November 9, 2020 Edition

Industry News

UMPH CFO Tammy Gaines to retire on December 31

Marking over 35 years of stellar service with The United Methodist Publishing House, Tammy Gaines will retire on Dec. 31, 2020. Named Chief Financial Officer in August 2014, Ms. Gaines has held leadership positions that touched every aspect of the UMPH operation, starting in May 1985 as the internal auditor and advancing steadily to assume ever greater responsibilities.

Read More...

Chriscynethia Floyd joins Our Daily Bread Ministries as VP & Publisher

Our Daily Bread Ministries, the global producer of multimedia Christian resources, announces publishing executive of more than 20 years Chriscynethia Floyd as the new vice president and publisher. Floyd will be assuming the duties held by Ken Petersen. Based out of Colorado Springs, Petersen will be pursuing freelance writing, editing, and consulting. Floyd’s role is overseeing all U.S. publishing including trade books, children’s books, gifts, video series, devotionals, Bible studies, and more.

Read More...

Steven Wright named Publisher at Bible League International

Bible League International’s Executive Vice President of Scripture Engagement, Lee Carter, is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Wright as its Publisher. Steven comes with 35 years’ experience in a broad range of publishing, training, and marketing roles in ministries dedicated to Scripture engagement, both here in the US as well as Canada.

Read More...

Matt Estel promoted to senior editor for Zondervan Academic and Zondervan Reflective

Zondervan has announced Matt Estel’s promotion to senior editor for Zondervan Academic and Zondervan Reflective, both nonfiction imprints for Zondervan. Estel joined Zondervan in January 2017 as a production editor, focusing on books in biblical and theological studies, including the award winning two-volume "Justification" by Michael Horton; Jemar Tisby’s New York Times best-seller, "The Color of Compromise;" and Tisby’s forthcoming "How to Fight Racism" (on sale January 2021).

Read More...

ECPA releases November’s bestseller lists

For the second month in a row, a debut book has captured the top position on ECPA’s Top 50 Bestsellers List for November, reflecting POS sales in October as compiled by NPD BookScan. Forward: Discovering God’s Presence and Purpose in Your Tomorrow by David Jeremiah (Thomas Nelson) is the #1 book.  New release When Women Pray by T.D. Jakes (FaithWords) comes in at #4.

View this month’s lists

Faithlife acquires Servant Keeper, expanding its Church management solutions

Faithlife, makers of integrated church technology products including Logos Bible Software, and Servant Keeper, creator of the church management software Servant Keeper, announced today a new, exciting partnership that will see Servant Keeper join the Faithlife suite of church tools, becoming part of a revolutionary, integrated ministry platform.

Read More...

The Christy Award® winners announced in free webcast this week

The industry is invited to honor the finalists and celebrate the winners in nine Christian fiction categories for The Christy Award program.  The free webcast will air this Thursday, November 12, at 7 pm central time – and feature New York Times bestselling author LISA WINGATE as keynote, and award-winning author and radio host CHRIS FABRY as emcee.  The webcast will also feature the induction of novelists STEVEN JAMES and TAMERA ALEXANDER into The Christy Award Hall of Fame. Continuing an annual tradition, last year’s Christy winning authors will announce this year’s winners. They are Patti Callahan, David Rawlings, Katie Ganshert, Becky Wade, Terri Blackstock, Connilyn Cossette, Kathy Tyers Gillin, Melanie Dickerson, Steven James, and Tamera Alexander.

REGISTER

ECPA C-Suite Connect online conference begins in one week

On November 16-18, ECPA will present C-Suite Connect — the online version of the annual C-Suite Symposium, gathering industry C-level leaders in two daily interactive webinars. Presenters will focus on the theme, Getting Ready for a Different Kind of Future, and  include Maria Pallante (AAP); Walter Kim (NAE); Shirley Mullen (CCCU); Michael Lindsay (Gordon College); author Karen Swallow Prior; Kristen McLean (NPD Book); Jon Frendl (Cappital); Allen Yeh (Biola); Mark Schoenwald (HCCP); Jeff Wright (UMI).  The program on Wednesday will feature a virtual Town Hall with the ECPA board and the ECPA Industry Awards Celebration, featuring Stormie Omartian as the recipient of The ECPA Pinnacle Award, and Stan Gundry as the recipient of the Kenneth N. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award.

Registration and Information

Product News

Hendrickson Publishers to release deluxe facsimile edition of New Testament papyrus codices from 3rd century

In a historic collaboration, Hendrickson Publishers—in partnership with the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts—has published a deluxe facsimile edition of New Testament papyrus codices written in the third century. This New Testament Papyri facsimile collection brings three of the oldest manuscripts of the Bible to a modern audience. The P45, P46, and P47 facsimiles will be available for purchase on December 1, 2020 at $399 retail.

Read More...

David C Cook to release companion Bible Study guide based on television show “The Chosen”

“What Does It Mean to Be Chosen?: An Interactive Bible Study Guide” by author, speaker Amanda Jenkins, American filmmaker Dallas Jenkins and Dr. Douglas S. Huffman is based on the groundbreaking television show The Chosen, which has received over 64 million views. Releasing Jan. 21, 2021 from David C Cook, this eight-week Bible study guide for individuals and small groups is designed to bring both the Old and New Testaments to life in a brand new way.

Read More...

Midnight Mom founder Becky Thompson signs book contract with Thomas Nelson

Thomas Nelson Publishing announced that Becky Thompson has signed a 3-book contract with its imprints W Publishing Group and Thomas Nelson Gift. “Midnight Dad Devotional” by Thompson and her father, Dr. Mark Pitts--a follow-up to the best-selling “Midnight Mom Devotional” -- is planned for release in April 2021. Two trade books with W Publishing Group will follow in 2022 and 2023.

Read More...

Media Announcements

Bible Gateway interviews Jodie Berndt, author of “Praying the Scriptures for Your Children”

How can using the Bible to shape your desires and requests open the door to God’s provision to free you from worry and fear in your parenting? How can you pray the Bible for developing your children’s faith, character, safety, relationships, and their future? Bible Gateway interviewed Jodie Berndt (@jodieberndt), author of “Praying the Scriptures for Your Children: Discover How to Pray God’s Purpose for Their Lives” (Zondervan, 2020).

Read this interview.

Author Beth Guckenberger talks about advocacy and small beginnings on podcast

Author and founder of Back2Back Ministries Beth Guckenberger shares some of the miracles she’s seen, stories of amazing children she’s met, and how she has seen the value of stepping out in faith, because God works all things together for good as we shower others with His love. Beth’s book, “Start With Amen,” is available from Thomas Nelson.

More

Authors and founders of Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary on Jesus Calling Podcast

Michael and Zina Goodin, founders of Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary, recently joined the Jesus Calling Podcast to share how they began to care for older dogs who often got overlooked, loving them in such a way that brings the best out in them and cultivates a high quality of life for their golden years. The sanctuary’s new book, “Homecoming Tales,” is available from Thomas Nelson.

More…

Other News