The March 20-22 event, sponsored by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA), boasted a roster of more than 220 Christian authors participating in a range of events intended to generate exposure for the Christian book industry.

"For many years, I've gone to trade shows and this is similar to that, except it's opened its doors to the public," said author Max Lucado. "For that, I'm really excited about it. My hunch is it's going to take one or two or three years to get its feet and get a reputation. It's early to tell."

Lucado participated in a book signing at the Thomas Nelson booth and headlined the Friday evening session titled "The Word: In the Beginning Was the Word." Other participants included Andy Andrews, Liz Curtis Higgs, Henry Blackaby, Lysa TerKeurst and Michelle McKinney Hammond. Music was provided by Travis Cottrell, Heather Headley and Cindy Morgan.

The Saturday evening session, "Deed: The Word Was Made Flesh," included authors Donald Miller, Brett and Alex Harris, Don Piper, Jimmy Dorrell and Thelma Wells with music by Nicole C. Mullen, Lenny LeBlanc and Joy Williams.

Although the evening sessions were geared to what was expected to be the biggest audiences, with seating set up for more than 5,000 seats, it was the weekend's panel discussions--sponsored by Christianity Today--which drew the most attendance and attention. Evening sessions attendance was around 200-400 for each night.

"Does the God of Christianity Exist, and What Difference Does It Make?"--Saturday's main event panel discussion--included an appearance by noted atheist Christopher Hitchens, author of the best-selling book God Is Not Great (Twelve Books/Hachette Book Group USA). Hitchens sparred with a panel of Christian apologists, including Doug Wilson, William Lane Craig, James Denison and Lee Strobel. Hitchens also appeared Friday evening to sign copies of his books before a preview screening of the upcoming documentary Collision, which chronicles a debate tour featuring himself and Wilson.

Other panels focused on topics such as postmodern ministry, the emergent church, heaven and hell, and the gospel. Participants included J.I. Packer, Tony Jones, Kevin DeYoung, Don Piper, Richard Stearns, Randy Alcorn and Donald Miller. Attendance at most of the panels was 60-70, although the Hitchens debate drew nearly 900 people.

Authors also conducted and participated in dozens of workshops throughout the weekend on a wide range of topics such as writing, leadership, youth ministry, marriage, creationism and finances.

Miller, best-selling author of Blue Like Jazz and Searching for God Knows What (both Thomas Nelson), said he enjoyed participating in the event because it allowed him interaction with his readers.

"I think it's a terrific idea and it's been a great experience to be here," he said. "One of the great things about the experience--this sounds terrible--but there's not many people here, you can talk to a lot of people."

Michael Busch, a Dallas resident and college student, said that as an aspiring writer, the workshops and "culture" provoked his interest. "I came here to observe the culture, hang out and get a feel for the community," he said. "I went to the workshop by Mindy Starns Clark and it was very good."

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