The Good Book Company
A British evangelical Christian publisher producing Bible-study, discipleship, evangelism, church-training and children's resources.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
The Good Book Company is a British evangelical Christian publisher based in Epsom, Surrey. Its publishing programme centres on Bible-based resources for churches, individual Christians, families, children, youth groups and evangelistic settings. The company produces books, Bible-reading notes, study guides, ministry handbooks, training materials and resources associated with Christianity Explored, while also distributing selected publications from partner publishers. The business began in 1991 as St. Matthias Press UK. Its creation reflected a perceived revival of Bible-centred Reformed evangelicalism in the United Kingdom and an associated need for accessible teaching and ministry resources. The name changed to The Good Book Company in 2000. The early organisation had links with the Australian evangelical publisher Matthias Media, whose original name was also associated with St. Matthias Press. The two organisations later collaborated on The Briefing magazine, which ceased publication in 2007. The company has developed beyond a conventional trade publisher. Alongside publishing and distribution, it has undertaken mission outreach, supported ministry training and supplied free or low-cost material for pastors and teachers in regions where theological education and Christian literature are limited. Its Pray Prepare Preach series, for example, provides basic sermon-preparation material for use by church leaders, including those in the Global South. Distribution has involved mission agencies, preaching-seminar organisers and overseas organisations that adapt or circulate resources locally. A major area of expansion has been children's publishing. In 2013 the company established The Good Book for Kids imprint. Its Tales That Tell the Truth series combines illustrated storytelling with biblical themes and has become one of the company's best-known lines. The One O'Clock Miracle received the 2016 Speaking Volumes UK Christian Children's Book of the Year award, while The Friend Who Forgives was named Christianity Today's Children's Book of the Year in 2019. The children's programme broadened the company's reach beyond specialist adult Christian publishing while retaining its evangelical theological orientation. The Good Book Company has also maintained an international distribution presence. It launched a United States website in 2009 and later established a permanent office in Charlotte, North Carolina. Trade distribution arrangements have included Anchor Distribution in the United States, Parasource in Canada, Reformers Bookshop in Australia and Christian Book Distributors in South Africa. An Indian website was introduced in 2019, alongside a relationship with the online bookseller For the Truth India. These arrangements allow the company to sell directly in some markets while using local trade and fulfilment partners elsewhere. Training has been another important part of the company's history. In 1999 it began administering Moore Theological College extension courses in the United Kingdom. It subsequently developed the Open Bible Institute, which was renamed The Good Book College in 2012. The programme offered distance learning at different levels and, for a period, provided validated courses through a partnership with Middlesex University. It also handled Moore College enrolments in the United Kingdom, Europe and Africa. The programme closed in 2016 as the organisation refocused on publishing. The company has published or distributed work by prominent evangelical authors from Britain, the United States and Australia, including Tim Keller, Albert Mohler, Alistair Begg, Matt Chandler, Vaughan Roberts, Rico Tice, John Lennox and Phillip Jensen. It has also worked with or promoted publications from organisations such as Inter-Varsity Press UK, Crossway, Evangelical Press, Christian Focus and Anglican Youthworks. The Good Book Company is a private Christian publishing organisation rather than a publicly traded media group. In September 2026, according to the referenced company history, it became employee-owned through an employee ownership trust and adopted a joint-chief-executive structure led by James Burstow and Carl Laferton. The change placed ownership with TGBC Trustees Ltd on behalf of employees and followed an expansion of the senior leadership structure. Its present identity combines evangelical publishing, international distribution and mission-oriented resource provision.
History
The Good Book Company originated in 1991 as St. Matthias Press UK. The organisation was formed during a period that its founders and supporters associated with renewed interest in Bible-based Reformed evangelicalism in Britain. Its initial purpose was to make useful Christian teaching and ministry material available to churches and individuals. In 2000 the organisation adopted the name The Good Book Company, which became its principal public identity. The early company had an association with Matthias Media in Australia. Both organisations had historical links to the St. Matthias Press name, and The Good Book Company later distributed Matthias Media products in the United Kingdom. The organisations also co-published The Briefing magazine. That publication ended in 2007, while The Good Book Company continued to develop its book and resource-publishing activities. The company has historically operated through several connected activities. Its publishing list includes Bible studies, evangelistic material, discipleship resources, youth publications, Bible-reading notes and church-training resources. Its distribution business has promoted titles from other evangelical publishers, including Inter-Varsity Press UK, Crossway, Evangelical Press, Christian Focus and Anglican Youthworks. This combination of original publishing and distribution has enabled the organisation to serve both specialist Christian retailers and churches seeking ministry resources. Mission and training have been recurring elements of the organisation's work. The Pray Prepare Preach series was created to provide basic sermon outlines and preparation assistance, particularly for pastors and teachers in places where formal theological training and locally available Christian literature are limited. The company has worked with mission organisations, preaching-seminar organisers and overseas distributors to circulate resources beyond the United Kingdom. In 1999 the company began administering Moore Theological College extension courses in Britain. It later established the Open Bible Institute in 2005 or 2006 to offer distance learning for students with differing levels of prior education. The Open Bible Institute was renamed The Good Book College in 2012. For a period, the college offered validated courses up to Certificate of Higher Education level as a UK Academic Partner of Middlesex University, and administered Moore College enrolments for students in the United Kingdom, Europe and Africa. The programme closed in 2016 during a refocusing of the organisation on publishing. The Good Book Company also became involved in conferences and ministry events. It participated in the Evangelists' Conference and in London and Northern men's and women's conferences, publishing associated talks, seminars and handbooks. It ran training events for youth and children's ministry in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and co-hosted the Urban Plant Life Conference in November 2008. From 2016, these events were outsourced to a separate organisation as part of a business rationalisation that placed greater emphasis on publishing. Children's publishing became a major development in the 2010s. The Good Book for Kids imprint was established in 2013. Its best-known line, Tales That Tell the Truth, uses illustrated narratives to present biblical themes to children. The One O'Clock Miracle received the Speaking Volumes UK Christian Children's Book of the Year award in 2016, and The Friend Who Forgives received Christianity Today's Children's Book of the Year award in 2019. The children's list expanded the company's audience while remaining aligned with its evangelical theological and educational mission. International operations grew alongside the publishing programme. A United States website launched in February 2009, and the company began exhibiting at North American evangelical and Reformed conferences, including Together for the Gospel and the Desiring God Pastor's Conference. It later maintained a Charlotte office. Distribution arrangements were established in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa, and an Indian website was introduced in 2019. The company therefore operates through a mix of direct online sales, local trade distributors and fulfilment partners. The company has published works by evangelical leaders from several countries, including Tim Keller, Albert Mohler, Alistair Begg, Matt Chandler, Vaughan Roberts, Rico Tice, John Lennox and Phillip Jensen. It has received recognition in the United Kingdom as runner-up in the Christian Publisher of the Year Award organised by the trade body for Christian publishing and retailing. In September 2026, the company history records a transition to employee ownership through an Employee Owned Trust. TGBC Trustees Ltd became the owner on behalf of employees, while the governance structure was revised. James Burstow and Carl Laferton became joint chief executives, supported by an expanded Senior Leadership Team. Tim Thornborough became chair of the trust after serving as Publishing Director, and the trust board included Thomas Seidler, employee trustees and external trustees. The change marked a significant governance transition while preserving the company's focus on evangelical publishing and international Christian resource distribution.
- 2026
The company becomes employee-owned
[1]The Good Book Company transitions to employee ownership through TGBC Trustees Ltd and adopts joint chief executive leadership.
- 2019
The Friend Who Forgives receives recognition
[1]The title is named Christianity Today's Children's Book of the Year.
- 2019
Indian website launches
[1]The company launches an Indian website and establishes a trade relationship with For the Truth India.
- 2016
Training programme closes and events are outsourced
[1]The Good Book College programme closes, while several conference and training activities move to a separate organisation as the company concentrates on publishing.
- 2016
The One O'Clock Miracle receives a children's publishing award
[1]The children's title receives the Speaking Volumes UK Christian Children's Book of the Year award.
- 2013
The Good Book for Kids imprint is launched
[1]The company creates a dedicated children's publishing imprint.
- 2012
Open Bible Institute is renamed The Good Book College
[1]The company's distance-learning initiative adopts the Good Book College name.
- 2009
United States website launches
[1]The company launches a United States website and increases its presence at major North American evangelical conferences.
- 2008
Urban Plant Life Conference is co-hosted
[1]The company co-hosts the Urban Plant Life Conference in November.
- 2007
The Briefing ceases publication
[1]The magazine co-published with Matthias Media ends after its period of joint publication.
Products and positioning
An evangelical, Bible-centred publisher serving churches, Christian ministries, families and individual readers with practical resources for Bible teaching, evangelism, discipleship and theological formation.
Children's Christian books · 2013
Tales That Tell the Truth
An illustrated children's book series published through The Good Book for Kids. The books present biblical narratives and Christian themes in accessible story form, pairing engaging artwork with clear teaching intended for families, churches and children's ministry. The series has included work illustrated by Catalina Echeverri and has produced award-recognised titles such as The One O'Clock Miracle and The Friend Who Forgives.
Evangelism and Bible-study materials
Christianity Explored resources
A range of resources associated with Christianity Explored, supporting churches and small groups that introduce the Christian faith through biblical teaching and discussion. The materials are designed for evangelistic settings and are distributed as part of the company's wider programme of church and mission resources.
Ministry and sermon-preparation resources
Pray Prepare Preach
A series of basic sermon outlines and preparation resources intended to assist pastors and Bible teachers. The series has particular relevance in the Global South, where some church leaders have limited access to formal Bible training and locally available ministry literature.
Devotional and Bible-study resources
Bible-reading notes
Guided Bible-reading materials for individual Christians, families and church groups. The notes form part of the company's core publishing programme and are intended to support regular Scripture reading, reflection and Christian discipleship.
Christian education
Youth and children's ministry resources
Books, teaching aids and training resources for youth and children's workers. These publications are designed for use in churches, children's groups and family settings, combining Bible teaching with practical ministry guidance.
Marketing campaigns
- 2019India distribution expansion
India
The company launched an Indian website and developed a trade relationship with For the Truth India as part of a broader effort to extend international distribution.
Outcome. The arrangement added an India-focused digital and trade channel to the company's international network.
- 2009North American conference outreach
United States · Canada
The company used the launch of its United States website and exhibition activity at conferences such as Together for the Gospel and the Desiring God Pastor's Conference to build awareness among North American evangelical and Reformed churches.
Outcome. The initiative supported a continuing United States presence, including a permanent Charlotte office and trade distribution through Anchor Distribution.
Brand decisions
2026
Transition to employee ownershipStrategyBackground
The company undertook a governance and management restructuring while remaining an independent Christian publisher.
Action taken
The business became an Employee Owned Trust, with TGBC Trustees Ltd holding ownership for employees. James Burstow and Carl Laferton became joint chief executives.
Aftermath
The trust structure placed employees at the centre of ownership and was accompanied by an expanded Senior Leadership Team.
2016
Refocus on publishingStrategyBackground
The company had operated conferences, ministry training and theological distance-learning activities alongside publishing.
Action taken
The Good Book College programme was closed and several training events were outsourced to a separate organisation.
Aftermath
The organisation concentrated more strongly on publishing and distribution.
2013
Create The Good Book for KidsProduct launchBackground
The publisher sought to extend its evangelical resource programme to children and families.
Action taken
The company established a dedicated children's imprint and began developing the Tales That Tell the Truth range.
Aftermath
The imprint became an important part of the catalogue and produced award-recognised titles.
2000
Rename the organisation as The Good Book CompanyStrategyBackground
The publisher had operated since 1991 as St. Matthias Press UK and had developed an identity serving Bible-centred Reformed evangelical publishing.
Action taken
The organisation changed its name to The Good Book Company.
Aftermath
The new name became the company's principal publishing and commercial identity.
Recent events
- 2026
The Good Book Company adopts employee ownership structure[1]
Leadership change
The company became an Employee Owned Trust, with TGBC Trustees Ltd holding the business on behalf of employees. The change was accompanied by a management restructure and the appointment of joint chief executives.
- 2019
The Good Book Company opens an Indian website[1]
Other
The company launched an Indian website and developed a trade relationship with For the Truth India as part of its international distribution strategy.
- 2013
The Good Book Company launches children's imprint[1]
Product launch
The Good Book for Kids imprint was established, creating a dedicated publishing programme for children's Christian books.
- 2009
The Good Book Company expands United States presence[1]
Other
The company launched its United States website in connection with the Desiring God Pastor's Conference and subsequently developed a permanent Charlotte, North Carolina office.
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