Thomas Nelson’s JCountryman line has sold more than 20 million gift books.

“Our success has come because we continue to create beautiful gift books with great content that meet a felt need while being affordable,” said Jack Countryman, founder of JCountryman Gift Books. “Our books touch and change the life of the reader, giving the reassurance that God has an answer for everything.”

Thirty years ago Countryman wrote God’s Promises at his kitchen table with the help of his wife, Marsha. Originally distributed from the trunk of their car, God’s Promises and his follow-up book, God’s Wisdom, quickly grew in sales. Countryman met with ministers and distributors across the country, creating new books in the the lines that developed out of those original titles. In 1986, he trademarked the JCountryman brand, essentially creating the Christian gift books business.

In December 1994, Countryman joined the Thomas Nelson family, turning a $2.5 million company into a $22 million company in just four years. By 2001, JCountryman was the largest personal gift book publisher in the world, with 26,000 outlets in distribution.

This year not only marks a significant sales milestone, but also the 30th anniversary of the God’s Promises brand.  

“Jack is one of the most inspiring members of our publishing family,” said Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “The JCountryman book line is his legacy, and it’s an honor to have Jack and Marsha with us every day. They have impacted over 20 million people through their books, and played an integral role in helping us accomplish our mission as a company.”

In 2013 alone, Countryman has had 16 books on three best-seller lists: CBA, Parable Group and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Seven of his titles have sold more than a half-million units. Thomas Nelson is set to release 14 JCountryman titles next year.