Prayers and donations are being requested for Christian publishing industry veteran Jim Powell, who was recently diagnosed with cancer at a hospital in Cairns, Australia.

Powell, 68, stepped down as president of Christian Trade Association International (CTAI) in 2011 in order to serve as a mission-station guest house manager in Papua New Guinea for Wycliffe Bible Translators with his wife, Peggy. He was the former international director for CBA who was a driving force in establishing CTAI when the U.S.-based retailers association shed its overseas chapters in 2005.

"We received reports on the biopsy done on dad's spine," Powell's daughter, Pamela Doron, told CTAI. "The reports showed clearly that dad has cancer, which has spread through his bone marrow and blood, and has progressed to his brain. Because of the stage of development, the doctors are calling it terminal cancer. It is possible to treat it to some degree, but, ultimately, is not curable."

CTAI encouraged the industry to intercede for Powell and his family.

"The family hopes to fly Jim from Australia to Colorado for brain surgery to have the largest tumor removed," said Kim Pettit, CTAI's executive director. "This will ease Jim's pain and enable him to be closer to most of his family. Please pray for the transport arrangements, surgery and subsequent treatment. Please pray for the whole Powell family to experience God's love and power in the days ahead."

Having previously served as president of the International Bible Society, Powell joined CBA as international director in 1994. With the founding of CTAI, he hosted an annual international celebration lunch and the International Marketsquare section at the exhibit floor of CBA's summer show, providing a meeting point for those doing international business.

In 2008, CTAI debuted Marketsquare International, an annual January show providing a one-stop North American buying opportunity for overseas visitors in the absence of CBA's canceled winter show.

Donations to assist Powell's family in paying for the costs associated with emergency air transport and medical care may be sent to Wycliffe—Powell Fund, 11450 Translation Way, Orlando, FL 32862; include the ministry account number "M10207—Powell" on the memo line.

To donate online, visit the CTAI website, click the link on the Wycliffe donation site, enter "Powell" and click on Jim and Peggy Powell.