Before he even left the United States, Lucado made it his goal to help World Vision sponsor 25,000 more children. Interested sponsors can go to the website link: http://maxlucado.com/ethiopia/.

“Ethiopia may measure a bit smaller since I’m bringing a lot of it home in my heart,” said Max Lucado via Twitter upon his return. “I never expected such poverty coupled with such joy. There are more honest smiles among the poor of Ethiopia than the shopping malls of America. What a remarkable, life-changing trip.”

World Vision, which provides aid to children and families in nearly 100 countries, has been working in Ethiopia since 1971, with more than 187,000 children benefiting from World Vision sponsorships. The agency also supports 65 Ethiopian development programs to assist with medical needs, clean water, nourishment, education and rehabilitation.

Highlights of Lucado’s trip to Ethiopia included visiting with an HIV/AIDS program in Boset, tours of irrigation and farming innovations in Adama, and school visits with local children. Lucado also preached to a standing-room-only crowd of Ethiopians on Sunday, May 10, at the Full Gospel Church near Adama. Max and Denalyn Lucado were also able to meet their sponsored child, Mimi and her family, during the trip.

Max believes his writing and speaking ministry has been permanently impacted by this trip. “God is up to something big in Ethiopia, in America, and around the world,” says Lucado. “I believe we can all make a difference if we jump into the middle of what He is doing.”

Thomas Nelson CEO Hyatt was deeply moved by what he saw on the trip: “We came to minister to the poor and needy. But it is they who have ministered to us, exposing our own poverty and need.”

“It was a great privilege to accompany Max and his family on his first-ever trip to Africa,” said Richard Stearns, president of World Vision. “As expected, Max was a quick study and immediately embraced and understood World Vision’s strategies for empowering the poor and tackling the causes of poverty. We appreciate that he has graciously agreed to use his influence in helping 25,000 more children through World Vision’s sponsorship programs.”

In late April 2009, Max Lucado returned from another mission trip to Honduras with Mike Silva International, speaking to more than 160,000 in attendance at the multi-day event. He also spent several years in Brazil as a missionary church planter.

Max Lucado has more than 65 million books in print and a publishing career that has spanned nearly 25 years. His books have been on many national bestseller lists including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today. Max and his wife Denalyn live in San Antonio, Texas, where he is Minister of Writing and Preaching at Oak Hills Church.

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.

Contact: Dave Schroeder
Director of Marketing
Tel: (615) 902-2127
Fax: (615) 902-2219
Email: dschroeder@thomasnelson.com

“Our international licensing team has averaged 21% growth each of the last four years,” said Tod Shuttleworth, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher of Nelson’s Specialty and Global Publishing Division. “And we are seeing dynamic growth throughout our international divisions. Daisy’s extensive international experience will be an important addition to our team as we plan on the continued growth of Thomas Nelson’s global publishing.”

Hutton most recently served as the Rights Director at the Harvard Business Press in Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to her work at Harvard Business Press, Daisy worked for Perseus Books Group and two prominent literary agencies. Hutton is a graduate of the University of Mississippi in Oxford, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Art in French and English Literature.

“Thomas Nelson is one of the most innovative and inspiring publishers in the business and has been an industry leader in the commitment to building a truly global publishing platform,” said Hutton. “I look forward to contributing my own talent and experience to the exciting work the international team at Thomas Nelson is already engaged in and to being a part of a company with such a rich history and promising future.”

Over the next few weeks, Hutton, her husband Matt, and two sons Leo and Silas will be relocating to Nashville from their current home in Massachusetts.

For more information on Thomas Nelson’s international initiatives, visit www.thomasnelson.com/global.

Contact: Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications
Tel: (615) 902-1109
Fax: (615) 902-1110
E-mail: lnobles@thomasnelson.com