Maranatha! Music releases The Invitation Narrated By Lee Strobel CD featuring the renowned New York Times best-selling author, pastor and apologist presenting evidence that God exists and that listeners can become children of God by receiving forgiveness through Christ. The CD, narrated by Strobel, is a spoken-word evangelism tool for believers to share their faith with seekers. The release is the latest in the best-selling Invitation series, which has sold over 2 million copies. It is available August 28, 2012 distributed by EMI CMG Distribution.

"Maranatha! Music is honored to partner with Lee Strobel on the latest edition of The Invitation," said Randy Alward, president of Maranatha! Music. "This CD is perfect for both the open minded seeker and for those asking the harder questions about God and creation. It is my prayer The Invitation Narrated By Lee Strobel changes lives."

The Invitation features a narrative of Biblical truth supported with songs of faith. Strobel shares his personal riveting testimony and the Biblical evidence that impacted his own decision for Christ, urging the listener to reach a verdict of their own, followed by an invitation to pray to receive Christ.

"It's a privilege to work with Maranatha! Music to release this life-changing message on CD to use as an evangelistic resource," said Strobel. ""It offers clear and compelling evidence that there is a Creator and that Jesus is the unique Son of God who died and rose again to save us. All of this is woven with my own story of finding forgiveness and hope through Christ. The Invitation is the perfect tool to give friends, family and co-workers who are spiritually curious. I invite them to take a moment to listen to the CD and find out the evidence I learned while seeking the truth about God."

The CD opens with a musical interlude setting the tone and closes the narrative after Strobel's prayer with a short worship set which includes "He Knows My Name" by Tommy Walker and "Power of the Cross" by Shelly E. Johnson.

Along with the The Invitation Narrated By Lee Strobel, Maranatha! Music also releases updated versions of three titles from The Invitation Series, narrated by Beth Moore, Kay Warren and John Baker. They feature messages from the narrators and the testimonies of those dealing with the topics discussed on each CD. The Invitation To Freedom by Moore includes a moving message on breaking free from the chains that bind us and finding healing and hope in Christ, The Invitation To Hope by Warren encourages those dealing with cancer, and The Invitation To Celebrate Recovery by Baker helps us understand how to find freedom from our hurts, hang-ups and habits.

For more information on The Invitation evangelism resources, please visit the web links below.

WEB LINKS

www.theinvitation.tv

www.facebook.com/InvitationOnline

www.maranathamusic.com

www.facebook.com/maranathamusicmedia

ABOUT LEE STROBEL

Described in the Washington Post as "one of the evangelical community's most popular apologists," former atheist Lee Strobel has won many prestigious awards, including the Christian Book of the Year award and Gold Medallions for his books The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, and The Case for a Creator. After a nearly two-year investigation of the evidence for Jesus, Lee became a Christian in 1981. In 1987 he joined the pastoral staff at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL. Then he began serving at Saddleback Valley Community Church in Lake Forest, CA as a teaching pastor in 2000. He departed Saddleback to focus on writing. Among his many best-selling books and spiritual growth resources, Lee is co-author of the Becoming a Contagious Christian course, which has trained more than a million Christians on how to naturally and effectively talk with others about Jesus. For more information on Lee Strobel, visit www.leestrobel.com.

ABOUT MARANATHA! MUSIC
Since 1971, Maranatha! Music has been creating life-changing music and ministry resources for the body of Christ. The company's passion for the lost was the driving force behind the development of the best-selling The Invitation CD series featuring Rick Warren, Beth Moore, Kay Warren and John Baker. Not only has the series sold over 2 million copies to date, but thousands of lives have been impacted by the salvation message of Jesus. Maranatha! Music is a pioneer in praise and worship music publishing. Best known for the Invitation Series, Praise Series, Praise Band Series, and Top 25 Series, Maranatha! Music has sold more than 30 million records and changed lives worldwide. For more information, visit www.maranathamusic.com.