Jack Countryman Receives ECPA Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award

Countryman is the founder and publisher of JCountryman gift books–a division of Thomas Nelson–and was honored with the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award. Over 30 years, he has created best-selling titles such as God’s Promises for Every Need, Blessings Just for You and Red Letter Words of Jesus.

Early Life and Education

Countryman was raised on a farm in rural Kansas and attended West Salem High School before going on to the University of Cincinnati to earn his journalism and public relations degree; during which time, his first job was as sports writer for the Cincinnati Post.

Countryman remains active despite his age of 93 years, authoring several of his own best-selling books and co-founding JCountryman gift books for Thomas Nelson’s JCountryman gift book division. In 2009 he received the Kip Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award of Evangelical Christian Publishers Association; among the books in JCountryman gift book division’s catalogue are God Listens and Red Letter Words of Jesus as gift titles.

Countryman is best-known for his devotional series that offer guidance and wisdom for individuals of various ages. A master of brevity, many of his books can fit comfortably on a nightstand shelf without becoming overwhelming or bulky.

Professional Career

Jack Countryman is the founder of JCountryman gift books, a division of Thomas Nelson. In recent decades, he has produced best-selling gift books such as God’s Promises for Your Every Need, Men’s Blessings Just for You and God Listens that have sold over 27 million units combined.

He is also a global futurist, speaking about emerging technologies and trends to business, government and associations around the globe. With more than 80 books published on these subjects alone, his bestseller daily devotionals often consist of half page devotions which fit nicely onto a night table book for easy night reading – for example his God’s Promises for Graduates series is an outstanding example of this trend.

Achievement and Honors

Countryman achieved another major accomplishment when his God’s Promises brand sold 20 million units worldwide. Additionally, he received the ECPA Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing those who have made significant contributions to Christian publishing throughout their lives. Thomas Nelson Publishers awarded JCountryman Gift Books founder with a lifetime achievement award on April 28 in Colorado Springs at their Executive Leadership Summit opening night event. Over his thirty-plus year publishing career, JCountryman created award-winning gift books such as God’s Promises for Graduates, God’s Blessings Just for You, God Listens and Promises for Men. Altogether his titles have sold 27 million units. Based in Nashville Tennessee with Marsha, an accomplished former high school teacher as his wife.

Personal Life

Misty Phillips of Jesus Calling podcast interviewed husband-and-wife authors/publishers Jack and Marsha Countryman about their lengthy publishing careers. He discussed how they launched their publishing company at their kitchen table and have since helped connect millions of people with God’s promises through their books. Countryman discussed his best-selling titles such as God’s Promises for Graduates, God’s Promises for Men and God Listens books; each has sold more than 27 million units! Furthermore, Countryman shared how he stays motivated and inspired after decades of publishing. He encourages readers to plan carefully for the later years with faith and optimism, founding JCountryman gift books under Thomas Nelson and receiving the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Kip Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

Net Worth

Jack Countryman has sold more than 27 million books worldwide and earned the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award. As founder of JCountryman gift books – a division of Thomas Nelson publishers – and with bestseller series such as God’s Promises, Blessings Just for You, and God Listens, he remains a force in gift book literature today.

At 91 years old, this man continues to maintain the young-at-heart attitude and remain healthy. He works each day, even on weekends. Additionally, he’s passionate about encouraging pre-retirees and seniors alike to find ways to embrace their passions while continuing contributing to society – so much so that he created 365-day devotional books tailored specifically to this demographic.