Former CBA international director played integral role increasing the reach of Christian resources worldwide

Christian publishing industry veteran Jim Powell died Nov. 19 in Queensland, Australia, surrounded by his family. Powell, 68, was diagnosed with cancer last fall in Cairns, Australia.

“We gathered to grieve, celebrate, eat and sing together about God’s love,” Powell’s daughter, Jennifer Dilger, wrote on the CaringBridge.com page dedicated to her father. “Jim was comfortable and eyes opened from time to time. … The family and I arrived at about 11:15 Monday morning, which would be Sunday early evening in the United States. The breathing was raspy and I was told by the nurse that Jim would not wake up again. It was only an hour later that we knew he would be welcomed home.”

Powell stepped down as president of Christian Trade Association International (CTAI) in 2011 in order to serve as a mission-station guest house manager with his wife, Peggy, in Papua New Guinea for Wycliffe Bible Translators. He was the former international director for CBA who was a driving force in establishing CTAI when the U.S.-based Christian retailers’ association shed its overseas chapters in 2005.

“Jim served the Lord in literature ministry for more than 40 years,” said Kim Pettit, CTAI’s executive director and CEO . “He will be greatly missed.” 

 Pettit and Powell “worked and traveled together for two-and-a-half years, and he continued to mentor and encourage me even after his retirement,” she told Christian Retailing. 

 CBA President Curtis Riskey told Christian Retailing that Powell was “a trailblazer, expanding the reach of the gospel and supporting the distribution of Christian resources throughout the world.”

“He spent his life in service and ministry to others in pursuit of the Great Commission,” he said. “Jim played an integral role at CBA increasing the reach of Christian resources into so many international cultures and markets. The work he started at CBA will continue to bear fruit for many years to come.”

Mark Hutchinson—co-owner of Blessings Christian Marketplace, a chain of four stores based in Chilliwack, British Columbia—said Powell was “a true statesman and fantastic ambassador for our industry on a global basis.

“His passing is a big loss for our industry, a man of knowledge and care for those who he interacted with,” he said. “I personally enjoyed the times when we were able to discuss and strategize how we, as an industry, could continue to be a light and relevant in the ever-changing market we live and serve in.”

Having previously served as president of the International Bible Society, Powell joined CBA as international director in 1994. With the founding of CTAI, he hosted an annual international celebration lunch and the International Marketsquare section at the exhibit floor of CBA’s summer show, providing a meeting point for those doing international business. 

In 2008, CTAI debuted Marketsquare International, an annual January show providing a one-stop North American buying opportunity for overseas visitors in the absence of CBA’s canceled winter show.

Funeral arrangements were pending at press time. Powell is survived by his wife and their three children.

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