The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association has spoken… here are the winners of the 2018 Christian Book Awards®!
The announcements were made at the ECPA Awards Celebration held on May 1st at the newly opened Museum of the Bible in Washington DC. The night was a who’s who in Christian publishing with the legendary Anne Graham Lotz acting as keynote speaker.
Without further ado, here are the winners from each of the 11 categories…
2018 Christian Book Award® Winner: Book of the Year
Jesus Always: Embracing Joy in His Presence by Sarah Young
Jesus Always is the new 365 day devotional by the bestselling author, Sarah Young. This devotional focuses on joy, a sometimes overlooked fruit of the Spirit. It aims to give readers hope and assurance in the the familiar voice they’ve come to love. Each day’s reading offers Scripture references so you can dive further into the reading and find even more encouragement. The perfect book to help you slow down for a moment and hear the call to joy!
2018 Christian Book Award® Winner: Bibles
The NLT Swindoll Study Bible
The Swindoll Study Bible offers the best of Chuck Swindoll’s wit, charm, pastoral insight, and wise biblical study. Swindoll’s informed, and importantly, practical insights get straight to the heart of the Bible’s message for the world today. Through your Scripture reading, you’ll discover more about the people who wrote it, where they wrote it, and why. It’s a great tool for delving further into the Scriptures and draw deeper into the study of God’s Word.
2018 Christian Book Award® Winner: Bible Reference Works
Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh & Sean McDowell
In the first edition of Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell armed thoughtful Christians with historical documentation and modern scholarship, bearing witness to the truth of the Bible. Now, Josh is joined by his son, Sean McDowell, in this exciting new edition. It includes more historical insight to encourage those familiar with Evidence, as well as a new generation of believers, to embrace the truth of Christ in a skeptical culture. This is a book that invites readers to bring their doubts and doesn’t shy away from the tough questions.
2018 Christian Book Award® Winner: Bible Study
Adorned: Living Out the Beauty of the Gospel Together by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
In ‘Adorned’ Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth delves into the power of cross-generational friendships by exploring an encouraging vision from Titus 2. Nancy reveals that all women are strengthened when young moms and singles widen their peer groups to include those who’ve “been there” and when older “veterans” shed their protective cocoons and invest in the next generation. Read this book and take your relationships to new depths!
2018 Christian Book Award® Winner: Biography & Memoir
I’ll Push You by Patrick Gray & Justin Skeesuck
Many said the 500-mile Camino de Santiago would be impossible in a wheelchair. But best friends Justin and Patrick wouldn’t give up. Their six-week trek with its physical challenges, colorful characters, and deep inner battles, would prove to be the most difficult and important journey either of them would ever take. I’ll Push You is the real-life story of their incredible pilgrimage – and the friendship that carried them through. An emotional read that is sure to leave you feeling inspired.
2018 Christian Book Award® Winner: Children
Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin & Pat Barrett
Good Good Father is a wonderfully illustrated story for young children aged 4 to 8 years. In the book, we meet Tucker, a little bear who seeks help from the King, and plans to bring Him a perfect gift. Along the way he encounters a variety of delightful and funny animals who each know one great thing about the King. But each of the animals has a different view of what makes Him so great. The advice confuses Tucker and he is still unsure of what to give as a gift. Just as Tucker is about to give up, the King runs to him offering love, acceptance, and help.
2018 Christian Book Award® Winners: Christian Living
Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community by Brett McCracken
It’s easy to dream about the “perfect” church – but what if instead of searching for a church that makes us comfortable, we learned to love our church, even when it’s challenging? What if some of the discomfort that we often experience is actually good for us? This book is a call to embrace the uncomfortable aspects of Christian community, whether that means believing difficult truths, pursuing difficult holiness, or loving difficult people–all for the sake of the gospel, God’s glory, and our joy.
Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God by Mark Batterson
God still speaks today. His voice and guidance wasn’t only for the saints and prophets of old, but for followers of Jesus now. In Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God, author and pastor Mark Batterson shares seven ways that God communicates with His followers, if they’ll stop to listen. Through the tools of Scripture, Doors, Dreams, People, Promptings, and Pain, God weaves divine messages of love, encouragement and insight, into our lives every day. A great read for those who want to deepen their relationship with God.
2018 Christian Book Award® Winner: Devotion & Gift
GraceLaced: Discovering Timeless Truths Through Seasons of the Heart by Ruth Chou Simons
GraceLaced by Ruth Chou Simons presents a visual feast of 32 seasonal devotions accompanied by her beautiful watercolor illustrations and photography. In winter, spring, summer, and fall, you’ll be inspired to live a life rooted and established in God’s grace. Learn to rest in his character during hardship; rehearse his truth while in renewal; respond in times of growth; and remember his provision when in abundance or need! You’ll discover how to draw closer to God regardless of what season you find your heart in, and be encouraged to explore your own creative expressions of faith.
2018 Christian Book Award® Winner: Faith & Culture
Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia by John Dunlop MD
Drawing on years of professional experience working with Alzheimer’s patients, Dr. John Dunlop wants to transform the way we think about dementia. Rooting his vision of care in the inherent dignity that stems from the fact that all people are made in the image of God. He explains biblical principles, describes the experience of dementia, and answers common questions about the condition. Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia helps caregivers, family members, and anyone else affected by dementia honor God as they improve the quality of care to patients.
2018 Christian Book Award® Winner: Ministry Resources
Who Lynched Willie Earle?: Preaching to Confront Racism by William H. Willimon
It is imperative for 21st-century American Christians to constructively respond to racism. As a starting point, Willimon uses the true story of Pastor Hawley Lynn’s March of 1947 sermon about a lynching in Greenville, South Carolina. By hearing black pain, naming white complicity, critiquing American exceptionalism/civil religion, inviting and challenging the church to respond, and attending to the voices of African American pastors and leaders, this book helps pastors of white, mainline Protestant churches preach effectively in situations of racial violence and dis-ease.
2018 Christian Book Award® Winner: New Author
Follow the Cloud: Hearing God’s Voice One Next Step at a Time by John Stickl
As much as we’d like to see it, God doesn’t always give us the big picture. Our faith journeys often feel more like we’re picking up holy breadcrumbs on a long and winding trail. In Follow the Cloud, author and pastor John Stickl shares how God’s invitation to follow can lead to a life of freedom. When we learn to love ourselves in order to love others, extend forgiveness so we can be forgiven, and develop an attitude of trust, we’ll draw closer to who Jesus is and what we’re created to do.
2018 Christian Book Award® Winners: Young Peoples Literature
The Bible Explorer’s Guide: 1,000 Amazing Facts and Photos by Nancy I. Sanders
What did Noah’s ark really look like? Who was David and whom did he fight? What was daily life like in first-century Jerusalem? The Bible Explorer’s Guide lets children come up close and personal with everyday life during Bible times. Each two-page spread has images that bring history alive and drawings that help bring life to people and places that we can only read about. With fascinating, brief text and full-color captivating images, this is a reference that kids will come back to again and again.
The Radical Book for Kids: Exploring the Roots and Shoots of Faith by Champ Thornton
Written with children aged 8-13 in mind, The Radical Book for Kids by Champ Thornton is a vibrantly-illustrated introduction to the roots of your child’s faith. This book will take children deep into the ancient roots and origins of the Christian faith exploring biblical history, theology and much more. Children will read about people who learned to trust Jesus and stand for him even when everything seemed against them. How did they do it? Radical faith.
For more great reads, visit our Christian bookstore!
