Send The Light Distribution has appointed Michael Turner as its first director of new market development. The Elizabethton, Tennessee, distributor appointed Turner to help Christian retail stores find and maximize new revenue streams.

Turner joins the leading Christian resources distributor after nine years with New Day Christian Distributors, where he was responsible for securing exclusive distribution rights for Duck Commander products and introducing general market novelties like silly bands and companies like Melissa and Doug to the Christian retail channel.

The Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution at its June 10-11 convention in Baltimore criticizing so-called ‘heaven books,’ such as the best-selling Heaven Is for Real (Thomas Nelson), according to Religion News Service. The parent body of LifeWay Christian Stores stopped short of calling for such products to be pulled from the retail chain, however.

Delegates—known as messengers—to the Baptist body’s assembly focused on “the sufficiency of Scripture regarding the afterlife,” cautioning against putting books about personal heaven experiences on the same level as the Bible’s description of the hereafter.

Family Christian announced Wednesday the hiring of Charles “Chuck” Bengochea as the retail chain’s new president and CEO. Currently president and CEO of The Original Honeybaked Ham Company of Georgia, Bengochea will begin his new role with Family Christian effective June 30.

“This is a time of change for Family Christian and we believe that Charles Bengochea is the ideal choice to lead Family Christian as a world-impacting ministry,” said Rick Jackson, the chairman of the board for Family Christian. “Chuck is a direct, passionate, business-savvy leader who knows how to motivate a team to achieve results. His personal mission aligns with the heart of Family Christian, and his knowledge and business experience will facilitate the long-term success of this ministry.”

Mardel Christian & Education has teamed up with BMDMI (Baptist Medical & Dental Mission International) to provide La Biblia Spanish Bibles to the people of Honduras and Nicaragua. For some recipients, it will be their first time ever owning a Bible.

Comedian and Hachette Book Group author Stephen Colbert further stirred the publishing pot recently regarding a dispute between the prominent publisher and online giant Amazon.

Colbert asked viewers of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report to place on their books stickers that read: “I didn’t buy it on Amazon.” He is not alone in his opposition. Several best-selling authors, including James Patterson and J.K. Rowling, side with him against Amazon, but the online retailer also has its supporters, including thriller writer Barry Eisler and best-selling author Hugh Howey.

DaySpring has announced the addition of Mark McKane as the new senior vice president of retail for the Siloam Springs, Arkansas-based Christian card and gift company.

“I am pleased that an executive of Mark’s extensive experience and background has chosen to join our DaySpring team,” said James Barnett, president of DaySpring. “Mark brings both business acumen and a heart for people that I believe will contribute significantly to DaySpring’s future success.”

DaySpring has announced the addition of Mark McKane as the new senior vice president of retail for the Siloam Springs, Arkansas-based Christian card and gift company.

“I am pleased that an executive of Mark’s extensive experience and background has chosen to join our DaySpring team,” said James Barnett, president of DaySpring. “Mark brings both business acumen and a heart for people that I believe will contribute significantly to DaySpring’s future success.”