DALLAS (BP) — The Code book series by GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins has sold more than one million copies since the publication of “The Joshua Code: 52 Scripture Verses Every Believer Should Know” in 2012 — and is expected to soon pass 1.5 million copies sold. All author royalties and proceeds from the sale of the books benefit the ministry of Mission:Dignity.
Jack Countryman, the founder of the JCountryman gift books division of Thomas Nelson, and Laura Minchew, senior vice president and publisher of children and gift books at Thomas Nelson, presented Hawkins last week with a commemorative clock and small plaque marking the milestone.
“O.S. Hawkins’ heart through the Code series is evident and is such a blessing to so many,” Countryman said. “The books meet people at their point of need and help make Scripture come alive — which makes them easy to sell and market. For our customers to know that the author proceeds benefit such a worthy ministry like Mission:Dignity, it makes selling a great series of books even more rewarding. We’re thankful for the partnership we have together with O.S. and Susie Hawkins and with Mission:Dignity.”
The books, according to GuideStone, have been used by hundreds of churches of all sizes in small group settings, as churchwide emphases and in evangelistic efforts with each book containing the plan of salvation at the end. Many business leaders have also provided copies of the books to their employees.
Hawkins noted, “We have heard from pastors all over the country who have taken their people through The Joshua Code to memorize Scripture together, used The Christmas Code and The Easter Code as a community outreach, and others who have tackled scriptural questions from The Jesus Code — or any of the other books — and what a blessing it has been to their people and their community.”
“It’s humbling to us that the Lord has blessed people through our books,” he said. “And it’s an honor to be able to share every penny of our author royalties and proceeds with the good and godly people we have the opportunity to serve through Mission:Dignity.”
Mission:Dignity is referred to by the Southern Baptist entity as the heartbeat of GuideStone. It provides financial support to retired Southern Baptist pastors and in many cases their widows near the poverty line. More than 1,700 pastors, denominational workers and their widows are eligible for financial assistance. All gifts to the ministry go to help a pastor or his widow in need; operational expenses are provided through an endowment established years ago.
Later in 2019, “The Passion Code: 100 Days with Jesus” will debut. In 2020, “The Bible Code: Finding Jesus in Every Book of the Bible” will be released. As with the previous works, all author royalties and proceeds will benefit Mission:Dignity.
