(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today that thirteen of its products or campaigns have been chosen to be finalists for Christian Retailing’s 2009 Retailer’s Choice Awards. Products or campaigns nominated for the 2009 Retailer’s Choice Awards must include clear Christian content, message, or worldview. Retailers judge nominations on the impact they have had on staff and customers, including their ability to speak to people’s hearts and evoke emotion, open people’s minds to new ways of thinking, and encourage and affirm Christlike living.

The winner in each category will be announced on Monday, July 13, during the International Christian Retail Show in Denver, Colorado. Winners will appear in the August 10 issue of Christian Retailing. The Thomas Nelson finalists are: READ MORE »

(Nashville, Tenn.) Wayne Hastings, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group, is pleased to announce that Carla Ballerini has joined Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group as Vice President of Marketing. Ballerini will be filling the position vacated by Audrey Kidd who left the company to serve as the Chief Operating Officer for the United Methodist Publishing House.

“The company’s mission to inspire others through God’s Word matches my personal mission,” notes Ballerini. “Thomas Nelson is a place where my Christian values and beliefs will be supported, strengthened, and utilized to fuel the professional marketing efforts for some of the most dynamic Bible and study products available today. I am excited by both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.” READ MORE »

(Nashville, Tenn.) When the 14th Annual Audies® Competition announced its top picks in a May 29 award ceremony, a group of Hollywood’s biggest young stars emerged from a competitive category as the very best.  The Word of Promise Next Generation®: New Testament Audio Bible rose above audio books on Abraham Lincoln, Sidney Poitier, and Mother Teresa to take home the coveted 2009 Audie® in Inspirational/Faith-Based Non-Fiction.  This year’s contest drew in a record 1,000 entries from audio publishers, reflecting the health of the audio industry.

John Kirby, Director of The Word of Promise Next Generation, expresses the pride of everyone who worked on the project: “What an honor to have won this prestigious award and to have been surrounded by such inspiring nominees who are heroes of mine,” he says. READ MORE »

The American Patriot’s Bible Incorporates Civil Rights Movement Section

(Nashville, Tenn.) The forthcoming Bible title The American Patriot’s Bible (May 2009, Thomas Nelson) takes readers on a powerful journey revealing how faith has seen American citizens through troubled times, as well as impacted the overall formation of this great nation.  Within its pages, readers will find a special section dedicated to the pursuit of equal rights which includes figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Barack Obama as one of the many introspective historic articles featured in the title.

“We are experiencing change in America, and it was essential to spotlight how faith in God has been there to strengthen the activists when a monumental fight for freedom and justice was at hand,” notes Dr. Richard G. Lee who serves as the general editor for the project, as well as founding pastor of First Redeemer Church (Atlanta, GA), and speaker for the There’s Hope America ministry. READ MORE »

The American Patriot’s Bible Offers Inspiration During Recession Depression

(Nashville, Tenn.) In the midst of the recession, a new Bible project is offering hope to rekindle the American spirit. The American Patriot’s Bible (May 2009, Thomas Nelson) takes readers on a powerful journey revealing how faith has seen American citizens through troubled times, as well as impacted the overall formation of this great nation. Joining with the sacred New King James version (NKJV) text are stories of American heroes, quotations from and articles about many of America’s greatest thinkers, historic photographs, and beautiful illustrations that present the rich heritage and tremendous future of the United States of America.

“America stands without equal as a beacon of hope and freedom in a hurting world. Our Founding Fathers delivered to us a system of government that has enjoyed unprecedented success: we are now the world’s longest ongoing constitutional republic. Well over two hundred years under one form of government is an accomplishment unknown among contemporary nations,” notes Dr. Richard G. Lee who serves as the general editor for the project, as well as founding pastor of First Redeemer Church (Atlanta, GA), and speaker for the There’s Hope America ministry. READ MORE »