Christian Retailing

Nelson distributing Outreach products Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 24 May 2010 03:01 PM America/New_York
Thomas Nelson recently signed a distribution agreement with Outreach Inc. to represent the church resource group's curriculum, study guides and books.

The partnership allows Thomas Nelson to sell the products of the Vista, Calif.-based church communication and outreach tools provider to independent Christian retailers as well as ministry and church accounts.

Read more...
 
Tenth Avenue North, ‘Flywheel’ atop SoundScan Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 24 May 2010 03:09 PM America/New_York
The Light Meets the Dark by Tenth Avenue North (Reunion Records/Provident-Integrity Distribution) supplanted The Generous Mr. Lovewell by MercyMe (INO Records/Provident-Integrity Distribution) for the top spot of SoundScan's Christian/gospel music Christian retail chart for sales the week ending May 19, while Flywheel (Provident Films/Provident-Integrity) replaced This Ain't Prettyville by Chonda Pierce (No Whining Productions/Provident-Integrity) atop the Christian Videos list.

Following The Light Meets the Dark were: 2. The Generous Mr. Lovewell; 3. Fireflies and Songs by Sara Groves (INO Records/Provident-Integrity); 4. Over and Underneath by Tenth Avenue North (Reunion Records/Provident-Integrity); 5. Tonight by TobyMac (Forefront Records/EMI CMG Distribution); 6. Until the While World Hears by Casting Crowns (Beach Street Records/Provident-Integrity); 7. Wow Worship (Purple) by various artists (Word Records/Word Distribution); 8. Wow Hits 2010 by various artists (Sparrow Records/EMI CMG); 9. Awake by Skillet (Atlantic/Ardent/INO Records/Provident-Integrity); and 10. Songs 4 Worship 50 by various artists (Integrity Music/Provident-Integrity).

Read more...
 
International Market Directory released Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 24 May 2010 03:23 PM America/New_York
Christian Trade Association International (CTAI) has released its 2010-2011 International Market Directory (IMD), listing more than 1,000 suppliers from 62 countries.

IMD is a year-round resource for international buyers and sellers as well as a tool to make planning for the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) easier and more profitable, CTAI officials said. ICRS is to be held June 27-30 at America's Center in St. Louis.

Read more...
 
Record-breaking attendance for Winter Jam Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 24 May 2010 03:27 PM America/New_York
Christian music's largest annual tour, the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, recently concluded its 15th year with record-breaking attendance. Produced by Premier Productions and presented by Holt International, the 44-city Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular played to more than 403,000 people--including more than 17,000 at a single stop in Oklahoma City, Okla., according to organizers.

The tour broke its attendance record for the third year in a row, despite the current economic climate and a policy of not selling advance tickets--guests are required to pay $10 at the door.

Read more...
 
Jews for Jesus founder, author dies Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 24 May 2010 03:37 PM America/New_York
Moishe Rosen, founder of Jews for Jesus and author, died May 19 in San Francisco after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 78.

The son of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe who became a Christian in 1953, Rosen launched Jews for Jesus in 1973. Based in the San Francisco area, the organization gained national recognition as Rosen and his staff engaged in high-profile evangelistic activities.

Read more...
 
British Christian publishing pioneer dies Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 24 May 2010 03:41 PM America/New_York
Edward England, considered a British publishing pioneer who published the best-selling works of Corrie ten Boom, Richard Wurmbrand and John and Elizabeth Sherrill, died May 16. He was 80.

England-publisher of Hodder & Stoughton's religious publishing for more than a decade until he left in 1980-was responsible for commissioning or acquiring a string of best-sellers, including ten Boom's The Hiding Place, Nicky Cruz's Run Baby Run and Chuck Colson's Born Again, company officials said.

Read more...
 
Religious book sales rise Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 24 May 2010 03:48 PM America/New_York
Sales of religious books had its largest increase in more than a year in March, as overall book sales increased by 16.6% to $458.2 million and were up by 8% for the year, according to the Association of American Publishers (AAP).

The month's sales for religious books rose 7% to $49.5 million,but were down by 3.5% for the year. Sales of religious books were down 1.7% to $46 million in February. Other than a small increase in December, the religious books category had been on a steady decline since January 2009.

Read more...
 
'Courageous' movie sneak peek at ICRS Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 24 May 2010 03:52 PM America/New_York

Christian retailers are to get a sneak peek at what many hope could repeat their biggest success of recent times.

Early footage from Courageous, the follow-up movie from the makers of Fireproof, is to be screened next month at the International Christian Retail Show in St. Louis, though the film will not be released until next year.

The early exposure--which also includes hosting Christian retail and ministry leaders on location-is intended to help build support for a major church campaign around the movie's theme of fatherhood.

The top independent movie of 2008, Fireproof, and its spin-off books, the New York Times best-selling The Love Dare and The Love Dare Day by Day, were credited with saving countless marriages-and helping some stores survive the recession. DVD sales of the Christian retail special edition of the film have reached almost 1 million.

Filming on Courageous is currently taking place in Albany, Ga., where church-based Sherwood Pictures has organized all-expenses-paid set visits for media and retail and ministry representatives.

"We are making movies with the church and for the church, and it is important for us that we partner with leaders in the Christian community who have a passion for what we are doing, who believe in the message and that will be able to use Courageous in helping them minister to families," said producer Stephen Kendrick, who scripted the new film with his brother, Alex, who also directs and stars.

The pair are also to write a book about the film's theme of fatherhood for B&H Publishing Group, though it will not be tied in directly to the film in the same way as their The Love Dare--a plot device in Fireproof.

During the location visits, Stephen Kendrick also shared a personal video message for Christian retailers with Christian Retailing Editor Andy Butcher.

Click here for more information on Courageous and here for photographs from the filming location.

Click here to view a video greeting from Stephen Kendrick.