Literary agents will take center stage during the 14th Annual Christy Awards, which honors excellence in Christian fiction.

Winners will be presented at a dinner Monday, June 24, at the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel in St. Louis during the International Christian Retail Show, which runs June 23-26.

Steve Laube, president and founder of the Steve Laube Agency, will emcee the event. Chip MacGregor, president of MacGregor Literary, will be the keynote speaker. Laube was named Agent of the Year in 2009 by the American Christian Fiction Writers.

MacGregor, who has worked in the book industry for more than 35 years, began representing authors as an agent 15 years ago.

Bethany House and Tyndale House Publishers have each received six Christy nominations. In addition to Bethany House, Revell—another division of Baker Publishing Group—received three nominations. Cost is $60 per person to attend the event.

For a list of all Christy nominees, visit www.christyawards.com.

TobyMac won two Billboard Music Awards Sunday night during the event, which drew 9.47 million viewers, topping 2012's audience by 28%, Nielsen reported. The May 19 awards show was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and broadcast on the ABC Television Network.

The GRAMMY-winning multi-Platinum recording artist was honored as Top Christian Artist and for the Top Christian Album for Eye On It (ForeFront Records/Capitol Christian Distribution).

Matt Redman's "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" by won Top Christian Song, surpassing TobyMac's "Me Without You"; Big Daddy Weave's "Redeemed"; Building 429's "Where I Belong"; and Newsboys' "God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)"

Other Top Christian Artist finalists were Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, MercyMe and Matt Redman. The other finalists for Top Christian Album were Casting Crowns' Come to the Well (Beach Street Records/Provident Distribution); Lecrae's Gravity (Reach Records/Infinity Music Distribution); MercyMe's The Hurt & the Healer (INO Records/Provident); and Wow Hits 2013 (Wow Records/Capitol).

Visit www.billboard.com for the complete list of winners.

A new adult-focused worship album by Yancy, whose songs are featured in the latest Standard Publishing Vacation Bible School (VBS) curriculum, is being released today.

Roots for the Journey (Elevate Entertainment/Syntax Distribution) started as a Scripture-based lullaby project for her son, but then evolved from there for the artist known as Christian music's "Queen of Diversity" for her eclectic music.

"Roots for the Journey is incredibly different musically from what I've done these past few years," Yancy said. "I'm so excited about this music that is unplugged, organic and simple. The songs are all based on Scripture and the outcome is a really nice, chilled-out worship experience."

Produced by Stephen Leiweke (Sara Groves, Jars of Clay), the album features Leiweke on guitar, Chris Donohue (Emmylou Harris, Bart Millard) on bass, Matt Stanfield (Kutless, Norah Jones) on keys, Ken Lewis (The Civil Wars, Amy Grant) on drums and Sixpence None the Richer's Matt Slocum on cello.

God's Backyard Bible Camp VBS includes mini-concerts from Yancy, who sang several of songs she wrote for Standard's 2013 VBS curriculum.

Visit www.yancynotnancy.com for more information.

Christian music veteran Carman, who was diagnosed with incurable cancer earlier this year, has raised more than $233,000 to fund his first independent album in a decade.

He credited kickstarter.com, a "crowd-funding" Web site that raises money for creative projects, to help pay for his first independent album and music video.

Launched April 19, Carman's campaign exceeded its $200,000 goal in 25 days, making it the second most-funded music project on Kickstarter, the singer and evangelist said. The campaign's deadline is June 18, and fans can continue to make donations.

"I'm so excited about this incredible opportunity we all have through Kickstarter to make something happen as a team and a family," Carman said. "Cancer pronounced a death sentence, but you have been life to me, rallying me back into the fight and praying me back to my feet. As one fan said on my Facebook page, 'Look at what Jesus did in three years.' So as for you and me, with this new project and us working together, the next three years are going to be a blast."

In addition to the music project, Carman has announced a 60-city, 28-state summer tour, with concerts planned for New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago and Dallas.

Carman, 57, announced on his Facebook page Feb. 14 that he had been diagnosed with myeloma cancer, and was given "a three- to four-year window of time."

His latest album, Anthems of a Champion, was released in January by Sparrow Records/Capitol Christian Distribution. Carman, whose full name is Carmelo Domenic Licciardello, is known for concerts, that "are more like a rock 'n' roll Billy Graham crusade than a Christian music event," his website noted.

For more information on Carman's concert tour, for which tickets go on sale July 1, visit www.carmanlive.com.

Best-selling author Stormie Omartian has partnered with Media Connect Partners (MCP) to coordinate social media promotion for her forthcoming "Power of a Praying" release.

Harvest House Publishers is set to release Omartian's Prayer Warrior Prayer and Study Guide and the Prayer Warrior Book of Prayers in September. Harvest House will also release the Prayer Warrior Deluxe Edition in October.

"MCP is working with Stormie and Harvest House to create a robust and comprehensive social media presence," said MCP CEO Brian Boyd. "We are honored to manage Stormie's Twitter and Facebook activities as well as helping to develop content for YouTube and taking advantage of new social media opportunities so that people can have an ongoing conversation with Stormie.

"In addition to sharing her message of hope, we are working to keep people in the know," he added. "Whether it's first word of a new book release, details of a book signing or an appearance, our social media efforts are designed to keep people connected with Stormie."

Harvest House Vice President of Marketing Barb Sherrill noted that Omartian "has a powerful testimony."

"This has given her the unique ability to impact millions of readers by sharing her incredible experiences and firsthand lessons of how God can transform a life," she said. "MCP is helping us and her reach people who want daily inspiration, who want to learn how to pray powerfully and stay in touch with her, as well as reach those who may not be aware of Stormie's amazing life story."

Omartian has written more than 50 books, which have sold more than 23 million copies, including The Power of a Praying Wife, The Power of a Praying Parent and The Power of a Praying Woman.

"Social media allows me to instantly share encouraging messages that illustrate how God changes lives when we learn to trust in Him, live His way, seek His will and follow His lead no matter what," Omartian said. "It allows me to share with people as many times a day as possible, and it allows them to share with me in an intimate way."

Visit www.stormieomartian.com for more information.

Duck Commander founder Phil Robertson's Happy, Happy, Happy (Howard Books) debuted at No. 2 on the best-sellers from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA), tracking sales for the week ending May 11, according to Pubtrack Christian data. Released May 7, the book by one of the stars of A&E TV's popular reality show Duck Dynasty will hit the top of the May 26 New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction best-seller list, with The Duck Commander Family ranked at No. 7.

The Top 20 ECPA General best-sellers were: 1. Jesus Calling, Sarah Young, hardcover (Thomas Nelson); 2. Happy, Happy, Happy; 3. Heaven Is for Real, Todd Burpo (Thomas Nelson); 4. Jesus Calling, Young, women's edition (Thomas Nelson); 5. Jesus Calling, Young, large print deluxe (Thomas Nelson); 6. Wild at Heart, John Eldredge (Thomas Nelson); 7. Daily Wisdom for Women, Jewell Johnson (Barbour Publishing); 8. Jesus Calling, Young, deluxe (Thomas Nelson); 9. The 5 Love Languages, Gary Chapman (Northfield Publishing/Moody Publishers); 10. Daily Devotions for Women, Johnson (Barbour Publishing); 11. Jesus Today, Young, hardcover (Thomas Nelson); 12. The Harbinger, Jonathan Cahn (FrontLine/Charisma House Book Group); 13. The Duck Commander Family, Willie and Korie Robertson (Howard Books); 14. Not a Fan, Kyle Idleman (Zondervan); 15. One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp (Zondervan); 16. Boundaries for Leaders, Henry Cloud (Zondervan); 17. The Chance, Karen Kingsbury (Howard Books); 18. Love Does, Bob Goff (Thomas Nelson); 19. The Guardian, "Home to Hickory Hollow" No. 3, Beverly Lewis (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group); and 20. Follow Me, David Platt (Tyndale House Publishers).

The Top 10 Fiction best-sellers were: 1. The Harbinger; 2. The Chance; 3. The Guardian; 4. Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story, "O'Malley" No. 1, Dee Henderson (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group); 5. Damascus Countdown, "The Twelfth Imam" No. 3, Joel C. Rosenberg (Tyndale); 6. Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers (Multnomah Books); 7. When Jesus Wept, "The Jerusalem Chronicles" No. 1, Bodie and Brock Thoene (Zondervan); 8. Truth-Stained Lies, "Moonlighter" No. 1, Terri Blackstock (Zondervan); 9. The Quarryman's Bride, "Land of Shining Water" No. 2, Tracie Peterson, (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group); and 10. The Shack, William P. Young (Windblown Media/Hachette Book Group).

The top five Bibles were: 1. The Story, NIV, deluxe, hardcover, New International Version (Zondervan); 2. NIrV Kids' Study Bible Revised, hardcover, New International Reader's Version (Zonderkidz); 3. NIV Thinline Bible, navy, bonded leather (Zondervan); 4. NLT God Sightings, softcover, New Living Translation (Tyndale); and 5. NIV Celebrate Recovery Bible, softcover (Zondervan).

Guideposts has announced the retirement of Richard V. Hopple as president, CEO and trustee. Hopple, 66, who has held the post since 2007, will continue in a consulting capacity until Aug. 31. Former Guideposts President and CEO John F. Temple will serve as interim CEO.

"We are grateful for Dick's leadership over the years, ensuring the health of the organization through a difficult economic downturn," said Elizabeth Peale Allen, chairman of the board of trustees. "There are many noteworthy contributions over the years, particularly his emphasis on innovation, his deep commitment to our readers and customers. We wish him well in the future."

Hopple noted that he leaves the Danbury, Conn.-based nonprofit company "in a position poised for growth."

"The new products, services and ministries that have launched, including Mysterious Ways magazine, inspiring and engaging fiction series, and growing outreach programs complement the flagship magazine, Guideposts, and add to the ways the organization reaches millions of people each year," he said. "I'm confident in the management team, knowing they will continue to lead the company going forward. I'm proud of what we have accomplished and what they will accomplish."

Guideposts imprints include Candy Cane Press, Ideals, Williamson and Summerside Press. Guideposts magazine reaches 6 million readers, company officials said.