Group Publishing

Volunteer Confession #1: “Do you even need me? The number one reason people don’t volunteer is because no one has asked them. And in our experience, we've found that the number one reason people don’t commit to volunteering on a regular basis is because they don’t think you really need them to. Commitment doesn’t have to be every week. But it should be frequent and consistent. When asking volunteers to commit, give them a beginning date, an end date, and a chance to renew. A ministry contract is a great way to clearly communicate what and for how long they’re committing to. Compare a ministry contract to a lease—committing to live in that home for a certain amount of time. They can always renew—in fact, expect them to renew!  👉 And that’s just the first of four “confessions” your volunteers might want you to know. From feeling out of touch to desiring more appreciation, these insights can help you lead with greater clarity, compassion, and impact. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gjRWbNfa

Does Bible Engagement Matter Outside Sunday Service? 63% of U.S. adults say the Bible is important—but only 22% read it weekly, and about half attend church just a few times a year. Are you one of those people? There certainly are times, when I'm 'too busy' or at least that is what I tell myself. What kind of example am I setting for my kids? And even if I am a good example, will they dive in and read a full text bible? Enter graphic novels—specifically The Action Bible—as biblical storytelling’s colorful comeback. Its vivid panels and dynamic pacing are a great entryway into Scripture, and in fact, it climbed into the Top 10 books on Amazon during Easter, even snagging the #1 spot among Christian Bibles. For 20 straight weeks, it stayed in the Top 100 across all categories. And has spent 515 weeks on the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association bestsellers list! In short: if our culture won’t come to the Word, let’s bring the Word to the culture—right into their hands and hearts, beyond Sunday’s pews. Read the full article, discover how comic-style engagement can complement devotion, and let’s talk about reviving Bible engagement in our busy world! https://lnkd.in/gKz3KfyC David C Cook David C Cook UK & Ireland Integrity Music Group Publishing

We're happy to announce Sarah Rasmussen as our new Assistant Editor at Group! Sarah provides editorial support to assist with the preparation, copyediting, editing, formatting, and proofreading of printed and digital content. Her warm personality, love for writing and editing, and eagerness to learn are already such a blessing to our team! In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking (including Colorado 14ers, whew!), watching Broadway musicals, and (not surprisingly) reading. Help us welcome Sarah to the team! 👏

We went for gold… in CORN! 🌽 This month’s Patties on the Patio took a corny turn with our very own Corn Olympics. The events were popping with energy from start to finish! Alongside a delicious grilled lunch, the day featured: 🌽 speedy corn shucking showdown 🎯 cornhole battles 👑 the best corn costume contest A big shout-out to our Culture Keepers for dreaming up these fun, out-of-the-box events that keep our team connected, laughing, and growing together. (All puns fully intended.)

Stacy Johnson, our EDI Administrator, leads our EDI operations and has been instrumental in developing processes for managing and troubleshooting our EDI platform. She’s helped us maximize response times and ensure compliance amid ever-increasing complexity as our systems improve. Through multiple system upgrades, Stacy has guided technical teams and served as the go-to person for resolving issues—making her a vital leader in our EDI operations. We’re proud to have her share her expertise as a featured speaker in this upcoming webinar. Go, Stacy! 👏

Gen Alpha doesn't just want to know what to believe. They want to know why it matters. Rainforest Falls helps kids discover God's heart and build a faith that lasts. • Why Rainforest Falls is More Than Just VBS • Our newest Easy VBS program, Rainforest Falls, was created with more than fun in mind. It’s a faith-driven adventure designed to help kids truly know God. As Jody Brolsma, our Vice President of VBS & Ministry Resources, shares in her latest blog, Gen Alpha are navigating a fast-paced, digital world. They don’t just want to know what to believe, they want to know why it matters. That’s why Rainforest Falls invites kids to explore the very character of God: • God is our Creator. (You were made for a purpose!) • God knows everything. (He understands your heart.) • God is our safe place. (You can find comfort and peace.) • God is love. (No matter what, you are loved!) • God is forever. (You have the hope of heaven.) From hands-on discovery and immersive storytelling to small-group connection and real-life conversations, every moment at Rainforest Falls is intentional, helping kids build a lifelong friendship with their Creator. When kids begin to understand God’s heart, they grow a faith that lasts. Read Jody’s full blog: https://bit.ly/45eRvsO #RainforestFalls #EasyVBS #KidsMinistry #GenAlpha #FaithFormation #VBS2026 #WowGod

🌞 VBS Season Is Wrapping Up—But the Mission Continues! 🎉 It’s been incredible to see so many churches across the UK running Vacation Bible School (VBS) and Holiday Bible Clubs this summer—many for the very first time! As a VBS trainer and UK distributor for Group Publishing, I’ve had the privilege of equipping leaders with the tools, training, and encouragement they need to create unforgettable experiences for children. What’s been most rewarding? Watching children’s ministry teams embrace the importance of intentional planning, team building, and creative programming—where education and fun are at the heart of everything. When church leadership and members rally behind these efforts, the impact multiplies. 🙌 As we approach the end of the VBS season, remember: this isn’t the end—it’s the beginning. Now is the time to: 📅 Set your VBS date for next year 🎄 Start planning follow-up programs for half-term and Christmas 🤝 Give your volunteer teams plenty of notice so they can book time off and stay committed Consistency and long-term planning are key to building momentum and deepening community engagement. The churches that stepped out in faith this year and used the support I provided have shown incredible creativity and leadership—and the results speak for themselves. If you're dreaming of launching a VBS in your church, school, or community centre but don’t know where to start, I’m here to help. Let’s work together to build something impactful, sustainable, and joy-filled. 📩 DM me or comment below if you'd like support to develop and lead your own VBS program. Let’s make next year even bigger! #VBSUK #HolidayBibleClub #GroupPublishing #ChildrensMinistry #ChurchLeadership #FaithInAction #EduReady #MinistryTraining #CommunityEmpowerment #VBS2025 UCY Inc CIC

Meet Jeff Storm, our Creative Director and a cornerstone of Group Publishing for the past 28 years! Here’s a little more about Jeff: • Favorite Quote: “Look at more things and think about them harder.” • Hobby: Woodworking • Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:10 — “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” • Favorite Colors: PMS 1375 & PMS 389 • Advice to New Creatives in Your Field: “God wired your brain to be creative and see the world differently. Don’t let AI replace your brain. You’re more than a prompt.” Jeff, thank you for the creativity, leadership, and vision you bring to Group. We’re grateful to have you on our team!

When the summer heat hits the 90s, there’s only one way to cool down—ice cream! 🍦 A big thank you to our Culture Keepers for organizing this pop-up event and bringing some much-needed cool to our day. We appreciate the creative ways you keep our workplace fun, connected, and refreshed!

At Group, we love to celebrate team members who go above and beyond, and it’s even more meaningful when those shout-outs come from fellow co-workers. Please join us in recognizing some incredible teammates recently nominated for our Core Value Awards: Lynne Howard — nominated for Excellence Lynne stepped in to support a colleague, taking on work outside her norm. Her initiative and attention to detail made a real difference! Susan, Tracy, Rodney, Brian, Cody, and Claryssa— nominated for Servanthood & Excellence This amazing group rolled up their sleeves to help beautify one of our outdoor spaces. With teamwork, creativity, and contagious positivity, they transformed the space into something special. Thank you for modeling the best of who we are. Your dedication doesn’t go unnoticed!