Marcus Yoars takes over at ‘Charisma,’ which unveils a new-media relaunch

A new editor has been named for Charisma magazine as the publication approaches its 35th anniversary serving the charismatic movement with a relaunch and a new-media focus.

Marcus Yoars has replaced J. Lee Grady, who stepped down after 11 years at the helm. Only the third editor in the magazine’s history, at 34 Yoars is the same age Grady was when he joined the publication 17 years ago.

“We see this transition as very strategic,” said Steve Strang, founding editor and founder of publisher Strang Communications. “It comes at the same time we are relaunching Charisma with a renewed focus and some exciting new initiatives.”

Grady departed to become editor of
Experience, the official magazine of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church under which he is ordained, and develop his ministry The Mordecai Project—which focuses on empowering women for leadership and confronting the abuse of women around the world.

Yoars takes over at Charisma after serving as editor of Strang Communications’ Ministry Today for three years. Born and raised on the mission field in Hong Kong, Yoars has been in publishing for more than 15 years, including serving as an editor for Thomas Nelson, LifeWay and Focus on the Family.

“It’s a new day for Charisma,” Yoars said. “We’ve been preaching that around the Strang offices for months, but it’s exciting to finally see things taking shape as we transition into a new Charisma starting in May. Lee (Grady) did a phenomenal job of further establishing the magazine as a hub in the Spirit-filled community, and I plan to continue that ongoing conversation with longtime readers and critics alike. It just might look a little different and take place in some new vehicles.”

Relaunched with the May issue, Charisma features a new design, including shorter articles and new contributors. Editorial content is presented in three new sections that aim to “Inspire, ‘Inform, Empower.” Other changes include a new logo and tagline, “Life in the Spirit.” Dropped from the title is + Christian Life, referring to the name of the magazine Charisma absorbed in 1986.

In addition, the new Charisma offers an interactive digital edition with exclusive additional content, including videos, podcasts, music and photo galleries. Other new media developments include an enhanced Web site, www.charismamag.com, and a breaking news mobile phone application.

“Seasons change,” said Strang, who launched the magazine in August 1975. “While Charisma was born in the midst of a dynamic spiritual movement, the dynamics of that movement have changed and God is doing new things.

“We want to stay in step with the Holy Spirit’s new direction,” Strang added. “That is why we are relaunching our publication to better serve our subscribers, reach younger readers and better serve the global church.”

Strang Communications Co. has also published Christian Retailing magazine since 1986, adding The Church Bookstore and Inspirational Gift Trends supplements in 2005 and 2006, respectively, and organized The Gathering for the past six years.

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