About Abilene Christian University Press & Leafwood Publishers
Mission Statement
We reflect the high standards of our parent institution and seek to spread the values of Abilene Christian University to a broad, public audience.
Our History
ACU Press began more than thirty-five years ago when James Fullbright acquired the publishing rights of Biblical Research Press, which had been developed by retired ACU professor J. D. Thomas. The earliest goal was to create publications that would support churches and advance scholarship among Churches of Christ. In its first twenty years, the Press published more than seventy-five titles with an average of almost four books per year.
As part of ACU's 21st Century Vision campaign, ACU Press expanded its vision to become a nationally recognized academic press. It acquired the trade imprint Leafwood Publishers, and, under the new leadership of Leonard Allen, the Press joined the Association for University Presses and became internationally known for its support of Christian higher education through the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).
Dr. Jason Fikes became the director in 2015 and has helped to extend the national reputation of ACU Press. In addition to guiding the Press’s acquisitions, he has secured grant funding to support numerous regional books and helped ACU secure its first grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the National Endowment of the Humanities.
The Press operates its own warehouse and offers substantial discounts to churches and ministry groups. Its books are also widely available—sold at brick and mortar stores worldwide, on Amazon, as well as other online vendors.
Over 250 universities, colleges, and seminaries have purchased resources from ACU Press to be used by faculty and staff, and for course adoptions. ACU Press currently has published authors from over fifty colleges and universities, including Duke University, Wheaton College, University of Notre Dame, University of Chicago, and Baylor University.
Our Guiding Values
Practical: ACU Press creates resources that serve the everyday needs and concerns of Christians. Through our publications, our readers can better understand the Bible and our current cultural context.
Pursuing Understanding: ACU Press is driven by a desire to better understand the world we live in and Christian beliefs and practices through critical, creative, and faithful inquiry. We actively seek titles that can introduce our readers to key historical trends, theologians, and the history of Christian faith and scholarship.
Distinctive: ACU Press holds a unique position as a publisher within the Stone-Campbell faith tradition. We promote the positive contributions of our movement to the broader Christian world, and we present authors from outside our heritage to the ACU Community and our own faith tradition. This dialog stimulates meaningful conversations and a greater understanding of what it means to be a Christian in our world today.
