Jesus Calling® Ranked #1 on Wall Street Journal Bestseller List

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Over five million lives have been touched by the writings of author Sarah Young, author of bestselling devotional "Jesus Calling®" and the messages of peace it has brought them. The award-winning devotional that has inspired a generation recently surpassed a milestone: Jesus Calling^® is now ranked #1 on the Wall Street Journal Non Fiction Bestseller list.

This fall, Sarah Young and publisher Thomas Nelson will release a new devotional filled with messages of hope: Jesus Today^TM (Thomas Nelson, ISBN 978-1-4003-2009-7, October 2012, $15.99) and a beautifully illustrated children's book, Jesus Calling^® Bible Storybook (Tommy Nelson, ISBN 978-1-4003-2033-2, October 2012, $16.99).

Young's bestselling first book, Jesus Calling, was born after years of writing in her prayer journal and feeling led to write down what she believed God was telling her. Also written with a first-person Jesus talking to the reader, Jesus Today is a themed devotional focusing on the hope that Christians can find in their Savior. The book contains 150 devotional thoughts designed to connect readers to their Lord with the help of written-out Scripture and hope-filled quotes scattered throughout the book.

In Jesus Today, readers will be renewed with a deeper sense of hope as Sarah shares this about her spiritual journey in writing the book: "When I began writing Jesus Today, I was deeply discouraged by the failure of many months of intensive medical treatment to improve my health. However, the longer I worked on the book—focusing on finding hope in Jesus—the more hopeful and encouraged I became. If I'd been healthier I would not have been able to write this book. I might have been able to write a different book but not this one. This book really came out of the trenches."

"Jesus Today offers hope so real and intimate, it feels like you can reach out and touch it," says Laura Minchew, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Specialty Products at Thomas Nelson. "With the current troubles this generation is facing, whether they be economic, personal, or social, a sense of hopelessness seems to be permeating into the mindset of many people. That's why the message of hope is pervasive throughout Jesus Today—because that's what people are looking for and need."

Little ones can also experience the same "Jesus Calling" messages in a vibrant storybook format they'll love with the new "Jesus Calling^® Bible Storybook." With beloved stories and Jesus Calling devotions, this Bible storybook will become a classic for families everywhere.

"'The Jesus Calling Bible Storybook' can help young children understand how much Jesus loves them so that they can learn to respond to Him with love and trust," says author Sarah Young. "If children form loving, close relationships with Jesus in early childhood, it will help them throughout their whole lives."

Jesus Today and the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook are part of the Jesus Calling^® brand, a world-recognized inspirational line of products that has now sold over five million products. Jesus Calling has been translated into 18 languages and has inspired products in multiple formats: eBooks, apps, audio books, calendars and CD's. Young's other works include Jesus Lives and Dear Jesus, children's 365 day devotional Jesus Calling for Kids, the Jesus Calling Devotional Bible, and a Spanish translation of the original devotional book, Jesus Te Llama.

Sarah Young is quietly leading millions of men and women worldwide on a journey of intimacy with Christ. Her devotional books—which include the #1 bestseller Jesus Calling and the top sellers Jesus Calling for Kids, Dear Jesus, and Jesus Lives—have sold over 5 million copies. She received her bachelor's in philosophy from Wellesley College, a master's in child development from Tufts University, and a master's in counseling and biblical studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. She also earned a specialist's degree (one year beyond a master's degree) in community counseling at Georgia State University and studied under Francis Schaeffer at L'Abri in Switzerland. Sarah and her husband have traveled extensively, planting churches and counseling. They currently are living in Australia, where they are ministering to Japanese people and helping establish an international church. They have two married children and two grandchildren.

Thomas Nelson, Inc., a HarperCollins company, 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.thomasnelsoncorporate.com.

SOURCE Thomas Nelson, Inc.