Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, author of the new Center Street title Never Again, was introduced at the show's first Super Session on Monday morning by John Morgan, a George W. Bush impersonator received with enthusiasm by the audience.

Ashcroft spoke on the subject of world-changing leadership, saying that each person in the room is the “single most important leader in the world” to someone in his or her life. He highlighted the need for clarity, unity and nobility in leadership. He also thanked retailers and invited “our teamwork to be rekindled,” with the forthcoming release of his book.

CBA President Bill Anderson convinced Ashcroft to play the piano before leaving the platform, and Ashcroft asked that those in attendance sing along on “Jesus Loves Me” and a patriotic song, “America the Beautiful.”

The first speaker at the event, Chip Ingram, president and CEO of Walk Thru the Bible and author of The Invisible War (Baker Books), urged retailers to put on their spiritual armor to fight the enemy.

Acknowledging that the retail landscape has changed, Ingram observed that it's still true that “without faith, it's impossible to please God.” He challenged retailers not to compromise, giving them the example of not stocking a best-selling book if its teaching is not good for the body of Christ.

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