"This is a challenging time as we see it. However, God sees something completely different. In fact, His work will continue and His will be done," he told Christian Retailing when his appointment was announced last month. "I just want to figure out how we can be a part of what He will continue to do. Our challenge is to marry what we do to be in line with His goals, and then we will be successful."

Effective immediately, the deal covers North America and Latin America. EMI CMG will work with Hillsong Music regarding music and video, live events and leadership/church resources. In addition, EMI CMG will work with Hillsong Publishing in the promotion of its song catalog starting Oct. 1.

The full text of the Bible with dramatic performances by well-known Hollywood actors such as Richard Dreyfuss, Gary Sinise, Jason Alexander and Jon Voight is up for the award along with Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales (Hachette Audio) and The Time of My Life, written and narrated by Patrick Swayze (Simon & Schuster Audio).

Meanwhile, the four-CD, Focus on the Family Radio Theatre version of C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters was among five finalists for the Distinguished Achievement in Production Award.

The audiobook adaptation of Lewis' 1942 classic features Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" movies, is competing against Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales; Graceling by Kristin Cashore, narrated by David Baker and a full cast (Full Cast Audio); The Help by Kathryn Stockett, narrated by Cassandra Campbell, Jenna Lamia, Octavia Spencer and Bahni Turpin (Penguin Audio); and The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, narrated by Michael Madsen, Sandra Oh and Edward Herrmann (Blackstone Audio).

The Screwtape Letters was also nominated in the Audio Drama category of the 2010 Audies along with The Word of Promise Audio Bible , which also garnered a nod in the Package Design category.

Awarding excellence in 30 categories of audio publishing, the APA's Audies will be announced May 25 at the Museum of the City of New York in New York City.

Click here for a complete list of finalists.

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, Vivendi Entertainment's inspirational drama "was returned to sender," grossing more than $1.2 million in 897 theaters, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com.

The month's sales for religious books declined 1.7% to $46 million,and were down by 8.9% for the year. Sales of religious books were down 14.6% to $42.2 million in January.

A "strong" 82% of respondents expect sales in 2010 to be the same or better than 2009, the trade association said--with the overall weighted-average, projected sales increase for the year at 2.2%.