What New Reformation Publications does

New Reformation Publications is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014, operating under the DBA '1517' (EIN 46-3986960). It functions as an integrated Christian media ministry producing gospel-centered content rooted in Lutheran theology, with a particular emphasis on the distinction between Law and Gospel. The organization maintains offices in Irvine (mailing) and San Clemente (physical), California.

The company's core offering is a unified multi-media platform built on a custom website and Learning Management System. The platform delivers articles, podcasts, videos, online courses (via 1517 Academy), books (via 1517 Publishing), in-person events, music, scripture tools, and a Knowledge Base. The Academy LMS supports video-first courses with quizzes, downloadable guidebooks, and completion certificates. The content library is searchable across scripture references, topics, formats, and contributors, indexing over 10,000 resources including 5,353 articles, 7,217 podcast episodes, 114 books, 705 videos, and 220 events. Distribution extends through owned channels (website, email) and third-party platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict).

The business model is donation-driven with ancillary book sales. Primary funding comes from individual donors, church partners, and planned giving (charitable gift annuities, estate gifts), supported by a diversified giving infrastructure accepting cash, Donor Advised Funds, IRA QCDs, stock, and cryptocurrency. Books are sold direct-to-consumer at $3.99-$39.95 through shop.1517.org. All Academy courses are free. Customer segments include individual Christians seeking theological education, pastors and church workers, and partnering church congregations. No revenue, headcount, or financial figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

New Reformation Publications

Legal name

New Reformation Publications

Website

https://1517.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

New Reformation Publications (DBA 1517) is a 501(c)(3) Christian media nonprofit founded in 2014 that delivers free gospel-centered articles, podcasts, videos, online courses, books, and in-person events to individual Christians, pastors, and partnering churches, funded primarily through donations and ancillary book sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Publishing and Media

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130), Religious Organizations (8131), Periodical Publishers (513120)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious Nonfiction & Theology Publishing (Apologetics, Doctrine, Ethics) (MPAJAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Sermon, Homiletics & Ministry Resource Publishing (Preaching Aids, Pastoral Resources) (MPAJAHAD), Denominational & Community Periodicals (Church Magazines, Diocesan/Temple Newsletters) (MPAJAHAI), Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB)

Keywords

• Christian publishing
• Theological education
• Religious media ministry
• Online theological courses
• Lutheran content

Headquarters

HQ city

San Clemente

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: 1517 operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization primarily funded through donations from individuals and church partners. Donors can give via cash gifts (credit/debit cards, ACH, checks), Donor Advised Funds, IRA Minimum Distributions (QCDs), stock gifts, Bitcoin and crypto gifts, and charitable trusts.
2. Book Sales: Sale of published books through the 1517 Publishing imprint (shop.1517.org) including theology books, devotionals, commentaries, and Lutheran resources. Prices range from $3.99 to $39.95.
3. Planned Giving: Charitable gift annuities and estate gifts where supporters designate 1517 as beneficiary in wills, trusts, or estate plans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

New Reformation Publications (operating as 1517) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit media ministry that produces and distributes gospel-centered Christian content across multiple formats including articles, podcasts, videos, online courses, books, and live events. The organization operates an integrated digital content platform (1517.org), a learning management system for theological education (1517 Academy), a podcast network, and a publishing imprint (1517 Publishing) that sells theology books, devotionals, and Lutheran resources.

Product overview

New Reformation Publications operates 1517 as a single unified multi-media ministry platform combining content publishing, online education, and community engagement. The core 1517.org platform delivers articles, podcasts, videos, and events, supported by specialized sub-products including 1517 Publishing (book sales), 1517 Academy LMS (video courses with quizzes), the 1517 Podcast Network, Craft of Preaching resources, the annual Here We Still Stand conference, a Knowledge Base, Church Partners Program, and Speakers Network. The portfolio functions as an integrated Christian media ecosystem offering theological education and gospel-centered content across multiple formats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1517.org Platform
• 1517 Publishing

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Desiring God: Christian media ministry producing articles, podcasts, videos, conferences, and books with a heavy emphasis on pastor and church resources — directly comparable to 1517's content-plus-events-plus-publishing structure, with a broader (non-denominational Reformed) audience.
• Ligonier Ministries: Reformed theological teaching and publishing nonprofit offering articles, podcasts, courses (Ligonicr Academy), conferences, and a substantial bookstore — directly comparable to 1517's multi-format gospel-centered ministry model, though Ligonier is broader Reformed versus 1517's Lutheran focus.
• The Gospel Coalition: Network of churches producing theological articles, podcasts, conferences (TGC National Conference), and curated book content for pastors and Christians — closely parallels 1517's pastor-focused publishing and event model, though with a broader Reformed evangelical orientation.
• Concordia Publishing House: Lutheran publishing arm of the LCMS producing theology books, devotionals, hymnals, curricula, and worship resources — the closest denominational analogue to 1517's Lutheran theology publishing and education focus.

Broad incumbents

• Christianity Today: Large Christian media brand producing news, magazine content, podcasts, and resources for pastors and laity — overlaps with 1517's article/podcast distribution to Christian audiences but at significantly greater scale and with broader denominational coverage.
• Crossway: Major Christian book publisher (including the ESV Bible) with a broader trade catalog covering theology, devotionals, and Christian living — comparable to 1517 Publishing but at substantially larger scale and across a wider theological spectrum.
• Eerdmans Publishing: Independent publisher of academic and trade theology, biblical studies, and church history books — comparable to 1517 Publishing's theology and commentary titles, with a stronger academic/scholarly tilt.
• B&H Publishing Group: Broad evangelical publishing imprint producing theology, Bible study, and ministry resources — comparable catalog overlap with 1517 Publishing, but at much greater scale and across multiple evangelical traditions.
• Moody Publishers: Established evangelical book publisher with theology, Bible study, and Christian living titles — overlaps with 1517 Publishing's nonfiction and devotional categories at a broader, less denominationally specific level.

Emerging players

• Faithlife (Logos Bible Software): Digital Bible study platform offering theological content, courses, and publishing-adjacent media for pastors and serious lay users — overlaps with 1517 Academy's LMS for theological education, with stronger technology/subscription infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1517org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 New Reformation Publications