Zondervan’s NASCAR support; CTI/Helmers join forces; Catholic August Bestseller List

by Daisy Maryles, Religion BookLine -- Publishers Weekly, 8/13/2008

Zondervan is an official sponsor of Motor Racing Outreach (MRO), a Christian organization serving the NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing Series. As official sponsor, the Christian publisher will provide books and Bibles and MRO ministers and its congregants will use Zondervan products during its chapel services and will also distribute resources to drivers, their crews, family members and fans seeking the guidance of Jesus Christ. The 30-minute MRO chapel services take place on the infield of the racetrack and features an invocation, music and a traditional sermon from an MRO minister. Said Moe Girkins, President/CEO of Zondervan: “For most Christians, Sunday is a time for church and worship, but for the men and women of NASCAR Sundays are also race day.” Zondervan is also partnering with MRO on the development of a NASCAR Bible project. 

Artist management firm Creative Trust, Inc. (Nashville, Tenn.), has partnered with Kathryn A. Helmers of Helmers Literary Services (Colorado Springs, Colo.) to form a new literary division in partnership with Kathryn A. Helmers of Helmers Literary Services (Colorado Springs, Colo.). A 30-year publishing veteran, Helmers roster of notable writers including Blue Like Jazz author Donald Miller and What’s So Amazing About Grace author Philip Yancey now combines with bestselling suspense novelist Ted Dekker (House, Adam) and major women’s author/speaker Angela Thomas (Do You Think I’m Beautiful?). 

The top-10 hardcover titles on the August 2008 Catholic Bestseller list are: Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light by Mother Teresa with Brian Kolodiejchuk (Doubleday); A Persistent Peace by John Dear (Loyola Press); The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly (Beacon Publishing/Hyperion); Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly (Beacon Publishing); Catechism of the Catholic Church (Doubleday/Our Sunday Visitor/USCCB Publishing); The Gift of Years by Joan Chittister (BlueBridge); Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright (HarperOne); Celebration of Discipline, 25th Anniversary Edition by Richard Foster (HarperOne); Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To by Anthony DeStefano (Doubleday); and Christ Our Hope by Pope Benedict XVI (Paulist Press).