Tempe, Ariz.--The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association has named Dr. Thom Rainer's book, "The Unchurched Next Door," as a finalist for a 2004 Gold Medallion Book Award.

ECPA President and CEO Doug Ross announced the finalists, which will vie for awards in multiple categories. Rainer's book was listed among four others in the Missions/Evangelism category.

Rainer's previous book, "Surprising Insights from the Unchurched," also received a Gold Medallion nomination in the Missions/Evangelism category.

"I am honored that my two most recent books were named Gold Medallion finalists," Rainer said.

"It is good to see [Dr. Rainer's] work receive recognition for its quality and contribution to the cause of Christ in such an important area as missions and evangelism," said Jeff Mayfield, manager of the LifeWay Campus Store in Louisville, Ky.

Each year, publishers submit hundreds of entries spanning 20 categories. Judges select five finalists. From the five finalists in each category, a panel of reviewers made up of mostly Christian retailers and theologians choose one winner.

In one category, the five finalists were competing against as many as 66 titles before being awarded the "Finalist" designation. Those selected were not based upon sales, but rather a rigorous evaluation of four factors: content, literary quality, design and significance of contribution.

"I hope this work continues to exert influence toward equipping believers to spread the gospel in this world," Mayfield said of Rainer's book.

This year, Rainer's book competes alongside Andy Stanley's "How Good is Good Enough?" published by Multnomah; two other Zondervan books: "Going Public with Your Faith," by William Carr Peel and Walt Larimore, M.D., of Focus on the Family; and "Seeker Small Groups" by Garry Poole. Also in the running is "Permission Evangelism" by Michael Simpson, published by Cook Communication Ministries.

The 2004 awards will be announced at the 27th Annual Gold Medallion Book Awards Banquet in Atlanta in June.

"I have thought a lot about the awards and what they mean to publishing and to authors," Ross said. "This year we are inviting authors to help in the presentation - and of course publishers are eagerly anticipating a win!

"Quality of Christian publishing continues to increase and that is certainly seen in each of the titles that have arrived at this final stage of selection for this year."

Previous year's winners in the Missions/Evangelism category include: Lee Strobel in 2001 for "The Case for Faith," published by Zondervan, and Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk in 2002 for "Operation World," published by Paternoster. Last year's winner was "Unveiling Islam," from Kregel Publications, by Ergun and Emir Caner.

The ECPA is comprised of 280 member companies worldwide. Founded in 1974, the international not-for-profit trade organization serves to promote excellence and professionalism in Christian publishing industry.