Seattle, U.S.A. — After qualifying Wednesday for this weekend’s final in the men’s 5,000 meters, former Sudan Lost Boy Lopez Lomong is ready to use his Olympic fame to help kids back home in Africa. After Saturday’s final, Lopez will focus on a partnership with international Christian charity World Vision, including a trip, tentatively planned for early next year to Kenya and South Sudan to help children living in poverty.

The trip is part of long-term partnership between Lomong’s non-profit, 4 South Sudan and Team World Vision, a program sponsored by World Vision. Lomong hopes to help raise $500,000 to provide access to clean water, health care, education and nutrition.

According to the latest United Nations (UNHCR) estimates, there are more than 660,000 displaced South Sudanese as fighting rages between Sudan and its neighbor, South Sudan. Malaria and diarrhea run rampant in the overcrowded refugee camps. Nearly three children die of preventable illnesses in the camps every day.

At the age of six, Lopez was kidnapped from his Southern Sudan village and held captive as he was being prepped as a child soldier. Too small to undergo training, his fate would most likely have been starvation. But after three weeks, he managed to escape with the help of three other captives. After running three days and nights, they were captured by Kenyan troops and brought to a refugee camp where Lopez lived for 10 years.

He was supported by a U.S. family and brought to this country where he soon discovered he was the fastest kid in school. At track meets he then discovered he was the fastest in the state. Soon he would become one of the fastest in the nation. In 2008, Lomong qualified for the Beijing Olympics in the men’s 1,500 meters. He was voted by his teammates as the flag bearer in the Opening Ceremonies.

Lomong has a new book entitled “Running For My Life” (Thomas Nelson Publisher) http://www.thomasnelson.com/running-for-my-life.html

For more info: 4South Sudan : http://lopezlomong.com/foundation/

Team World Vision: http://support.worldvision.org/site/TR?px=1209501&fr_id=1790&pg=personal

Image Courtesy of   Maxisport / Shutterstock.com

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Tennessee, U.S.A. — At the 2012 International Christian Retail Show, Thomas Nelson Inc., the world’s largest Christian publisher, was awarded four 2012 Christian Retailer’s Choice Awards.

With more than 300 products nominated, industry retailers chose four unique Thomas Nelson titles to receive this prestigious award. This year, the Company’s titles were: “Heaven is for Real For Kids” by Todd and Sonja Burpo, children’s non-fiction “Nearing Home” by Billy Graham, Christian living: spiritual growth; the marketing/promotion campaign “KJV400″; and “The Lightkeeper’s Ball” by Colleen Coble, fiction: historical romance.

“The Thomas Nelson fiction team is delighted that Colleen Coble’s work has been recognized by retailers through this award. Colleen is more than a Thomas Nelson author; she is a part of our family, having celebrated her 10th anniversary with us this summer,” noted Daisy Hutton, vice president and publisher for Thomas Nelson’s fiction division. Hutton added, “We greatly appreciate the support that retailers have given to Colleen throughout her career, and we join her in celebrating this achievement.”

According to last week’s “Christian Retailing” press release, retailer’s judged the nominees based on the books and/or campaigns ability to open hearts and minds while provoking emotion and affirming Christian living. The chosen titles were also selected based on the life-changing impact they have on their customers.

“We are continually thrilled by the support we have received from our retailers,” said David Moberg, vice president and group publisher. “Thomas Nelson will continue to create strong relationships between writers, publishers, and retailers.”

For additional information on any of Thomas Nelson’s Retailers Choice Awards winners, please visit www.ThomasNelson.com

Image Courtesy of   Thomas Nelson

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Since its release in November 2010, “Heaven Is for Real” by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent has become a publishing phenomenon. For the week of January 29, 2012, “Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back” will be listed as the #1 “nonfiction paperback” on the New York Times Best Seller List – its 52nd week (non-consecutive) in the top spot and a record for Thomas Nelson.

“Heaven Is for Real” also reached No. 1 on the following lists since its release: USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, National Public Radio, Christian Booksellers Association and Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. In addition to being ranked near the top on numerous best seller lists, Thomas Nelson has printed the six millionth copy of the acclaimed title. “Heaven Is for Real for Kids” also has hit the top spot on the New York Times Best Seller List as “print children’s picture books.”

“We are so thankful for the way the Thomas Nelson team got behind ‘Heaven is for Real,’” says Joel Kneedler of Alive Communications, agent for the Burpo family. “Every division has played a part in sharing the contagious, life-changing message of this simple story.”

“This is an astounding achievement for a remarkable book that has defied all odds and predictions since the day it was published,” says Matt Baugher, senior vice president and publisher at Thomas Nelson. “Even in a changing publishing industry, great books will always find their way. We’ve heard from people around the world that their lives have been changed by Colton Burpo’s story. And it continues to this day.”

A deluxe edition of “Heaven Is for Real” is one of a trio of new products by the Burpo family released by Thomas Nelson in November 2011. A “Heaven is for Real” DVD-based Conversation Kit features footage of the Burpo family talking about their experiences while “Heaven is for Real for Kids” offers Colton’s incredible story for children ages 4-8 with breathtaking images and heartfelt content that helps parents talk to their children about heaven.

“Heaven Is for Real” is the true story of the Burpo family and Colton, who during his life-threatening illness and sudden surgery, slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He narrowly survives. Several months later while passing by the same hospital that saved him, Colton begins talking about his experiences during surgery and making a trip to heaven.

Written in the first-person narrative of Colton’s father, Todd, with New York Times best-selling author Lynn Vincent, “Heaven Is for Real” walks readers through the revelation of Colton’s trip, his parent’s initial uncertainties and the lessons learned by such a small child.

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“Dona un Libro,” or “Donate a Book.” This simple statement is carrying the weight of an internationally impactful campaign against illiteracy.

In celebration of International World Book Day, April 23, 2012, Grupo Nelson, the Spanish-language division of Thomas Nelson, has begun its fight with illiteracy rates in the world’s Spanish-speaking cultures. ‘Dona un Libro’ encourages readers to donate new or used books in hopes of, “inspiring the world, one new reader at a time.”

With product distributed in over 20 Spanish-speaking nations, “‘Dona un Libro’ is a project that goes beyond Grupo Nelson,” states Claudia Duncan, Marketing Director for Grupo. “It is a project of social responsibility. We have been given amazing partnership opportunities with organizations who are interested in helping those who thirst for the knowledge and inspiration found in books.”

Primarily focusing on Central and South America, Grupo Nelson has worked with distributors and retailers to set up donation drop off points for consumers at their local stores. The retailers then choose a deserving organization in their area that will benefit from the books; a community library, an orphanage or even a ministry—all to help provide an opportunity for education and entertainment.

With 450 drop bins already reserved and ready for distribution, communities in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay are partnering with their local bookstores to celebrate the gift of literacy on April 23, 2012. “The bookstores will be the champions of this campaign,” Duncan continued. “Their effort is what will really drive consumers to come out and help make a difference in their local communities.”

“I am anxious to see the results of our first big World Book Day campaign,” stated Larry Downs, Vice President and Publisher, Grupo Nelson. “I am pleased with the reactions we have received from the local bookstores abroad who wish to partner with us to help inspire lives.”

“I believe there is a need in our industry to work together to inspire the world. This is why I am excited about the project,” Duncan said. “We have the opportunity to celebrate books and the gift of literacy while also making a difference in the Spanish-speaking communities across the globe.”

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