For immediate release — May 1, 2019
Christian Book Award® Winners Announced
ECPA names “best of year” in 12 book categories, including audio and Bibles
NABEEL QURESHI WINS FIRST-YEAR AUDIO BOOK AWARD POSTHUMOUSLY
LYSA TERKEURST TAKES HOME ‘CHRISTIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR’ FOR “EMBRACED” DEVOTIONAL
CHICAGO, ILL., May 1, 2019 – The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced the winners of the 2019 Christian Book Awards® in 12 categories – including the debut of the audio book category won by NABEEL QURESHI for his poignant award-winning memoir, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus (HCCP/Zondervan), which he narrated before his death in 2017. His wife Michelle contributed to its completion, along with Mark Mittelberg and Lee Strobel.
Embraced: 100 Devotions to Know God Is Holding You Close by LYSA TERKEURST (Thomas Nelson) was named the 2019 Christian Book of the Year®. Lysa is the New York Times bestselling author of UnInvited (over 1 million sold) and It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way, and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. The Embraced devotional was a finalist in the Devotion & Gift category of this year’s program, and is based on her bestselling book Embraced.
The announcements were made at the ECPA Awards Celebration held last night at the Rosemont Hilton in Chicago, during the ECPA Leadership Summit. The evening celebrated ECPA’s 45 years serving the industry, and featured New York Times bestselling author GARY CHAPMAN, who was presented with the industry’s Pinnacle Award for the impact of The 5 Love Languages® collection – which has sold more than 17 million.
In addition, 16 titles were recognized for their sales achievements in 2018-2019, with 11 receiving the Gold Award (for 500,000+ in sales), and five titles receiving the Platinum Award (for more than 1 million in sales).
Also honored was DAVID MOBERG, Senior Vice President & Group Publisher for HarperCollins Christian Publishing, who was presented with the ECPA Chair Award for his 44 years of service and leadership in the industry. Moberg retires in June.
“ECPA was founded 45 years ago by publishers, for publishers, to make the Christian message more widely known through the products they produce,” said Stan Jantz, ECPA president. “In the spirit of that founding purpose, the Christian Book Award® program recognizes those books, Bibles and resources that fulfill our mission with excellence.”
ECPA is pleased to announce the Year’s Best Books in the following categories:
2019 CHRISTIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR®
Embraced: 100 Devotions to Know God Is Holding You Close
Lysa TerKeurst
Thomas Nelson, 9781400310296
AUDIO
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: Third Edition with Bonus Content, New Reflections
Nabeel Qureshi narrated by Nabeel Qureshi, Michelle Qureshi, Mark Mittelberg, Lee Strobel
published by Zondervan, produced by HCCP Audio, 9780310092674
BIBLES
ESV Archaeology Study Bible
Crossway, 9781433550409
BIBLE REFERENCE WORKS
Theistic Evolution
J. P. Moreland, Stephen C. Meyer, Christopher Shaw, Ann K. Gauger, and Wayne Grudem
Crossway, 9781433552861
BIBLE STUDY
The Gospel according to God
John MacArthur
Crossway, 9781433549571
BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR
Becoming Dallas Willard: The Formation of a Philosopher, Teacher, and Christ Follower
Gary W. Moon
InterVarsity Press, 9780830846108
CHILDREN
God’s Big Story for You
Our Daily Bread Ministries, illustrated by Steliyana Doneva
Discovery House (Our Daily Bread Ministries), 9781627078559
CHRISTIAN LIVING
The Art of Parenting
Dennis Rainey and Barbara Rainey, Dave Boehi
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764219641
DEVOTION & GIFT
The Wonder of the Greatest Gift
Ann Voskamp
Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496427991
FAITH & CULTURE
The Storm-Tossed Family
Russell Moore
B&H Publishing Group, 9781462794805
MINISTRY RESOURCES
Alongside
Drew Hill
New Growth Press, 9781945270895
NEW AUTHOR
Seeing Green
Tilly Dillehay
Harvest House Publishers, 9780736974943
YOUNG PEOPLE’S LITERATURE
Bible Infographics for Kids
Harvest House Publishers, 9780736972420
The Christian Book Award winners will be promoted through multiple retail and media outlets including media sponsor Christianity Today and the following retailers: Amazon, ChristianBook.com, Covenant Group, Lifeway.com, Logos Bookstores, Mardel, NetGalley, Parable Christian Stores, and the Signature Marketing Network.
To learn more, visit the program’s website at 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 @CBAwards #ChristianBookAwards
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 @ECPA
Media contacts:
Stan Jantz, ECPA President & CEO, sjantz@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998
Cindy Carter, ECPA Awards & Recognition Manager, ccarter@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998
PHOTO BELOW:
Winning publishers accept awards (from left): Barb Sherrill (EVP/Publisher, Harvest House); Mark Teears (CEO, New Growth); Jeff Crosby (Publisher, InterVarsity Press); Bob Hawkins, Jr. (President, Harvest House); Linda Howard (Assoc. Publisher, Tyndale House); Anthony Gosling (EVP, Crossway); Heather Dean Brewer (Art Director, Discovery House); Jim Parrish (EVP, Baker Publishing Group); David Moberg (SVP & Group Publisher, HCCP); Tom Knight (SVP Sales, HCCP); Gabe Wicks (VP Creative, HCCP). PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Will Productions
