Munce Group is challenging Christian retailers to read out to the Spanish-language customer, believing that this emerging segment of the U.S. population represents a significant untapped opportunity.

In 2012, the U.S. Census Bureau found that people of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 16.9% of the population, which was up from 12% in 2000. They represent the largest minority group and immigrant group.

Citing a desire to focus more exclusively on its core ministry efforts, Biblica announced Wednesday an expanded partnership with HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP).

Under the new agreement, HCCP will assume the direct- and trade-sales responsibilities of Biblica’s low-cost outreach Bibles through the Zondervan Bible publishing program.

Worthy Publishing has named Pamela Clements vice president and associate publisher of the company’s new imprint, Inspired.

An industry veteran, Clements most recently served as associate publisher of Abingdon Press’s Christian Living and fiction books. Prior to that, she was associate publisher at Hachette. Clements began her career at Thomas Nelson in publicity and marketing before becoming publisher of its General Interest and Lifestyle imprint.

Hallmark Channel recently announced the development of two all-new Original Movies with No. 1 New York Times best-selling author Karen Kingsbury. 

The network will produce two original movies based on the author’s celebrated “Life Changing Fiction” and her award-winning contemporary romance titles The Bridge (Howard Books) and A Time to Dance (Thomas Nelson). Reuniting their partnership after the success of Door to Door and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, Emmy-winning Executive Producers David Rosemont (Bonnie and Clyde) and Everywhere Studios’ Dan Angel (Christmas Comes Home to Canaan) have partnered with Kim Arnott of Two 4 the Money Media and Fernando Szew of Mar Vista Entertainment, for the movies, to air exclusively on Hallmark Channel starting in 2015.

Munce Group hosted independent Christian retailers Sept. 21-23 for the Christian Product Expo (CPE) at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Highlights of the event included a talk from author Ryan Dobson (Building a Family Legacy Project, LifeWay Christian Resources); devotions with Philip Yancey (Vanishing Grace, Zondervan); the Author Meet and Greet Personality Party and dinner hosted by Charisma Media; the Night of Worship with Jon Weece, author of Jesus Prom (Thomas Nelson) and music by Kim Hill, Ashley Cleveland, Margaret Becker and Paulette Wooten; music and readings from The Isaacs, who were attending on behalf of their mother, Lily Isaac, who recently wrote You Don’t Cry Out Loud (New Leaf Publishing Group); a message from Tullian Tchividjian based on his book One Way Love (David C Cook); and an acoustic set from Tenth Avenue North.

San Luis Obispo-based The Parable Group recently announced the promotion of Laura Clark to digital marketing manager. Clark has a 13-year background in sales and marketing with specialties in online display advertising and social media.

“Laura has already made a tremendous contribution to our digital team, and she is highly qualified to carry forward The Parable Group mission and ministry in her new position,” said Steve Potratz, president of The Parable Group.

Houston-based megachurch pastors Kerry and Chris Shook’s latest book, Be the Message: Taking Your Faith Beyond Words to a Life of Action (Sept. 9, WaterBrook Press), debuted at No. 18 on the Sept. 28 Advice, How-To, Miscellaneous New York Times list and is slated to appear again at No. 12 on the Oct. 5 list.

Be the Message encourages readers to move beyond sermons to take action in becoming the gospel in their homes, communities and the world. The Shooks’ new bestseller was born out of the authors’ fatigue with sermons and the desire to make Jesus real to those around them. The book shares their personal journey as they have changed the way they think about the gospel and live it out.