The Writer to Writer writers’ conference was beneficial for one talented individual. On Sept. 18, Cherrilynn Ryerson Bisbano was awarded a publishing contract with Elk Lake Publishing.

Deb Ogle Haggerty, Elk Lake Publishing’s acquisitions editor, commented on the new contract.

“Elk Lake Publishing is proud to partner with Writer to Writer to encourage and publish new authors,” said Haggerty. “This year's winner of a publishing contract from Elk Lake is Cherrilynn Bisbano for her book True Star Quality: Learning to Shine. We look forward to working with Cherrilynn to bring her book to publication.”

Amanda Cook’s debut solo album, Brave New World (Bethel Music), reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart, while landing at No. 20 on the overall Billboard Top 200. Brave New World also hit No. 1 on the UK Official Charts Christian & Gospel Albums chart.

Brave New World is the fifth Bethel Music album in two years to top Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart; past chart-toppers include Tides, Tides Live, You Make Me Brave and We Will Not Be Shaken. Three additional Bethel Music albums—Without Words: Synesthesia, The Undoing, and For the Sake of the World—have reached No. 2 since 2013.

InterVarsity Press Publisher Bob Fryling announced Tuesday his June 2016 retirement. Fryling has held the publisher position for nearly 19 years.

Fryling commented on the circumstances of his retirement.

“This has not been a quick or easy decision as I still love IVP and our calling as a leading publisher of thoughtful Christian books,” Fryling said. “Neither my passion nor my commitment to IVP has waned but as an entirely personal decision it seems like an appropriate time to allow others the privilege of leading IVP.”

Christopher Gehrz’s The Pietist Vision of Christian Higher Education (IVP Academic) has been selected as a finalist for the Lilly Fellows Program Book Award.

The Lilly Fellows Program Book Award is a part of the Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts, based at Valparaiso University’s Christ College in Valparaiso, Indiana. The biennial award honors an original and imaginative work from any academic discipline that best exemplifies faith and learning in the Christian intellectual tradition, the vocation of teaching and scholarship, and the history, theory or practice of the university as the site of religious inquiry and culture.

Don Moen, an iconic voice in Christian music, was honored last week with a special award highlighting his international influence. During the 50th Anniversary Gala, Oral Roberts University (ORU) honored Moen with the Lifetime Global Achievement Award.

The award was presented to Moen by ORU President William M. Wilson.

"Don is one of the most gifted worship ministers of our generation," said Wilson. "His ability to bring an audience with him into God's presence is astounding. Don has journeyed to the 'uttermost bounds of the earth' with the music of our King in a variety of ways. His integrity, passion and character speak volumes. All of this makes Don a very worthy recipient of ORU's Lifetime Global Achievement Award."

Lighthouse Christian Products has expanded its Spanish selection of gifts to address retailers’ growing need for this type of product. These include the best-selling ark of the covenant pieces from the "Moments of Faith" line.

Edward Nizynski, vice president of sales at Lighthouse, commented on the increasing demand for Spanish products.

Lifewater International, a nonprofit Christian water development organization, honored The Parable Group and its partner stores Tuesday, Oct. 20, for their generosity in helping provide a water well in the Agali region of Uganda.

“We are so thankful for The Parable Group and their partner stores for teaming up with us to help provide water, health and hope to vulnerable children and families living in rural Uganda,” said Justin Narducci, chief executive officer at Lifewater. “The completion of the water source in April 2015 provides 280 people in Orunyamo with more than water—it gives them a new lease on life.”