Sarah Young’s devotional brand is one of the most successful devotionals of all time

July 27, 2023 (Nashville, Tenn.) — Thomas Nelson announced today that the Jesus Calling brand by Sarah Young has surpassed 45 million units sold.  Originally published in October 2004, the 365-day devotional Jesus Calling has expanded to include children’s devotionals, Bible storybooks, journals, seasonal books, as well as the new bestselling prayer devotional, Jesus Listens, published in October 2021.  Over the past nineteen years, the sales and inspirational reach of Jesus Calling brand have grown steadily.  With more than 45 million units sold, the Jesus Calling brand is one of the most successful devotionals of all time.

“Jesus Calling has connected with people from all walks of life in an extremely unique and truly unparalleled way,” said Michael Aulisio, Vice President and Publisher of the Jesus Calling brand at Thomas Nelson. “While the inspiration, faith, and hope that Jesus Calling delivers is impossible to measure, these massive sales figures confirm the tremendous impact of the Jesus Calling message.”

“Publishing Jesus Calling was a long, prayer-filled journey,” said Sarah Young.  “Ever since its publication, I’ve prayed daily for people who are reading Jesus Calling or any of my subsequent books. I consider it an amazing privilege and a God-given responsibility to pray for readers.”

This fall Thomas Nelson will add Jesus Listens for Advent & Christmas (on sale October 3, 2023) to the popular line of life-changing devotional books.

The Jesus Calling brand has also inspired the television show Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith, which shares inspiring and encouraging stories of success, loss, heartbreak, and redemption told by people of faith from all walks of life.  Grammy-winner Chris Tomlin hosts the third season of guests including Amy Grant, Rev. Run & Justine Simmons, Tim Tebow, Tabitha Brown, and Walker Hayes. All three seasons of Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith are available on UP Faith & Family, the leading streaming service in uplifting entertainment.

The Jesus Calling Podcast has been downloaded nearly 15 million times since its 2016 launch.  Each weekly podcast episode features two guests — business leaders, actors, church leaders, musicians, authors, and everyday readers — who share personal stories of faith. Recent guests have included Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Kristin Chenoweth, Reba McEntire, Kathie Lee Gifford, T.D. Jakes, Rita Wilson, and Melinda Gates. 

The Jesus Calling app is packed with digital versions of Jesus Calling, Jesus Listens, and other products available on-the-go along with special features like the ability to take notes, share messages with a friend, and search by keyword, date, or Bible verse.  This summer a special compilation called Living Hope:  365 Devotions to Know Jesus Is Always with You will be available exclusively in the app and features devotions from Jesus Calling, Jesus Always, Jesus Today, plus some brand-new devotions.  Living Hope was specifically compiled by Sarah Young to speak to the real needs of those who are battling anxiety, depression, and hopelessness – and let them know Jesus is always close beside us and they are not alone.  The Jesus Calling app is available on Apple and Android platforms.

The Jesus Calling Magazine is published digitally and in print quarterly. The Summer 2023 issue features actress Tamera Mowry-Housley on the cover and highlights stories of people who have stepped out in faith like country star Aaron Tippin, MLS player Walker Zimmerman, and everyday people like Bill Magnusson, whose gift of a piano changed an eleven-year-old autistic child’s life.  The print magazine is available at Books-A-Million, Mardel Christian bookstores, and select independent Christian bookstores.

ABOUT JESUS CALLING:  Jesus Calling has sold more than 45 million units across more than 30 languages since its 2004 publication. The Jesus Calling brand includes children’s devotionals, Bible storybooks, journals, seasonal books, and 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.

The world as we know it has changed, and our understanding of our place in it must change too.

If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that the world is broken. The world we thought we knew vanished, and so many of us are struggling to make sense of a world that’s not what we thought it was. When the World Breaks: The Surprising Hope and Subversive Promises in the Teachings of Jesus (FaithWords, August 1, 2023, ISBN: 9781546003502) is about what happens when the fundamental picture we had relied on — our sense of how everything holds together — falls apart. For some, this moment comes when a global pandemic upends our security. For others, it’s a partner leaving, or a terrible diagnosis, or the death of a loved one. Many of us have felt our worlds breaking when long-held beliefs about God or faith slipped through our hands. Whether the details are global or personal, the experience is the same: you discover that the framing reality you were living in has fractured.

But here’s the good news: The world has been breaking for as long as we can remember. We’ve been here before, which means we can turn to ancient, perennial wisdom to help us sort through these urgent problems. Jason Adam Miller explores the possibilities for hope hidden in the paradoxes Jesus spoke when he taught the eight blessings — often called the Beatitudes — recorded in the beginning of Matthew chapter 5. These strange blessings name our experiences of suffering and are built on a particular kind of hope. This book is a meditation on those teachings as a transformative way forward when we suffer.

Lyrically written and theologically rich, When the World Breaks reveals an unexpected way to look at these familiar verses, giving readers hope that God is with them in their suffering, and helping them become the kind of people who can put things back together.

Jason Adam Miller is the founder and lead pastor of South Bend City Church, an eclectic Christian community known for its thoughtful teaching, inclusive vision, and commitment to its city context. An advocate for artists and peacemakers, his work beyond South Bend focuses on cultural headwaters and conflict zones, where he serves an international constituency of leaders. He holds a master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas—July 31, 2023—DaySpring Cards, Inc., a Northwest Arkansas-based company specializing in Christian greeting cards, specialty products, and books and Bibles announces the retirement of its president James Barnett, effective July 31.

Barnett is the longest serving president of the company. He joined two local pastors—Dean Kerns and Don Leetch—at DaySpring on May 2, 1981, as a marketing intern. He has worked at the company for 42 years, serving 29 years as the president of DaySpring.

Smith Holland, president of Hallmark Global, told the DaySpring employees, “Over James’ long tenure, DaySpring has clearly defined its mission and purpose, evolved the business in light of significant industry changes and economic challenges, and solidified itself as a valuable component of the Hallmark Global business.”

Barnett has not only grown an enterprise, but he has also built a well-known brand, and integrated business and ministry in a most unique manner. DaySpring products impact millions of individuals worldwide each year. As he says, “Our motivation is ministry, our method is business, and our message is Jesus. Visiting companies and partners tell us we have developed a model for those who desire to combine a profitable business and a ministry vision, to be dedicated to integrating faith and work.” he said.

“It’s no secret God has blessed DaySpring over the past 52 years. And I remain confident that there continues to be amazing opportunities to thrive and succeed in fulfilling DaySpring’s vision of seeing every person experience and express the life-changing message of God’s love! Our founders always said that DaySpring is God’s idea, not man’s. We are all stewards of the business and ministry, carrying the baton for a season,” said Barnett. “I look forward to my own new season, concentrating on helping others who want to have a Kingdom impact in the marketplace.”

The company’s 50th anniversary celebration several years ago revealed the meaningful contributions that Barnett has made during his tenure at DaySpring. In the early days of his career, he launched the first fixture program in Christian retail. In the early 2000s, Barnett oversaw the launch of two direct-to-consumer channels: Ecommerce in 2000, and the Mary & Martha home party business in 2007. He also launched the (in)courage website where Christian women can share an online community. Over the past 42 years, he was a key part in negotiating DaySpring’s sale to Hallmark Cards, Inc. and led numerous partnerships with key licensors, along with DaySpring movies on Hallmark Media, and countless local, regional, and national partnerships.

Multiple ministries exist and thrive with the help of Barnett’s leadership and the generosity of DaySpring employees–American Rehabilitation Ministries, Ability Tree, Mali Hoops, Kind at Heart Ministries, Ezekiel Rain, Compassion International, Leather and Iron Ministries, and the Manna Center.

A native of Northwest Arkansas, Barnett is committed to the educational, cultural, and economic health of the region. He has been very involved in community and area organizations for more than 40 years, serving on several athletic, charitable, and scholastic boards. Currently, he serves on the boards of John Brown University, Walton School of Business (Dean’s Advisory Board), WorkMatters, and is engaged with the CEO Forum organization. Other affiliations include Arkansas Athletes Outreach, the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce (Chair in 2020), Soderquist Center for Leadership & Ethics, Urban Ministries, Inc. and the Winshape Marriage and Family Foundation. His industry affiliations include the Association for Christian Retail, the Greeting Card Association, and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

About DaySpring:
DaySpring, the world’s largest Christian-message product provider, was founded in 1971 with a single Christmas card. Today DaySpring offers more than 6,000 products — from greeting cards to home décor, specialty gifts to devotional books. In 1999, DaySpring was acquired by Hallmark Cards, Inc. DaySpring products are sold in Christian retail outlets, mass retail stores, card and gift shops and other outlets in the United States and 60 foreign countries. DaySpring is based in Siloam Springs, Ark., and employs a staff of more than 200 people. Visit www.dayspring.com for more information about the company, to find a local retailer, and to send a free e-card.

For information: Brenda Turner, 479.220-2408, Brenda.Turner1128@gmail.com

‘The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger’ to release Oct. 17, 2023 ahead of the company’s 75th anniversary

BALDWIN PARK, Calif., July 31, 2023 – Ahead of In-N-Out Burger’s 75th Anniversary on Oct. 22, 2023, company president, owner and granddaughter of the founders, Lynsi Snyder, will release her debut book, “The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger: The Inside Story of California’s First Drive-Thru and How It Became a Beloved Cultural Icon,” with Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson.

In-N-Out Burger^®, California’s first “drive-thru” hamburger stand, was founded by Harry and Esther Snyder in 1948. The Snyders ensured that every meal measured up to their simple business philosophy: “Providing the freshest, highest quality foods and services for a profit, and a spotless, sparkling environment whereby the Customer is our most important asset.” Today, Lynsi Snyder follows her grandparents, her uncle Rich, and her father Guy in carrying on that simple, successful philosophy.

“I’ve been wanting to tell the true In-N-Out story for some time, and as we neared that 75-year mark as a company, it seemed like a great time to let our loyal Customers and our In-N-Out family have the story in their hands,” said Lynsi. “In-N-Out Burger is so much more than an iconic restaurant and the home of delicious burgers, fries and shakes. For me, In-N-Out Burger is my family and my calling, and I couldn’t be more honored to share our story.”

While today, In-N-Out Burger has more than 38,000 Associates serving in more than 390 locations across seven states, the company’s 75 years of success have not been without challenges, failures, and tragedies. In “The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger,” Lynsi offers an honest reflection of the company’s history and how it stayed true to itself despite all obstacles for more than seven decades.

“As we mark 75 years as a family-owned company, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and what we’ve learned,” Lynsi said. “We learn from mistakes, from struggles and challenges. So many times, I think people cover up the not-so-exciting or not-so-great things and just try to look at the wins. I believe it’s better to just be honest – share the truth. Even when it’s not pretty.”

All of the author’s proceeds for the book will go to both the In-N-Out Burger Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Lynsi Snyder’s uncle, grandmother, and mother to assist children who have been victims of child abuse and to prevent others from suffering a similar fate, and the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Lynsi and her husband Sean Ellingson with a mission to create, educate, and aid in solutions to eliminate human trafficking and assist individuals and their families to gain freedom and healing from substance abuse.

Snyder is represented by Tom Dean, founder of A Drop of Ink Literary.

“The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger” releases from Nelson Books on Oct. 17, 2023. For additional information about In-N-Out Burger, visit innoutbook.com.

About Thomas Nelson
Thomas Nelson, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., is a world-leading provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational products for more than 200 years. The publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, children’s books, and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.  For additional information, please visit thomasnelson.com.

About In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out Burger^® was founded by Harry and Esther Snyder in 1948. California’s first “drive-thru” hamburger stand, the Snyders were committed to ensuring every meal measured up to their simple business philosophy. To date, under the leadership of the Snyders’ granddaughter Lynsi Snyder, hamburgers are still made-to-order, shakes are still made with real ice cream, and In-N-Out^® Associates are still treated like family. Fresh ingredients are supplied to each of over 390 In-N-Out stores in seven states. Hamburger patties are made from 100% American beef and whole chucks are boned and ground by In-N-Out’s own butchers. All patties are delivered fresh throughout the week to the stores and are never frozen. Fresh, whole produce is sliced and prepped by Associates daily at every In-N-Out location for each hamburger, cheeseburger, and Double-Double^®. French fries are made from whole potatoes and hand-diced. In-N-Out has locations throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon, and Colorado. For more information, visit in-n-out.com.

Lake, Mary, Fla. —If Jesus spent one-third of His ministry casting out demons, why do so many churches virtually ignore deliverance ministry? Following the break-out box office success of his documentary, ‘Come Out In Jesus Name,’ which is now streaming worldwide, firebrand pastor, Greg Locke, is set to release ‘Cast It Out: The Call to Set People Free’ (ISBN-13: 978-1-63641-341-9, Charisma House), the third installment in his Spiritual Warfare Series. Through his new book, Christians will come to understand the power and purpose behind deliverance, and why all followers of Christ are called to cast out demons.

“I had all the arguments against signs and wonders firmly in hand and deliverance ministry wasn’t even an afterthought. I had predetermined it all to be nothing more than foolish hyped-up ‘charismaniac’ nonsense,” writes Locke. “But then God said, ‘I’m going to remove your denominational lenses. I’m going to show you what the Bible really says.’”

Locke, a former devout cessationist, recounts his first experience in deliverance ministry. A grandmother and her granddaughter came to his church to get baptized. As the little girl was going under the water, she placed both her hands on both sides of the baptistry, lifted herself up, and manifested a full-blown demon. “At that moment, I was afraid of the little girl and what she might do next. In all my years of ministry all around the world, I’d never seen anything like it,” he writes. “How could we not know how to help this little girl? We pastor a church.” Locke goes on with emphasis, “we learned that deliverance ministry will get really practical really quick and will suddenly show you what you’ve been missing in the Spirit – once you truly open your eyes.”

In Cast It Out, Locke testifies of what the Lord has done in his life and ministry and shares the biblical truth and inspired revelations God used to erase all his doubts about the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. In what he considers his most important book yet, Locke also examines how Jesus dealt with his own deliverance ministry and addresses many of the most pressing questions about deliverance in order to help equip readers to find true freedom and healing in Christ, including:

• What the Bible says about deliverance
• Whether Christians can be demonized
• Popular objections to deliverance ministry
• How Jesus taught us to deal with demons

Cast It Out will guide readers to biblically understand what is and is not part of deliverance ministry and how they can be proactively part of the most important spiritual awakening happening in our world today. “The commission to cast out evil spirits and the authority we’ve been given to do it is nothing new,” writes Locke. “But two things are simultaneously happening. First, there’s a beautiful acceleration of deliverance ministry. Second, there’s a horrific infiltration in deliverance ministry.”

In Cast It Out, Locke highlights the Bible’s teachings on deliverance and the universal call for the church to engage in this ministry. Drawing inspiration from Jesus’ dedication to casting out demons and by sharing his own journey as a new deliverance minister, Locke underscores the importance of answering this call to Christian service by all believers and provides guidance on how to take action strategically and powerfully against this enemy, in Jesus’ name. He also aims to strike a nerve in Christianity with Cast It Out, recognizing that “regardless of whether people agree with it or not, the Body of Christ will continue the vital conversation about deliverance from demonic oppression.”

Cast It Out by Pastor Greg Locke, is published by Charisma House and is available online at www.mycharismashop.com and wherever books are sold.

Website: pastorlocke.com
Facebook: @PastorLocke
Twitter: @pastorlocke
Instagram: @pastorlocke

Greg Locke is the founding and lead pastor of Global Vision Bible Church in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, just outside Nashville. The social media firebrand is the producer of the film, Come Out in Jesus Name, and host of the top-rated podcast, On Point With Pastor Greg Locke. He has a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and a master’s degree in revival history and is a revivalist and popular speaker in churches and political circles alike. The Lord has blessed him with one of the largest social media platforms in the nation, and Global Vision’s livestream ministry reaches people around the world. Locke and his wife, Taisha, have six children and work hand in hand in the ministry, seeking to reach those who are broken and have been forgotten by the church.

Title: Cast It Out: The Call to Set People Free | Release Date: August 29, 2023 | Retail: US $21.99 | ISBN-13: 978-1-63641-341-9 | E-Book ISBN: 978-1-63641-342-6 | Binding: Trade Paper | Size: 6” x 9” | Page Count: 208 | Hometown: Mount Juliet, TN | BISAC Category: RELIGION / Christian Living / Spiritual Warfare, RELIGION / Christianity / Pentecostal & Charismatic, RELIGION / Christian Living / Spiritual Growth

To interview Pastor Greg Locke or for a review copy of Cast It Out, contact Lklosterman@tkomarketing.net or chelsey@tkomarketing.net.

Media Contacts:
Linda Klosterman, lklosterman@tkomarketing.net
Chelsey Dickson, chelsey@tkomarketing.net

Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional and author of Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration, Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts’s Black Joy Playbook shows Black readers how to find and create joy in their present-day lives.

In a beautifully designed and thoughtful guide with creative prompts and space for reflection questions, Lewis-Giggetts helps readers mine their memories to find out what joy looks and feels like to them—and then reveals how to outline a strategy to experience that joy in their present-day life.

The book is scheduled for publication in Fall 2024.

World rights were acquired by editor Jamie Lapeyrolerie for WaterBrook’s Ink & Willow creative gift line from Cait Hoyt at Creative Artists Agency (CAA).  For rights queries: Denise Cronin, decronin@prh.com

WaterBrook is an imprint of the Random House Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

Christian Retail Sales Surge 9.7% Year-Over-Year at Mid-Year Mark

(July 20, 2023) – The Christian retail industry is celebrating a significant milestone as mid-year sales data reveals a robust 9.7% increase compared to the same period last year. The Parable Group, a leading provider of data analysis and marketing solutions for Christian retailers, has meticulously analyzed sales and performance data reported to ParableConnect from over 220 independent Christian retailers nationwide, offering valuable insights into the market’s growth.

Amidst ongoing economic challenges, Christian retailers have displayed exceptional drive and determination. From January to June of this year, same-store sales experienced a remarkable 9.7% surge compared to the corresponding period in 2022. Both receipt count and units purchased experienced positive gains, with a 5.3% increase in receipts and a 1.6% rise in units sold. While it is important to acknowledge that some of this year-on-year increase can be attributed to inflationary activity, these figures signify a healthy and steady growth trend within the industry.

An intriguing highlight from the data is the distribution of sales performance among reporting stores. Of the retailers reporting to ParableConnect, a remarkable 81% reported an increase in sales during the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year, while only 12% witnessed a decline. 7% of retailers reported flat sales and steady performance.

“The Christian retail industry has shown incredible tenacity and adaptability, overcoming various challenges while continuing to serve their customers with unwavering dedication,” commented Greg Squires, President of The Parable Group. “As we enter the second half of the year, independent Christian retailers are primed to build upon their momentum and bring the year to a successful close.”

In addition to the overall sales growth, the mid-year data also revealed the top-selling books within the Christian retail industry during the first half of 2023:

1. Jesus Calling for Moms – Sarah Young
2. Good Boundaries & Goodbyes – Lysa TerKeurst
3. Experiencing God – Henry T. Blackaby
4. Jesus Calling – Sarah Young
5. God’s Promises for Graduates: Class of 2023 – Jack Countryman
6. You’re Going to Make It – Lysa TerKeurst
7. All My Knotted Up Life – Beth Moore
8. He Gets Us – Max Lucado
9. Jesus Listens – Sarah Young
10. The 5 Love Languages – Gary Chapman

These books have resonated with readers, offering inspiration, guidance, and spiritual enrichment. Their popularity reaffirms the enduring demand for uplifting and faith-based books. It also illustrates Christian Retail’s commitment to legacy authors and backlist.

Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, Randy Ross, Senior Director of Christian Retail Sales for The Parable Group, expressed optimism about the new books set to release, anticipating further increased traffic and sales in Christian bookstores. He stated, “Retailers are excited about the lineup of new books launching in Q4. Highly anticipated titles, including new releases from Christian Retail favorites like Ruth Chou Simons, Dr. David Jeremiah, and Anne Graham Lotz are expected to resonate with readers and drive significant interest, further fueling the health of Christian bookstores in 2023.”

The Parable Group, headquartered in San Luis Obispo, CA, has been a trusted partner to Christian retailers, publishers, and ministries for over three decades. With their wealth of experience and expertise, they connect their clients with engaged Christian consumers, pastors, and church leaders, providing invaluable insights and innovative marketing solutions. For more information, contact sally.ross@parablegroup.com or visit www.parablegroup.com.

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

Prayer transforms lives every day. But for those who pray, how many truly understand its power?

Derived from material previously published in The Power of Simple Prayer, How to Talk with God (FaithWords, July 25, 2023, ISBN-13: 9781546016106) explains the keys to unanswered prayers, the hindrances to prayer’s effectiveness, and the Bible’s role in prayer.

People want to grow in their prayer lives and to see their prayers become more powerful as they pray for others and themselves. In her straightforward and profound style beloved by millions worldwide, best-selling author and Bible teacher Joyce Meyer reveals the incredible force that comes through the simple act of prayer. 

In How to Talk With God, a compact digest, she gives readers a new perspective on how best to communicate with God and reveals that through prayerful conversation comes the ability to be successful in life, strong at heart, and sincere with others.

Simple prayer, powerful results.