(Nashville, TN) It is with great sadness that HarperCollins Christian Publishing has learned of the death of Billy Graham.
“It has been a privilege to have Billy Graham as part of our publishing family,” says Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “His work here on earth has been unsurpassed and we are comforted that he is at the side of his heavenly Father. Our world is forever impacted by the example he set as a follower of Jesus Christ, and for that we are grateful.”
“Despite the great publishing success that Billy Graham enjoyed for over fifty years, it was never about bestsellers,” says David Moberg, senior v-p and group publisher for HarperCollins Christian Publishing Trade Books Group. “It was always only about one thing…the Gospel. We have been blessed and inspired to have served as his publisher for many years and will always treasure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Since 1975, Thomas Nelson had been Dr. Graham’s majority trade book publisher. In that time the publishing group has partnered with Dr. Graham on numerous million-copy bestsellers including “Angels: God’s Secret Agents” and “How to Be Born Again.” In September 2015, at the age of 96, Graham released his last book “Where I Am: Heaven, Eternity, and Our Life Beyond.” His two previous releases“Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well” (October 2011) and “The Reason for My Hope: Salvation” (October 2013), were both New York Times best sellers. Zondervan and HarperOne, sister company to HarperCollins Christian Publishing, co-published Dr. Graham’s autobiography, “Just As I Am,” in May, 1997.
“To have published Billy Graham is one of the most treasured experiences of my life,” said Matt Baugher, who worked as Billy Graham’s publisher for ten years. “Billy Graham had one reason, and one reason only, to preach, teach, and write. That reason was the foundational gospel of Jesus Christ. He never watered down that message, yet was somehow accepted around the world by a wide variety of individuals, groups and belief systems.”
Billy Graham, the world-renowned author, preacher, and evangelist, delivered the gospel message to more people face-to-face than anyone in history and ministered on every continent of the world. Millions have read his inspirational classics, including “Angels,” “The Secret of Happiness,” “Peace with God,” “The Holy Spirit,” “Hope for the Troubled Heart,” and “How to be Born Again.”
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About HarperCollins Christian Publishing: The world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., comprising both Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing groups and Olive Tree Bible Software. The Company produces bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, academic resources, curriculum, audio and digital content for the Christian market space. Also home to BibleGateway.com, the world’s largest Christian website, and FaithGateway.com, an online community dedicated to helping people grow in their faith. HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, TN with additional offices in Grand Rapids, MI and Spokane, WA. For more information visit www.HarperCollinsChristian.com