New Life in Christ!

cross in the sunshineAccording to statistics, 90% of adults attended church as children. With that in mind, it’s obvious that we urgently need to reach out to our own children! We mustn’t sit back and assume our children will follow in our footsteps – we need to make a serious effort to build them up in their faith while they are young. Talking about the Lord day by day is part our responsibility as Christian parents and grandparents (see Deuteronomy 6:7). Christian books can help do that in a relaxed and natural way.

Krish Kandiah says, “Of every class of 50 nought to nine year-olds in Sunday school in 1985, only 15 will still be going to church in their 20s: we lose 70% of our children.”*

We know that touching hearts is the Lord’s job – but we also have a part to play. If that wasn’t true, we wouldn’t ever need to do any evangelism, we’d just wait for new people to turn up! Can I encourage you to spread our books widely among your own church families? They start at just £4.99. Your input could bring new life this Easter!

P.S. Having a holiday Bible club at Easter? Please give your children a book each to take home. Contact me for quantity discounts.

Books for Schools Page

Schoolgirl readingI have put up a new page on our website – Books For Schools. Thanks to all who prayed after reading last month’s newsletter! I have been phoning school librarians and sending them the link – please pray that schools will take up this offer of a pack of library books at a discount. According to a friend who is a teacher,
Schools have to show they are promoting diversity and giving opportunities for moral and spiritual development so the books are great for both of these, especially since a large number of students no longer attend church. There is also a big emphasis on literacy, of which reading is a major part.”
If you know a teacher who may be interested, or if you would like to buy a pack of books for your local school, please take a look and/or pass it on. The page is here. And please contact me if you would like to send a pack of books direct to a school abroad – I’d be absolutely delighted to help. 🙂

The City Kid

We are still hoping to get this book out into paperback in the summer – please keep praying. Thank you!

Reviews

Delighted to receive the following in an email: ‘Our great-niece who lives with us and is 8 very much enjoyed The Birthday Shoes and Deepest Darkness and our 11 year old nephew enjoyed The Treasure Hunt and A Pennyworth of Peppermints.’ It’s always so encouraging to receive your feedback so if you have any, please do send it in – a few kind words keep us going on a tough day! 🙂

25 Reasons to buy Christian fiction for children and teenagers

I have posted 25 reasons to buy Christian fiction for children and teenagers on our facebook page – click here to come on over and join in the conversation! Which is your favourite?

1. Stories stick in your mind (Jesus told stories for a reason!)
2. Christian books are a great way to share the good news.
3. Young people can reflect on subjects such as prayer, justice
and forgiveness, for themselves.
4. Church kids find it thrilling to find Christian characters in a ‘real’ story!
5. Christian fiction helps church children feel less marginalised.
6. Books written from a Christian perspective can be an eye-opener for non-church young people, and can bring hope.
7. Stories are much more exciting to read than straight information!
8. We are influenced by what we put into our minds; Christian books contain Christian values.
9. Books help readers think about spiritual and moral issues.
10. Christian characters can be inspiring in the way they win through in different situations.
11. Ideas that come up in stories help us to evaluate our own lives.
12. Modern Christian fiction is culturally relevant (and exciting!).
13. Young people can find out how Bible stories are applicable to their own lives.
14. Books make non-threatening presents for non-church families.
15. They aid literacy (they are books!); Christian books have the added bonus of a spiritual dimension.
16. Children desperate for an education can learn about God’s love while they read.
17. Christian books make non-threatening gifts where spiritual input may otherwise be impossible.
18. Reading a Christian novel with your children is great for bonding.
19. You can discuss biblical issues that Christian books bring up, helping you to fulfil your duties as a Christian parent/teacher!
20. Christian books can sow seeds that will bear fruit in years to come.
21. Not all books out there are helpful – Christian books are a fabulous alternative.
22. Christian books bring up current issues, such as modern day slavery, from a Christian perspective.
23. Christian fiction can encourage and inspire young people to walk with God, even church kids who are bored with Bible stories
24. We have received many testimonies of how our books have touched lives – some children are drawn to Christian books.
25. Every child is precious, and should have a chance to hear the good news in a way that is relevant to them.

BookshopChristian bookshop

Last but not least, our Christian bookshop of the month is in St Nicholas Church, Sevenoaks, in their Undercroft. The bookshop doubles as a café and is open from 10am – 2pm Monday to Saturday. They didn’t have any Dernier books when I popped in, so I left our details and hope they will soon!

And that’s all for this month! May your Easter be filled with joy!

Janet

P.S. Don’t forget your books for your Easter Holiday Club – I look forward to hearing from you. Click here to contact Janet.

* Source: The Resource. You can read the full article here.

Newsletter March 2016
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