rush-to-press
The Week's News in Christian Publishing
  • Industry News
  • Milestones
  • Media Announcements
  • Product News
  • Other News

For Immediate Release — March 31, 2020

ecpa logo
https://christianbookawards.com/finalists.html

ECPA NAMES 65 FINALISTS FOR THE 2020 CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARDS®

Industry celebrates the year’s best Christian books and Bibles at a time when the world most needs messages of hope and truth

Bestselling author of The Power of a Praying® series, STORMIE OMARTIAN, to deliver prayer for the world and for the industry during online broadcast of winners ceremony on May 5th

(TEMPE, ARIZ., March 31, 2020) The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) named today 65 finalists from 26 publishers in 12 categories for the 2020 Christian Book Award® program.  There were ties in five categories.

The Christian Book Award® winners in each category, along with the 2020 Christian Book of the Year®, will be announced in a special online 30-minute broadcast of the ECPA Awards Celebration on May 5, 2020 at 1 pm central time.  The original awards event was scheduled during the ECPA Leadership Summit in Nashville, which was postponed due to the current COVID-19 crisis.

The online awards broadcast will feature Pinnacle Award recipient and bestselling author of The Power of a Praying® series, STORMIE OMARTIAN, who will deliver a specially-written prayer for our world and for the industry in this time of crisis. Stormie has been writing and publishing prayers since 1994 when she published The Power of a Praying® Parent with Harvest House Publishers.  Since then, she has published 20 books in the series, leading a global prayer movement with more than 31 million sold.

(Sign up to receive information about registering for the free winners broadcast here.)

“It will be incredible for us all to pray with Stormie at this critical moment in history and in our industry,” states ECPA president and CEO Stan Jantz.

“More than ever, it’s important to celebrate and publicize the outstanding books and Bibles produced by ECPA publishers. The church and our nation are looking for hope, and that’s what these books represent.  We congratulate all the finalist authors and publishers for this year’s program!”

 

The Finalists of the 2020 Christian Book Award® program in each category are:

AUDIO

  • It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, written and narrated by Lysa TerKeurst, produced by Gabe Wicks/Harper Collins Christian, published by Thomas Nelson, 9781400210947
  • Jesus in Me, written and narrated by Anne Graham Lotz, produced by Penguin Random House Audio, published by Multnomah, 9780593150610
  • Palau, Paul J. Pastor, narrated by Cástulo Guerra, produced by Gabe Wicks/Harper Collins Christian, published by Zondervan, 9780310354079
  • Voice Only Audio Bible – New King James Version, narrated by Simon Bubb, produced by David Angus/Harper Collins Christian, published by Thomas Nelson, 9780785223832
  • Wurmbrand: Tortured for Christ – The Complete Story, The Voice of the Martyrs, narrated by Michael Beck, produced by ONE Audiobooks, published by David C Cook, 9781434712332

 


BIBLES (tie)

  • CSB Ancient Faith Study Bible, Holman Bible Staff , B&H Publishing Group, 9781535940474
  • CSB He Reads Truth Bible, Amanda Bible Williams and Raechel Myers (Editors), B&H Publishing Group, 9781535935036
  • ESV Prayer Bible, Crossway, 9781433564512
  • NIrV The Illustrated Holy Bible for Kids, Zondervan, 9780310765790
  • NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496439284
  • NLT Filament Bible: The Print+Digital Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496436313

 


BIBLE REFERENCE WORKS

  • A Proverb a Day in Biblical Hebrew, Jonathan G. Kline, Hendrickson Publishers, 9781683072430
  • Introducing Evangelical Theology, Daniel J. Treier, Baker Academic/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780801097690
  • The Theology of Benedict XVI: A Protestant Appreciation, Tim Perry (Editor) , Lexham Press, 9781683593461
  • Zondervan Essential Companion to Christian History, Stephen Backhouse, Zondervan, 9780310599487
  • Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Romans, Frank Thielman and Clinton Arnold (General Editors), Zondervan, 9780310104032

 


BIBLE STUDY (tie)

  • Core 52, Mark E. Moore, WaterBrook, 9780525653257
  • Daniel: Faith Enduring through Adversity, Jon Nielson, P&R Publishing Company, 9781629956794
  • Final Word: Why We Need the Bible, John MacArthur, Reformation Trust Publishing, 9781642891263
  • The Jesus Who Surprises, Dee Brestin, Multnomah, 9780735291805
  • Jonah: Grace for Sinners and Saints, Iain Duguid, New Growth Press, 9781948130653
  • The Logic of God, Ravi Zacharias, Zondervan, 9780310454038

 


BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR (tie)

  • Becoming C. S. Lewis: A Biography of Young Jack Lewis (1898-1918), Harry Lee Poe, Crossway, 9781433562730
  • Devotedly: The Personal Letters and Love Story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, Valerie Elliot Shepard, B&H Publishing Group, 9781433651564
  • God’s Hostage, Andrew Brunson with Craig Borlase, Baker Books/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780801094873
  • Metanoia: A Memoir of a Body, Born Again, Anna McGahan, Acorn Press, an imprint of Bible Society Australia, 9780647519837
  • What Is a Girl Worth?, Rachael Denhollander, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496441331
  • What They Meant for Evil: How a Lost Girl of Sudan Found Healing, Peace, and Purpose in the Midst of Suffering, Rebecca Deng with Ginger Kolbaba, FaithWords, a division of Hachette Book Group USA, 9781546017226

 


CHILDREN

  • Far From Home, Sarah Parker Rubio, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496436733
  • God Gave Us the Bible, Lisa Tawn Bergren, WaterBrook, 9780735291904
  • Just In Case You Ever Wonder, Max Lucado, Tommy Nelson/Thomas Nelson, 9780718075385
  • Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids, Phil Vischer, Minno Kids, 9781546011958
  • Nothing: Nothing Can Separate You From God’s Love!, Natalee Creech, illustrated by Joseph Cowman, WorthyKids, a division of Hachette Book Group USA, 9780824957032

 


CHRISTIAN LIVING (tie)

  • Faith for Exiles, David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock, Baker Books/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780801013157
  • Fearfully and Wonderfully, Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey, InterVarsity Press, 9780830845705
  • Giving Is the Good Life, Randy Alcorn, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496425935
  • Rhythms of Renewal, Rebekah Lyons, Zondervan, 9780310356141
  • Suffering is Never for Nothing, Elisabeth Elliot, B&H Publishing Group, 9781535914154
  • Untangling Emotions, J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith, Crossway, 9781433557828

 


DEVOTION & GIFT

  • A Place at the Table, Kelly Minter with Regina Pinto, B&H Publishing Group, 9781535941136
  • Bulletproof Marriage, Adam Davis & Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, BroadStreet Publishing Group, 9781424557592
  • Made to Create with All My Heart and Soul, Lauren Duncan, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496431271
  • The One Year Book of Amazing Stories, Robert Petterson, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496424013
  • Settle My Soul: 100 Quiet Moments to Meet with Jesus, Ruth Schwenk and Karen Ehman, Zondervan, 9780310095408

 


FAITH & CULTURE

  • Between Life and Death: A Gospel-Centered Guide to End-of-Life Medical Care, Kathryn Butler, MD, Crossway, 9781433561016
  • Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion, Rebecca McLaughlin, Crossway, 9781433564239
  • Free to Believe, Luke Goodrich, WaterBrook, 9780525652908
  • In Search of the Common Good, Jake Meador, InterVarsity Press, 9780830845545
  • Shrewd Samaritan: Faith, Economics, and the Road to Loving our Global Neighbor, Bruce Wydick, Thomas Nelson, 9780785221524

 


 MINISTRY RESOURCES

  • Advocates, Dhati Lewis, B&H Publishing Group, 9781535934671
  • The Care of Souls: Cultivating a Pastor’s Heart, Harold L. Senkbeil, Lexham Press, 9781683593010
  • Ministry with the Forgotten, Kenneth L. Carder, Abingdon Press, 9781501880247
  • Servant of All: Reframing Greatness and Leadership through the Teachings of Jesus, Ralph E. Enlow Jr., Lexham Press, 9781683592976
  • Unlikely Converts: Improbable Stories of Faith and What They Teach Us About Evangelism, Randy Newman, Kregel Publications, 9780825445637

 


NEW AUTHOR

  • Can We Trust the Gospels?, Peter J. Williams, Crossway, 9781433552953
  • The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church’s Complicity in Racism, Jemar Tisby, Zondervan, 9780310597261
  • The Common Rule, Justin Whitmel Earley, InterVarsity Press, 9780830845606
  • Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion, Rebecca McLaughlin, Crossway, 9781433564239
  • Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament, Mark Vroegop, Crossway, 9781433561481

 


YOUNG PEOPLE’S LITERATURE (tie)

  • BibleForce Devotional: The First Heroes Devotional, Tama Fortner, Thomas Nelson, 9781400212637
  • I Am Yours, Wynter Pitts, Harvest House Publishers, 9780736976268
  • Kirby McCook and the Jesus Chronicles, Stephen Arterburn and M.N. Brotherton, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496429773
  • Lies Girls Believe, Dannah Gresh, Moody Publishers,  9780802414472
  • 100 Extraordinary Stories for Courageous Girls: Unforgettable Tales of Women of Faith, Jean Fischer, Barbour Publishing, 9781683227489
  • Show Up for Your Life, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Zondervan, 9780310766834

 

The Christian Book Award finalists and winners will be promoted through multiple retail and media outlets, including a suite of ads through media sponsor Christianity Today.  Retail partners include Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook, LifeWay, Mardel, NetGalley, Parable Christian Stores, and the Signature Marketing Network.

Faceout Studio will design the presentation for the online broadcast of the Awards Ceremony, held May 5th at 1 pm central, featuring renown prayer author Stormie Omartian.

  •  Sign up to receive information on the winners broadcast featuring Stormie Omartian
  •  View the 2020 Finalists
  •  To learn more about the program, visit ChristianBookAwards.com

 


The Christian Book Award® program has recognized the absolute highest quality in Christian books since 1978. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and impact, the Christian Book Award® program is the oldest and among the most prestigious awards in the religious publishing industry.  ChristianBookAwards.com

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. For more information about ECPA: info@ecpa.org, ECPA.org.

Media contacts:
Stan Jantz, ECPA Executive Director, sjantz@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998
Cindy Carter, ECPA Awards & Recognition Manager, ccarter@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998

Sign Up To Receive Industry News Each Week

Subscribe

This Month’s Bestsellers

VIEW BY GENRE
1 UNTIL HE COMES
AMIR TSARFATI AND BARRY STAGNER
2 JESUS CALLING, Hardcover
SARAH YOUNG
3 BREATH AS PRAYER
JENNIFER TUCKER
4 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
5 WALKING WITH GOD 365 DAILY DEVOTIONS LARGE PRINT
DAVID JEREMIAH
6 THE PROMISE OF HEAVEN
DAVID JEREMIAH
7 THE BIBLE RECAP, Hardcover
TARA-LEIGH COBBLE
8 THE BIBLE RECAP STUDY GUIDE
TARA-LEIGH COBBLE
9 THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY
JOHN MARK COMER
10 TRUSTING GOD WITH EVERY BREATH
AMY MECHAM
View All
1 STAND FIRM AND ACT LIKE MEN
JOBY MARTIN WITH CHARLES MARTIN
2 THE WAY OF THE WILDFLOWER
RUTH CHOU SIMONS
3 EXPLORING EZEKIEL
AMIR TSARFATI Contribution by RICK YOHN
4 THE CHRISTMAS RING
KAREN KINGSBURY
5 DAILY WISDOM FOR WOMEN 2026 DEVOTIONAL COLLECTION
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
6 BELOVED
FRANCIS CHAN
7 DAILY WISDOM FOR MEN 2026 DEVOTIONAL COLLECTION
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
8 JESUS LISTENS (NEW FOR 2025)
SARAH YOUNG
9 BEGINNING YOUR DAY GOD'S WAY
JOYCE MEYER
10 CHRISTMAS IDEALS 2025
IDEALS
View All
1 THE CHRISTMAS RING
KAREN KINGSBURY
2 REDEEMING LOVE
FRANCINE RIVERS
3 WHISPERS AT PAINSWICK COURT
JULIE KLASSEN
4 A LINEAGE OF GRACE
FRANCINE RIVERS
5 HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES: AN ENGAGING VISUAL JOURNEY
HANNAH HURNARD
6 CHRISTMAS STORIES
MAX LUCADO
7 THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE
BEVERLY LEWIS
8 HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES
HANNAH HURNARD
9 WHEN CRICKETS CRY
CHARLES MARTIN
10 THE SHACK
WILLIAM PAUL YOUNG
View All
1 UNTIL HE COMES
AMIR TSARFATI AND BARRY STAGNER
2 JESUS CALLING, Hardcover
SARAH YOUNG
3 BREATH AS PRAYER
JENNIFER TUCKER
4 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
5 WALKING WITH GOD 365 DAILY DEVOTIONS LARGE PRINT
DAVID JEREMIAH
6 THE PROMISE OF HEAVEN
DAVID JEREMIAH
7 THE BIBLE RECAP, Hardcover
TARA-LEIGH COBBLE
8 THE BIBLE RECAP STUDY GUIDE
TARA-LEIGH COBBLE
9 THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY
JOHN MARK COMER
10 TRUSTING GOD WITH EVERY BREATH
AMY MECHAM
View All
1 THE 5-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY FOR TEEN GIRLS
CAREY SCOTT
2 LIVE ON PURPOSE
SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF WITH BETH CLARK AND TAMA FORTNER
3 TEEN TO TEEN: 365 DAILY DEVOTIONS BY TEEN GUYS FOR TEEN GUYS, Leather
PATTI M. HUMMEL
4 GOD IS WITH YOU EVERY DAY
MAX LUCADO
5 THE MANUAL TO MANHOOD
JONATHAN CATHERMAN
6 TEEN TO TEEN: 365 DAILY DEVOTIONS BY TEEN GIRLS FOR TEEN GIRLS, Hardcover
PATTI M. HUMMEL
7 ADORED
ZONDERVAN
8 TEEN TO TEEN: 365 DAILY DEVOTIONS BY TEEN GUYS FOR TEEN GUYS, Hardcover
PATTI M. HUMMEL
9 DAILY WISDOM FOR TEEN GIRLS MORNING AND EVENING
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
10 MANGA BIBLE
SIKU
View All
1 THE 5-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY FOR TEEN GIRLS
CAREY SCOTT
2 LIVE ON PURPOSE
SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF WITH BETH CLARK AND TAMA FORTNER
3 TEEN TO TEEN: 365 DAILY DEVOTIONS BY TEEN GUYS FOR TEEN GUYS, Leather
PATTI M. HUMMEL
4 GOD IS WITH YOU EVERY DAY
MAX LUCADO
5 THE MANUAL TO MANHOOD
JONATHAN CATHERMAN
6 TEEN TO TEEN: 365 DAILY DEVOTIONS BY TEEN GIRLS FOR TEEN GIRLS, Hardcover
PATTI M. HUMMEL
7 ADORED
ZONDERVAN
8 TEEN TO TEEN: 365 DAILY DEVOTIONS BY TEEN GUYS FOR TEEN GUYS, Hardcover
PATTI M. HUMMEL
9 DAILY WISDOM FOR TEEN GIRLS MORNING AND EVENING
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
10 MANGA BIBLE
SIKU
View All
1 BIBLE PROMISES FOR MOMS
HEIDI ST JOHN
2 MINI DEVOTIONS GRACE FOR TODAY
SOLLY OZROVECH
3 THE CASE FOR CHRISTMAS
LEE STROBEL
4 ONE-MINUTE INSPIRATIONS FOR WOMEN
ELIZABETH GEORGE
5 BIBLE PROMISE BOOK - KJV
BARBOUR PUBLISHING
6 KNOW YOUR BIBLE
PAUL KENT
7 ONE-MINUTE INSIGHTS FOR MEN
JIM GEORGE
8 WHY THE NATIVITY?
DAVID JEREMIAH
9 199 FAVORITE BIBLE VERSES FOR WOMEN
CHRISTIAN ART PUBLISHERS
10 77 MEMORY VERSES EVERY KID SHOULD KNOW
CHRISTIAN ART KIDS
View All
1 ESV STUDY BIBLE
J. I. PACKER
2 NKJV PERSONAL SIZE LARGE PRINT REFERENCE BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
3 KJV BIBLE GIANT PRINT FULL SIZE BIBLE
CHRISTIAN ART PUBLISHERS
4 CSB SHE READS TRUTH BIBLE, Grey
RAECHEL MYERS
5 ESV JOURNALING BIBLE
ESV BIBLES
6 NIV THE WOMAN'S STUDY BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
7 ESV CHURCH BIBLE
ESV BIBLES
8 NIV ADVENTURE BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
9 NIV BIBLE FOR TEEN GIRLS
ZONDERVAN
10 ESV JOURNALING STUDY BIBLE
WAYNE GRUDEM
View All
1 NLT LARGE PRINT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY OUTREACH EDITION
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
2 NIV ECONOMY BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
3 NIV LARGER PRINT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY EDITION
ZONDERVAN
4 KJV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, Black
THOMAS NELSON
5 ESV HOLY BIBLE FOR KIDS, ECONOMY
ESV BIBLES
6 NIV HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY EDITION
ZONDERVAN
7 NIV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, Pink
ZONDERVAN
8 ESV ECONOMY BIBLE
ESV BIBLES
9 KJV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, Pink
THOMAS NELSON
10 ESV LARGE PRINT ECONOMY BIBLE
ESV BIBLES
View All
1 New International Version
2 English Standard Version
3 King James Version
4 New Living Translation
5 New King James Version
6 Christian Standard Bible
7 Reina Valera
8 New International Reader's Version
9 New American Standard Bible
10 New Revised Standard Version
View All
1 UN ANO CON DIOS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 EL PODER DE LA MUJER QUE ORA
STORMIE OMARTIAN
3 LA MUJER EMOCIONALMENTE SANA
GERI SCAZZERO AND PETER SCAZZERO
4 JESUS TE LLAMA, Tapa dura
SARAH YOUNG
5 PERDONA LO QUE NO PUEDES OLVIDAR
LYSA TERKEURST
6 UNA VIDA CON PROPOSITO, Bolsillo
RICK WARREN
7 UNA MUJER SABIA
WENDY BELLO
8 MI TIEMPO CON DIOS PARA MUJERES
BROADSTREET PUBLISHING GROUP LLC
9 UNA MUJER CONFORME AL CORAZON DE DIOS
ELIZABETH GEORGE
10 UN ANO EN LOS SALMOS
B&H EDITORIAL
View All
1 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, IMITACION PIEL
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TAMANO MANUAL EDICION TIERRA SANTA
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TAMANO MANUAL EDICION ESPECIAL
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
4 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, NEGRO
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
5 RVR1960 BIBLIA DEL PESCADOR LETRA GRANDE
LUIS ANGEL DIAZ-PABON
6 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, ROSA
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
7 NVI BIBLIA LETRA SUPER GIGANTE
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
8 RVR1960 BIBLIA DE APUNTES
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
9 RVR1960 BIBLIA DE ESTUDIO ARCO IRIS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
10 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TAMANO MANUAL CON REFERENCIAS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
View All
1 LA GRAN HISTORIA DEL EVANGELIO
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 PREOCUPATE MENOS Y ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
3 365 HISTORIAS BIBLICAS PARA LA HORA DE DORMIR
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
4 EL SECRETO DE LA PAZ PERSONAL
BILLY GRAHAM
5 DEVOCIONALES DE 3 MINUTOS PARA HOMBRES
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
6 COMO ORAR EN EL ESPIRITU
JOHN BUNYAN
7 UN HOMBRE CONFORME AL CORAZON DE DIOS
JIM GEORGE
8 LA HISTORIA DE NAVIDAD DE MARIA
LAURA MONZON DE ABBATTISTA
9 EL VALLE DE LOS HUESOS SECOS
YIYE AVILA
10 ¿PARA QUE ESTOY AQUI EN LA TIERRA?
RICK WARREN
View All

Upcoming Events

European Christian Rights Fair
March 16-17, 2026 | Krakow, Poland
ECPA Leadership Summit 2026
April 28-29, 2026 | Chicago, IL
International Christian Rights & Export Fair
June 16-17, 2026 | Chicago, IL
ECPA C-Suite Symposium 2026
September 13-15, 2026 | Asheville, NC
ECPA PubU 2026
November 4-5, 2026 | Nashville, TN
ECPA LOGO
submit icon

Submit a News Item

Submit industry related news releases to rushtopress @ecpa .org for consideration. Rush to Press is sent every Monday and eligible releases must be received by end of day Friday prior to the Monday’s publication.

announce icon

Career Posts

To announce a job opening in Rush to Press, post it first at the ECPA Career Center and your announcement will appear in the next issue.

subscribe icon

Subscribe

To receive Rush to Press, along with other industry updates from ECPA, please follow the instructions here to create or modify your ECPA community profile. To subscribe to Rush to Press without using a profile, subscribe here.

unsubscribe icon

Unsubscribe

If you would like to be removed from the Rush to Press distribution list, please edit your ECPA profile preferences or email info @ecpa .org.

advertise icon

Advertise

If you would like to reach over 3,300 industry subscribers and media contacts each week, consider advertising in Rush to Press. Contact sponsorship @ecpa .org for more information.

More news at RushtoPress.org. #RushtoPress @ECPA
This is a publication of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. For more information about ECPA, contact info@ecpa.org or visit ECPA.org.
Copyright © 2026 · ECPA