of old and new art and lay-flat reading experience reflects the beauty and timelessness of God’s Word, while also emphasizing its relevance for us today. I cannot wait to watch God use this book for His glory again and again in the lives of readers.”

Each entry starts with Scripture, followed by personal stories and reflections. The selected biblical passages represent each book of the Bible, as well as aiding the reader to connect the dots in God’s story of redemption that spans all of Scripture.

“It was important to us to begin each day with the actual words of Scripture before offering any words of our own. That’s the model that shaped She Reads Truth from the beginning, and this devotional reflects that,” said Williams.

Myers and Williams were leaders of a remarkable shift in how women approach Bible reading, making it more interactive and communal. Their ministry, She Reads Truth, has significantly impacted women’s Bible study by encouraging daily engagement with Scripture, first through the web and social media, and then through printed resources. Additionally, the CSB “She Reads Truth Bible,” has sold over 1 million copies.

More information about the B&H Publishing Group and Lifeway resources created in partnership with She Reads Truth can be found at Lifeway.com/SheReadsTruth.

In operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, group curriculum, Christian music and movies, Vacation Bible School and church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Based in Brentwood, Tennessee, Lifeway operates as a self-supporting nonprofit. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources, is a team that believes Every Word Matters®. We seek to provide intentional, biblical content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, cultivating lifelong relationships with Jesus Christ. We publish (print and digital) in the trade, church and academic markets, as well as the CSB translation. For more information, visit BHPublishingGroup.com.

She Reads Truth™ is a worldwide community of women who read God’s Word together every day. Founded in 2012, She Reads Truth invites women of all ages to engage Scripture through daily reading plans, online conversation led by a vibrant community of contributors, and offline resources created at the intersection of beauty, goodness and truth. Learn more at SheReadsTruth.com or on socials at @shereadstruth.

The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is a highly trustworthy, faithful translation that is proven to be an optimal blend of accuracy and readability. It’s as literal to the original as possible without sacrificing clarity. The CSB is poised to become the translation that pastors rely on and Bible readers turn to again and again to read and to share with others.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Aaron Earls, aaron.earls@lifeway.com