A tiny black and white print hangs on the wall above the chaise lounge where I write in our home office. It may be small, but it holds a mighty message: We all have a story to tell.
It’s no secret that I revel in both reading and writing stories. Ken Taylor, the founder of Tyndale House publishers, was no different.
A godly man, with an incredible passion for scripture and literacy, Taylor began paraphrasing the Bible for his 10 children in the 1950s. He wanted to make sure they understood their nightly readings from God’s Word.
In 1954, as he rode the commuter train to his job at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Taylor started paraphrasing the entire New Testament into modern English.
Taylor wrote and rewrote for seven years. But several publishing houses rejected his manuscript.
Ken Taylor persevered. Convinced that there was value in the work for more than just their children, Taylor and his wife Margaret, decided to use their limited savings to publish Living Letters.
And with its publication, Taylor started Tyndale House Publishers in 1962. The company operated in the Taylor’s dining room until 1965.
Ken and Margaret established the Tyndale Foundation in 1963 as a fulfillment of one of Ken Taylor’s life goals to establish a charitable fund that could make grants to support Christian work around the world.
From 1963 to 2012, the Foundation’s grants totaled $76 million. But after adjusting for inflation, this equates to $170 million in today’s dollars. Recipients include Wycliffe Bible Translators, Operation Mobilization, The Seed Company, and many others (250-300 grants per year since 2010).
Tyndale’s purpose today continues to reflect that of Ken Taylor’s vision of so many years ago: “Minister to the spiritual needs of people, primarily through literature consistent with biblical principles.”
God used the rejection of Taylor’s manuscript to begin a publishing house that has now taken the gospel all over the world.
Being a self-proclaimed bookworm, I am so thankful for the work of men like Ken Taylor, whose hard work has resulted in such rich reading material that continues to this day!
This post was sponsored by Tyndale House.
Kim B
I’d LOVE to win: Gianna-Aborted and Lived to Tell about It, Remember Why You Play-Faith, Football and a Season to Believe & Winning Balance.
Heather B
There are so many great books it was hard to choose just the three. I think I finally have it narrowed down to: Almost Amish, Women’s Sanctuary Devotional Bible and The One Year Experiencing God’s Presence Devotional.
Stephanie S
It is so hard to choose just three. I love books! I narrowed it down to Raising a Modern Day Princess, The Antelope in the Living Room, and Rhinestone Jesus.
Thanks for hosting a great giveaway!
Anjanette
What a fun idea to write a history of the publishing company! Call me a nerd, but I love it! 🙂 I’d love to win a few books that I’m not obligated to blog about – haha! I still haven’t read Surprised by Motherhood by Lisa Jo Baker. I’d also love to read C.S. Lewis at War, and I want to own Mountains of Spices – it’s so good and it’s been years since I read it!
Jennifer O
I’d like Kingdom Woman by Chrystal Evans Hurst, So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore, and The Antelope in the Living Room by Melanie Shankle.
Katie
Tyndale has so many great titles, it is hard to choose!
These look interesting!
Bridge to Haven, Hurricanes in Paradise, and The Advocate
Kristen Lila
Surprised by motherhood by lisa jo baker, the new one by chris fabry and anything for busy/new moms! Would love to win what a great giveaway!
Carla
The Sentinels of Andersonville, Guys Life Application Study Bible NLT, and the Prayer Box all look really good!
Carrie
I’d get “The One Year Mother Daughter Devo” by Dannah Gresh, “The One Year Real Life Encounters with God” devotional, and “Raising Kids with a Faith that Lasts.” Thanks for your generosity. 🙂
Su
I would like to get the 4:8 Principle, The Big Book of Little Promises for Women, and any Beth Moore book or journal. thx
Jorge Roa
Prayer box, NLT Study Bible and Guys Life App Study Bible. Thanks.
Linda Hoover
Ooh!! I love books (& reading them, of course!). 🙂
How nice of Tyndale to give away 3 books! I’d love to get:
All in Good Time by Maureen Lang
The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg
Grace’s Pictures by Cindy Thomson
Rennie Dotson
I’d like to read Critical Pursuit, but I don’t remember the author’s name. I’d also like to read Abducted and Avenged by Janice Cantore.
Marci H.
I’d like to win Grumble Hallelujah; Happily Ever Laughter; and A Life of Miracles.
Abigail
I would like Adventures in Odyssey: The Official Guide, 25th Birthday Edition, A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the World’s Favorite Family Audio Drama – The Quotable Lewis – Hardcover-Women’s Sanctuary Devotional Bible NLT, A Place of Daily Refreshment and Renewal – LeatherLike, Espresso/Vintage Floral Fabric –
Lisa
Thanks for sharing this brief history! It was very interesting to read.
If I had to pick three, I’d pick One Year of Dinner Table Devotions, Peacemaking for Families (we have the Peacemaker and love it), and Randy Alcorn’s Heaven.
Thanks!
Valerie V
Life Promises for Women by Cynthia Heald; 365 Pocket Evening Prayers; Be Still, My Soul