Christian Retailing

Author Jonathan Cahn's prophetic message goes viral Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Wednesday, 06 February 2013 05:25 PM America/New_York

JonathanCahn.SeanRobertsMessianic rabbi Jonathan Cahn's keynote address at the January Presidential Inaugural Breakfast went viral on YouTube shortly after its posting. The video has garnered over 100,000 views, gaining worldwide attention for its bold outcry for America to return to God.

Though the its controversial message initially received some suppression on the Internet, its popularity continued to grow. Many have called it "the most important and powerful clip on YouTube ever."

In the video, Cahn, author of the New York Times best-seller The Harbinger, addressed U.S. senators and congressmen at the historic Marriot Wardman Park in Washington. 

"We must sound the alarm that must be sounded," Cahn stated in his keynote address at the interdenominational, bipartisan event. "We must address what must be addressed, and so the message now will not be politically correct. Nor will it be political. It will be biblical. It will be true. And wherever it falls, let it fall.

"I will not hold back," he continued. "And if I offend you, I apologize that I cannot apologize for offending you. Without truth there is no love. On a day that so embodies the future course of this nation, it's critical that we both pray and speak the truth."

Cahn detailed what he believes are the prophetic parallels between ancient Israel and modern-day America.

"As the people of ancient Israel, in the midst of their blessings, committed a fatal error, so have we," he continued. "We too, as a nation, have turned from God. We too, as a nation, have removed Him from our lives. Step by step we too have ruled Him out of our culture, out of our government, out of our economy. We too have ruled Him out of the instruction and lives of our children. We too have made God a stranger. And as we have driven God from our national life, we have brought in other gods and idols to replace Him—gods of sensuality, violence, wealth, carnality, sexual promiscuity. And as did Israel, so too we have abandoned the ways of God and the laws of God for the ways of immorality."

The Harbinger documents parallels between events in the U.S. since 9/11 and Israel's history after the nation turned from God. Told in narrative form, the book unfolds how nine signs or harbingers reveal God's judgment.

Published Jan. 3, 2012 by Frontline/Charisma House, The Harbinger has sold more than 1 million units and charted for 56 weeks on the New York Times and 55 weeks on USA Today's Top 150 Books. It has also had strong showings on best-seller lists by CBA and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Click here to see the video from the Presidential Inaugural Breakfast.

 
Industry veteran Mark Gilroy joins Worthy Publishing Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Wednesday, 06 February 2013 11:37 AM America/New_York

Worthy Publishing has appointed industry veteran Mark Gilroy as a senior vice president and associate publisher. Gilroy will manage the Freeman-Smith imprint, working closely with founder Ron Smith, who will continue in product development and key account management.

Gilroy has had a successful career in all phases of publishing, working with top authors such as Max Lucado, Beth Moore and Newt Gingrich on numerous best-selling projects. His most recent role was publisher of the gift, specialty and backlist books for Thomas Nelson.

"As we continue to build Worthy Publishing, we want to attract strong, energetic leaders, and Mark Gilroy fits that bill," said Byron Williamson, president and CEO of Worthy. "In my years of working with Mark at Integrity Publishers and Thomas Nelson, I know he has tremendous passion for books and great understanding of the marketplace. He and Ron will make a remarkable team."

Gilroy added: "I've enjoyed my recent work as an author, agent and book packager, but when Byron calls with a big idea, you have to listen. I'm honored and excited to jump on board and work with the talented team at Worthy. I'm not sure how many individuals in publishing can match Byron's track record for building great companies based on high-impact books."

In addition to his work as a publisher, Gilroy has written two novels, Cuts Like a Knife and Every Breath You Take (both Worthy Publishing). He was also the co-writer of Don Soderquist's The Wal-Mart Way: The Inside Story of the Success of the World's Largest Company (Thomas Nelson).

 
Skillet goes Platinum for the first time Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Wednesday, 06 February 2013 12:00 AM America/New_York

GRAMMY-nominated band Skillet has been awarded its first Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for Awake (Atlantic/Ardent/INO Records/Provident Distribution).

The recognition represents 1 million units sold of the band's 2009's album. Besides Mumford & Sons and The Black Keys, Skillet was the only active rock band to achieve Platinum certification in 2012.

"We are so proud of Skillet for this crowning achievement," said Craig Kallman, chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records and Julie Greenwald, chairman and COO of the music label. "The band is hard at work finishing up their incredible new album, which we can't wait for the world to hear this spring."

Skillet's next not-yet-titled album is being produced by Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, Motorhead, and The All-American Rejects), who helmed Awake—the band's follow-up to Comatose (Atlantic/Ardent/INO Records/Provident), the group's 2006's RIAA Gold-certified album, indicating more than 500,000 units sold.

The band features singer/bassist John Cooper, guitarist/keyboardist Korey Cooper, drummer Jen Ledger and guitarist Seth Morrison.

"Musically, this [new] record feels like a roller coaster ride," Cooper said. "Several tracks are aggressive with dirtier and edgier guitars. Korey's keyboards are extremely unique, and Jen's great vocals are showcased throughout the album. There are some powerful anthems and what our fans tend to love, the 'signature Skillet' songs: symphonic, classical rock duets."

 
Cottage Garden gives back to its Indiana community Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Tuesday, 05 February 2013 05:59 PM America/New_York

CottageGarden.Web2Cottage Garden Collections (CG) adopted two families to help during the Christmas season, in keeping with its annual tradition.

“This all started about eight years ago when the staff was trying to think of a gift to give me,” explained Mark Timm, Cottage Garden’s president. “The idea was then born to give a gift on my behalf to a needy family. I was more touched by this than any company gift I had ever been given.”

Read more...
 
Divinity Boutique to refresh Bible cover designs Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Tuesday, 05 February 2013 05:10 PM America/New_York

divinityboutiquelogo_croppedDivinity Boutique is completely revamping its Bible cover program for 2013. All previous SKUs in the category have been discontinued, and the company has launched its brand-new collection of higher-quality canvas covers and fashion Bible covers. Divinity is planning to introduce more than 500 new SKUs of Bible covers this year.

“We are revamping our Bible cover program to improve the quality of what we produce,” said Keith Schwartz, president of Divinity Boutique based in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland. “Customers loved the value of the line, but said that they wanted a higher-quality product, so we are responding to the market.” 

Read more...
 
Abbey Press reports major sales increase for 2012 Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Tuesday, 05 February 2013 04:58 PM America/New_York

GregTate.Abbey.Web

Abbey Press reported major sales growth in 2012, an increase of 32% of “shipped sales” over 2011. The company’s fiscal year starts July 1.

From its base in St. Meinrad, Ind., the company is experiencing “renewed vigor and vision,” said Lisa Engelhardt, editorial director.

“We have a new general manager as of last July, Greg Tate,” Engelhardt said. “He’s just a wonderful person and a great leader, and I think there’s just kind of a heightened sense of our purpose in the marketplace and what we’re doing and how important our mission and ministry is.”

Read more...
 
New live Passion album coming in March release Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Tuesday, 05 February 2013 10:52 AM America/New_York

Sixstepsrecords will release Passion: Let the Future Begin March 12, recorded live during the Passion 2013 conference last month at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Along with the voices of more than 60,000 students, the album features new music from Passion worship leaders Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, David Crowder, Christy Nockels and Kristian Stanfill.

Passion: Let the Future Begin (EMI CMG Distribution) is the follow-up to Passion: White Flag, which sold more than 48,000 units—a 61% increase above 2011's Passion: Here For You, and reached No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on Christian SoundScan.

During the Passion conference Jan. 1-4, students from 56 countries and more than 2,000 universities raised more than $3 million to help fund the freedom of more than 27 million slaves globally.

During the final session, Passion founder and pastor Louie Giglio asked students to take what happened inside of their hearts and carry it into the world.

"Jesus was the original abolitionist," said Giglio, who is known for his campaign to end slavery worldwide. "It is for freedom Christ has sent us. And our freedom is for freedom."

For more information about Passion 2013, visit http://268generation.com/passion2013/. For more information about giving to fight slavery, visit http://268generation.com/passion2013/freedom.

 
Mary Mary wins two NAACP Image Awards Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Tuesday, 05 February 2013 09:12 AM America/New_York

Sister duo Mary Mary won two categories during the 44th NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Image Awards, held Friday, Feb. 1, at the historic Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Mary Mary's Go Get It (Columbia Records/Provident) edged out other Outstanding Gospel Artist (Traditional or Contemporary) nominees, which included Fred Hammond, God, Love & Romance (Verity Gospel Music Group); Marvin Sapp, I Win (Verity Gospel); Le'Andria Johnson, Le'Andria Johnson The Experience (Music World Gospel); and Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillymann Music Group).

Mary Mary also won in the Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration category. For a complete list of winners, click here.