September 1, 2023 (Nashville, Tenn.) — With great sadness, HarperCollins Christian Publishing announces the passing of Sarah Young, the New York Times bestselling author of Jesus Calling.
“It has been a joy and an honor to have Sarah Young as part of our publishing family,” said Mark Schoenwald, President and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “Sarah was a remarkable woman who deeply loved God. Her words have resonated with people from all walks of life, and the global impact of her work is unparalleled.”
With more than 45 million units sold across more than 35 languages, the Jesus Calling brand is one of the most widely read devotionals of all time. Originally published in October 2004, Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence is a 365-day devotional featuring Scripture and personal reflections from Sarah. Inspired by her personal prayer journals, Sarah wrote Jesus Calling to help people connect with Jesus and with the Bible.
“Sarah was a dear friend who will be deeply missed,” said Laura Minchew, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher of the Children’s and Gift Book Group at HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “Through nearly 20 years of publishing with Sarah, I had a firsthand seat at seeing millions of lives changed through the Jesus Calling books. Her books have met people in their darkest hours, taught children about Jesus, and changed lives for eternity. Knowing Sarah professionally and personally has been the privilege of a lifetime.”
Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Sarah earned her undergraduate degree in philosophy. She credited her background in philosophy and Francis Schaeffer’s Escape from Reason as her motivation for studying with L’Abri Fellowship, a Christian community in a tiny Alpine village in France, where she became a Christian. Sarah earned a master’s degree in biblical studies and counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary. There she met Stephen Young, whom she married in 1977. In 1977, Sarah and Stephen joined World Presbyterian Missions, which in 1983 merged into Mission to the World (MTW), the global missions-sending agency of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). They spent eight and a half years planting churches and ministering in Japan. From 1987 to 1991, Sarah and Stephen were on loan to Mission to North America, working with the Westminster Japanese Church in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1991, Sarah and Stephen moved to Melbourne, Australia, and began a Japanese language church in cooperation with the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. In 2001, the Youngs moved to Perth, where Sarah began contemplating and eventually revising her personal devotional journals into the manuscript for what would become Jesus Calling. In 2013, Steve and Sarah returned to Nashville, Tennessee, where they remained active with the PCA.
Sarah believed that praying daily for the readers of Jesus Calling was an amazing privilege and a God-given responsibility. She committed time every morning to these prayers, often in the sunroom of her Tennessee home. Even as she struggled with her own physical health, and battled cancer, she continued the ministry of these daily prayers.
“Despite the tremendous success of her books, it was never about sales for Sarah,” said Michael Aulisio, Vice President and Publisher of the Jesus Calling brand at Thomas Nelson. “Sarah cared solely about leading the reader into deeper, richer relationships with God. It is impossible to measure the effect her words have had.”
Sarah’s greatest longing was that her devotional books help readers grow closer to Jesus. The publishing team at Thomas Nelson celebrates the tremendous impact of her message, which will continue to encourage generations of readers to approach God confidently and joyfully.
Sarah is survived by her husband, two children, and six grandchildren.
ABOUT JESUS CALLING: Jesus Calling has sold more than 45 million units across more than 35 languages since its 2004 publication. The Jesus Calling brand includes children’s devotionals, Bible storybooks, journals, seasonal books, a quarterly print and digital Jesus Calling magazine, the Jesus Calling podcast, the Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith television program, and an app available on both Apple and Android platforms. For additional information visit JesusCalling.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.
Publicity Contact: MacKenzie Collier, MacKenzie.Collier@HarperCollins.com
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — Journey to the ends of the earth with persecuted Christians in At Any Cost: The Faithful Witness of Our Persecuted Christian Family, the latest release from VOM Books.
The inside cover of At Any Cost: The Faithful Witness of Our Persecuted Christian Family models the 60-foot-long granite Martyr’s Memorial located at the ministry’s headquarters in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, listing the names and dates of historic and contemporary martyrs.
About VOM Books
Our emotions drive so much of what we do, say, and think, even if we don’t realize it. Our response to our feelings—denying they exist, letting them lead our actions unchecked, distracting ourselves to avoid feeling them—can greatly impact our lives and those around us. Emotions are essential for everyday life, but how we navigate them in the storms of life will make or break us.
(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado) – Despite the fact that many couples are told that marriage is hard, it can actually be one of the greatest joys of life. That’s the premise behind bestselling author and renowned marriage ministry leader Ted Cunningham’s new book, Greater Joy TWOgether. This 52-week couples’ devotional is designed to help spouses deepen their faith, nurture their marriage, and infuse joy into their everyday life.
(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado) – Author and renowned speaker Vince Miller releases his latest book, Proverbs: A Strong Man Is Wise on Sept. 5, 2023. This month-long devotional dives deep into the teachings of Solomon, providing practical, scripture-based advice to help men navigate the challenges of today’s culture.
(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado — August 24, 2023) – The beloved Clever Cub Bible Stories Series is expanding with two heartwarming additions that bring timeless values to life for young readers aged 3 to 6. Celebrated author Bob Hartman and illustrator Steve Brown present captivating new stories that explore faith, friendship, and forgiveness in ways that resonate with kids.
Bob Hartman’s engaging storytelling and Steve Brown’s vibrant illustrations come together to create an immersive experience that young readers will cherish. These new books enrich the Clever Cub series, offering young readers an opportunity to explore faith, compassion, and the joys of friendship. Hartman’s gifted storytelling has reached more than 100 million downloads on the YouVersion Bible App for Kids, has resulted in a long list of children’s titles that, together, have sold over a million copies and his books are now available in 11 different languages.
Highly sought-after thought leader, businesswoman and top influencer Sarah Jakes Robertswill release her newest powerful guidebook,
Carol Stream, Ill. — (August 23, 2023) —
In The Body Revelation, Alisa Keeton proposes that what we do with our bodies can have a dramatic positive effect on our emotions, relationships, and our connection with God. Additionally, she shows us how to use our bodies as a means of healing past pain and promoting physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Frankfurt am Main, August 23, 2023 – Bookwire is proud to announce the upcoming digital summit, “
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.)—In her new book, GRIT DON’T QUIT (August 29, 2023 / HarperCollins Christian Publishing), Bianca Juarez Olthoff delivers more than inspiration. The bestselling author entices audiences to acquire grit, develop resilience, and discover perseverance, no matter what.
With an action-step approach, each chapter’s “The Nitty Gritty” section contains a summary of key principles, a related passage of the Apostle Paul’s wisdom from the bible, and a prayer for the reader.




