February 15, 2021 Edition

Industry News

Died: Melvin E. Banks, publisher of black Sunday School curriculum

(CT) Melvin E. Banks, founder of the largest black Christian publishing house in the United States, died on February 13 at age 86. Banks started Urban Ministries Inc. in the basement of his home in Chicago in 1970, focusing on Sunday school curriculum and Bible study materials for African American Christians. The ministry grew to serve more than 50,000 black churches.

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Dr. Banks received ECPA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017

 

Publisher William J. Petersen died January 31 at age 91

William James Petersen died of COVID January 31, 2021, at his home in Colorado Springs, CO. He was 91. He is survived by sons Ken and Randy, daughter Kathryn, son-in-law Christopher Colucci, and daughter-in-law Rita Dotson.

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InterVarsity Press announces launch of IVP Kids

InterVarsity Press has announced the launch of a new line of books, IVP Kids, with the first titles releasing in October 2021. The current list of authors for IVP Kids includes Ned Bustard, Dorena Williamson, Luci Shaw, Ruth Goring, Lacy Finn Borgo, Esau McCaulley, Flo Paris Oakes, Katy Hutson, and Tish Harrison Warren.

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ECPA launches OWN VOICE Award within The Christy Award® program to recognize authors of color and their stories

ECPA has launched a new award within The Christy Award® program called the Christy Own Voice Award. The Christy Own Voice Award is intended to elevate and recognize authors of color and their stories in the Christy Award program; while raising awareness of The Christy Award® opportunity among Christian fiction writers of color.

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Oasis International and Tyndale House Foundation come together to provide relief to African booksellers

Oasis International's bookselling partners in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda struggled to provide for their families with food and essential goods due to the effects of the COVID19 pandemic. For most of these families, one week's pay usually provides the next week's food. Many of them were furloughed without pay, or with drastic income reduction.

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Staff Announcements

Dale Williams named associate editor for Thomas Nelson Study Resources

HarperCollins Christian Publishing has announced Dale Williams as an associate editor for Thomas Nelson Study Resources. Williams has been with the organization for two years as a visual content editor focused on the Zondervan Academic, Zondervan Reflective, and Zondervan and Thomas Nelson Bible product lines. He worked on several notable projects including the 2020 NIV Study Bible and The New Testament in Its World by N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird.

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Emily Tobin named marketing director for Zondervan Bibles

Zondervan has announced Emily Tobin’s promotion to marketing director for its Bibles team, which publishes multiple Bible translations: the New International Version (NIV), New International Reader’s Version (NIrV), New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), and the Amplified Bible (AMP).

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Milestones

Tyndale House Publishers ‘Refresh’ devotional app reaches over 500,000 installs

Tyndale House Publishers has announced that their "Refresh" devotional app, created in partnership with Tecarta in 2020, has reached the major milestone of over 500,000 installations. The "Refresh: Daily Bible Devotional App" is the go-to source for accessing customized devotional reading and the Bible text anytime, anywhere.

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Annie F. Downs debuts on New York Times best-seller list with latest book, “That Sounds Fun”

Best-selling author, podcaster, who many call the "Expert on Fun," Annie F. Downs has made her debut on The New York Times bestseller list with her brand new book, “That Sounds Fun” (Revell). No. 6 on the Advice, How-To & Misc. list, Downs is in good company, joining other top authors like Sanjay Gupta, James Clear, Joanna Gaines and many more. Likewise, the book also appears on the Publishers Weekly Hardcover Non-Fiction List at No. 8 as well as hitting USA Today's bestseller list.

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Product News

Francis Chan calls Christians back to the powerful simplicity of loving God and one another in “Until Unity”

The global Christian Church seems to become more divided each day. Some leaders work to fabricate the appearance of unity through detailed doctrinal statements, but this misses the point. Sophisticated theological discussions are not the solution because they do not address the root problem. In his new book “Until Unity,” (David C Cook), New York Times best-selling author and international Pastor Francis Chan suggests that division exists among believers when they stop growing in their love for God and for one other.

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Thomas Nelson releases King James Sovereign Collection Bible

Thomas Nelson Bibles, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is pleased to announce the release of the King James Sovereign Collection Bible. The Sovereign Collection continues Thomas Nelson's long history and stewardship publishing Bibles.

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Media Announcements

Harold & Rachel Earls on Jesus Calling Podcast: Pursuing a Higher Calling

WaterBrook authors and former Army Captain Harold Earls and his wife Rachel recently joined the Jesus Calling Podcast to share how they know all about sacrifice—from a national perspective to a personal one. Early in their marriage, Harold felt called to climb Mt. Everest in support of veteran PTSD and suicide awareness, and in doing so, it terrified Rachel that she’d lose her husband before they could ever start a life together. By turning to God as reassurance that everything would be okay, they made it through the tumultuous climb. Then, as a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia, Harold went into each day honoring the men and women who gave all for us and relied on his devotional ritual to help keep his mind on God’s purpose for his life. The Earls’ book, “A Higher Calling,” is available from WaterBrook.

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Ruth & Patrick Schwenk on Jesus Calling Podcast: God will meet you in the middle of your storm

Ministry leaders and authors Ruth & Patrick Schwenk recently joined the Jesus Calling Podcast to share how they went through a ten-year period in which they had nine pregnancies—five of which sadly ended in miscarriage. After having four healthy children and relocating to Ann Arbor, Michigan to launch a new church and fulfill their calling as leaders, Patrick was suddenly diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, and it sent their family into a tailspin once again. Clinging to God, the Schwenks found a way to cope and survive, trusting in the strength of Jesus to get them through. The Schwenk’s book, “In A Boat In the Middle of a Lake,” is available from Thomas Nelson.

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Other News