HarperCollins Christian Publishing

What HarperCollins Christian Publishing does

HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) is the Christian publishing division of HarperCollins Publishers, a subsidiary of News Corp. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, HCCP was formed in 2012 by combining the legacy publishers Thomas Nelson (founded 1798) and Zondervan (founded 1931) under a single operating unit. The division runs a portfolio of sub-brands including Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, HarperChristian Resources, FaithGateway, BibleGateway, Church Source, WestBow Press, and W Publishing Group.

HCCP's core products are Bibles and Christian trade books. The Bible portfolio includes licensed translations such as the NIV, NKJV, and KJV, while the trade catalog spans devotionals, fiction, nonfiction, children's titles, and ministry resources. The flagship Jesus Calling brand has sold more than 50 million copies. The division works with over 8,500 authors and reported more than 400 bestsellers in FY22, with content available in 70+ languages. In 2025, HCCP reported Bible sales of 18 million units, up 11% year-over-year.

HCCP monetizes primarily through traditional book and Bible sales across retail, Ministry Services, Specialty Sales, the Faire wholesale platform, and owned digital properties (BibleGateway, FaithGateway, Church Source). Customer segments span individual consumers, churches, and ministry organizations. HCCP does not publish standalone financial results, operating as a privately held division within News Corp's HarperCollins segment.

Name

HarperCollins Christian Publishing

Legal name

HarperCollins Christian Publishing

Website

https://harpercollinschristian.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

HarperCollins Christian Publishing is the Christian publishing division of HarperCollins, producing Bibles and Christian trade books across Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, and digital platforms like BibleGateway for retail consumers, churches, and ministry organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (51313)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Sacred Texts & Scripture Publishing (Bibles, Qur’ans, Vedas, Torah, Sutras) (MPAJAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB), Religious Nonfiction & Theology Publishing (Apologetics, Doctrine, Ethics) (MPAJAHAG), Religious Fiction & Inspirational Literature Publishing (MPAJAHAF), Religious Children’s Publishing (Faith-Based Kids & YA) (MPAJAHAJ), Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Spirituality & Personal Growth Publishing (Mindfulness, Contemplative, New Age) (MPAJAHAH)

Keywords

• Christian publishing
• Bible publishing
• Devotional content
• Religious books
• Faith-based media

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: One-time sale of published books including Christian fiction, non-fiction, devotionals, and self-help titles. Revenue generated through wholesale, retail, and direct channels.
2. Bible Sales: Sale of Bibles in multiple translations (NIV, NKJV, KJV, ESV) and formats including study Bibles, children's Bibles, and specialty editions.
3. Jesus Calling Brand Licensing: The Jesus Calling brand has expanded beyond books into podcasts and television media, generating licensing revenue across multiple formats.
4. Self-Publishing Services: WestBow Press provides self-publishing services for authors seeking to publish Christian content through the company's distribution channels.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HarperCollins Christian Publishing is a multi-divisional Christian publishing house that publishes Bibles (NIV, NKJV, KJV, ESV), devotionals (notably the Jesus Calling brand), Christian living, fiction, children's, and academic theology content across print, digital, and audio formats. The company operates 25 English-language imprints including Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, and HarperChristian Resources, publishing in 70+ languages with 8,500+ authors represented. It also provides self-publishing services through WestBow Press and runs owned digital platforms (FaithGateway, BibleGateway, Church Source) for direct reader and church engagement.

Product overview

HarperCollins Christian Publishing operates as a multi-divisional publishing house with 25 English-language brands/imprints, publishing products in 70+ languages with 8,500+ represented authors. The portfolio centers on Bible publishing (NIV, NKJV, KJV translations) through Thomas Nelson and Zondervan divisions, alongside Christian living, devotional, academic, and children's content. Key brands include the Jesus Calling devotional franchise (50+ million copies), HarperChristian Resources, Spanish Publishing, and self-publishing via WestBow Press. Digital presence includes online communities (FaithGateway, BibleGateway, Church Source) serving retail, church, and individual customer segments. The company reports 400+ bestsellers in FY22 and distributes through wholesale, specialty sales, and ministry services channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thomas Nelson: Christian publishing imprint publishing Bibles, books, and digital content
• Zondervan
• HarperChristian Resources
• FaithGateway
• BibleGateway
• Church Source
• WestBow Press
• W Publishing Group

Products and services

• NIV Bible The New International Version Bible translation published by Zondervan, one of the most popular and widely distributed English Bible translations globally, available in multiple formats and editions for individual readers, churches, and ministries.
• NKJV Bible New King James Version Bible translation published by Thomas Nelson, featuring updated language while maintaining traditional verse structure, available across study, children's, and specialty editions.
• KJV Bible King James Version Bible translation published by Thomas Nelson, available across multiple formats including study Bibles and specialty editions.
• Jesus Calling Devotional Brand Globally bestselling devotional brand by Sarah Young that has sold over 50 million copies since 2004, expanded into podcasts, television, and multiple book formats for individual devotional practice.
• WestBow Press Self-Publishing Services Self-publishing imprint under HCCP that enables independent Christian authors to publish their manuscripts with editing, design, and distribution access through HCCP's retail and online channels.
• Online Community Platforms (BibleGateway, FaithGateway, Church Source) Owned digital platforms providing free Bible reading and study (BibleGateway), an online Christian bookstore and community (FaithGateway), and church supply procurement (Church Source) for retail, church, and individual customer segments.
• Spanish Publishing Line Spanish-language Christian publishing line providing Bibles, devotionals, and Christian living content for Spanish-speaking readers and churches globally.
• Brand Licensing and Permissions Licensing of HCCP brands and content (e.g., Jesus Calling for media adaptations) plus rights and permissions services for third-party use of HCCP intellectual property.
• The Boy That Walked From Virginia To Texas Inspirational book chronicling a journey across America, published as a standalone title.
• Student of Love Relationship guidebook by Laterras R. Whitfield, published through W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson.
• Answer With Truth Self-published book by David 'Goose' Mills released via WestBow Press and qualified for the Lighthouse Recognition Program with bookstore distribution.
• Bible Product Line (multi-translation) Bibles in multiple translations including English Standard Version, children's Adventure Bibles, and specialty editions, sold across retail, wholesale, and online channels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Jesus Calling brand surpassed 50 million copies sold worldwide since 2004
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• FaithGatewaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFaithGateway is an online faith-based bookstore and community platform operated by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, serving as a direct-to-consumer channel for Christian content and providing a community hub for faith-based readers.
• BibleGatewaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBibleGateway is a Bible reading and study platform operated by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, providing free Bible access and driving awareness for the company's Bible translations including NIV.
• Church SourcecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChurch Source is a church supply and ministry resource retailer operated by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, serving churches and ministry leaders with curriculum, resources, and programming materials.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Crossway: Non-profit Christian publisher that owns and publishes the English Standard Version (ESV) Bible, a primary competitor to HCCP's NIV/NKJV translations. Direct competitor in premium Bible translations and Christian theological publishing.
• Tyndale House Publishers: One of the largest independently owned Christian publishers in the U.S., publishing Bibles (including the NLT), devotionals, and Christian living titles. Direct competitor in Bibles, devotionals, and trade Christian publishing with comparable distribution and author roster depth.
• B&H Publishing Group: The publishing arm of LifeWay Christian Resources (Southern Baptist), producing Bibles, academic works, ministry resources, and the CSB translation. Directly comparable as a denominational-affiliated Christian publisher with ministry channel depth.
• Baker Books / Baker Publishing Group: Privately-held Christian publisher producing academic, fiction, devotional, and ministry titles under multiple imprints (Baker Academic, Revell, Bethany House, Brazos Press). Direct overlap in academic theology, fiction, and Bible reference publishing.
• Moody Publishers: Evangelical Christian publisher producing Bibles, theological works, and ministry resources. Direct competitor in academic theology, Bible reference, and devotional content for evangelical audiences.
• Harvest House Publishers: Independent Christian publisher focused on Christian living, fiction, Bible study, and family/parenting titles. Direct competitor in the mid-list Christian living and devotional categories.
• WaterBrook & Multnomah: Christian publishing imprint of Penguin Random House, publishing fiction, nonfiction, and devotional content. Direct competitor in trade Christian publishing, with PRH's broader distribution scale.

Broad incumbents

• Penguin Random House: The world's largest trade book publisher, with Christian publishing through WaterBrook & Multnomah, Thomas Nelson Bibles competitive overlap, and the broader trade distribution infrastructure that competes with HarperCollins.
• Simon & Schuster: Major trade book publisher with a Christian/inspirational publishing program and broad retail distribution that competes for shelf space and author signings across the Christian market.

Emerging players

• YouVersion (Life.Church): The world's most-installed Bible app, with hundreds of millions of installs. Increasingly important in Bible engagement and adjacent to HCCP's BibleGateway; potential competitor for reader attention and Bible study content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HCChristianPub
• Facebookfacebook.com/harpercollinschristianpublishing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HarperCollins Christian Publishing