Declared by Christian Retailing to be one of the “most successful publishers in the young adult genre” through its TH1NK imprint, NavPress begins 2011 with new books for the growing young adult market. And these books deal with the hard-hitting subject matter this audience wants.

“TH1NK has laid a solid foundation over the last several years, and consumers have come to recognize and expect thought-provoking resources from us for this audience. Offering honest, relevant resources is essential for our growth and success,” says NavPress Editorial Director Rebekah Guzman.

Addressing difficult topics in the context of a well-told story isn’t new for NavPress. TH1NK launched in 2003 with best-selling author Melody Carlson’s "TrueColors" series for teen girls, which tackled issues such as eating disorders, self-injury, suicide, and sexuality.

TH1NK continues to talk about the real problems teens face. In 2010 NavPress released Forgotten, the first book in Carlson’s "Secrets" novels. This series, too, honestly confronts harsh realities, in this case homelessness. Shattered (April 2011), the second book in the series, deals with deep feelings of hurt and regret.

“Teens don’t want to be told what to do. They want to figure it out on their own. The Christian YA audience is highly influenced by peers, media, and culture. We win their hearts by taking them—their faith, their friends, their lives—seriously,” says Guzman.

TH1NK isn’t just about great fiction. The Grad’s Guide to Surviving Stressful Times (March 2011) is a graduation gift book for students heading off to college that offers inspiration and advice for dealing with stress in a positive way.

Releasing May 2011, An Expose on Teen Sex and Dating by Andy Braner is a resource aimed at parents and youth leaders on what’s really going on with teens and sex and how to talk about it with them. Interviews, statistics, and action steps will help equip readers to start this important conversation with the young adults in their lives.

Guzman believes TH1NK will continue to grow and have an impact on the YA audience. “The rewards of reaching teens and young adults are endless. Knowing they got the message of the book and seeing that life transformation is priceless.”

Sponsored by NavPress and The Message, along with The Munce Group and Munce Group member stores in conjunction with MTL Magazine, “The Message Season of Giving” was a nationwide campaign to encourage individuals to nominate a needy person, family, or church to receive an extra blessing at Christmastime by sharing the nominee's story and why the nominee deserved to win. The contest was promoted in stores and online. More than 200 nominations were received.

NavPress contributed a portion of the proceeds from Message products sold through Munce Group member stores to the Season of Giving Fund, which was used to award contest winners’ prizes. Shortly before Christmas, NavPress staffers traveled to surprise the winners with customized prize packages.

"Being there in person to present gifts to all the winners, who were unaware of what was happening, was more humbling to us than I think it was to them," says NavPress Sales Director Eric Helus. "We’d like to thank The Munce Group and their stores for participating in this with us as it was one of the most rewarding outreach projects we’ve been a part of at NavPress. Although we were able to provide a small number of gifts, we were reminded, and shared with the winners, of what it says in Philippians 4:19 (from The Message): 'You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.' We look forward to doing this again for years to come!"

Ms. Crist received food, clothing, toys for her grandchildren, Message Bibles, and other NavPress products.

Todd Murray and family received help with their living expenses, clothing, food, toys, and home improvement products. They were also given Message Bibles and NavPress products.

Floodwood Assembly of God Church received Message Bibles and NavPress products as well contributions to physical improvements at the church.