News

The Elisabeth Elliot Foundation Launches ElisabethElliot.org

November 10, 2020

Contact: Kathy Reeg
President
The Elisabeth Elliot Foundation
(318)243-0005
media@elisabethelliot.org

The Elisabeth Elliot Foundation is excited to announce the launch of the new ElisabethElliot.org, a comprehensive virtual library containing all of Elisabeth Elliot’s resources for biblical living. The site catalogues her talks and lectures, books, newsletters, Gateway to Joy ministry archives, and personal Elliot family photos. The official launch date for the site is Tuesday, November 10th.

The Elisabeth Elliot Foundation was created based on the life, love, and ministry of Elisabeth and Jim Elliot. Through the ElisabethElliot.org website and other media platforms they bring together the writings and ministries of the Elliot Family in an evolving repository of their work, a resourceful collection of their writings and teachings, and a place to honor their legacy. They serve as an ongoing, worldwide outreach and help further the Foundation’s mission to give hope in suffering, restoration in conflict, and joy in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you would like more information, please call Kathy Reeg at (318)243-0005, or email media@elisabethelliot.org.

All of Grace: GRMC’s Pursuit of The Gospel In Audiobook

By John Joseph  August 29, 2020

The audiobook market is increasing at a phenomenal rate.  Deloitte, a multinational professional services network, has predicted that in 2020, the global audiobook market will grow by 25 percent to US$3.5 billion. 1

It’s not just about market share; the number of listeners has grown. “According to a 2018 survey, 18 percent of American adults said that they listened to an audiobook in the last 12 months, up four percentage points since 2016.” 2  

“The research confirms that audio publishing continues its upward trajectory. Seven consecutive years of double-digit growth is truly extraordinary,” Chris Lynch, CoChair of the APA’s Research Committee and President & Publisher, Simon & Schuster Audio, said in a press release. “More audiobooks are being produced and more people are listening than ever.” 3

Given this trend, sagacious publishers like Goodwill Rights Management Corp (GRMC) have seized the opportunity to expand into the audiobook market. According to GRMC founder and CEO Carl Dobrowolski, “We have been following this trend for quite some time and believe now more than ever that there is a tremendous demand for audiobooks for which GRMC will position itself accordingly.”

For almost two decades, GRMC has been a leading Christian publishing services agency, advancing the Gospel by promoting the mission, messaging, and growing platforms of its publishing and ministry clients worldwide. They have contributed to their clients’ success by expanding their network through strategic connections, communicating their message, and advocating their cause.

“Now, the time is right for us to make our foray in the audiobook publishing channel,” explains Dobrowolski, “adding another method of presentation to our overall mission.”

This fall, GRMC, under Goodwill Audio, will be publishing an audiobook of the timeless classic, All of Grace, written by the “Prince of Preachers”, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Spurgeon began preaching at age 16, and became pastor of the New Park Street Chapel in London when he was only 19 years old. During his lifetime, Spurgeon had preached to millions of people, never having had the aid of media channels like television and radio.

All of Grace is an introduction to the Gospel.  It asks the most important question anyone can ask, “How can I be right with God?”. The answer, can be  found in the title; completely and entirely by grace. Spurgeon writes  in the first chapter, “Reader, do you mean business in reading these pages? If so, we are agreed at the outset, but nothing short of your finding Christ and Heaven is the business aimed at here.” Its audience is the new or potential Christian, and yet its content may be enjoyed and benefited by the most mature Christians.

Spurgeon has the great ability to illustrate the ridiculousness of pride, particularly when addressing the need for salvation through faith. On its necessity, he writes, “[God] will not give salvation in a way that will suggest or foster pride… The hand that receives charity does not say, ‘I am to be thanked for accepting the gift;’ that would be absurd”. He makes his point exceedingly clear: We don’t earn salvation. We don’t deserve it. We don’t choose it. It’s pure, unmerited grace.

Goodwill Audio’s production of All of Grace uniquely captures the transforming message of God’s love in audio format. The audiobook is not only intellectually stimulating, but also offers   a musical element as well . In between each chapter of the book, there is a pause of narration for 30 seconds that allows the listener to bask in God’s presence and experience His Grace through spiritually uplifting contemplative music. The story is brought alive by the narration of radio personality David Holdt, while the music is performed by Walter Pablo Huichi to form what the publishers call a worship experience

 All of Grace is not only good for the soul but the brain as well.

As a whole, audiobooks can contribute to one’s overall comprehension and vocabulary. Mary Beth Crosby Carroll from The Children’s School in Brooklyn, NY, told Scholastic that “following along visually while listening can enhance word-recognition ability, while listening alone can expand vocabulary.” 4

It has even been suggested that audiobooks can also help our brains better imagine a story. A study conducted by the Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior found that our brains are more likely to create meaningful imagery when we listen to a story, as opposed to when it’s read in a traditional format because it allows more room for our brain’s visual processes to kick into gear.  5

Part of the proceeds of All of Grace‘s sales will be given to Hope Ithemba, a Crisis Pregnancy Center in South Africa.

Hope Ithemba opened its doors on June 13, 2008, to come alongside ladies in crisis with unwanted pregnancies. They provide education and confidential assistance in a compassionate atmosphere. Pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, and HIV testing are offered as well and are essential components of the ministry. Hope Ithemba does not perform abortions or arrange adoptions but does provide adoption referrals. Their clients include teenage girls, still attending school, who do not know where to turn for help. Many are single women who have been deserted by their partners. As such, lifestyle counseling is an essential part of the ministry of Hope Ithemba. All of the services are offered free of charge. 

“We are so happy to be partnering with Hope Ithemba on this project.” says Dobrowolski.  “We believe grace transforms our lives and allows us to lead lives of service.  That is what Hope Ithema is doing in a very clear manner”. 

Spurgeon’s All of Grace is an engaging, compelling, and inspiring look at God’s love, one that ends with a passionate appeal for all his readers to trust in the Lord Jesus and worship the God who saves by grace.

All of Grace will be released through Audible, the leading creator and provider of premium spoken-word entertainment and audiobooks, allowing its message to reach the biggest possible audience. It will be released under the Goodwill Audio label with additional titles to be released in 2021.

The audiobook will most definitely appeal to both Spurgeon Fans and lovers of Christian Classics alike. To hear a sample of All of Grace and learn more about Charles Spurgeon, including an imaginary interview with the great preacher, visit www.spurgeonaudiobooks.com. It is GRMC’s hope that All of Grace will also appeal to those seeking purpose in life and give an understanding as to why they were created.

Endnotes

  1. Duncan Stewart, Mark Casey, and Craig Wigginton, “The ears have it: The rise of audiobooks and podcasting TMT Predictions 2020”, accessed August 11 ,2020,             https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/technology/technology-media-and-telecom-predictions/2020/rise-of-audiobooks-podcast-industry.html
  2. Ibid.
  3. Adam Rowe, “U.S. Audiobook Sales Neared $1 Billion In 2018, Growing 25% Year-Over-Year” Forbes, accessed August 11, 2020, https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamrowe1/2019/07/16/us-audiobook-sales-neared-1-billion-in-2018-growing-25-year-over-year/#2995bca06050
  4. Amy Sachs, “Are Audiobooks Good for the Brain?” Chirp, accessed August 11, 2020, https://www.chirpbooks.com/blog/are-audiobooks-good-for-the-brain
  5. Ibid.

John Joseph

John Joseph has spent his life helping nonprofits as a strategist, vision caster, and organizer for multiscale projects in a variety of roles. He is a lifelong learner who believes that it is the key to an interesting and exciting life. John also loves taking long walks and eating healthy. You can contact him at JohnJoseph@writtensource.com.