Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson will executive-produce Left Behind, the apocalyptic feature film starring Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage as Rayford Steele. The film opens in theaters nationwide Oct. 3.

“I am so excited to be a part of the brand-new feature film Left Behind, Robertson said. “As I continue my journey into the major motion-picture business, I am proud to be associated with this project, which is based off of the best-selling novel that really brings the book series to life. It’s a film that audiences need to see to believe—are you ready?”

Harvest House Publishers author John Weldon died Saturday afternoon, Aug. 30, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 66.

Weldon was born Feb. 6, 1948, in Chicago and became a Christian as an adult. He earned multiple graduate-level degrees, including a Ph.D. in comparative religion and a D.Min. with an emphasis on contemporary religious movements. Known for his work with John Ankerberg, he employed his expertise for more than 20 years as a researcher for The John Ankerberg Show. Weldon authored or co-authored more than 100 books, including the best-selling “Facts On” series that has sold more than 2.5 million copies in 16 languages.

New Growth Press and GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) have launched a strategic partnership to help each organization better fulfill its mission.

Founded by Basyle “Boz” Tchividjian in 2004, GRACE exists to empower the Christian community to recognize and respond to the sin of child abuse. GRACE accomplishes its mission through education and training and by working hand in hand with other Christian organizations and churches to serve those who have been abused within the faith community. The new partnership enables GRACE to continue to focus on its mission while allowing New Growth Press to publish and distribute content that equips and builds the church.

S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A founder and chairman emeritus, died at 1:35 a.m. Monday at the age of 93. The company made the announcement in a letter to employees and noted that Cathy died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones.

A devout Southern Baptist, Cathy taught Sunday school to 13-year-old boys for more than 50 years. He ensured that Chick-fil-A restaurants were closed Sundays, a policy that underscored Cathy’s desire to put his principles and people ahead of profits. With his passing, Chick-fil-A will remain privately held and closed Sundays.

Christian Brands has acquired the R.J. Toomey Company of Worcester, Massachusetts. R.J. Toomey is the oldest and best-known clerical apparel company in the United States, manufacturing clergy shirts, tailored clergy apparel and altar-server attire.

Christian Brands has acquired a number of companies of late, including Robert Smith (furniture), Will & Baumer (candles), Creed (jewelry), Heartfelt (wall art) and Gerffert (art masterpieces). The distribution, importing and manufacturing firm sells products in these brands to an assortment of channels in the Christian and general markets with a special emphasis in church supplies. Headquartered in Phoenix, Christian Brands has manufacturing facilities, a call center and a distribution center in Lewisburg; Tennessee.

Jonathan Cahn’s The Mystery of the Shemitah (FrontLine) debuted at No. 5 on Amazon’s Top 100 list Sept. 2, triggering a major reprint on the same day to meet market demand at retail.

The Mystery of the Shemitah also debuted atop the Christian Prophecy category at Amazon.com and several other general-market and Christian trade lists, including Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million and CBD.com.

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Karen Kingsbury is using her voice for an audio edition of The Voice Bible translation from Thomas Nelson.  

“There is nothing more powerful than a story and no story more powerful than God’s,” Kingsbury said. “The Bible gives us guidance, answers and hope while sharing a narrative that transcends time.  No other Bible translation captures the wholeness of God’s story like The Voice.”