Nashville, Tenn. – Thomas Nelson Inc., one of the word’s oldest and largest Bible publishers, has another milestone in its yearlong celebration of the King James Version Bible’s 400th anniversary.
The company’s Bible Group Marketing Team has won the prestigious platinum MarCom award for its creative KJV400 marketing strategy. The global competition, touted as the largest of its kind in the world, recognizes “outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals.”

“What an honor to have this talented and dedicated group as part of the Thomas Nelson family,” says Mark Schoenwald, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson. “Through this campaign, our Bible Marketing Team continues to carry out the company’s mission, to inspire the world. The King James Bible is an integral part of Thomas Nelson’s foundation and this team has done a great job to educate consumers about its history and cultural influence.”

Competition entrants include media conglomerates and Fortune 500 companies. The entries are judged by the international organization Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

“Our marketing team well deserves having this spotlight shone on them,” says Gary Davidson, Thomas Nelson Senior Vice President and Bible Group Publisher. “Their exceptional creative programs are some of the best I’ve ever seen. I’m very proud of the work they do to spread God’s Word.”

It was 407 years ago that King James of England gathered 54 of the best biblical scholars and linguists of the day to create a new translation of the Bible. Thomas Nelson’s campaign to share the anniversary included the Bible Legacy Event at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, a worldwide satellite media tour, partnerships with the History Channel and Salem Media Group, and recently a promotion on the CBS Times Square Jumbo Screen. A web site dedicated to the celebration – www.KJV400celebration.com – launched an online version of the Bible Legacy showcase, encouraging millions of people to view ancient biblical relics.

“It was a lot of hours and a lot of work, but it was worth it,” says Blake Aldridge, Senior Marketing Director of Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group. “The King James Version changed how the world viewed the Bible, and its legacy of language lives on today. We wanted everyone to understand how important that Bible translation is to their everyday lives, whether they realize it or not. It was a huge challenge, but this group likes challenges.”

The group’s efforts reached close to 63 million viewers through paid promotions, and countless more through publicity efforts in print, online, radio and television. Innovative design work by Thomas Nelson’s design team brought the past and present together in beautiful products that will be kept for generations. This award recognizes the dedicated perseverance of all those who worked for months to keep this version of God’s Word in the hearts of the world.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of a campaign that celebrates such a time-honored translation as the King James Version,” says Lindsay Williams, Bible Group Marketing Specialist. “This has been the largest campaign I’ve been a part of during my time at Thomas Nelson, and it’s been exciting to work on something with such a phenomenal reach! It’s been neat to see people’s reactions as they begin to understand how this translation has stood the test of time and influenced history for 400 years.”

Thomas Nelson Inc. is the world’s largest Christian publisher, with a mission to “inspire the world.” The company provides multiple formats of Bibles, inspirational books and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. Visit www.ThomasNelsonBibles.com for more information.

For image files, interview opportunities and more information, contact Julie Belschner, publicist, at jbelschner@thomasnelson.com or at 615.902.2244.

Pick up the Bible That Won’t Let You Put It Down

Nashville, Tenn. – It was 407 years ago that King James of England gathered 54 of the best biblical scholars and linguists of the day to create a new translation of the Bible.  It was 7 years ago that Thomas Nelson gathered more than 100 of the best biblical scholars and linguists of today to create a new translation of the Bible.  The King James Bible was completed in 1611; The Voice was completed in 2011.

Thomas Nelson released The Voice New Testament on Oct. 1. The full Bible is at the printers, due to be released in March 2012.  “Creating a new translation is unbelievably complicated and difficult,” says Gary Davidson, Thomas Nelson Vice-President and Bible Group Publisher. “Every translation of every word from the original Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic needed to be checked and rechecked. After the artists and authors wrote their verses, it was all checked again. Whether 1611 or 2011, the process is much the same.”

The original biblical verses were written by more than 40 different human authors – scholars, pastors, writers, poets and songwriters. The Voice recreates that, also using writers, poets and songwriters as well as pastors and scholars. It gives back the poetry and drama of the original writings that have been homogenized out through the centuries.

“We spent days negotiating the words,” says David Capes, Thomas Nelson Research Professor at Houston Baptist University. “These texts, some are 2,000 or 3,000 years old. We (the scholars) needed the writers to help us get the grit. The Bible is not rated PG. There are unsavory characters doing unsavory things. But we believe these are our spiritual ancestors. When I read about David, I know I am his kind.”

The King James Version was meant to be read aloud to a people who often couldn’t read. The Voice, too, is meant to be read aloud, to a people who are looking for a new way to learn God’s Word – to a people who have become, according to many, biblically illiterate. The Voice will entice readers; they will read chapters and books without realizing it’s been an hour, or two, or three.

“It was as though Matthew was speaking to me,” says Steve Decker, professor at Middle Tennessee State University, with a degree in secondary education from Tennessee Technological University and a Master’s of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, talking about The Voice. “Before I knew it I was into Mark and it was a different voice. It was as though they were talking to me in person.

“It was an unparalleled experience. It’s a bit like getting a high-definition television – the clarity of it. It’s a unique way to experience God. It’s been said that the Word of God is like a lion – you just open the cage and let it out and it can take care of itself.  In The Voice, you’ve let the lion out.”

Why “The Voice?”

The Voice, the very God through whom all was created, is called logos in Greek and has been translated as the “Word,” but truly is the expression of God: the logic, the verbalization, the speaking, the Voice. John tells us it is this Voice who creates the heavens and earth. God Speaks and worlds are born. As Genesis tells it, the cosmos begins and is shaped by God’s Voice. John could not agree more, but his unique insight comes as he identifies Jesus as that Expression or Voice.” – commentary found in The Voice New Testament

“While the ancient term logos does mean the Word, there is much more held in that expression than what we, in our time, immediately think of,” says Frank Couch, The Voice editor and Thomas Nelson Vice President for Translation Development. “In ancient Greek it literally meant the expression of an idea. The concept and the fullness of its expression is the point here and not the unique arrangement of letters.”

Hence The Voice – God is always speaking to us, vibrant and alive in the here and now.

“You will hear God as He whispers His love to you.” – Chris Seay, President Ecclesia Bible Society and scholar involved in The Voice translation

Chris Seay was the original driving force behind the translation. For many years as a pastor in Houston, he wished for a Bible translation that would be easy to understand and could be acted out by those wanting to better understand God’s Word. A friend finally said to him that maybe he was the one to make this happen. Thomas Nelson came on board with the idea, and seven years later a new force has been born, a force to spread God’s Word in a new generation in a new way.

“Our culture has changed, the times have changed,” Couch says. “This is a fresh expression of the passion, humor, grit and beauty of Scripture. It allows readers to see themselves in the story. It lets the truth and wisdom of Scripture come through.”

Visit The Voice on Facebook; visit www.HearTheVoice.com and follow The Voice on Twitter @HearTheVoice – pre-release verses are being posted frequently.                                                                                

Thomas Nelson, Inc. is the world’s largest Christian publisher.  The Company provides multiple formats of Bibles, inspirational books and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Live Event Management, Inc., a Thomas Nelson company, is the nation’s leading producer of Christian live events.   Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information, please visit www.thomasnelson.com. 

Available for interviews:

Frank Couch, The Voice editor and Thomas Nelson Vice President for Translation Development

Chris Seay, President Ecclesia Bible Society and scholar involved in The Voice translation

David Capes, Thomas Nelson Research Professor at Houston Baptist University

Gary Davidson, Thomas Nelson Vice-President and Bible Group Publisher

Other scholars and writers as schedule permits

Gaither Homecoming Bible to release in Fall 2012

Nashville, Tenn. — Thomas Nelson Publishers, the largest Christian publisher in the world and the seventh largest trade-book publisher in the United States, is excited to announce a partnership with singer-songwriter legends Bill and Gloria Gaither to create a Bible that will inspire hope through scripture, song and story.

Scheduled to release in August 2012, the Gaither Homecoming Bible will be a collaboration of Gaither Homecoming artists throughout the years, with Gloria Gaither serving as managing editor.

“For decades the Gaithers have reached millions of people across generations, with their music of joy, thanksgiving and praise ushering listeners into the presence of God,” says Gary Davidson, Senior Vice President and Bible Group Publisher with Thomas Nelson. “They inspire hope through scripture, story and song, and we hope to capture that spirit of inspiration in this Bible.”

The Gaither Homecoming Bible will feature personal inspirational experiences with the scriptures, from Bill and Gloria Gaither as well as the Homecoming artists and those closely involved with their music ministry through the years. Included in the pages of this Bible will be carefully selected favorite hymns, gospel songs, and songs by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Also included will be statements by great historical and contemporary Christian writers, theologians, and thinkers about the part music has played in their own spiritual journeys.

The Bible will release under the Thomas Nelson’s Signature Series brand of premium Bibles in the popular New King James Version (NKJV).

Gloria Gaither says, “We have found the Word of God to be a living, vital force in our real, walking-around lives. It is our hope that the stories and experiences we and the Homecoming family of singers, writers and musicians share will encourage and inspire others to take seriously the Bible’s claim to be light for our path, a shield from negative forces, a sharp sword when we feel attacked, sweet honey in our mouths, and a dependable guide for life’s journey. Most of all we hope a developing love for the Scriptures will lead those who read it to the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

The Gaithers have produced more than 700 songs, hundreds of recordings, a dozen musicals, and a collection of books for both children and adults. In affirmation of Bill and Gloria’s contribution to the great pool of treasured gospel music, they have been awarded many Grammy and Dove Awards, the ASCAP Songwriters of the Century Award. They have been inducted into the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame and into the Gospel Music Hall Association Hall of Fame and Museum. The Bill Gaither Trio and the Gaither Vocal Band have also won numerous awards.

“Partnering with the Gaithers will enable us to reach out to millions more around the world with God’s Word,” says Davidson. “We are passionate about making a difference – and so are the Gaithers. God has blessed us by bringing them into our family. We look forward to a long-lasting partnership that will create new legacies for generations to come.”

Founded in 1798, Nashville-based Thomas Nelson Publishers is one of the oldest Bible publishers in the world, the largest publisher of King James Bibles and the proprietary publisher of New King James Bibles. The Gaither Bible will be published in the New King James Version, the best Bible translation for accuracy, beauty and clarity. More than 60 million NKJV have been sold in 30 years, making it the top-selling translation after the original King James Version.

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Thomas Nelson Inc. is a leading provider of Bibles, products and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family-value themes. Visit www.ThomasNelsonBibles.com and www.NKJVBible.com for more information.

For more information or images, or to schedule an interview, contact Julie Belschner at jbelschner@thomasnelson.com or 615-902-2244.

(Nashville, TN) Thomas Nelson’s Design MultiMedia group won a silver ADDY® award at the 2010-2011 National ADDY® Awards for advertising excellence at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel in San Diego, California, on June 4. The award ceremony was a part of ADMERICA!, the federation’s national advertising conference.

The ADDY® Awards Competition is a three-tiered national competition conducted annual by the American Adverting Federation. The ADDY® Awards Competition is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition for creative excellence.

Dr. Richard G. Lee To Appear on The Glenn Beck Program and Restoring Honor Rally This Week

(Nashville, Tenn.) In today’s society there is a growing concern that the religious freedoms of the American public are being challenged. Dr. Richard G. Lee, Founding Pastor of First Redeemer Church (Atlanta, GA) and General Editor of The American Patriot’s Bible, has been selected to participate in a special discussion on religion in America on “The Glenn Beck Program” airing on Friday, August 27nd at 5 p.m. EST on the Fox News Channel. During the show Dr. Lee will speak into The American Patriot’s Bible’s message of the importance of religion in our national culture and the encouragement to follow the example of past noble men and women who were patriots of the faith.  The next day, Lee will join Beck and others in honoring modern-day patriots at the Restoring Honor Rally event taking place at Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.

“The ability that I have to celebrate the joy I’ve found in Jesus Christ is not one I take lightly, and I feel called to share that message of hope with others,” says Lee. “I’m truly honored to be invited to join in the discussion of religious freedom and to thank the service men that fight for my freedom on a daily basis.” READ MORE »