Forward Movement

What Forward Movement does

Forward Movement is a ministry of the Episcopal Church, founded in 1935 in Cincinnati, Ohio, that produces and distributes Christian formation resources. Its core offerings center on the Forward Day by Day daily devotional (published continuously since 1935), The Book of Common Prayer in multiple formats, Bible study curricula (The Path, A Journey With... series, The Way of Love Bible Challenge), church leadership programs (RenewalWorks, Revive, Cedar), and seasonal digital campaigns (AdventWord, Lent Madness). The portfolio spans print books, eBooks on Amazon Kindle and Apple Books, audiobooks on Audible, an iOS prayer app, prayer podcasts, free prayer websites, and video-based courses.

The underlying technology is a digital publishing and e-commerce stack rather than an algorithmic platform: a custom e-commerce storefront (shop.forwardmovement.org), dedicated content microsites (prayer.forwardmovement.org, adventword.org, lentmadness.org, goodbookclub.org, discipleship.forwardmovement.org), the Forward Day by Day iOS app, and podcast distribution. A Nashville warehouse handles physical fulfillment, while digital distribution extends through Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, and trade wholesalers APG and Ingram Content Group.

Forward Movement operates as a financially independent nonprofit ministry rather than a venture-backed company. Revenue is generated through product sales (price points from free donor-supported resources up to $55 for premium gift editions and $500 for RenewalWorks), recurring subscriptions (Forward Day by Day at $25/year), wholesale distribution, and donor contributions and grants (e.g., The Constable Fund of the Episcopal Church for Spanish-language curriculum). Customer segments include Episcopal individuals, clergy, lay leaders, congregations, dioceses, and institutional recipients of free resources such as prisons, hospitals, military bases, and assisted living centers. A Spanish-language line (VenAdelante) extends the ministry to Latino/Hispanic Episcopal audiences. The organization employs 11–50 staff and is led by Executive Director Scott Gunn.

Name

Forward Movement

Legal name

Forward Movement

Website

https://forwardmovement.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forward Movement is a Cincinnati-based nonprofit ministry of the Episcopal Church, founded in 1935, that publishes devotionals, Bible studies, prayer books, and formation courses for Episcopal clergy, lay leaders, congregations, and individuals across print, digital, and mobile channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Publishing

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Sermon, Homiletics & Ministry Resource Publishing (Preaching Aids, Pastoral Resources) (MPAJAHAD), Religious & Spiritual Books Retail (CRALAAAE)

Keywords

• Religious publishing
• Daily devotionals
• Bible study materials
• Spiritual formation
• Episcopal resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sales of printed and digital religious resources including devotionals, Bible studies, books, pamphlets, and subscriptions (e.g., Forward Day by Day). Products sold at various price points from $0 (free resources) to $55+ for premium items. Available via direct e-commerce, phone orders, and wholesale distribution.
2. Subscription Products: Recurring subscriptions for publications like Forward Day by Day (pocket-sized edition at $25/year), Large Print subscriptions, and multi-year options.
3. Donations and Grants: Donor-supported resources are provided free to prisons, hospitals, military bases, and assisted living centers. The ministry relies on sales and donor generosity. Grants received from organizations such as The Constable Fund of the Episcopal Church for Spanish-language curriculum development.
4. Wholesale Distribution: Many titles distributed through trade book market via APG (based in Nashville, TN), Ingram Content Group, and other wholesale retailers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Forward Movement is a ministry of the Episcopal Church (since 1935) that publishes and distributes Christian spiritual formation resources, including the flagship Forward Day by Day daily devotional, The Book of Common Prayer, multi-week Bible study curricula, prayer books, formation courses, and seasonal programs (AdventWord, Lent Madness). Products are delivered in print, eBook, audiobook, mobile app, podcast, and online course formats and sold through a direct e-commerce storefront, phone orders, and wholesale distribution, with free donor-supported resources distributed to prisons, hospitals, military bases, and assisted living centers.

Product overview

Forward Movement is a ministry of the Episcopal Church (since 1935) offering a comprehensive portfolio of Christian formation resources across multiple formats (print, eBook, audiobook, digital courses, podcasts, and smartphone apps). The core offerings center on the flagship Forward Day by Day daily devotional, The Book of Common Prayer, and Bible study curricula including The Path and the Journey With... series. Supporting products include prayer books (Saint Augustine's Prayer Book), the Way of Love practical guides and Bible Challenge studies, and church leadership programs (RenewalWorks, Revive, and The Center for Discipleship and Renewal/Cedar). Digital offerings include a prayer app, podcasts, and video-based courses. The portfolio also features Spanish-language resources through VenAdelante, children's formation materials including The BIG Way of Love for Kids cards, and seasonal programs like AdventWord and Lent Madness. Products are distributed through an e-commerce platform (shop.forwardmovement.org), major online retailers (Amazon, Apple Books), and wholesale distribution via APG and Ingram.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Forward Day by Day: Daily devotional publication with meditations reflecting on Bible passages from the lectionary. Available as pocket-sized print edition, large print edition, app, and podcast.

Products and services

• Forward Day by Day Classic pocket-sized daily devotional featuring inspirational meditations on Bible passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, published continuously since 1935 with different authors each month. Available as print, large print, mobile app, podcast, and online prayer content. A subscription edition ($25/year standard US shipping) is also offered.
• The Book of Common Prayer (Gift Edition, Booklet, Large Print) Deluxe gift edition of the liturgical text used in Episcopal worship, priced at $55 retail with a 10% off coupon code FORWARD. Also available in a Booklet format (pocket-sized abridged version for daily prayer practice, $7 single / $35 for 10-pack) and large print edition.
• The Path: A Journey Through the Bible Twenty-six session all-ages curriculum tracing the story of God's love from Genesis to Revelation. A companion family storybook and a facilitator's guide are also available.
• The Way of Love: A Practical Guide to Following Jesus Practical guide exploring seven spiritual practices (Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest) with reflection questions, journal prompts, and rule of life development; foreword by Bishop Michael B. Curry.
• Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices Journey through The Book of Common Prayer, Christian life, and basic Episcopal beliefs, guided by two priests; covers the liturgical year, sacraments, prayer habits, and Anglican teachings.
• RenewalWorks Program Church renewal program that helps parishes refocus on spiritual growth and identify ways God is calling them to grow; includes tools for congregational assessment and development. Priced at $500 retail.
• Revive Small-Group Discipleship Program Small-group program equipping lay leaders to grow in confidence as spiritual leaders and to help participants live a Jesus-shaped life through guided discussion and practice.
• Good Book Club Bible Study (Luke and Acts) Free downloadable Bible study for the Gospel of Luke and Book of Acts, prepared by Dr. David Creech. Designed for weekly one-hour sessions during Lent and Easter; includes Facilitator and Participant guides.
• A Journey With... Bible Series Fifty-day Bible study series covering the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), the Book of Acts, and Genesis. Each book features daily scripture readings, meditations, questions, and prayers by diverse spiritual leaders from around the world.
• The BIG Way of Love for Kids Set of 75 playing cards and activities for children ages 2-10, featuring Bible stories, prayers, and games based on the seven practices of the Way of Love. Includes audio recordings, Advent Calendar, and a Grown-Ups Companion Guide. A Spanish-language edition is also offered.
• The Way of Love Bible Challenge Winner of the Illumination Book Award for Bible Study (2019). Fifty days of reflections pairing each Way of Love practice with scripture passages, reflections, questions, and prayers by faith leaders. Priced at $12 each for 5+ copies.
• Saint Augustine's Prayer Book Book of prayer and practice offering disciplines, habits, and patterns for building Christian spiritual life; newly revised edition, $30 retail.
• Forward Day by Day Mobile App (iOS) Smartphone application offering daily prayer content including Forward Day by Day meditations, the Daily Office, and daily readings. Available for iOS devices via the Apple App Store.
• Forward Movement Prayer Podcasts Audio podcasts featuring prayer content and spiritual guidance, available for download and streaming via the Forward Movement website.
• The Center for Discipleship and Renewal (Cedar) Ministry center helping church leaders put discipleship at the center of congregations; aims for transformed lives, growing churches, and a better world through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Signs and Grace: An Introduction to the Sacraments Free three-session video-based course providing basic teaching and discussion around the sacraments of the Episcopal Church; available at no cost.
• VenAdelante (Spanish-language ministry and Adelante día a día) Spanish-language ministry of Forward Movement offering devotionals, Bible studies, formation courses, and other resources to support the spiritual journey as followers of Jesus. Includes Adelante día a día (the Spanish Forward Day by Day) and the Vivir el Discipulado curriculum (Exploremos la Biblia).
• AdventWord Digital Advent devotional program engaging participants with daily content throughout the Advent season.
• Lent Madness Online competition during Lent that helps people learn about Episcopal saints through a bracket-style tournament format.
• Episcopal Street Signs Evangelism resources using street sign imagery to share Episcopal beliefs and practices with the broader community.
• Forward Movement Online Store (shop.forwardmovement.org) E-commerce platform selling devotionals, Bible studies, prayer books, pamphlets, formation courses, and seasonal resources. Includes wholesale accounts for churches and bookstores.

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Episcopal ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForward Movement is an official ministry of the Episcopal Church since 1935, operating as a financially independent organization. The church provides institutional affiliation and support while Forward Movement maintains operational independence.
• Episcopal Relief & DevelopmentmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerForward Movement partners with Episcopal Relief & Development to offer the Alternative Gift Card and other ER&D resources. The partnership supports fundraising and awareness for ER&D's humanitarian work.
• Washington National CathedralmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Forward Movement and Washington National Cathedral for The Pilgrim Way of Lent, a daily devotional resource from Washington National Cathedral clergy and staff.
• APG (American Publishers Group)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMany Forward Movement titles are listed in the trade book market through APG, based in Nashville, TN. Primary wholesale distribution partner for retail channels.
• Ingram Content GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorForward Movement titles available through Ingram Content Group and other wholesale retailers for broad market distribution.
• VenAdelante.orgsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSpanish-language ministry site (VenAdelante.org) extending Forward Movement resources to Spanish-speaking audiences in the Episcopal Church.
• Good Book Club (goodbookclub.org)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCross-promotional partner for Bible study resources, including the Good Book Club Bible Study for Luke and Acts.
• AdventWord (adventword.org)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital Advent initiative that engages participants in daily reflection and prayer during the Advent season.
• Lent Madness (lentmadness.org)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPopular online Lenten devotion that engages participants in a tournament-style exploration of saints, encouraging daily engagement with faith during Lent.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Church Publishing Incorporated (Church Publishing / Morehouse Publishing): The official publisher of the Episcopal Church, producing the Book of Common Prayer, liturgical resources, formation materials, and books aligned with Episcopal/Anglican theology. Most direct peer given shared denominational mandate, overlapping product categories (devotionals, BCP editions, formation curricula), and shared customer base in Episcopal dioceses and parishes.
• The Upper Room: A United Methodist devotional ministry publishing the daily Upper Room devotional, formation resources, and retreat materials globally. Comparable as a denominational devotional publisher with a daily devotional as flagship, supporting digital and print channels, and serving both individual readers and church groups.
• Our Daily Bread Ministries: Interdenominational Christian ministry producing the daily Our Daily Bread devotional booklet, digital app, and Bible study resources in many languages. Comparable in daily-devotional publishing, donor-supported free distribution, and multi-language digital strategy, but with a broader (non-denominational) audience than Forward Movement.
• Lutheran Hour Ministries: Denominational (LCMS) ministry producing daily devotionals (Lutheran Hour Ministries' devotional booklets), Bible study resources, and broadcast content, with global reach and donor-supported distribution. Comparable as a denominationally anchored devotional publisher with similar product mix (daily devotionals, Bible studies, formation materials) and donor-funded free distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Guideposts Foundation: Larger faith-based publisher of devotional content, magazines (Guideposts, Angels on Earth), and books distributed through retail and digital channels with strong donor support. Comparable in devotional publishing and donor-supported distribution but operates across Christian and interfaith audiences at significantly larger scale.
• Crossway (Good News Publishers): Major Christian publisher best known for the English Standard Version Bible and a wide catalog of Christian books, Bible studies, and formation resources. Comparable in Bible study publishing, trade distribution, and digital availability, but with much broader denominational reach than Forward Movement's Episcopal-specific focus.
• InterVarsity Press (IVP): Established evangelical Christian publisher producing academic and lay-level books on theology, Bible study, discipleship, and spiritual formation. Comparable in publishing spiritual formation, Bible study curricula, and discipleship resources, though operating at larger scale and with a broader (evangelical) audience.
• Ave Maria Press: Catholic publisher of theology, spirituality, and ministry resources, including devotionals, Bible studies, and parish programs. Comparable in devotional and formation publishing, but denominational focus on Catholicism rather than Anglicanism, and operates at larger scale.

Emerging players

• Daily Devotions (Prayer App / Hallow): Digital-first Catholic prayer and meditation app offering daily devotionals, audio Bible, and prayer content with subscription monetization. Comparable as a competing daily-devotional digital product targeting Christian users, though broader (Catholic and ecumenical) audience and built as a venture-backed tech platform rather than a publisher.
• Bible Gateway: Free online Bible search and reading platform with devotionals, reading plans, and audio Bible resources operated by HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Comparable as a digital Bible-reading and devotional destination competing for the same daily-engagement audience, with much larger traffic and broader denominational reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/forwarddaybyday
• Facebookfacebook.com/forwarddaybyday
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forward-movement

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Forward Movement