Christian retailers say they plan to help victims of the Asian earthquake-tsunami catastrophe and likely will do so by making donations through their churches.

The death toll rose to more than 114,000 Thursday, according to the Associated Press. Indonesia, with around 80,000 dead, was reported the worst hit, followed by Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. The total across 12 nations in southern Asia and East Africa was likely to rise, with thousands of people still missing.

Jim Rhymes, owner of 10 Gospel Lighthouse Bookstores in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi, said today he is going to help the victims through his church. Rhymes' home near Pensacola, Fla., was destroyed by a tidal wave during Hurricane Ivan in September.

"It's a worthy cause and I know it, "Rhymes told Christian Retailing. "I'll do it through my church."

Maureen McCollough, manager of First Presbyterian Book & Bible in Macon, Ga., said she will discuss relief efforts next week with her staff and the ministry of the church. Because of the holiday season and the majority of staff out on vacation, nothing was decided this week, she said.

"Nobody's really gone there yet," she said about coming up with specific ways to help the victims. "It's definitely a place we should be doing something."

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