NAMB’s Youth Leader Coaching Network hosts nearly 200 student leaders
By Brandon Elrod
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — This week, the spring semester of the North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) Youth Leader Coaching Network (YLCN) culminated in a two-day event in Alpharetta as nearly 200 youth leaders worshipped and learned together after a few weeks in a virtual cohort.
Shane Pruitt, NAMB’s national next gen evangelism director, launched the YLCN in 2021, and the coaching network has served more than 3,400 student leaders either through the online cohort or online.
“We believe that healthy leaders are more likely to create healthy, evangelistic ministries,” Pruitt said. “I love how YLCN has become a ministry that pours into those reaching the next generation. As we pour into them, they can turn around and disciple students who, studies show, are in a season of life where they’re most likely to become believers and set a foundation for the rest of their lives.”
Every year, NAMB hosts two cohorts for youth leaders, one in the spring and one in the fall. For more information and to register for fall 2025, visit gensend.org/youth-leader-coaching-network/.
NAMB also hosts a Collegiate Coaching Network led by Paul Worcester, NAMB’s national collegiate director, for those ministering to and among college students.
Seven Lifeway releases honored as award finalists
By Lifeway Staff
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Seven titles published by Lifeway Christian Resources and its imprint, B&H Publishing Group, have been honored as finalists for the upcoming Christian Book Awards.
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) named 70 finalists for the 2025 Christian Book Award (CBA) program on April 3. The Christian Book Award program recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards programs in the religious publishing industry.
“Each of these titles represents the hard work, passion and faithfulness of our authors and the incredible Lifeway and B&H teams,” said Devin Maddox, publisher at B&H Publishing Group. “Their dedication to excellence in Christian publishing is truly inspiring. We are thrilled to see these efforts recognized and celebrated by the ECPA.”
Two Lifeway releases were honored as finalists in the Bible study category: “Ephesians: A Study of Faith and Practice” by Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes and Melissa Kruger and “Luke in the Land: Walking with Jesus in His First-Century World” by Kristi McLelland.
B&H Publishing Group imprints — Holman Bibles, Holman Reference, B&H Kids and B&H Books — received recognition in various categories.
- The “CSB Oswald Chambers Bible” and the “CSB Men’s Daily Bible” by general editor Robert Wolgemuth were finalists in the Bible category.
- “Habakkuk: The Christian Standard Commentary” by Susan Maxwell Booth was recognized in the Bible Reference Works category.
- “When God Makes Scribbles Beautiful” by Kate Rietema and illustrated by Jennie Poh was a finalist in the Children’s category.
- “Advent for Exiles” by Caroline Cobb was recognized in the New Author category.
The CBA finalists represent the work of 29 Christian publishers and imprints across all categories. The winner in each category along with the 2025 Christian Book of the Year will be announced at the ECPA Awards Celebration on April 29 in Nashville, Tenn.
“It’s always a joy to recognize excellence in Christian publishing as we reveal the finalists for these prestigious awards,” said ECPA President Jeff Crosby. “I extend my sincere congratulations to all authors and publishers who have been recognized and look forward to our celebration together in Nashville.”
University of Mobile launches ‘Great Commission Fund’
By University of Mobile Staff
MOBILE, Ala. — The University of Mobile (UM) announces The Great Commission Fund that reaffirms the Baptist university’s Christ-centered mission and equips students to impact the world for the gospel.
Launched April 10, The Great Commission Funds serves as a vital resource to provide scholarships, strengthen academic and spiritual programs, and empower students to follow God’s call in every profession, community and nation.
For Christ and His Kingdom
“For Christ and His Kingdom — this is the heartbeat of everything we do at the University of Mobile,” said UM President Charles Smith.
“The Great Commission Fund is more than a rebranding of our annual fund; it is a declaration of our mission. Through this initiative, we are calling on believers to join us in raising up a generation of Christ-centered leaders.”
Watch the launch video here.
The Great Commission tradition
Rooted in the university’s long-standing Great Commission Tradition, The Great Commission Fund reflects the commitment of UM students to pursue their education as a calling from God.
From the moment they step onto campus, new students participate in this tradition by touching the Great Commission Globe during the President’s Commissioning ceremony, symbolizing their commitment to the intellectual and spiritual transformation they will experience in the college journey ahead.
A few years later at commencement, they return to The Great Commission Globe as new graduates — men and women grounded in God’s Word and armed with the knowledge and skills to pursue their professional callings with excellence. They touch the Great Commission Globe again, making a public commitment to pursue God’s calling for their lives — to go out from the University of Mobile as missional leaders making an impact for Christ.
Watch The Great Commission Tradition video here.
