KEY IDEAS: - Kerusso, the leader in Christian apparel and accessories, launches a Christian t-shirt and wristband to share the message of Heaven Is For Real.
- Heaven Is For Real is the story of 4-year-old Colton Burpo, who woke from emergency surgery with an astonishing story of having been to Heaven.
- More than 40 weeks as a New York Times best seller, the book has touched millions of lives.
BERRYVILLE, Ark. – The family behind the surprise, runaway best seller, Heaven Is For Real, has named Kerusso, the leader in Christian apparel and accessories, as exclusive apparel license partner. Heaven Is For Real has sold 4.6 million copies and spent 42 weeks as a New York Times best seller. It tells the astonishing story of Colton Burpo, who as the 4-year-old son of Todd and Sonja Burpo, woke from emergency appendix surgery with a staggering tale: On the operating table, Colton had died, gone to Heaven, seen astonishing things and returned. Colton, now 12, only told the story slowly, over years, to his pastor dad and his mom. Incredulous at first, the honesty and content of his tale convinced them it was real. The book from Thomas Nelson Publishers, without support of a big ad budget or book tour, became a sensation. And it generated legions of encouraged readers who wanted products to retell the story. “Sonja and I are grateful for our new partnership with Kerusso,” Todd Burpo said. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the demand for products, and Kerusso has now taken that burden off of our shoulders. It’s nice to have a proven professional company looking out for us.” Looking out for the apparel and accessory needs of the Christian community is where Kerusso excels. Nearing its 25th anniversary, Kerusso has been a pioneer and innovator in sharing inspirational and entertaining messages on its Christian t-shirts and accessories. For example, the Heaven Is For Real t-shirt, available in stores in mid-October, features the book title on the shirt front. On back, it says, “and you’re gonna like it!” “Kerusso’s mission is ‘Proclaiming the Good News to the world through products about Jesus,’” said Vic Kennett, Kerusso president and CEO. “I can’t think of a more exciting way to do that than helping the Burpo family spread Colton’s amazing story. We’re thrilled to help them tell the world that Heaven truly is for real.” Kerusso also will produce a Heaven Is For Real wristband in its Christian accessories line. With more than 10 million t-shirts sold, Kerusso has grown from a part-time family business to the industry leader in Christian-themed apparel, selling products through more than 5,000 retail outlets in the United States and 90 other countries. Having started in the Kennett family home, Kerusso has expanded to become among the leading employers in Berryville, Ark., with more than 100 employees operating from a 65,000-square-foot facility on a 10-acre campus. The Heaven Is For Real products will be available beginning in mid-October wherever Christian apparel is sold. To learn more: Kerusso.com And visit Lovell-Fairchild.com/pressroom for: - Vic Kennett bio
- Kerusso Fact Sheet
- Q&A with Vic Kennett
- Backgrounder on Christian t-shirts
- The Kerusso Story
CONTACT: Monique Sondag 214-536-4319 Monique@Lovell-Fairchild.com | 