Association takes ‘holistic approach to education and training’ with merchandising demonstrations and more

Trading and training were the order of the day at CBA’s 2013 International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in St. Louis.

George Thomsen, who came to the event as CBA board president, but also as a church bookstore manager, said he was “very positive about the show.”

“To me, people seem upbeat,” he added. “It seems like what we’ve seen the last few years, the people that are here are here for the long haul, and they know that our economy and the industry that we work in is different than it used to be. They’ve accepted it, and we just keep on moving on, so they’re upbeat.”

CBA reported that professional attendance was down 15% this year to 1,485 buyers with more than 3,700 total. International attendance also dropped, decreasing 21% to 288 from 57 countries.

Despite lower numbers, CBA President Curtis Riskey observed that “with everyone who’s represented here, it reminds me that ICRS remains the apex of the industry, where all who have the common mission to distribute Christian resources come together to celebrate what God’s doing in their lives, ministries and businesses.”

Riskey echoed Thomsen’s positive attitude regarding the event, held June 23-26 at the America’s Center Convention Complex.

“The people that I spoke with were encouraged, and that’s really our goal,” he said. “Our goal is to educate and encourage, inspire. I think we did that with a number of things. I think the worship service, Worship Him, was fantastic. I really think the show continued on that plane and was very positive. I was excited about some of the new things that we’re doing.”

Sunday night’s Worship Him service brought together Max Lucado and recording artists Steven Curtis Chapman and Laura Story in a night of inspiration and encouragement that was also open to the public. 

“Can’t God do for you what He did for Joseph?” Lucado’s question resonated with attendees as he spoke on the topic of his latest book, You’ll Get Through This (Thomas Nelson).

Lucado encouraged those involved in the Christian products industry to lay claim to the nearness of God, cling to His character and lean on God’s people.

Chapman and Story each shared from their personal hardships and testified of God’s watchcare in their lives, further demonstrating the point of Lucado’s upcoming book.

Monday morning, the show’s opening ceremony featured a big announcement from the Christian products industry’s favorite talking vegetables, a challenge from a top author and an announcement of the Ministry in Action offering.

Riskey served as emcee, and Thomsen cut the ribbon to open the exhibit floor. The Worship Him offering for the Lutheran nonprofit Humanitri, active in St. Louis assisting the incarcerated, homeless, single mothers and impoverished, was announced in the amount of more than $6,288. Sam’s Club and several Christian publishers and suppliers donated goods with which show attendees would pack 100 bags for Humanitri clients.

Steve Arterburn, best-selling author, creator of Women of Faith and host of “New Life Live” radio show, issued a challenge for believers to see their circumstances from God’s perspective.

“Rather than judge God based on our circumstances, we need to see things from God’s perspective,” he said. “The closer you get to God, the smaller the obstacles appear.”

Arterburn also issued a ministry caution, to not treat a person’s deep wounds superficially, such as advising a person in pain to “just read your Bible more” or “have more faith.”

Additionally VeggieTales celebrated 20 years creating animated children’s programming by distributing birthday party hats and horns. The launch of a new VeggieTales TV show
in partnership with Netflix was also announced, and characters Larry and Bob were on hand to help celebrate.

Bob Negen of Whiz Bang! Training presented the six-hour Retail Academy, sponsored by Ingram/Spring Arbor. In its third year, the seminar continued to be popular as retailers worked to adapt to the new realities of retail technology and learned how to market for growth.

Additionally, workshops focused on lifestyle marketing, children’s product trends, social media, turning around a store in a tough environment, technology tools, trends for effective marketing, retailing in the digital-media age and more.

The new Lifestyle Stories exhibit put together by Danni Schneidt-Hill of Promises “His”Coffee and Cottage Shoppe in Malta, Mt., presented research to help retailers better understand new moms, boomer women and men as customers. Duck Dynasty products were highlighted at the show and were part of the Lifestyle Stories exhibit for men. 

The line provided the opportunity for retailers to be “happy, happy, happy,” said Sherry Morris, Carpentree marketing manager, who spoke on a panel addressing lifestyle marketing. 

She encouraged retailers with her rule-of-thumb rhyme when buying gift lines: “Best-sellers rule. New is cool. Cores don’t end. And trends are friends.”

With the Lifestyle idea, Riskey told Christian Retailing that CBA “took prime real estate to demonstrate what good merchandising looks like, but then also we did workshops on it, so we incorporated, ‘OK, so now how do you do this and what do you need to look for? And what kinds of customers are coming into your store?’ So we have data to support all that, so hands-on training as to how to do this and make it happen, and then what we’re going to also do through utilizing social media, we’re creating a Facebook page for this whole project as well so that other stores can now send us information back and photos and things that they’re incorporating into their store so we can help tell the story to others, share their successes and things like that, so we’ve taken that sort of holistic approach to education and training. It isn’t just what happens here at ICRS, but how do we extend it throughout the year for a lot of people?”

ICRS also continued its focus on authors connecting with retailers for co-marketing initiatives. Events included an author boot camp; a fiction product event that highlighted opportunity categories, such as young adult; Author Avenue, a special area for book signing and meet-and-greets; and meetings and awards events from Christian Retailing, American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Authors Network and American Writers and Speakers Association, among others.

The 2014 show is slated for June 22-25 in Atlanta. Riskey expects better professional attendance there, as the location is in closer proximity to the majority of Christian retail stores.

Mandate case remanded to same court that earlier ruled against the arts-and-crafts chain’s request for exemption

In a major victory for Hobby Lobby Stores, a federal appeals court reversed a lower-court ruling June 27 that had rejected the arts-and-crafts chain’s request for temporary protection in its abortion-pill mandate case.

The Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling sends the case back to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, which had earlier ruled against the chain’s request for an exemption.

The decision means Hobby Lobby and sister retailer Mardel Christian and Education may be entitled to an exemption from a requirement in President Barack Obama’s 2010 healthcare overhaul (aka Obamacare) to include free “morning-after” and “week-after” pill coverage in their employee health insurance plans. 

Five of the nine judges found that Hobby Lobby met at least some of the requirements needed to gain temporary protection from the mandate while its lawsuit proceeds in court, Reuters reported.

“Because the contraceptive-coverage requirement places substantial pressure on Hobby Lobby and Mardel to violate their sincere religious beliefs, their exercise of religion is substantially burdened,” a majority of the judges concluded.

Kyle Duncan, general counsel for The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and counsel on the case, said the appeals court’s ruling “marks a milestone in Hobby Lobby’s fight for religious liberty.” 

“This is a tremendous victory not only for the Green family and for their business, but also for many other religious business owners who should not have to forfeit their faith to make a living,” he added. 

In December, a two-judge panel of the 10th Circuit denied Hobby Lobby’s request to temporarily stop enforcement of the abortion-pill mandate.

Oklahoma City-based Hobby Lobby has more than 500 stores in 41 states. One of the tenets of the chain’s statement of purpose is, “Honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with biblical principles.” The Green family, which owns Hobby Lobby, also runs Mardel stores.

There are 60 lawsuits currently challenging the abortion-pill mandate.

Jud Wilhite says stores ‘opened up a whole new world of faith and biblical understanding’ in his spiritual walk

Jud Wilhite, pastor of one of the largest and fastest-growing churches in the country and a New York Times best-selling author with nearly 30,000 Twitter followers, remembers being down and out versus being up and coming.

The senior pastor of 15,000-member Central Christian Church in Las Vegas wrestled with a four-year drug addiction as a teenager growing up in Texas. 

“The turning point for me was when I surrendered to God as a 17-year-old, and when I walked into a local church for the first time on my own terms—not because my parents made me,” Wilhite, 42, told Christian Retailing. “I found this little, small group Bible study, and in that first critical six months, they were like a life-saving station for me. 

“They encouraged me, walked with me and coached me off the cliff,” he recalled. “God used those people to literally save my life. Out of that experience, I knew I wanted to do two things: help others experience the same grace that I had experienced in Jesus and do that through the local church.”

Wilhite also credits Christian bookstores for playing a big part in his discipleship and spiritual growth.

“I love Christian bookstores and have spent hundreds of hours roaming their shelves,” he said. “Christian bookstores were my primary reference point for spiritual tools and resources, especially in my early years as a Christian. They opened up a whole new world of faith and biblical understanding. 

“When I walk in a Christian bookstore today and see one of my books on the shelf, I always stop and remember what it felt like to be walking into a bookstore desperately seeking hope, guidance and encouragement,” Wilhite added. “By God’s grace, I found it there and trust that others find that hope in Christian bookstores every day.”

Since Wilhite arrived at Central Christian in 2003, the church has been known for helping the hurting find healing. In a recent survey, more than 90% surveyed at Central said that God “saved their lives” through the church.

Wilhite has authored several books, including the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and CBA best-sellers Torn, Stripped, Uncensored Grace and Eyes Wide Open (all Multnomah Books), and That Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Standard Publishing).

His most recent book, Pursued, was released by FaithWords in February, debuting on the New York Times best-sellers list. Using the biblical story of the prophet Hosea’s marriage in the book, Wilhite reveals how God pursues people with His unwavering love. 

“I just try to write as one broken person to other broken people, encouraging them to allow God’s grace to put them back together,” he said. “Something happens to all of us when we have been broken by something in life, and put back together by God. We have more compassion, more of an awareness of our need for God and more dependence on His grace. Growing in His grace and truth, finding freedom from our past and pain, and celebrating God’s mercy each day are the core messages of my life and also my writing.”

FaithWords Editor Jana Burson said Wilhite “writes from a place of grace because he knows firsthand what it means to experience it. Much like how his church, Central Christian, is a place where people can come and be accepted as they are, his writing accomplishes the same welcoming invitation.”

Gabe Lyons, author of The Next Christians (Doubleday Religion), said Wilhite is “a compelling new voice and model for a new way to be Christian in today’s culture.” 

Capitalizing on Wilhite’s popularity, FaithWords plans two forthcoming releases—one a book and the other a Bible. 

In February, FaithWords will release Wilhite’s next major trade book. In The God of Yes, he will “invite readers to experience a divine yes to all of life as a gift of God,” said Burson, noting that many believe that the Christian life consists of a long list of no’s.

Wilhite said he believes authenticity is one reason why his books resonate with people. 

“I’m regularly surprised and humbled when anyone takes their precious time and allows me the opportunity to share with them,” he said. “From a writing standpoint, I just try to be honest, keep it real and encourage people from the Bible and personal experience. The feedback I get usually points to authenticity as a big part of what resonates, and the other is that I seek to take the Bible seriously.”

Wilhite’s new Bible from FaithWords will be published Sept. 10. The Uncensored Truth Bible features the New Living Translation and is geared toward new believers. 

“Jud feels that one of the greatest needs new believers have is a resource for understanding Christian faith and the Bible in a straightforward and applicable guide,” Burson said. “This Bible fills that need.”

Key features include: a 24-page introduction, in which Wilhite provides six articles on how to understand the Bible, overviews of the Old and New Testaments and faith as a lifelong journey; easy-to-understand introductions for each book of the Bible; nine “uncensored truth” sections on topics such as the Trinity and heaven and hell.

Wilhite is strongly connected to his readers, posting daily on Twitter, where he has nearly 29,000 followers, and Facebook where he has more than 14,000 friends.

Wilhite is also “so thankful for Christian retailers.”

“I know this is a mission for them,” he said. “They get discouraged and frustrated like everyone, and I don’t see anybody getting rich. But they push through because they believe in the message and want to help others grow. I can’t even imagine where I’d be if I didn’t have a Christian bookstore to frequent after becoming a Christian. They were a resource to a whole new understanding for me. 

“The difference those books made in my life is what inspires me to keep writing,” Wilhite added. “I don’t every want to take for granted that we can partner together to literally witness God change someone’s life. It is such a privilege, and I’m thankful for the partnership of Christian retailers in that mission.”

Apologist had ‘bold yet loving approach to discern and deliver the truth’ 

Dave Hunt, an apologist, best-selling author, speaker and radio commentator, died April 5 with his wife, Ruth, at his side. He was 87.

Noted for his research on cults, the occult and New Age doctrines, which began creeping into the church during the 1980s, Hunt was renowned for his controversial 1985 best-seller, The Seduction of Christianity (Harvest House Publishers), which he co-authored with T.A. McMahon. 

A prolific author of more than 40 books with at least 4 million copies sold, many translated into 50 languages, Hunt’s other titles include Yoga and the Body of Christ (The Berean Call); A Woman Rides the Beast (Harvest House Publishers); and Debating Calvinism: Five Points, Two Views (Multnomah Publishers). Hunt founded The Berean Call, an apologetics ministry, in 1992.

He also wrote two novels: The Mind Invaders (formerly The Archon Conspiracy, The Berean Call) and Sanctuary of the Chosen (Harvest House). Additionally, Hunt wrote a children’s book, The Money Tree (Harvest House), with his daughter Karen. His videos include Israel, Islam & Armageddon and A Woman Rides the Beast. Hunt also hosted two radio program, “Search the Scriptures Daily” and “According to God’s Word.”

Hunt had 29 titles published by Harvest House, with total sales of more than 2.5 million copies, company officials said.

“Dave’s bold yet loving approach to discern and then deliver the truth is evident in everything he did,” The Berean Call website said. “His love for Jesus, for Israel and for people in general was obvious to all. His enthusiasm for the truth, along with his anger over the sin and wickedness that he knew was robbing people of what God wanted for them, flamed his desire to share the Lord with anyone with whom he had contact.” 

Hunt is survived by his wife of 63 years. A private burial service was held, and Hunt will remembered during the summer Bible conference of The Berean Call on Aug. 23-24 in Bend, Ore. 

Philosopher was ‘one of the great reformers of Christian thought’

Dallas Willard, philosopher, professor and best-selling author of the spiritual formation classic The Divine Conspiracy (HarperOne), died of cancer May 8. He was 77.

Willard was “one of the great reformers of Christian thought of the past century,” and “his most powerful lessons were in how he lived an unhurried life with God,” said Gary Moon, director of the Dallas Willard Center for Spiritual Formation at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif. 

The Divine Conspiracy was Christianity Today’s Book of the Year for 1999. Additionally, Willard’s Renovation of the Heart (NavPress) won Christianity Today’s 2003 Book Award for Spirituality and the Association of Logos Bookstores’ 2003 Book Award for Christian Living. His other books included Hearing God and A Place for Truth (both InterVarsity Press) and The Spirit of the Disciplines (HarperOne). 

Willard had taught philosophy at the University of Southern California since 1965, and headed the department from 1982 to 1985.

He believed passivity was a widespread problem in the church, and his greatest goal was to make true disciples of Jesus. His writing focused on spiritual formation, not merely behavioral modification.

“Dallas thought about his faith, and he talked about his faith, but, most importantly, he talked about Jesus, whom he called the ‘smartest man who ever lived,’ “ said InterVarsity Press (IVP) Publisher Bob Fryling. “I am deeply indebted to Dallas for his winsome example and rich teaching on how to be a spiritual person as a disciple of Jesus Christ.”

Cindy Bunch, IVP’s associate editorial director, added: “[Author] James Bryan Smith has shared with me of how Dallas would encourage him not to reference him so much, saying, ‘If it was any good, it did not come from me, but from the Holy Spirit, so consider it public domain.’ ” 

HarperOne Senior Vice President and Publisher Mark Tauber said Willard “was a busy guy and a guy who knew how to preserve his own space to think and just be, so we said no a fair amount [to speaking],” Tauber said.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jane; two children, John and Becky; and a granddaughter.

New movie division created to come alongside Christian filmmakers, offering resources to churches

LifeWay Christian Resources (LCR), the parent company of LifeWay Christian Stores, has launched a film division to aid the church in ministry.

“Because churches are on the front lines of life change in their communities, faith-based films provide an ideal and important ministry opportunity for the church,” LifeWay Films officials said. “It is a powerful way to reach people, both believers and nonbelievers, with the greatest story every told—the gospel story of Jesus.”

In May, LifeWay Films released its first project, Experiencing God, based on the best-selling book by Henry Blackaby and Claude King—first published in 1990 by B&H Publishing Group. The book shows Christians how to know and do the will of God. 

The Experiencing God Workbook has sold more than 7 million copies in 45-plus languages, and Experiencing God has been used by almost every Christian denomination, company officials said. The workbook has also spawned dozens of other products, including the recently released Experiencing God at Home book and curriculum; Your Church Experiencing God Together; The Man God Uses; Fresh Encounter; the Experiencing God Musical; the children’s book Sammy Experiences God; and the teen book Seven Steps to Knowing and Doing the Will of God.

Retailing for $19.95 at LifeWay stores and LifeWay.com, the film documents three stories, representing the influence Experiencing God has had in its more than 20 years. 

Scott Mills, manager of LifeWay Films, told Christian Retailing that the idea for the movie division originated in October 2011, when LCR helped with the release of Courageous—the hit Christian movie from Sherwood Pictures.

“We want to be part of the faith-film movement,” he said. “We just see us coming alongside Christian filmmakers and offering resources to churches. It’s a very exciting time in Christian filmmaking. It’s also impacting Christian retailing. Christian bookstores are probably selling more faith-based DVDs now than they did five years ago.”

A free screening of Experiencing God was to be shown June 11-12 during the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Houston. Another LifeWay Films title made in partnership with Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions, Grace Unplugged, slated for theatrical release Oct. 4, was also to be shown at the convention.

The movie tells the story of an 18-year-old Christian singer/songwriter who performs each Sunday at her church. After landing a record deal in Los Angeles, she cuts off contact with her parents and seems prepared to walk away from her faith.

For more information, visit the website www.LifeWay.com/Films.

Alliance between the two groups ‘plays off one another’s strengths’ for member stores’ benefit

Covenant Group and Parable Group have forged an alliance in the areas of online sales of church supplies, data warehousing services and email marketing.

The partnership is the latest in a series of alliances between the two groups dating back to 2011 and their joint e-book sales solution. 

In late spring, Covenant began providing church supplies content and product fulfillment for Parable’s website, www.parable.com. Covenant also provided Parable franchise stores with its annual church supplies catalog.

Conversely, Parable provided data warehousing services, including inventory reporting, consumer modeling and targeting services, email marketing and local online display advertising for Covenant member stores via www.covenantgroupstores.com.

“Covenant is a leader in serving church needs and the Parable Group is a leader in data, technology and digital services,” said Steve Potratz, founder and CEO of Parable. “Our recent alliance with Covenant honors and respects each company’s strengths, allowing each of us to focus on what we do best.”

Covenant Group founder and President Chuck Wallington added: “In today’s challenging retail environment, it becomes increasingly important to play off one another’s strengths for the benefit of member stores in both groups. In addition, it is an excellent model for the industry of how Christian competitors can come together for the mutual good of both.” 

Covenant Group—the country’s second-largest independent Christian chain after Mardel Christian & Education—provides marketing and support services to stores. 

Started in 1985, Parable Christian Stores is the nation’s largest Christian retail franchise with 25 locations throughout the country.

LifeWay Christian Stores acquires independent store in North Carolina

Berean Christian Stores anticipates adding new stores this fall as part of the chain’s three-tiered growth plan. Meanwhile, LifeWay Christian Stores has acquired The Salt Shaker Bookstore and Cafe, in Wilmington, N.C., which closed in February. 

LifeWay Media Relations Manager Jon Wilke told Christian Retailing that the chain opened a new store in late May in a different location as The Salt Shaker, but in the same area. The new 4,795-square-foot store is located in a shopping center. 

Claire Efird had owned The Salt Shaker since 1999, and the store was a member of Covenant Group—the country’s second-largest independent Christian chain after Mardel Christian & Education. 

LifeWay operates 15 stores across North Carolina, with 161 stores nationwide. The chain relocated its stores in Charlotte, N.C., and Conyers, Ga., last year, but there were no new store openings in 2012, Wilke said. Before that, LifeWay opened a store in Tustin, Calif., in August 2011. Terms of the Salt Shaker deal were not released. 

Berean, also a member of Covenant Group, has been looking to expand.

“We’d like to add one to two stores this fall, but we are being very intentional in reviewing possible sites and/or acquisitions,” Bill Nielsen, chief operating officer of Berean, said. “We are willing to wait for the right opportunity.

“We have reviewed six acquisitions over the past several months, but none appeared to be a good fit for Berean,” he added. “In regard to new stores, we are in the process of ranking each market in the U.S. to help us determine where we want to be. ... While we have a vision to add 18 stores, we do not want to run ahead of the doors that God opens for us.”

Based in Cincinnati, the chain is nearing the completion of its operating systems upgrade for improved performance and store growth.

“We are very pleased with recent comp store performance, which we anticipate to continue or grow as all stores go-live on our new system by June 1,” Nielsen said. “Our growth plans include a heavy emphasis on same-store sales growth, a new more robust e-commerce strategy and the addition of new or newly acquired stores.” 

Berean—which dates back to 1934—joined Covenant Group in June 2012, increasing the country’s second-largest independent Christian chain’s membership by approximately 50%.

Nashville publisher expects ‘even stronger growth’ for the rest of 2013

Worthy Publishing Group has announced strong first-quarter results with expectations  running high for even stronger growth to end the year.

“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.

In November 2012, Nashville-based Worthy Publishing acquired the Ellie Claire Gift and Paper Expressions imprint from Guideposts. Response from Christian and mainstream 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 also was selected as a finalist in the Lifestyle category at the National Stationery Show 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 best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins’ I, Saul, a historical novel to be released Aug. 27. Stephen Mansfield’s Killing Jesus has received national media coverage from Hannity, The Washington Post and other outlets. 

On Nov. 26, Worthy will release pastor David Jeremiah’s The Jeremiah Study Bible. A major event is planned for Madison Square Garden in New York City to mark the new Bible’s publication. 

Crossway’s first floor destroyed by flood waters, Tyndale House forced to close due to water-logged parking lot

Christian publishers have been impacted by spring flooding in the Midwest, causing temporary closures and extensive damage. 

Mid-April downpours brought on sudden flooding throughout the Midwest, and high water was blamed for at least three deaths in the region, the Associated Press reported. 

About 2 feet of water poured into Crossway’s 32 first-floor offices in Wheaton, Ill., and repairs and rebuilding will take five to six months, company officials said.

The substantial flooding forced closures April 17-18. The company appealed for financial support in the wake of the company suffering extensive damage. The publisher also asked donors to help raise $360,000 by the end of its fiscal year, May 31, for “priority projects.”

In an email to supporters, Lane Dennis, president and CEO of Crossway, wrote: “As a not-for-profit ministry, Crossway is not only committed to publishing the ESV [English Standard Version] Bible and gospel-centered content, but also to providing God’s Word to hundreds of thousands of people overseas, either free or at a substantially reduced cost. Because of the recent flood, however, some of these international ministry efforts are now at risk.”

He added that the financial assistance will pay for three areas: damage not covered by insurance; installation of new safeguards to flood-proof Crossway’s building; and “crucial Bible ministry projects.” 

“Your support will make it possible especially for us to continue moving forward with the following priority projects: translation costs for the ESV Chinese Study Bible, to be published in mainland China; printing costs for 60,000 copies of the Chinese-English ESV bilingual Bible, also for publication and distribution in mainland China; completion and global distribution of the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible this fall; development of the Knowing the Bible studies, to be offered free digitally worldwide,” Dennis said.

“Though we don’t know exactly how the Lord will use these events for His kingdom and for His glory, we are confident in His grace and mercy and in His gracious provision for the work He has called us to do—trusting His words in Isaiah 43:2: ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.’ ” 

Crossway Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing Geoff Dennis told Christian Retailing that the company, providentially, moved its warehouse to another location in late 2012—ahead of the publisher’s 75th anniversary this year.

“We were able to minimize negative impact on our shipping and fulfillment,” Dennis said. “We lost only about a day in fulfilling orders and have since gotten caught up. Our office building was closed for two days, with people working mainly from their homes.”

Tyndale House Publishers, located in Carol Stream, Ill., was also closed April 18 due to flooding in the parking lot, which rendered the building inaccessible. 

“Many employees have had to deal with flooded basements,” Tyndale House Chief Operating Officer Jeff Johnson said. “Tyndale did not suffer any damages to its facilities or inventory. Even if we had not closed, many of our employees would not have been able to make it to work due to streets and roads being impassable, basements flooding and taking care of children whose schools had been closed. However, many employees worked from home, so it was not a complete loss.”