(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today the launch of a multi-faceted social media campaign to coincide with the release of Max Lucado’s new book, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear. The company is utilizing the influence of its online “friends” and “followers” to help spread the world about this important release.

On Monday, August 10 at 10 a.m., Michael Hyatt kicked off the campaign on his blog, http://michaelhyatt.com/, with a video book review and a unique offer. He offered the first chapter of Fearless for anyone to download or share. He gave the first hundred commenters a free copy of the book with no strings attached. Lastly, he made available a thousand copies for bloggers through Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers program. READ MORE »

Theme of Trip: Fearless — Imagine Your Life Without Fear

Max Lucado, pastor and bestselling author spoke at more than 22 events during a nine-day trip to Brazil (July 19 - 28, 2009), reaching more than 50,000 people with a message of hope from his forthcoming book Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear (Thomas Nelson, U.S. $24.99, September 2009).  The book releases internationally next month, but the Portuguese edition of Fearless released early to accommodate Lucado’s Brazil trip.  The Portugese edition has appeared within the top ten spots of every major Brazilian bestseller list to date.

Lucado’s inspirational books have enjoyed international popularity for decades, but the author’s international ministry truly began in Brazil.  Max and Denalyn Lucado served as church planting missionaries in Rio de Janeiro during the early 1980s, and two of their daughters were born in Brazil.  Lucado was thrilled to be back in Brazil once more, visiting old friends and meeting new acquaintances: “This is like a homecoming to me, seeing church friends and encouraging the precious Brazilian people.”  He specifically encouraged Brazilian audiences to fear less in regard to violence (chapter 18 of Fearless addresses this topic).  Violence is a significant concern for Brazilians due to ongoing rioting in Sao Paolo and other parts of the country.  READ MORE »

Best-selling author and Texas pastor Max Lucado visited Ethiopia May 5-11, 2009 with international humanitarian agency World Vision. Joined by his wife Denalyn, his daughter Jenna and her husband Brett Bishop, World Vision President Richard Stearns, Thomas Nelson CEO Michael Hyatt and Women of Faith president, Mary Graham, Lucado experienced first-hand the immense need for aid in this remote area of Africa. As a long time sponsor of World Vision children, Lucado was deeply moved by the joy of the Ethiopian people in the face of such hardship and by the difference World Vision is making in that country.

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/. READ MORE »

Fastest-Selling Lucado Product in History

(Nashville, TN) — Pastor and author Max Lucado has sold more than four million units worldwide branded with 3:16—The Numbers of Hope, including one million units of the cornerstone book of the same title (released in September 2007).  Thomas Nelson and an unprecedented group of licensed partners have created and distributed a wide variety of 3:16 branded products, including booklets, greeting cards, wearable items, video resources, church musicals, and evangelistic products to name a few.  The unprecedented rate of sales for the 3:16 brand makes it the fastest-selling product in the history of Lucado’s 23-year publishing career. READ MORE »

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. was awarded nine of Christian Retailing’s 2008 Retailer’s Choice Awards. The awards were announced on Monday, July 14th at the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando, Florida. Thomas Nelson received more than twice the wins of any other publishing house and walked away with almost a third of the cumulative awards.

“There are two things about Retailer’s Choice Awards that make them among the highest honors in this industry,” said Michael S. Hyatt, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson. “First, the awards are selected by Christian retailers, who work on the front lines to help Christians strengthen their spiritual journey. Second, the awards are judged on a product’s ability to inspire, encourage, and affirm Godly living. I am so proud of the entire Thomas Nelson team.” READ MORE »