Christian Reader Becomes Today's Christian Magazine 1/28/2004
From: Michael Herman of Today's Christian, 630-260-6200 ext. 4309 or 630-803-9432 (cell), Email: mherman@christianitytoday.com CAROL STREAM, Ill., Jan. 28 -- Christian Reader will relaunch as Today's Christian magazine with the March/April 2004 issue. "After more than a year of intensive research, we decided to make this major change," says managing editor Edward Gilbreath. "For years now, Christian leaders -- especially pastors -- have been telling us that a more contemporary name would better describe our magazine. When we shared various choices with pastors and many of our readers, they overwhelmingly chose Today's Christian." Gilbreath adds that the magazine's new tagline -- "People of faith. Stories of hope" -- now makes clear the publication's core focus of presenting people-driven, Christ-centered stories. "And readers will notice an even more vibrant and engaging design to the magazine as well." The revitalized Today's Christian promises to continue delivering great stories of God's activity in the lives of real people, both the famous and not so famous, says Gilbreath. What's more, the magazine is deepening its coverage of the church around the world and of practical, biblical insights on real-life concerns. "We still have the same mission; we're just taking it to another level," he says. "The real difference, besides the name, is what we'd like to become. We want to be a magazine that individual Christians, pastors, and congregations look to as a resource for personal devotions, sermon material, and small-group discussions." The March/April issue provides clear evidence of the exciting, new-look Today's Christian. Gracing the cover is gospel artist CeCe Winans. Inside are articles about superstar actor/director Mel Gibson, whose film The Passion of the Christ has everyone talking; a female survivor of the Columbine High School shooting, who looks back on her life since that tragic event five years ago; Army chaplains stationed in Iraq, who share their inspiring stories of keeping the faith in the midst of war; and the issue features a special report on the challenge of being a single Christian in today's culture. "Every issue of Today's Christian will have something for everyone," says Gilbreath. "And the digest-size of the magazine makes it a quick and exciting read. Readers are always telling us that they often devour an entire issue in one sitting." Founded (as Christian Reader) by Bible translator and publishing legend Ken Taylor in 1963, Today's Christian features real-life stories of faith that aim to encourage, inspire, and inform contemporary readers. Distributed in churches and by subscription, Today's Christian currently has a circulation of 185,000. The magazine also reaches many more readers through its online presence at Todays-Christian.com. Today's Christian is one of 11 publications produced by Christianity Today International (CTI), a Chicago-based publisher of magazines, websites, and Christian products. CTI, a communications ministry co-founded by Billy Graham in 1956, is committed to engaging, encouraging, and equipping the church worldwide. ------ To receive a free sample copy of Today's Christian, send an e-mail that references this press release to: tceditor@todays-christian.com For further information or interviews, please contact Michael Herman, mherman@christianitytoday.com, 630-260-6200 ext. 4309, 630-803-9432 (cell/after-hours). |