About Group
How it All Began
Once upon a time, there was a young youth ministry worker named Thom who couldn’t find enough great ideas for his youth group. No one had computers yet. The guys who invented Google had just been born. So Thom dusted off his typewriter and started a magazine called GROUP.
It was a hit. It gave people ideas for connecting with each other and growing in their faith in ways they’d never experienced before.
A few years later, Thom and his team expanded their ideas into children’s ministry, reinvigorating old ministry ideas like Sunday school curriculum and vacation Bible school. Soon Group became the leader in innovative children’s ministry resources, small group and women’s ministry, and much more.
Who We Are Today
Thom, and his wife, Joani, retired in 2024 to focus on their own nonprofit, and they sold Group to a like-minded ministry that shares the mission of growing God’s Kingdom.
This ministry, David C Cook Publishing, has been serving churches for more than 150 years, with titles like The Action Bible, The Chosen Bible study series, and The Standard Lesson Commentary that are staples in Sunday school classrooms around the world.
Together, David C Cook and Group make up the publishing side of Cook Media Global, a nonprofit ministry that exists to share the gospel through creative media. This media includes life-transforming VBS materials, curricula, books, and music.
We’re part of a bigger family now, but here’s what you can still count on from Group…
- Group’s commitment to creating experiences that help people grow in their relationships with Jesus and other people.
- Group’s creative team, who are responsible for creating the resources you’ve come to know and love.
- Group’s R.E.A.L. philosophy: Our VBS, Sunday school curriculum, lesson books, and more are still Relational, Experiential, Applicable, and designed to create Lifelong relationships with Jesus. Guaranteed!
- Group’s friendly support and sales staff: Our team loves God, loves Group, and loves YOU! You’ll continue to see many of the same friendly faces and hear the same voices on the phone, at events, and on social media. We’re here and ready to serve you!
- Group’s website: You’ll find all of Group’s resources at Group.com. You’ll also begin to see some of David C Cook’s amazing resources for churches, including Sunday School curriculum and The Action Bible.
When two families merge, changes are expected. So let’s talk about what has changed…
- Phone system: Group Publishing’s 800-number voice system has been combined with David C Cook’s. When calling, please listen carefully, as the menu options have changed.
- Order and shipping notifications: If you order on Group.com, your order confirmation will come from Group Publishing (info@group.com). Your shipping confirmation will come from David C Cook (customercare@davidccook.org). If you order over the phone, both confirmations will come from David C Cook (customercare@davidccook.org).
- Invoices: Invoices will be sent from David C Cook’s headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While the Group Publishing logo will appear on the invoice, the email will come from David C Cook.
- How you make payments:
- Online Payments: Online payments were temporarily unavailable, but we are happy to report that they are back up and running. To make an online payment, visit https://www.group.com/pay-my-bill/ and follow the instructions.
- Mail-in Payments: Send your check to:
David C Cook
PO Box 306683
Nashville, TN 37230-6683
- Shipping location: Starting in 2026, you may notice some of your orders shipping from the David C Cook distribution center in Elgin, Illinois. By 2027, all orders will be shipped from Elgin.
Still have questions?
Feel free to email us at info@group.com, or call 800-447-1070.