Thomas Nelson Bestseller Named 2013 Christian Book of the Year

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fifth year in a row a Thomas Nelson title has been recognized as the ECPA's Christian Book Awards Book of the Year. At the 2013 ECPA's annual Executive Leadership Summit, Thomas Nelson won the 2013 award for Jesus Today by Sarah Young (ISBN 9781400320097). 

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"It is truly an honor to see Jesus Today receive this well-deserved recognition," said Laura Minchew, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Specialty Publishing at Thomas Nelson. "Sarah joins us in offering thanks to booksellers who work so hard day in and out to bring hope to so many."

Since its release in October 2012, Jesus Today has made multiple appearances on bestseller lists, adding to the numerous bestselling titles Sarah Young has published with Thomas Nelson. Jesus Today is part of the Jesus Calling^® brand, a world-recognized inspirational line of products that has now sold over eight million products.

Jesus Calling has been translated into 22 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, Jesus Calling Bible Storybook, Jesus Calling Devotional Bible, and a Spanish translation of the original devotional book, Jesus Te Llama.

"The inspiration Jesus Today and the Jesus Calling brand has brought to this world is a blessing," said Mark Schoenwald, President and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. "I am thankful to author Sarah Young and our own Laura Minchew and her team for creating a book that truly represents our mission to inspire the world. 

The Christian Book Awards, established by ECPA in 1978 as the Gold Medallion Book Awards, recognize the absolute highest quality in Christian books. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and impact, the Christian Book Awards are the oldest and among the most prestigious in the religious publishing industry. Christian Book Award finalists and winners receive recognition and support throughout multiple retail and media outlets.

An eBook sampler, which includes a selection from Jesus Today and excerpts from all 2013 Christian Book Award finalists, is available at www.ChristianBookExpo.com.

Sarah Young is quietly leading millions of men and women worldwide on a journey of intimacy with Christ. 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 Publishers