April 1, 2019 Edition

Christian bookstores are not dead: Resilient indies carry on

By Greg Squires — Contrary to news headlines and the perception of some, bookstores are not dead and gone. With LifeWay’s announcement that it will close all 170 stores by the end of 2019, preceded by Family Christian going bankrupt and closing 240 stores in 2016, it naturally raises questions about the viability of Christian bookstores.

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Not too late to join 120+ publishing leaders gathering in Chicago

It’s not too late to register for the upcoming ECPA Leadership Summit, held April 30-May 1 in Chicago and featuring Dr. Gordon Smith, Jackie Hill Perry, Harold Smith, Kristen McLean, Tinal Constable, Greg Squires, Dr. Philip Ryken, Gary Chapman, and more — as we explore the topics around expanding our mission beyond borders.

The hotel group rate expires April 8.
Program and registration at ECPALeadership.org

ECPA announces finalists for the 2019 Christian Book Awards®

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has named 64 finalists in twelve categories for the 2019 Christian Book Award® program.  These titles represent the industry’s best books and Bibles of the year in Christian Living, Faith & Culture, Biography & Memoir, Devotion & Gift, Young People’s Literature, Children, Ministry Resources, Bible Reference Works, Bible Study, Bibles, New Author – and the new category of Audio.

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ECPA presents Gold Awards for titles exceeding 500,000 in sales

ECPA recently presented Gold Awards to the following titles for exceeding 500,000 in sales:

• A Young Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George (Harvest House)
• The 5 Love Languages for Men by Gary Chapman (Moody Publishers)
• The 5 Love Languages Singles Edition by Gary Chapman (Moody Publishers)
• The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers by Gary Chapman (Moody Publishers)
• How Good Is Good Enough? by Andy Stanley (Multnomah)
• Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory (WaterBrook)
• Lord, I Want to Know You by Kay Arthur (WaterBrook)
• God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren (WaterBrook)

More on the Gold, Platinum, Diamond Sales Awards…

Former Talk Show Host Elisabeth Hasselbeck shares about new book, “Point of View”

Author and talk show host, Elisabeth Hasselbeck recently joined the Jesus Calling podcast to share about the experiences in her television roles. She relates how in looking for her “calling,” she found herself running ahead of God. During seasons of change, she’s now learned to wait for God’s guidance and help in identifying her unique purpose in the world. Elisabeth’s book, Point of View: A Fresh Look at Work, Faith, and Freedom is available from WaterBrook.

Author Jeremy Cowart on podcast: finding purpose in empathy and creativity

Driven by faith to find a greater purpose in life, Jeremy Cowart is a renowned photographer & founder of The Purpose Hotel.  Jeremy recently joined the Jesus Calling podcast to share his mission of creating an intersection between empathy and creativity in order to find his true purpose to spotlight situations of need. Jeremy’s latest book, I’m Possible: Jumping Into Fear & Discovering a Life of Purpose is available from Thomas Nelson in April 2019.

Bible Gateway interviews Dr. Warren Wiersbe, general editor of “The Wiersbe Study Bible”

Long time radio Bible teacher and ECPA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Dr. Warren Wiersbe is well known for his comforting voice and warm personal approach to studying the Bible. In this Bible Gateway interview, Dr. Wiersbe, general editor of “The Wiersbe Study Bible” (Thomas Nelson, 2019), shares his love of the New King James Version (NKJV) Bible translation and how this study Bible offers in-depth reflections on scriptural themes to encourage the spiritual journey of its readers.

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Bible Gateway interviews Dr. Alister McGrath, author of “Mere Discipleship”

How should Christian discipleship affect the way you think, imagine, and act? How can you best hold on to hope while journeying through darkness and live meaningfully in a world in which things don’t always seem to make sense? Bible Gateway interviewed Dr. Alister McGrath (@alisteremcgrath) about his book, “Mere Discipleship: Growing in Wisdom and Hope” (Baker Books, 2019).

Read this interview.

Season two of "Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer" premieres exclusively on Amazon Prime

Television series and audio podcast Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer launched in 2017 as one of the only episodic faith-based video podcasts.  The trendsetting show continues to break ground through a new partnership with Amazon Prime, debuting its second season on the popular platform today.  Dinner Conversations Season Two can be viewed here.

FaithWords launches Victoria Osteen’s first book in ten years

In her first book in ten years, EXCEPTIONAL YOU! (FaithWords, April 2, 2019) New York Times bestselling author and co-pastor of Lakewood Church Victoria Osteen shares seven ways to become the exceptional person God has called you to be. EXCEPTIONAL YOU! will launch with tour stops in New York, NY, Long Island, NY and Chicago, IL and appearances on Good Morning American and Steve and much more.