Christian retailers gathered Sunday for the start of Christian Product Expo (CPE) Murfreesboro outside of Nashville. New group City Harbor performed songs from their upcoming CD, and author Jefferson Bethke preached on the Parable of the Prodigal Son during the Bible Conference that was a key part of events kicking off the Sept. 22-24 show hosted by Munce Group.

City Harbor presented songs from their forthcoming Sparrow Records (Capital Christian Distribution) project. Mikeschair is also performing at the event, and retailers who were not familiar with City Harbor learned that City Harbor’s female lead singer is married to frontman Mike Grayson of Mikeschair, which performed later Sunday at the Night of Worship.

CrossBooks, B&H Publishing Group’s self-publishing imprint, announced that Don Jones’ A Layman’s Commentary on Revelation will be licensed for WORDsearch Bible Software. This is the first CrossBooks title to be licensed by WORDsearch.

In A Layman’s Commentary on Revelation, Jones, an experienced pastor and evangelist, analyzes the biblical text and answers key questions about the end of the world. An accompanying study guide helps readers to apply Jones’ reasoning to their own lives and answer their lingering questions.

Newsboys' Restart debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart, adding another No. 1 record to the four-time GRAMMY-nominated band long list of career achievements. Since the release of Restart earlier this month, Newsboys have celebrated nods from numerous music critics, consistent gains at Christian radio and a strong stay at No. 1 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Albums chart.

The Multi-Platinum selling band unveiled the lyric video to its pop anthem title track in a unique Facebook campaign. The video features all four members of the band, animated in a retro, 8-bit video game style. Fans can watch the new lyric video and then create an 8-bit version of themselves to share with friends.

Kari Jobe’s self-titled debut album (Integrity Music/Provident Distribution) has topped the weekly Music best-seller list for the week ending Sept. 14, according to CBA’s CROSS:SCAN sales data.

Mardel and sister company Hobby Lobby face another bump in their legal battle. Federal lawyers have indicated their intent to challenge the temporary Obamacare exemption granted in July. Lawyers for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services filed a federal court notice Tuesday in opposition to the exemption.

U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton granted Hobby Lobby and Mardel a temporary exemption from a requirement in the healthcare law that mandates employers provide insurance coverage for morning-after pills and other emergency birth control methods. The court order allows the companies to avoid hefty fines while they continue their legal challenge on religious freedom grounds.

Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, producers of the hit History Channel miniseries The Bible, have signed a contract with 20th Century Fox to take the story of Jesus to theaters in 2014. The feature-length film, titled Son of God, will use and expand on the sections of the miniseries about the life of Christ, creating a sweeping narrative from His birth through His resurrection.

“While we appreciated the interest from other distributors, Fox was the right choice for us,” Burnett told Variety. “We have crafted a powerful standalone movie that is a completely emotional, uplifting experience for audiences.”

From its humble beginnings in founder Thom Schulz’s home in Loveland, Colo., 39 years ago, to its wide-ranging product line and team of 250 staff members, Group Publishing still believes in its community. One of the ways the company does so is through its annual Community Service Awards, the most recent of which was held in at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in Johnstown, Colo., on Aug. 29.