J. Countryman Gift Edition Live Your Passion, Tell Your Story, Change Your World - available April 15

A perfect gift for graduation, "Live Your Passion, Tell Your Story, Change Your World," a beautiful, embossed, hard cover book, presented in an inspirational format, provides guidance to anyone searching for their true calling and purpose.

Nashville, TN April 1, 2004 -- J. Countryman will release a new gift book, Live Your Passion, Tell Your Story, Change Your World, (ISBN: 1-4041-0098-9, $14.99) by Dr. Bob Reccord and Randy Singer in April 2004. This beautiful, embossed, hard cover book, presented in an inspirational format, will appeal to anyone searching for their Godly purpose.

"At J. Countryman when we think about a book for graduation we like to offer a gift book that can impact the lives of graduating seniors, both in high school and college," stated Jack Countryman, senior vice president and publisher. "Live Your Passion, Tell Your Story, Change Your World, is the ideal book for this purpose. It not only gives graduates direction, it encourages them to be everything God wants them to be. We are very pleased to have this book be one of our new releases for graduation 2004.

Authors Reccord and Singer enthusiastically challenge their readers to think outside the box of traditional ministry, use biblical principals to find their true calling and serve the Lord from their unique platform. They illustrate what ministry can look like through Gods eyes, if only we knew how to listen for His call. Everybody counts, the authors say, and every believer has been called for a special purpose.

This book does not offer a tidy list of self-help categories and guarantees but rather an organic weaving of biblical principles that can flow through lives and bring about real change. The principles inspire and call the reader to examine personal motivations in real time, such as: God calls you to be on mission with Him right where you are starting now. A delightful gift of inspiration and hope, this edition offers amazing stories of famous personalities and everyday heroes who have discovered their unique roles as ordained by God. The message will resonate with all who seek to hear Gods true call and discover His plan.

About the Authors
Formerly a business executive in a corporate group serving the computer, automotive and aircraft industries, Dr. Bob Reccord is currently the president of the North American Mission Board. NAMB has 5200 mission personnel serving across North America. It is also the parent company of the FamilyNet Television Network, accessed by 31 million homes nationwide. Additionally, Dr. Reccord hosts the "Strength for Living" radio show, heard by more than 400,000 listeners each month. He is a former pastor and the author of "When Life is in the Pits," "Forged by the Fire" and "Beneath the Surface."

Randy Singer started his career as a high school teacher and coach, then went back to school and became a successful trial lawyer and law school professor. He now serves as the North American Mission Board's Chief Counsel and Special Assistant. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board for the FamilyNet Television Network. Additionally, Singer is a successful author of Christian legal thrillers that deal with today's high stakes moral and ethical issues. His award-winning work includes "Directed Verdict," "Irreparable Harm" and "Dying Declaration."

J. Countryman, the inspirational gift book division of Thomas Nelson Inc., is devoted to touching and changing lives through spiritual messages packaged in beautiful gift products. J. Countryman is the top-selling inspirational gift book publisher in the country and publishes best-selling authors and brands like Max Lucado, John Maxwell, Charles Swindoll, Anne Graham Lotz and Gods Promises For more information visit our website at www.jcountryman.com.

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements, and a number of factors may affect future results, liquidity and capital resources. These factors include, but are not limited to, softness in the general retail environment, the timing and acceptance of products being introduced to the market, the level of product returns experienced, the level of margins achievable in the marketplace, the collectibility of accounts receivable, the recoupment of royalty advances, the effects of acquisitions or dispositions, the financial condition of our customers and suppliers, the realization of inventory values at carrying amounts, our access to capital and the realization of income tax (including the outcome of any future Internal Revenue Service audits) and intangible assets. Future revenue and margin trends cannot be reliably predicted and may cause the Company to adjust its business strategy during the remaining portion of the 2004 fiscal year. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Thomas Nelson, Inc. is a leading publisher and distributor of books emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes and believes it is the largest publisher of Bibles and inspirational books in the English language. For more information, visit our website www.thomasnelson.com.
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