TGS International, a for-profit subsidiary of Christian Aid Ministries, has signed an agreement with Bookmasters to distribute its books and e-books for the first time in the United States.

For almost 30 years, TGS International, based in Berlin, Ohio, has published Christian books and other materials that aim to inspire readers through the Christian faith. Originally created to provide a channel to send relief supplies to needy recipients in Eastern Europe, TGS, published its first book, 101 Favorite Stories From the Bible, in 1995.

Bookmasters will distribute TGS titles to major booksellers such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble as well as independent bookstores nationwide.

"TGS International is happy to be working with Bookmasters and is looking forward to a sales increase through this partnership," said Steve Leid, a TGS International sales representative.

Deb Keets, vice president of global development for Bookmasters, added: "Bookmasters is pleased to add TGS International to our growing list of impressive Christian publishing partners."

To learn more, visit www.tgsinternational.com.

A new weekly sales-based Christian and gospel album chart has been launched in the United Kingdom in response to strong growth of the category. Updated every Monday, the chart reflects sales of physical and digital music products.

The Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart, compiled by the Official Charts Company and launched in partnership with Christian charity Compassion UK, released its first Top 20 list March 11. The album at the top spot was Hillsong United's Zion (Hillsong Music/Capitol Christian Distribution), followed by Bethel Music's Without Words (Kingsway/Capitol) and Matt Redman's 10,000 Reasons (sixstepsrecords/Capitol).

"This is a defining moment and changes the landscape for Christian and gospel music in the U.K.," said Jonathan Brown, managing director of Integrity Music. "Christian music has always been a part of society in bringing hope and encouragement. With the development of this new chart, it will bring significant profile to this growing genre."

Compassion UK CEO Ian Hamilton added: "We are thrilled to be partnering with the launch of the Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart. We are honored to have many ambassadors for our ministry among Christian music artists in the U.K. as we work to bring worship and justice together."

The chart is broadcast every week on the U.K. Christian radio stations Premier Radio and UCB (United Christian Broadcasters). Visit www.officialcharts.com for more information.

Christian stores have reported that Mother's Day sales were up more than 10% compared to the same week in 2012, according to CBA's CROSS:SCAN sales data.

Retailers reported that they sold slightly more units per store compared to the Mother's Day period last year, while also selling higher-priced items this year. The data also reflects that retailers sold a wider variety of Mother's Day products this year than 2012. Units sold per store were up about 4%, according to CROSS:SCAN.

Additionally, 2013 sales are up about 6% compared to Mother's Day sales in 2011.

"Mother's Day is an important season for Christian stores," said CBA President Curtis Riskey. "Seeing customers purchasing higher-priced items is a good sign, and may reflect retailers' more focused marketing to key customer segments."

CROSS:SCAN's data reporting service for Christian products reflects actual sales from participating retailers.

New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Cahn will present the Christian Retailing’s Best awards at the International Christian Retail Show. The winners will be honored Tuesday, June 25, starting at 10 a.m., on the Town Center Stage on the show floor.

Cahn is author of The Harbinger (FrontLine/Charisma House), which is a finalist in the Fiction: General category. His other finalists are The Harbinger audiobook (FrontLine/Charisma House) in Audio; The Isaiah 9:10 Judgment (WND Films) in DVD/Video: Movie; and El presagio (The Harbinger, Casa Creación) in Spanish.

Pure Flix Entertainment is offering $10,000 in college scholarships tied to its recently released DVD This is Our Time.

Released April 16, the coming-of-age drama, which stars Shawn-Caulin Young (Thor), Erin Bethea (Fireproof) and Erik Estrada (Chips), tells the story of five friends, connected by their strong faith in God, who set out to make a difference in the world following high school graduation.

The Pure Flix contest will award four $2,500 college scholarships and 10 four-year memberships to Catapult Life, an online tool that encourages activities throughout college.

Students must be enrolled in a four-year college in the fall to qualify, and those in post-graduate studies at a college are also eligible. Scholarship registrations must be received by July 31, and verification of college enrollment will be required.

Scholarships will be awarded within 30 days after the fall semester begins. The winners list will be published by Aug. 31 at www.thisisourtimemovie.com/winners.

For complete contest rules, visit http://thisisourtimemovie.com/covenant/.

Rose Publishing is offering free online training and contest for independent stores west of the Mississippi. The offer runs through May 30.

"Last year only 10% of the indie stores participated—25% of the chains did," said Gretchen Goldsmith, co-founder, president and CEO of Rose Publishing, Christian Retailing's 2011 Supplier of the Year. "So let's get going. Each staff person gets to select a $5 gift card. Stores with the highest staff participation get a pizza party."

In order to participate, retailers must view a slideshow and answer a 10-question quiz about Rose Publishing products to receive a $5 gift card from Starbucks, Chick-fil-A or Target.

"The training is on the spring product line for Rose Publishing, and an introduction to the new Aspire Press imprint and authors—two of whom have nationwide radio programs," Goldsmith said. "Each staff person who passes the quiz at the end gets a $5 gift card."

Visit www.rose-publishing.com/independent-west for more information.

Worthy Publishing Group has announced strong first-quarter results, "with expectations for even stronger growth at the close of 2013."

"Compared to 2012 [first quarter] results, 2013 revenues are up 48%," said Byron Williamson, president and CEO of Worthy Publishing. "Worthy is on track to exceed the prior year by 65% in only the company's second year in commerce.

"Considering the enormous challenges book publishers and retailers face today, we could not have imagined the amazing opportunities that have come our way in the young life of the Worthy Publishing Group," he added. "We are humbled and most grateful."

In November 2012, Worthy Publishing acquired the Ellie Claire Gift and Paper Expressions imprint from Guideposts. Response from both Christian and mainstream national retailers "has been very positive, company officials said.

In April, Ellie Claire appointed Harry Blake, who worked for Hallmark and C.R. Gibson, as vice president of sales. An Ellie Claire journal has been selected as a finalist in the best new product in the Lifestyle category of the National Stationery Show, to be held May 19-22 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Worthy Publishing's Freeman-Smith imprint, which experienced 20% growth in 2012, appointed Mark Gilroy as senior vice president and general manager earlier this year. Publishing industry veteran Troy Johnson was also appointed as Freeman-Smith's national accounts director.

Two Worthy Books titles have generated attention, including Left Behind best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins' I, Saul, a historical novel to be released Aug. 27. Released May 7, Stephen Mansfield's Killing Jesus has received media coverage from Hannity, Piers Morgan Live, USA Today and The Washington Post.

On Nov. 26, Worthy will release David Jeremiah's The Jeremiah Study Bible. The new study addresses three questions about Scripture: what does it say? what does it mean? and what does it mean for you? A major event is being planned at Madison Square Garden in New York City to mark its publication.