Far Beyond Expectations
The Extraordinary Story of Jesus Calling and Its Impact on Christian Literature
The story begins in Nashville, Tennessee, where entrepreneur Byron Williamson, founder of Integrity Publishers, embraces what became a transformative spark in 2002. A half-page article adopted by a small church study group unexpectedly lands on his desk at Integrity, igniting what became a literary phenomenon.
A Serendipitous Encounter
Intrigued by devotional thoughts expressed in a handful of half-page articles, Williamson shares them with his editorial team. Their comments confirmed his own instincts, leading to a serendipitous connection with a Sarah Young in Perth, Australia. Sarah’s intimate, often provocative expressions stood out in contrast to the prevailing tone in Christian literature.
The Vision Takes Shape
Recognizing the depth of Sarah’s voice, Williamson envisions a year-long devotional, akin to a book he had seen on his own mother’s bedside table. The challenge was in presenting this expansive idea to Sarah — that is, the creation of 365 daily devotional readings averaging only 150 words each. To Byron’s surprise, when it was suggested, Sarah calmly says, ‘yes.’ As she begins to develop hundreds of new readings, reflecting on the nature of this remarkable content, Williamson works with his team to put together a simple book cover design using a title he knew his deeply spiritual mother would have quickly embraced — Jesus Calling. That same cover and title continue in use today.
A Spiritual Phenomenon Unleashed
Jesus Calling debuts in the fall of 2004, soon exceeding all expectations. Bookstores begin ordering multiple cases of the book because customers want to give away dozens of copies to friends. Today, over 45 million copies of Jesus Calling books have been sold globally. And it continues to grace the New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists, fast becomes a household staple in multiple languages around the world.
A Vision Expanded
In fiscal 2007 the Integrity Publishing Group, along with Jesus Calling, was acquired by Thomas Nelson. Shortly thereafter, Nelson itself becomes part of the Harper-Collins Christian Publishing Group. One of Integrity’s executives, Laura Minchew, transitions over to Nelson, soon assuming the management of Jesus Calling. She quickly expands the global vision with new editions and related works. The journey of Jesus Calling reinforces the impact of Christian literature throughout history.
The imagining of Jesus Calling, as well as its impact on the reading world far exceed any conventional literary expectations, showcasing the enduring legacy of a book that whispers to the soul. Reflecting on this remarkable journey invites readers to contemplate how divine whispers have resonated across time, not to mention leaving an indelible mark on Christian literature.