The first regional Church Bookstore Network and Library Gathering for region 3 (Georgia and the Carolinas) was held June 5 at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga. There were more than 50 people in attendance, with 21 churches represented.

From the surveys submitted after the meeting, by all accounts the day was a huge success. It began with three giveaways, for who had traveled the farthest, the newest store and the one who had been in ministry the longest.

The speakers were greatly enjoyed by all, and the follow-up Q-and-A time was participated in with much enthusiasm. Johnson Ferry member Maggie Brendan, author of No Place for a Lady (Revell), spoke on the value of Christian fiction, and how it ministers to Christians and is also a great witnessing tool to those who don't know Christ. Another Johnson Ferry member, Dr. William Lane Craig, then spoke about the value of Christian apologetics, what it is and why it's important. He told how books had impacted his life and shared letters he had received from all over the world expressing gratitude for the books that had ministered to others.

Joe Shadden, supervisor of the bookstore at Johnson Ferry, then spoke on bridging the gap with your administrators, with humor and much insight. Following lunch provided by Spring Arbor, bookstore and library representatives separated for ministry-specific discussions.

David McIntyre, a consultant to church bookstores, spoke to the bookstore group on "10 Things Every Store Should Know," while Michelle Amster of Integra GP spoke to the library group on the art of merchandising and display. The two then switched, with David speaking to the library group on customer service while Michelle spoke to the bookstore group on merchandising and display.

The speakers were followed by round table discussions in each respective group, and the day wrapped up with a drawing for a large gift basket provided by STL Distribution North America. Very few of those in attendance had participated in anything like this before and found it to be a very valuable and fruitful time.

Vendors who donated resources and material for the event were: Spring Arbor, STL Distribution North America, Roman Inc., WaterBrook/Multnomah, Thomas Nelson, Crossway Books & Bibles, Tyndale House Publishers, Zondervan, Revell (Baker Publishing Group), CBA, Lighthouse Christian Products and Land of a Thousand Hills coffee company.

-Dottie Poythress is manager of The Bookmark bookstore at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church and region 6 director for the Church Bookstore Network.