2025 Press Releases

Two IVP Academic Titles Win 2025 Credo Book Awards

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:59:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce that Credo Magazine has honored two IVP Academic titles with 2025 Credo Book Awards. The award-winning books are From Aristotle to Christ and the Revelation volume from the Reformation Commentary on Scripture series.

“The Credo Magazine Book Awards move past general categories in Christianity at large to give attention and praise to the best works in theology today,” said the Credo editors. “But not just any theology will do. In the spirit of Credo itself, these accolades go to those authors who model and advance the retrieval of classical Christianity for the sake of renewal today, and not only renewal in the academy but in the church.”

The Credo Book Award winner in the Natural Theology category is From Aristotle to Christ: How Aristotelian Thought Clarified the Christian Faith by Louis Markos. This book takes us on a vigorous and celebratory journey through the work of Plato’s greatest student, demonstrating Aristotle’s often unacknowledged influence on the Christian faith.

The Credo Book Awards judges said, “The beauty of Louis Markos’s book is the way he introduces the novice to the wisdom of Aristotle to better equip Christianity with a defense of its foundational commitments. In a secular age prone to skepticism, what student can afford not to read Markos and consider the myriad ways Aristotle can clarify what we believe and why?”

The other IVP Credo Book Awards winner was Revelation, a volume in the Reformation Commentary on Scripture series. This commentary was the top book in the Translated Work — Medieval or Reformation category. Guided by Rodney Petersen and Gerald Bray, this masterfully curated commentary guides readers through a wealth of early modern commentary on the book of Revelation, including voices across theological traditions—Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Radical, and Catholic. Much of the material—including commentaries, sermons, treatises, and confessions—appears for the first time in English, providing pastors, scholars, and students with fresh perspectives on the text.

“The book of Revelation has proven to be one of the most difficult and significant books of the Bible, but contemporary commentators do not always give attention to the long history of Reformation interpretation on the apocalypse of John,” said the Credo judges. “Gerald Bray and Rodney Petersen have done the world of hermeneutics a great favor by consolidating many of the best commentaries on Revelation by the Reformers into one volume. Not only does this volume give us insight into the 16th century understanding of history and eschatology, but this volume will help Protestants today ask in what ways their eschatology is or is not in the stream of their Protestant forebears.”

For a complete list of IVP book honors visit ivpress.com/award-winners.

IVP’s Don’t Despise Our Youth Receives Rooted Book Award

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 16:12:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce the recognition of Don’t Despise Our Youth: Renewing Hope for Urban Youth Ministry in the 2025 Rooted Book Awards. The book tied for first place in the Best New Books for Youth Ministers category.

For over a decade, Rooted Ministry has engaged in the spiritual lives of young people. Rooted promotes the discipleship of youth, reaching thousands of students by equipping leaders to witness through gospel-centered youth ministry. The organization is headquartered in Homewood, Alabama.

In Don’t Despise Our Youth, David A. Washington (DMin, North Park) challenges traditional views of youth ministry to see the full potential and worth of youth, urging church leaders and congregations to build ministries that reflect discipleship, community, and the foundation of God’s Word.

Rooted wrote, “For any church leader, parent, or youth worker who is serious about shaping the next generation, Don’t Despise Our Youth stands out as a timely, courageous, and gospel-centered resource. It offers both a strong narrative and a life-giving roadmap, providing readers with a work that seeks to bring change, empower leaders, and foster transformation in the lives of teenagers in the urban context and beyond.”

Washington writes from his own powerful experience, having come to faith through the work of youth ministry in inner-city Chicago. He credits this ministry with rescuing him from a life of gang involvement, crime, prison, and imminent death, providing the guidance he once lacked.

David is the founder and senior pastor of Kingdom Covenant Church, an urban inner-city ministry on the South Side of Chicago.

For a complete list of IVP award-winning titles, visit https://www.ivpress.com/award-winners.

Seven IVP Titles Receive Christianity Today Book Awards Recognition

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:00:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is excited to celebrate seven titles and authors that were recognized as part of this year’s Christianity Today Book Awards. Honorees are noted as CT’s “picks for the books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture.”

“For more than thirty years, the Christianity Today Book Awards have been a meaningful marker in our publishing year,” said Terumi Echols, president and publisher at IVP. “These awards not only highlight the strength of Christian publishing as a shared ministry, but they also honor the faithful and impactful work of individual authors. We are especially thrilled to celebrate the recognition of seven IVP authors who are speaking into our current culture on a range of topics, from politics and theology to family, the church, and mission.”

The seven IVP titles and authors that were honored as part of this year’s Christianity Today Book Awards:

Award of Merit, Apologetics and Evangelism

Walking Through Deconstruction: How to Be a Companion in a Crisis of Faith by Ian Harber tells the author’s real-life story of deconstruction and lays out a vision for the kind of faith environment that can foster genuine reconstruction through healthy relationships, robust doctrine, healthy institutions, a better theology of suffering, and the peace of God.

Award of Merit, Theology (Popular)

Becoming God’s Family: Why the Church Still Matters by Carmen Joy Imes traces the thread of God’s presence in the gathered community of faith across the entire Bible. She invites readers into a vision of the church that is rooted deeply in Scripture and speaks directly to the challenges we face today.

Finalist, Biblical Studies

Thinning the Veil: Encountering Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation by Shane J. Wood provides a fresh perspective on Revelation, aiming to transform our understanding of this profound text. Wood invites readers to see Revelation not as a daunting puzzle but as a revelation of Jesus, meant to inspire divine intimacy and spiritual renewal.

Finalist, Marriage, Family, and Singleness

Households of Faith: Practicing Family in the Kingdom of God by Emily Hunter McGowin recovers biblical portraits of households of faith that are not limited to just the biological nuclear family, that can be multigenerational households of married and single, with or without children. McGowin calls Christians to practice family as apprentices to love who discern the times and improvise faithfulness together.

Finalist, Missions and the Global Church

Reviving Mission: Awakening to the Everyday Movement of God by Linson Daniel, Jon Hietbrink, and Eric Rafferty reveals God’s invitation into everyday mission in the way of Jesus. The authors invite readers into four Es of reviving mission: encountering God, exploring what he’s doing all around us, empowering those he sends us to, and establishing communal rhythms of transforming habits and habitats.

Finalist, Politics and Public Life

Citizenship Without Illusions: A Christian Guide to Political Engagement by David T. Koyzis presents a case for political engagement as a way to love our neighbors that doesn’t require our full devotion to parties or ideologies. Using examples from various eras and places, Koyzis guides readers to make the best of their own political situations, make thoughtful decisions, and promote societal diversity while respecting those who disagree.

Finalist, Theology (Academic)

Walking the Way of the Wise: A Biblical Theology of Wisdom by Mitchell L. Chase invites readers to rediscover wisdom as an essential thread woven throughout the tapestry of Scripture. By tracing the themes of wisdom and folly from Genesis to Revelation, Walking the Way of the Wise illuminates the role of wisdom in the covenant life of God’s people. This title is part of the Essential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT) series that explores the central or essential themes of the Bible’s grand storyline.

For a complete list of IVP award winners visit ivpress.com/award-winners.

IVP Receives Two 2025 Top Shelf Book Cover Awards

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 21:42:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce that two cover designs were chosen for the 2025 Top Shelf Book Cover Awards by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). The winning IVP covers in the nonfiction category were Disarming Leviathan, designed by David Fassett, and Front Porch Wisdom, designed by Jeff Miller.

“IVP has always valued participation in ECPA events, and the Top Shelf Awards has been particularly important to us over the years. This year we are so pleased to be recognized for two of our covers,” said Amy Cerra, senior art director at IVP. “Former art director and designer, David Fassett, has rightfully been recognized over the years for his incredible book cover designs, and his cover design for Disarming Leviathan once again hit the mark by engaging with drama and danger. Likewise, we are so pleased with the reception of the beautiful and poignant cover design for Front Porch Wisdom, designed by Jeff Miller and Faceout Studio.”

Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor by Caleb E. Campbell provides a deeper understanding of the modern American Christian Nationalist movements and their relationship to American Evangelicalism. Campbell also explores why so many people are drawn to it. Fassett’s cover design captures the image of the serpent, representing the subtle spiritual forces at work in the American political landscape.

Miller, former associate creative director at Faceout Studio, designed the cover for Front Porch Wisdom: Navigating Leadership Pressures and Barriers as a Woman of Color by Froswa' Booker-Drew. This title celebrates the achievements and struggles of women of color in leadership, which is portrayed through the overall design elements. The Top Shelf Awards judges said, “One of our favorite covers—everything works seamlessly. The typography is beautifully balanced, and the color palette is both strong and unexpectedly fresh.”

Cerra, who joined IVP in April 2025, said she is excited by the impactful work of these designers and is looking forward to building on the rich history of design at IVP. “Our mission is to create and publish resources that deepen lives in Christ to engage the university, the church, and the world. Design is one of the important tools we use to connect with our readers, and we look forward to many more years of creating engaging and beautiful books that share the truth of the gospel with the world.”

See the complete list of award-winning cover designs and judges’ comments at TopShelfAward.org.

Three IVP Titles Win 2025 Moonbeam Book Awards

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 02:50:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce that Charlie Can’t Sleep!, Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World, and The Common Rule Youth Edition have all been honored with 2025 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.

Charlie Can’t Sleep! Trusting God When You’re Afraid of the Dark by Rachel Joy Welcher won first place in the religion/spirituality picture book category. Beautifully illustrated by Breezy Brookshire, this bedtime story not only acknowledges a child’s fear but also equips them with a biblical, comforting approach to tackle it. Charlie Can't Sleep! reassures little ones that even in the quiet, scary moments, God sees them, hears their prayers, and stays by their side.

“Welcher’s good work provides a script for parents and other caregivers to vulnerably share that they also need to keep handing over their own fears to the God who never sleeps,” said Michele Morin, Bible teacher and writer. “Meeting our children’s fears with both sensitivity and good theology sets the stage for future conversations when bigger fears and more consequential issues are at stake.”

Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World: God Hears Every Prayer, written by Helen Lee and illustrated by Shin Maeng, won second place in the religion/spirituality picture book category. This book follows Kaylee and her grandfather, Halbi, as they read the morning newspaper. While reading they look for ways to pray for the children of the world. Featuring a Korean American family, this story gently guides children to recognize the brokenness in our world and to turn their hearts to God with the assurance that He hears every prayer—even when words feel hard to find.

Kirkus Reviews wrote, “Kaylee’s desire to be aware of the world around her, and to empathize with the suffering of others, is a beautiful model for young readers. . . . Maeng’s appealing cartoon images highlight Kaylee’s earnestness, and the ‘Kim Family Prayer Map’ gives their prayer practice a well-drawn sense of practicality. Children from many disparate places affected by both tragedy and joy are shown, giving a sense of how big and diverse the world is. An affecting story that will resonate with the faithful.”

The Common Rule Youth Edition: Growing Your Faith in a Distracted World by Justin Whitmel Earley won second place in the religion/spirituality chapter book category. This nonfiction book equips young people with tools to help them find peace and fulfillment through simple, intentional habits designed to foster freedom and rest. Earley draws on his own experiences to illustrate how small actions can lead to significant transformation.

Brook Mosser, president of Intentional Parents International, said, “In The Common Rule Youth Edition, Justin Whitmel Earley helps young readers by providing a practical and inspiring framework for navigating a noisy and distracting world. This resource will speak directly to the hearts of young people and give them fundamental tools for productive habit formation in life and faith.”

The Moonbeam Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to celebrate children’s books and lifelong reading. The purpose of the Moonbeam Awards is to highlight books that encourage children to be generous, compassionate, and to stand up for the rights of themselves and others. This year’s judges chose gold, silver, and bronze medalists in forty-five categories, covering the full range of styles and genres in English and Spanish.

For a complete list of IVP award winners visit ivpress.com/award-winners.

IVP’s Longing for Joy Receives Word Guild Award for Best Nonfiction Book of the Year

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 20:41:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce that Longing for Joy by Alastair Sterne was named the Best Nonfiction Book of the Year as part of the 2025 Word Guild Awards. In addition, IVP Academic’s Improvising Church by Mark Glanville received the Word Guild Award in the Academic category. The Return of the Kingdom by Stephen G. Dempster received the top honor in the Biblical Studies category, and The Riches of Your Grace by Julie Lane-Gay received the award in the Christian Living – Personal Growth category.

“We are thrilled and honored to have four of our books as award winners with The Word Guild this year,” said Cindy Bunch, vice president of IVP Editorial. “The diversity of the categories of the books represented (Christian living, church ministry, and biblical studies) drawn from both our academic and trade imprints highlights the thoughtfulness and range of The Word Guild Awards. Congratulations to these authors!”

The Word Guild’s thirty-seventh annual awards event was held on Saturday, October 4, in honor of talented Canadian writers who are Christian. This virtual event recognized both unpublished works and those published in 2024, encompassing genres for Christian and general market audiences.

Longing for Joy: An Invitation into the Goodness and Beauty of Life, the top nonfiction title, was one of five finalists for the Best Nonfiction Book of the Year. Through theologically grounded insights and research-based practices, Sterne offers guidance for becoming people of joyful presence, even for those who don’t consider themselves naturally inclined toward an enthusiastic, happy temperament.

“I am regularly chagrined by the obstinacy of my cynicism, so I received Alastair Sterne’s Longing for Joy with real apprehension. This book might not be for me, I thought, but I was gloriously, joyfully wrong,” said Emily Hunter McGowin, associate professor of theology at Wheaton College. “Reading Longing for Joy is like being taught to dance by a gentle and confident partner. Self-consciousness and doubt are overcome by Sterne’s skilled and intuitive accompaniment. Something approaching a sacrament, Longing for Joy affects what it signifies, as the reader is led into ‘an ever-widening circle of joy.’”

Sterne is also the author of Rhythms for Life: Spiritual Practices for Who God Made You to Be.

The Word Guild winner in the Academic category Improvising Church: Scripture as the Source of Harmony, Rhythm, and Soul proposes how to move beyond cookie-cutter approaches (which may have worked in the past) to build the creative, compassionate, and incarnational churches we long for. Glanville, a biblical scholar and accomplished jazz pianist, plays with a metaphor of improvisation to chart twelve themes as the key “notes” on which Christian communities play as they bear witness to God in the world today. Building on these two dynamic traditions—jazz music and Christian community—Improvising Church unfolds a biblical, practical, and inventive vision for churches seeking to receive and extend the healing of Christ.

Jason Byassee, senior pastor of Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto, Ontario said, “Imagine an interpreter of Scripture with trustworthy credentials. Now imagine a musician who enchants with creativity. Next imagine a pastor who can mobilize a community to bless a neighborhood. In Mark Glanville, all three of these are one person. Read, listen, and imagine what more may be possible.”

The Return of the Kingdom: A Biblical Theology of God’s Reign, the top Biblical Studies Word Guild honoree, is part of IVP Academic’s Essential Studies in Biblical Theology series that explores the central or “essential” themes of the Bible’s grand storyline. In this volume, Dempster traces the themes of kingship and kingdom throughout Scripture, illuminating the challenges, pain, and ultimate hope that the Bible offers. The story of God’s kingship is ultimately the fulfillment of a promise, a promise to restore the rightful rule of humanity over creation by defeating sin and death and to establish a world of peace and justice.

“In this delightful handbook Stephen Dempster takes his readers on a royal tour of the Christian scriptures,” said Daniel I. Block, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Wheaton College. “He invites us to picture the Bible as a royal garden consisting of a vast variety of trees whose foliage and fruit stimulate all our senses as we pass by. As he leads us through this literary paradise, he highlights its major structural features and theological themes, but he adds color and brilliance to the picture with exegetical nuggets and gemstones that leave us in awe of this place.”

A finalist for the Best Nonfiction Book as well as the top Christian Living – Personal Growth title, The Riches of Your Grace: Living in the Book of Common Prayer shares the treasures Lane-Gay has found in the Book of Common Prayer. It’s not a history of the prayer book nor a guide (though it will certainly help readers get their bearings). Instead, using stories from her own life, Lane-Gay shows what it means to live in the prayer book: to allow its prayers and patterns to shape an ordinary Christian life.

“Julie Lane-Gay is guide and fellow explorer in this rich contemplation of the Book of Common Prayer,” said Karen Stiller, author of Holiness Here and The Minister’s Wife. “Her personal journey through an ancient text of Anglicanism is honest and poetic. As she reads the Book of Common Prayer at church and at home, the book reads her, and we all benefit. The Book of Common Prayer can at first seem formal and a bit complicated for some of us, but in Lane-Gay’s skilled and sensitive hands, we experience how it opens the mysteries of God’s grace, love, and direction in our daily lives. I put down this book and felt encouraged to pick up that ‘small red book’ once again.”

The Word Awards were established by The Word Guild to encourage the pursuit of excellence in the art, craft, practice, and ministry of writing and to help raise the profile of Canadian writers who are Christian. For more information about The Word Guild and the complete list of winners for the 2025 Word Awards visit thewordguild.com.

For a complete list of IVP award winners visit ivpress.com/award-winners.

IVP Academic to Publish Pillars of Christian Dogmatics Series

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 01:53:00 GMT

IVP Academic has announced the acquisition of rights to publish the Pillars of Christian Dogmatics series, edited by Matthew Barrett and Craig Carter. The series aims to provide in-depth theological studies on major topics within Christian theology, emphasizing the retrieval of classical, orthodox doctrines for the contemporary church.

“As the name suggests, this series is set to become a ‘pillar’ of theology for decades. We are thrilled to invest in the future of the field for this generation,” said acquiring editor Zach Gordon, associate academic editor at IVP.

IVP Academic has contracted twelve volumes for the Pillars of Christian Dogmatics series. Titles and authors include:

J. V. Fesko, The Cathedral of Theology
Samuel G. Parkison, Eschatology
Stephen R. Holmes, The Perfections of God
Adonis Vidu, The Christian Life
Christopher Cleveland, Atonement
Matthew Barrett, Christology
D. Glenn Butner Jr., Virtue
Harrison Perkins, Scripture
Thaddeus J. Williams, Anthropology
David VanDrunen, The Ordo Salutis
Christopher Holmes, Trinity
Craig Carter, Creation

“How rare it is to see a publisher launch a series that is serious about catholicity. Dogmatics steeped in modern theology has run its course. What we now need is a dogmatics that can answer the metaphysical challenges of our secular age,” Barrett said. “This task requires a team of theologians from across Christendom, all committed to the classical convictions of the creeds. The future of ecumenism is not fighting each other as we've done in the past, but standing side by side, even linking arms, so that together we can answer modern objections with dogmatic fervor. Who better to take up that torch than IVP Academic! I could not be more proud to be a series editor.”

Dr. Matthew Barrett is the founder and editor-in-chief of Credo Magazine and host of the Credo Podcast. He is also the director of the Center for Classical Theology. He is research professor of Christian theology at Trinity Anglican Seminary.

Dr. Craig A. Carter was appointed research professor of theology at Tyndale University in Toronto, Ontario, at the end of 2020. He continues as theologian in residence at Westney Heights Baptist Church in Ajax, Ontario, where he has served since 2008. He is an ordained minister in the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Canada.

Tyndale House Publishers to be Exclusive Global Distributor for IVP Español

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:23:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) has announced that Tyndale House Publishers will serve as the exclusive global distributor for its IVP Español imprint.

“As we continue to grow our list of Spanish titles, we are extremely grateful for this partnership with Tyndale House Publishers that opens up new distribution channels for important IVP Español resources to reach readers around the world,” said Shane White, IVP’s vice president of sales, marketing, and publicity.

The partnership is set to launch this fall, marking a new collaborative chapter between IVP and Tyndale. Under the agreement, IVP will retain oversight of marketing, editorial, acquisitions, and printing, while Tyndale, as exclusive global distributor of the new Spanish IVP titles, will lend its established sales and distribution experience to help reach a wider audience.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with IVP to help them gain a broad global distribution of their new Spanish list of titles. These titles will reach new and existing consumers and leaders throughout the world,” said Peter Cerra, senior director of international publishing and sales at Tyndale. “The addition of these new voices and content to the Tyndale Spanish product selection is exciting.”

The IVP Español imprint includes Bible studies from our bestselling series as well as apologetics resources, theological books, and practical guides for spiritual growth.

“IVP has always had a heart for developing a diversity of thoughts and voices,” said Terumi Echols, publisher and president at IVP. “This partnership is the culmination of dreams and discussions about ministering more broadly to the Spanish-speaking world. Peter Cerra provided remarkable collaborative leadership, guiding the process with wisdom and care, and we look forward to seeing how God uses this partnership with Tyndale House Publishers to open up ministry opportunities around the world.”

For a complete list of IVP Español resources visit ivpress.com.

IVP Launches "The Wholehearted Households Podcast"

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:04:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is excited to announce the launch of The Wholehearted Households Podcast, a new resource for everyday family discipleship. The podcast launches on Monday, October 13, with new episodes releasing each Monday through October 2026.

Between the endless tasks of family life and the frantic pace of modern life, parents and caregivers can find it hard to focus on what matters most. The Wholehearted Households Podcast provides a moment for parents and caregivers to breathe and connect with the breath-giver himself. Narrated by IVP staff, episodes will be accessible and short, able to be listened to on a drive to school pickup or in the midst of daily chores. Each ten- to fifteen-minute episode will give listeners a short break in the day to learn about God’s Word, receive practical tips for accessible family discipleship, and be guided through an in-the-moment spiritual practice designed to nurture their connection with God directly.

The Wholehearted Households Podcast is underwritten by the $1.25 million Lilly Endowment grant awarded to IVP in 2024 as part of Lilly’s Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative. Building on research that affirms the pivotal role parents, grandparents, and other caregivers play in the religious lives of children, the Lilly Endowment launched the initiative in 2022. Grants ranged from $240,000 to $1.25 million and have supported a variety of approaches that draw on cutting-edge research about child development and parenting to inform faith practices in the home.

Since receiving the grant, IVP has produced a variety of resources for families around the Lilly initiative, including a video course, in partnership with Seminary Now, based on the award-winning book Teach Your Children Well: A Step-by-Step Guide for Family Discipleship by Sarah Cowan Johnson. IVP has also developed audiobooks in English and Spanish, and a podcast based on Teach Your Children Well. The Wholehearted Households Podcast is the next step in providing content to help teach spiritual practices for family discipleship.

“The Wholehearted Households Podcast is a unique offering from InterVarsity Press,” said Helen Lee, Director of Strategic Initiatives at IVP. “It features trusted content from our books and authors, delivered in a winsome and accessible way that will minister to today’s busy parents and caregivers who are often on the go or have their hands full with the daily demands of family life.”

The Wholehearted Households Podcast will incorporate three recurring sections: a spotlight on a Scripture passage, a practical discipleship nugget that parents can bring to their families that week, and a spiritual practice that makes space for the parent to connect with God right then and there. The first ten episodes will focus on the books of Genesis through 1—2 Kings with subsequent episodes walking through more books of the Bible.

Lee said, “We based the structure of the show on the feedback we've received from many parents and caregivers who are looking for the tri-fold content that this podcast provides: biblical literacy, discipleship ideas, and a spiritual practice. We're grateful to the Lilly Endowment for their generous support to make this resource available to this audience anytime and anywhere they listen to podcasts.”

The Wholehearted Households Podcast will be available through YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast distributors.

Check out a sneak peek of the show on Tuesday, September 24, on any of these podcast players or on the IVP YouTube page.

IVP’s James Bryan Smith Awarded Author of the Year by The Association of Logos Bookstores

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 17:16:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is delighted to announce that The Association of Logos Bookstores has awarded James Bryan Smith with this year’s Author of the Year award. Smith joins many other distinguished authors, such as J. I. Packer, Dallas Willard, and Richard Foster, in receiving the award.

“We are pleased to announce that James Bryan Smith is this year’s Author of the Year, for his body of works and the role his books have played in changing lives through the written word,” said Becky Gorczyca, executive director of Logos Bookstores.

The Association of Logos Bookstores is a member-owned, non-profit trade association of independent Christian booksellers with locations across the United States, in Canada, and in the Bahamas. The 51-year-old organization is headquartered in Kent, Ohio.

The Logos Bookstores gather at the Logos Annual Conference each summer for a time of education, fellowship, and celebration. Part of that celebration is the awarding of Books of the Year, Reps of the Year, Vendor of the Year, and Author of the Year, which Logos Bookstores nominate and then vote for.

Of Smith’s The Good and Beautiful Series, fellow Author of the Year award-winner Dallas Willard said, “The [Good and Beautiful] Series is the best practice I have seen in Christian spiritual formation.” Over 250,000 copies of Smith’s The Good and Beautiful God have been sold.

James Bryan Smith is the author of The Good and Beautiful Series, including The Good and Beautiful God, The Good and Beautiful Life, The Good and Beautiful Community, The Good and Beautiful Journal, and The Good and Beautiful You. He is also the author of The Kingdom and the Cross, Hidden in Christ, The Magnificent Story, The Magnificent Journey, Room of Marvels, and Rich Mullins, and the editor of A Spiritual Formation Workbook and Devotional Classics (with Richard Foster). Smith’s writing invites readers to explore the God that Jesus knew while uncovering the truth about themselves, their communities, and their lives as disciples of Christ.

“It has been an honor for me to work with author James Bryan Smith on ten books at InterVarsity Press. His commitment to IVP and to a publishing relationship is a mark of his integrity and his commitment to kingdom values in all parts of his life. I have met countless readers who have expressed appreciation for his work and described how it has shaped their experience of a rich life with God every day,” said Cindy Bunch, vice president of IVP Editorial. “During the time that IVP has been working with Jim, he has also established the Apprentice Institute at Friends University, and it has been a delight to see the growth and influence of that part of his work as well. His work is truly shaping the work of spiritual formation in this generation.”

For a complete list of IVP award-winning titles, visit https://www.ivpress.com/award-winners

IVP Announces Signed Contract for First Nations Version Old Testament

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 15:58:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is excited to announce the signing of a contract with Terry M. Wildman for the First Nations Version of the Old Testament. This historic project will be a continuation of the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Bible Translation of the New Testament (FNV) and the First Nations Version Psalms and Proverbs, the newest translation that released in August 2025.

The FNV is a dynamic equivalence translation of Scripture that captures the simplicity, clarity, and beauty of Native storytellers in English, while remaining faithful to the original language of the Bible. The project was birthed out of a desire to provide an English Bible that connects, in a culturally sensitive way, to the traditional heart languages of the over six million English-speaking First Nations people of North America.

“Ever since we published the FNV New Testament in 2021, readers have been asking us when the FNV Old Testament will be coming along,” said Al Hsu, associate editorial director at IVP and the project editor for the FNV. “We’re thrilled that Psalms and Proverbs is the first installment to be released, and that the rest of the FNV Old Testament has been contracted to be released over the next decade. Terry and the FNV Translation Council are doing monumental work that will be a gift to the church for generations.”

The FNV Old Testament will be released in four phases over the next ten years. Genesis through Joshua will release in 2029, Judges through Esther in 2032, the Major and Minor Prophets in 2034, and the full FNV Bible of both the Old and New Testaments together in 2035.

“The FNV truly is a groundbreaking project, both in the scope of the translation work and in its profound ministry impact,” said IVP president and publisher Terumi Echols.

More than 100,000 copies of the FNV New Testament have been sold, and more than eight million people have looked up a New Testament chapter in the FNV translation at Bible.com.

Echols said, “We are grateful for the ways God called Terry to pursue this Bible translation. And we are especially thankful for the courage and faithfulness of Terry and the First Nations Version Translation Council to that call, one that has impacted countless lives with this fresh reading of the Christian Scriptures, of Creator’s Story.”

Much like the FNV New Testament and Psalms and Proverbs, the FNV Old Testament will be a collaboration with a translation council that consists of multiple Native North American elders, pastors, young adults, and men and women from different tribes and diverse geographic locations.

Casey Church, pastor of Good Medicine Way in Albuquerque, New Mexico, said, “The FNV is written for a particular time, place, and people—the indigenous people of North America. The First Nations Version is a Bible for us. With estimates that a mere 5 percent of indigenous people of North America have a relationship with Creator Sets Free (Jesus), it’s time for us to have a Bible translation of our own that speaks to our culture, our values, and our hearts through Creator’s Word.”

Wildman says that he is blessed to know that so many Native people are resonating with the FNV. Wildman adds that that it’s more than that: “We also consider the FNV a gift to non-native people.”

Matthew Schlimm, professor of Old Testament at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, attests to that. He said, “The First Nations Version is far and away the most creative Bible translation I’ve ever read. It’s an exciting alternative to the boring, stodgy renderings that have dominated the English market for centuries. All readers can open the FNV and experience old passages in new perspectives. Talk about it with your kids. Study it in churches and classrooms. Use it in worship. The Bible becomes alive!”

To learn more about the story behind the FNV, read this interview with Wildman.

IVP Academic to Release Second Edition of the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 16:25:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) has contracted with four New Testament scholars for the second edition of one of IVP Academic’s foundational reference books, the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments. Volume editors for the new edition include Shane J. Wood, Madison N. Pierce, Dennis R. Edwards, and Michael F. Bird.

Edwards said, “A new generation of Bible readers needs to become familiar with the growing body of scholarship—particularly from women and other minoritized researchers—that addresses writings and topics distinct from yet in continuity with the Gospels and Pauline literature. An updated edition of the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments will assist pastors, students, scholars, and all interested readers in their quest to better understand the New Testament.” Dennis Edwards is associate professor of New Testament as well as vice president for church relations and dean of North Park Seminary, Chicago.

Originally published in 1997, the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments, was added to what were known affectionately as the “Black Dictionaries” for their cover design. The first edition was edited by Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids and included expert contributors like Darrell Bock, George R. Beasley-Murray, I. Howard Marshall, Ben Witherington III, and James D. G. Dunn. Wide-ranging articles spanned from the books of James and Jude to household codes, from the Roman emperor cult to Gnosticism and Docetism, questions of canon to second-century church leaders like Ignatius and Polycarp.

Rachel Hastings, the project editor for the dictionary, said, “IVP Academic has a rich legacy of publishing reference works that are rigorous in their scholarly approach while being accessible to pastors and students alike. These dictionaries are a key piece of that legacy. We have a stellar team of volume editors who will support this new edition, and I’m thrilled to be working alongside them on the second edition of the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments.”

For decades the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments, along with IVP Academic’s Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels and Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, have presented mature evangelical scholarship—committed to the authority of Scripture, utilizing the best of critical methods, and maintaining a dialogue with contemporary scholarship and the challenges facing the church.

Michael Bird, academic dean and lecturer in New Testament at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia, said, “The Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments was a landmark publication that contained a fantastic compilation of articles on the General Epistles, Revelation, and early Christianity. The ‘Black Dictionaries’ are SHEER GOLD for pastors, professors, and seminary students. I am elated to be part of the team creating a second edition of this dictionary and I know that it will be a vital resource for decades to come.”

Similar to the second edition of the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, which released in 2023, this updated dictionary will essentially be a new volume, including revised articles and new articles. The second edition of the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments is tentatively scheduled to release in Spring 2032.

Madison Pierce, associate lecturer at the University of St Andrews, said, “This valuable resource is the first that many pastors and students pick up when working on Acts, Hebrews through Revelation, or the second century. These are difficult texts, and having a reliable introduction is of the utmost importance. Our hope with the second edition is to build on this foundation by updating some entries and adding new ones that reflect recent developments in scholarship and incorporate a new generation of scholars representing diverse perspectives. We also hope that this resource equips pastors and students for decades to come.”

Designed to bring students, teachers, pastors, and general readers up to date and up to speed, this one-of-a-kind reference volume will once again present more information than any other single work—dealing exclusively with the theology, literature, background, and scholarship of the later New Testament and the apostolic church.

“A new edition of any work assumes a strong foundation, updating and expanding, enriching and unfolding an already formidable legacy,” said Shane Wood, professor of New Testament and Its Origins at Ozark Christian College. “For thirty years, IVP’s Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments has blessed the church and the academy, shaping sermons, scholarly papers, and the minds of anyone desiring to dive deep into the Word of God and its world. Over that same time, scholarly conversations and insights have deepened in exciting and fresh ways. Our hope with this new edition is to breathe fresh life into this valuable resource to serve pastors and professors for the next generation.”

Malcolm Guite Signs Contracts with IVP Academic

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 15:26:00 GMT

Malcolm Guite, poet, priest, and professor, has signed contracts with IVP Academic for the first three volumes in a new series tentatively titled Classic Poetry with Malcolm Guite. The first volume, tentatively titled How to Read Poetry, is projected to release in Fall 2028.

“I had the pleasure of taking a summer class on poetry with the inimitable Malcolm Guite during my time at Regent College, and it was one of the most impactful courses of my degree,” said acquiring editor Zachary Gordon. “All I wanted to do afterward was pull up an armchair and hear Professor Guite explain the classics again and again, and this series will capture some of that essence. Getting the opportunity to develop the idea of this series with Professor Guite and see some of the course material turned into book form is deeply gratifying.”

The second title in the series, tentatively titled George Herbert and John Donne, is projected to release in Fall 2029. The third untitled volume is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2030.

Guite (PhD, University of Durham) is the chaplain at Girton College, University of Cambridge, where he also teaches in the Faculty of Divinity. As a priest, poet, and songwriter, he travels and speaks regularly throughout the United Kingdom and North America. He is the author of Mariner: A Theological Voyage with Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Hodder, 2017; IVP Academic, 2018).

“Anyone who has ever met Malcolm Guite or heard him speak knows it's unforgettable: the energy of his engagement with poetry is exceeded only by his deeply learned mastery of literary works across a span of centuries, all mixed with an undercurrent of mischievous humor that keeps you wondering what he’ll say next,” said Jon Boyd, associate publisher and academic editorial director at InterVarsity Press (IVP). “In this series, we get two treasures at once: not only volumes loaded with the gems of English poetry from throughout the last millennium, but also in Guite the benevolent superintending intelligence of one of the tradition’s great advocates and practitioners.”

How to Read Poetry will introduce the reader to poetry through a close reading of seven classic poems. These poems will chronologically take the reader through the English poetic tradition. Subsequent volumes in Classic Poetry with Malcolm Guite will cover topics like early English poetry, sonnets, and Romanticism. Each volume will have a comprehensive introduction, a study guide with questions for group discussion, and light annotations.

Guite said, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with IVP Academic to bring out fresh and accessible editions of works of classic poetry. These works are not only beautiful in themselves and full of insight and wisdom, but they also form an essential part of the heritage of the English-speaking world. They need to be read afresh in every generation, for they still have much to teach us. In late years literary criticism has been lost in a fog of theory, but my aim in these editions, following the example of C. S. Lewis’s great preface to Paradise Lost, is to give readers enough background information and critical insight to open the text and enable a fuller, deeper reading, but not to overwhelm them with the technical or theoretical detail that tends to clog purely academic editions.”

IVP Kids Signs Follow-Up Devotional to "Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World"

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 19:59:00 GMT

Building on the June 24 release of the IVP Kids title Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World, Tara Hackney has signed a second contract with InterVarsity Press (IVP) for the Spring 2027 release of the children’s devotional tentatively titled Jesus Loves the Little Children: A Journey from A to Z.

Hackney’s first book Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World: Fresh Lyrics for a Beloved Song offers refreshed lyrics to the classic song, “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” Hackney said that although it is a timeless and true song, the words didn’t fully capture God’s love for everyone. Hackney wanted a version that would resonate with her adopted daughter, “a version that would include everyone—all the children of the world. Every color, every shade, just exactly as He made.”

In her forthcoming devotional Hackney helps children move from a place of knowing they are loved to loving others. Jesus Loves the Little Children: A Journey from A to Z will give elementary school-age children the opportunity to both learn about children in other parts of the world and pray for those children.

Elissa Schauer, acquiring editor for IVP Kids, said, “We’re thrilled to be working with Tara Hackney on a second book—her enthusiasm and joy are evident in everything she does!”

Children will have the opportunity to learn about the lives of other children from around the world, from Australia, Brazil, and Canada, all the way to Zambia. Each page will include a unique greeting, a country-specific anecdote from the point of view of a child who lives there, a Scripture, a prayer, and a fun fact about the country.

Schauer said, “We love that this devotional is a gentle introduction to children around the globe, offering families a tool that can prompt awareness and conversation. Even more so, this book reverberates with the foundational message of God’s good and great love. What could be more important?”

Hackney is the founder of Jesus Loves, a ministry of encouragement dedicated to recapturing the wonder, exploring the depth, and spreading the good news of the world’s greatest love. As a mother of five, she can often be found scrubbing out grass stains, judging coloring contests, doubling recipes, and driving all over town.

IVP’s Preaching in a New Key Shortlisted for Australian Christian Book of the Year Award

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 20:44:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is excited to announce that Preaching in a New Key has been selected as one of the ten finalists for the annual Australian Christian Book of the Year Award.

The Australian Christian Book of the Year Award recognizes excellence in Christian writing by an Australian citizen. Candidates are judged according to the work’s original nature, literary style, design, and contribution made. Winners will be announced during the SparkLit Awards night in Melbourne on August 21, 2025.

Preaching in a New Key: Crafting Expository Sermons in Post-Christian Communities teaches expository preaching integrated with creativity, cultural discernment, pastoral health, justice, missiology, and more. Scholar and pastor Mark R. Glanville provides a fresh look into the art of crafting sermons for post-Christian contexts.

“Designed to make faith plausible to a new generation of listeners whose values are disconnected from the church, this book seeks to create communities of witness that are attuned to shifting cultures,” said Sarah Travis, Ewart Professor of the Practice of Ministry and Faith Formation at Knox College, University of Toronto. “This preaching is holistic and integrated, seeking to nurture the health of the preacher and the body of Christ. Concerned with beauty and justice, Glanville’s approach to expository preaching will nourish our shared life.”

Glanville (PhD) currently works as the Director of the Centre for Missional Leadership at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and is the author of five books. He has pastored in creative, justice-seeking churches for fourteen years in both Canada and Australia and has played jazz piano professionally for thirty years. Through a variety of lenses, Glanville shows how the Bible is forming churches that extend the tenderness of Jesus in their particular neighborhoods.

For a complete list of IVP award winners visit ivpress.com.

Matthew W. Bates to Publish with IVP Academic

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:13:00 GMT

Award-winning author and New Testament professor Matthew W. Bates has signed a contract with IVP Academic for the Summer 2028 release of his book tentatively titled ChristFormed: How Beholding Jesus Leads to Discipleship.

“We are thrilled to have Matthew Bates writing for IVP Academic,” said acquiring editor Rachel Hastings. “His strong publishing history of writing both for the scholar and the student, coupled with his passion for the church, will inform this exegetically rich and spiritually formative project for readers.”

Bates (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois. He is the author of Gospel Allegiance, Salvation by Allegiance Alone, and Why the Gospel?, which won a 2024 Christianity Today Book Award and was named the 2024 Resource of the Year by Outreach magazine. Bates also cofounded and cohosts the popular Bible and theology podcast OnScript.

“Our initial viewings of Jesus are cloudy, leading to confusion about discipleship and a culture of division,” Bates writes. “It is only when we continue to journey with him that we truly see his character and practices. As we increasingly gaze on the genuine Jesus, the vision is so desirably good that transformation into his image is inescapable. To fully see Jesus is to be ChristFormed.”

ChristFormed will be a ten-stage journey of transformative discipleship that guides readers into the heart of Jesus. Since Jesus intentionally taught his followers how to be disciples as they walked together toward Jerusalem, it draws insights especially from Luke’s travel narrative. In Luke 10–19 Jesus reveals his character, habits, and practices, so that those who desire to see can be changed through participatory viewing. Each chapter will contain practical tips, questions, and suggested exercises that are useful for personal discipleship, church groups, a sermon series, or the classroom.

Bates said, “Dallas Willard’s insight is true: spiritual change begins with accurate vision. To be changed in the present, we must behold as much of the authentic Christ as we can now. This book focuses on correctly viewing Jesus as we journey with him to reshape our desires and practices.”

IVP Kids "Birth of the Chosen One" Wins 2025 American Fiction Award

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 18:25:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is excited to announce that Birth of the Chosen One won first place in the Children’s Religious category of American Book Fest’s American Fiction Awards. IVP Kids titles Penny Preaches and Not Finished Yet were finalists in the same category.

Winners and finalists for the American Fiction Awards were announced in over seventy genre-specific categories for titles published between 2020 and 2025. Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of American Book Fest, said, “American Book Fest is proud to announce the final results of our 8th Annual Fiction Award Program! Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists for their much-deserved recognition!”

In addition to the American Fiction Award, Birth of the Chosen One: A First Nations Retelling of the Christmas Story, received the 2025 Illumination Award Gold Medal and the 2024 Moonbeam Award. It was also honored as the Children’s Book Council (CBC) Teacher Favorites, CBC Librarian Favorites, and the Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorite.

Written by Terry M. Wildman and illustrated by Hannah Noel Buchanan and Holly Buchanan, Birth of the Chosen One is adapted from the Gospel of Luke in IVP’s First Nations Version, an Indigenous translation that recounts the Creator’s Story—the Christian Scriptures—following the tradition of Native storytellers’ oral cultures. This fully illustrated picture book celebrates the sacred event of Christ's birth with the vibrant voice of Indigenous oral storytelling.

“This artful retelling captures the wonder of the birth that changed human history,” said L. Daniel Hawk, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Ashland Theological Seminary. “We commonly read the nativity story with mental pictures shaped by Western culture and traditions. What a joy, then, to read the story afresh through First Nations eyes! Through the gentle cadence of Terry Wildman’s storytelling and the soft pastels of Hannah and Holly Buchanan’s illustrations, we discover new and beautiful treasures in the story of the Chosen One’s birth.”

Penny Preaches: God Gives Good Gifts to Everyone!, one of the American Fiction finalists, tells the story of a young girl who wants to be a preacher. But when preaching from the front porch to her friends doesn’t turn out quite as she expected, Penny wonders if she was wrong to want to teach others about God.

With illustrations by Jennifer Davison and written by Amy and Rob Dixon, Penny’s story celebrates the gifts God has given to all his children. The Dixons said, “Our hope for every child is that they would be able to discern, embrace, and cultivate whatever gifts God has given them, even if those gifts push the boundaries of how the church has historically understood gifting for women and men.”

Penny Preaches also won a 2025 Independent Press Award and a 2025 Illumination Award Gold Medal.

Also a recipient of a 2025 Independent Press Award, Not Finished Yet: Trusting God with All My Feelings, written by Sharon Garlough Brown and illustrated by Jessica Linn Evans, offers an opportunity for caregivers to talk about their faith together with children and teaches them that God welcomes honest, heartfelt prayers.

Wren’s journey begins in Gran’s art studio—a place filled with love, creativity, and encouragement. Through painting, Wren learns to express her feelings and discover God’s presence in every part of life. Together, Wren and Gran share a practice they call “painting prayers,” guiding young readers to see art as a way to explore their emotions and communicate with God.

“This book is for children, yes, but it’s also for the child in all of us,” said Sarah Arthur, author of Once a Queen and A Light So Lovely. “When our emotions get too big for our bodies, we can trust Sharon Garlough Brown. She’s the wise voice of Wren’s grandmother, gently reminding us that we’re a work in progress. Nothing—not even our biggest, scariest feelings—can separate us from the love of God.”

In keeping with IVP's historic mission, IVP Kids offers resources that reflect and celebrate diverse voices, equipping and encouraging children to follow Jesus in every area of their lives.

IVP Editor Elissa Schauer said, “Our hope is that children and families would enjoy reading together, and that the content of these books would spark meaningful conversations for years to come.”

For a complete list of IVP Kids award winners visit ivpress.com.

IVP Launches The Teach Your Children Well Podcast

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 17:09:00 GMT

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is excited to announce the launch of its first parenting podcast hosted by Sarah Cowan Johnson, award-winning author of Teach Your Children Well.

The first episode of The Teach Your Children Well Podcast kicks off on June 23 as Sarah sits down with Justin Whitmel Earley, author of Habits of the Household, to discuss this question: How do we help our kids love and follow Jesus in today’s cultural climate?

In this ten-episode podcast, Sarah and her guests explore how the biblical story offers wisdom and good news for the twenty-first-century parent. Each episode examines two approaches to guiding our kids through difficult topics: one informed by the world’s culture and one informed by the biblical story. Through enriching conversations and practical discipleship ideas, Sarah and her guests unravel the differences between these two approaches and discuss how our families can shift from the cultural narrative in pursuit of a gospel-oriented one.

“In a world that doesn’t know Jesus and his love, parenting in the way of Jesus often feels like swimming upstream,” Sarah said. “In our cultural moment, how should we think about technology, sexuality, busyness, achievement culture, and even the definition of the ‘good life’? We sometimes flail and flounder amid powerful—and even compelling—cultural narratives. While I can’t magically change the currents, through this podcast I hope to invite listeners to swim alongside one another, gaining wisdom and insight from brilliant voices who remind us that this upstream journey is not only good and beautiful but also vital—for our kids, and also for our own souls.”

In the trailer for The Teach Your Children Podcast, which is available now, Sarah shares her heart for helping parents and provides a sneak peek at some of the tools, perspectives, and practices she and her guests will offer for discipling the next generation.

Sarah’s guests on The Teach Your Children Well Podcast are as follows:

June 23

Justin Whitmel Earley is the creator of The Common Rule, a program of habits designed to form us in the love of God and neighbor. He is author of numerous books, including the bestselling The Common Rule and The Common Rule Youth Edition.

June 30

Amy Julia Becker helps people reimagine the good life through her writing and speaking on disability, faith, and culture. She is the author of To Be Made Well, White Picket Fences, Small Talk, and A Good and Perfect Gift and the creator of the Reimagining Family Life with Disability workshop. She is a guest opinion writer for national publications and hosts the Reimagining the Good Life podcast.

July 7

Kevin Chapman is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. He hosts The Sound Mind Show (YouTube), which focuses on managing emotions from a biblical perspective. Kevin is the author of Mastering Our Emotions.

July 14

Jamie Gordon is a licensed master’s level social worker. Jamie has worked in several different settings, with her work primarily serving youth and families. She has worked in residential treatment, an inpatient psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents, a domestic violence shelter, and a school setting. Jamie currently serves as the intake coordinator at Husch Blackwell’s human trafficking clinic, where pro bono legal aid and case management are provided for survivors of labor and sex trafficking. She also oversees the social work program at Screen Sanity.

July 21

Rob and Amy Dixon are coauthors of the IVP Kids title Penny Preaches. Rob is the author of Together in Ministry and has served on InterVarsity staff for more than twenty-six years. Amy is the author of three picture books—Maurice the Unbeastly, Sophie’s Animal Parade, and Marathon Mouse—as well as a middle grade novel.

July 28

Natasha Smith is a grief advocate, speaker, and podcast host. She is the author of Can You Just Sit with Me? and Black Woman Grief. Her work has appeared in Guideposts, Propel Women, Influence magazine, her.BIBLE, and elsewhere.

August 4

Jon Tyson is a New York City–based pastor and author. Originally from Adelaide, Australia, Jon moved to the United States over two decades ago with a passion to seek and cultivate renewal in the Western Church. He is the author of multiple books, including The Burden Is Light, Beautiful Resistance, and The Intentional Father. He serves as the senior pastor at Church of the City New York.

August 11

Rachel Joy Welcher is the author of Talking Back to Purity Culture, three collections of poetry, and the forthcoming kids book, Charlie Can’t Sleep!. She works as a book editor.

August 18

Tracie Braylock is a holistic nurse educator, writer, and wellness consultant. As a former operating room nurse, she advocates for mind, body, spirit well-being, holistic wellness experiences, and liberating relaxation. Her work has been featured in the American Holistic Nurses Association New Beginnings magazine, Proverbs 31 Ministries, and Hallmark Mahogany. Tracie teaches workshops, leads retreats, and lectures on issues related to nursing, writing, self-care, and healing lifestyles. She is the author of Radical Relaxation.

August 25

Sarah Cowan Johnson wraps up the season with a recap of the discussions, shared wisdom, and encouragement for parents. Sarah is a ministry trainer, consultant, and coach who works with church planters, pastors, and ministry leaders across the United States. She leads seminars for parents on family discipleship to help their children walk in the way of Jesus. She is the cohost of The People of the Way podcast.  

The Teach Your Children Well Podcast is one of the results of a $1.25 million grant awarded to IVP by the Lilly Endowment in connection to the Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative. The initiative is part of the Lilly Endowment’s grantmaking that supports efforts to help individuals and families from diverse Christian communities draw more fully on the wisdom of Christian practices to live out their faith fully and to pass on a vibrant faith to a new generation.

The Teach Your Children Well Podcast will be available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast distributors. Check out the IVP YouTube page for a peek at the podcast trailer.

Dr. Kevin Chapman Signs Contract with IVP for Follow-Up to Mastering Our Emotions

Fri, 30 May 2025 14:49:00 GMT

Dr. Kevin Chapman has signed a contract with InterVarsity Press (IVP) for a follow-up to his first book, Mastering Our Emotions: Biblical Principles for Emotional Health. His second book will release in Spring 2027 and is tentatively titled Activating Joy.

While Mastering Our Emotions focused on addressing the downward spiral of negative thinking and feelings, Activating Joy will focus on understanding and intentionally strengthening our God-given capacity for an upward spiral.

“Activating Joy will follow a similar format as Mastering Our Emotions but will focus on ways to enhance positive emotionality with intentionality. This book will consider practical ways we as believers can ‘activate’ joy as opposed to trying to ‘find’ joy,” Chapman said.

Kelli Trujillo, the acquiring editor for both of Chapman’s books, said, “We all know from experience that willpower alone is not sufficient to the task. In his forthcoming second book with IVP, Activating Joy, Dr. Kevin Chapman will build upon the powerful impact of Mastering Our Emotions to help Christians more deeply understand our God-given capacity for joy. Dr. Chapman is a trusted voice whose deep faith integrates naturally with the therapeutic insights he offers. Drawing upon his expertise as a licensed clinical psychologist, in Activating Joy, Dr. Chapman will weave together insights from psychology with truth from Scripture to help Christians better understand their emotions and thoughts in order to truly live into God’s gift of deep and enduring joy.”

Chapman is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialty in cognitive behavioral therapy. He is the founder and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders and has appeared on TLC as well as in USA Today, The Huffington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Chapman leads Sound Mind Ministries and hosts The Sound Mind Show (YouTube), which focuses on managing emotions from a biblical perspective.

IVP Remembers Samuel Escobar

Fri, 02 May 2025 19:13:00 GMT

Samuel Escobar, a renowned Latin American theologian and missiologist, died on April 29, 2025, at the age of 90.  

“Samuel Escobar was a figure of truly world-historical proportions. From his theological scholarship that opened the eyes of many to ‘the liberating Savior’ and his leadership in the Lausanne Movement to his mentorship of generations who have followed, we stand happily in debt to him and to the Lord who called him for such wide-ranging service,” said Jon Boyd, Associate Publisher and Academic Editorial Director at InterVarsity Press (IVP). 

Escobar was born in Arequipa, Peru. He studied arts and education at San Marcos University in Lima, Peru. He earned a PhD from the Complutense University in Madrid, Spain. Escobar served with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) in Latin America for twenty-six years, from 1959 to 1985, and is a past honorary president of IFES. He also spent three years, from 1972 to 1975, as general director of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) Canada. Escobar was professor of missiology at Palmer Theological Seminary, from 1985 to 2005, and taught at Facultad Protestante de Teología of the Spanish Baptist Union in Alcobendas (Madrid), Spain (full biography available at palmerseminary.edu).  

“The impact of Samuel Escobar’s life and ministry on the global church cannot be overstated. He was not only one of the pioneers of the Lausanne Movement and the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Latin America (twenty-six years in campus ministry), he laid the theological foundations for ‘integral mission’—an understanding of mission that integrated evangelism with social responsibility. His books and teaching, and his humility and grace, have influenced generations of InterVarsity/USA students and graduates as well as ministry leaders from many other evangelical movements, seminaries, and churches around the world,” said Tom Lin, President of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA and Trustee of the Lausanne Movement. 

The Lausanne Movement began in 1974 with the First Lausanne Congress convened by Billy Graham in Lausanne, Switzerland. Escobar was one of the pioneers of the movement and first congress alongside René Padilla and John Stott. The Lausanne Movement unites the global church around mission, evangelism, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.  

Boyd added, “Dr. Escobar was a joy to work with on In Search of Christ in Latin America, the English translation of his influential work, En busca de Cristo en América Latina. I imagine it must have seemed to him like just a bit of icing on the cake of an already monumental career in scholarship, ministry, and leadership, but for those of us at InterVarsity Press, it was a brush with greatness.”  

Oscar García-Johnson, Professor of Theology and Decolonial Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, said, “I know of no other work within Protestantism that has achieved what Escobar did in this book [In Search of Christ in Latin America]—not another modern Christology of sorts but the path for the construction of Original Christology from the context of the American Global South, beyond normative occidentalized theological attempts.” Escobar’s other books include The New Global Mission, Dictionary of Mission Theology, and La Palabra: Vida de la Iglesia. 

Cindy Bunch, IVP’s Divisional Vice President of Editorial, said, “We have lost one of our great Christian leaders with the passing of Dr. Samuel Escobar. I am grateful that I was able to hear him teach at the Urbana missions conferences. He was a wise biblical scholar and a pioneering leader of the Lausanne conferences with René Padilla and John Stott. It is an honor to have his work in the IVP list.”  