‘Proven business success’ will benefit Christian retail association

CBA’s board of directors added two new members and confirmed an appointed representative in August to bring “a strong focus on brick-and-mortar retailing and the industry’s simultaneous transition into digital business.”

The Christian retail group’s members elected Vicki Geist, co-owner of Cedar Springs Christian Stores in Knoxville, Tenn., as director representing independent retailers with annual sales of more than $750,000. David Dickinson, owner of Christian Gifts Place in Wilton, Conn., initially was appointed to fill a vacated seat, but now will serve his first elected term as director representing independent retailers with annual sales of less than $750,000.DaySpring Senior Vice President of Commercialization Bill Couey was elected as gift and specialty director. Each will serve three-year terms beginning Oct. 1.

“God has orchestrated an incredible group of board members for ‘such a time as this,’ ” said Sue Smith, general manager of Baker Book House in Grand Rapids, Mich., who takes over as board chairman when George Thomsen’s term ends Sept. 30. “The governance and leadership of the CBA industry will require keen strategic planning and innovation as we move forward in redefining who we are. A snapshot of these dedicated directors will reveal proven business success, a commitment to represent and serve on members’ behalf, and a wholehearted passion to see this industry thrive.”

CBA President Curtis Riskey said the board “purposely and untypically represents all industry segments because of the common mission of Christian resources.”

“We want to be sure that individuals are heard, and that there is diversity at the table,” Riskey said.

Geist is a second-generation co-owner of Cedar Springs Christian Stores.

“I want CBA to continue to help independent stores,” she said. “I have been an independent retailer for over 35 years and that is where my heart is. I would also like to see suppliers more actively involved to help independents survive in this new retail environment.”

Dickinson, who opened his store seven years ago, has more than 20 years of corporate experience and 10 years in consulting with Fortune 100 companies. He has been instrumental in CBA’s planning initiatives and is consulting on mobile marketing.

Couey leads DaySpring’s product marketing, design, supply chain and distribution teams. He believes CBA must bring a voice for change to Christian retailing.

“The need for products that bring the hope, joy and life-saving message of Jesus to people is greater than ever.”

Kirk Cameron—actor, producer, author and evangelist—is kicking off his national media tour to market his new movie, Unstoppable. Cameron, who has co-authored several books with Way of the Master co-host Ray Comfort, had starring roles in the trilogy of Left Behind movies and the hit drama Fireproof.

Unstoppable deals with a topical issue for believers and seekers alike: Where is God in the midst of tragedy and suffering? In the wake of major events like the Boston Marathon bombing and the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting, as well as personal tales of loss, Cameron seeks to answer the question of how God could allow these things to happen—an answer he believes can actually serve to strengthen faith in the midst of tragedy.

Christian products leaders give ‘kudos’ to association for move to attract more retailers to marquee event

CBA is offering free buyer admission to next year’s International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in an effort to attract more retailers to its marquee summer event—and is receiving praise for the move.

“ICRS is changing dramatically next year with new features, new exhibitor procedures, integrated exhibitor marketing support and free buyer admission,” CBA officials announced. “Exhibitors only need to commit to participate, with a minimal deposit to reserve space. … The earlier exhibitor commitments are received, the better opportunities exhibitors will have to optimize plans.”

At this years’ show in St. Louis, Professional attendance was down 15% to 1,485 buyers.

Chuck Wallington, owner of Christian Supply in Spartanburg, S.C., told Christian Retailing that the free buyer admission move was a good idea.

“BEA [Book Expo America] has offered free badge admission for ABA [American Booksellers Association] member stores for buyers for years,” said Wallington, who is also Covenant Group’s founder and president. “Also, almost all of the gift market conventions—Atlanta, Dallas, etc.—offer free admission to buyers.

 He doesn’t see any drawbacks to the free admission offer.

“Yes, I think it will increase retailer attendance,” Wallington said. “It removes yet another financial obstacle. It depends on the location, but we will send more folks to ICRS. If it is in the Southeastern U.S., probably so.”

Mark Hutchinson—co-owner of Blessings, a Canadian chain of four stores based in Chilliwack, British Columbia, said that “conceptually, it is a good idea.”

“It will increase retailer attendance only if driven well and promoted strongly,” he said. “[CBA must] consistently explain the bottom-line benefits to the individual retailer.”

Brenda Harrison, co-owner of Lighthouse Christian Bookstore in Bedford, Ind., said the free admission offer “sounds good.”

“Many other gift marts are free to registered retailers with a tax ID number,” she said. “I see it increasing retailer attendance, especially if stores are in the vicinity of the event because additional personnel from these stores could attend without additional costs.

“It is always nice to save money, but ICRS is one event that we find very beneficial as an independent retailer to attend each year,” Harrison added. “We would send more folks to ICRS if we were in the close vicinity of the event because we think it would be beneficial for our team to meet, learn and see what is available from suppliers who support our industry. We would love for them to be able to experience it firsthand.”

 David Lewis, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Baker Publishing Group, applauded CBA’s move.

“Any new ideas to help increase the participation of booksellers is worth considering,” he said. “It might be even better to allow free admission to any bookseller staff person—buyer or not.

“A significant increase in buyers is not likely to occur just because they are given free admission, but it won’t hurt either,” Lewis added. “To have more buyers attend, there must be sufficient value to warrant the time away from the store and the expense. One free night in a convention hotel for a buyer might be enough to make more buyers consider attending.”

Lewis also praised CBA President Curtis Riskey “for asking for input from many different places.”

“CBA seems very serious about re-imagining the ICRS show within the confines of their long-term convention contracts,” he said. “They are talking with other Christian events and organizations to determine which, if any, would be a good fit for a joint event. We believe that given enough time, and they will have to make tough decisions, a better event is coming within three years.”

Lighthouse Vice President of Sales Ed Nizynski believes it’s “a great day anytime we can help retailers.” 

“Kudos to CBA,” Nizynski said. “I hope and think it will increase retailer attendance. I do not see any drawbacks. We are very happy to hear this news. We will send more folks to ICRS as we are very optimistic. We believe that when more attend, more is accomplished together in further focusing on and helping grow the kingdom.”

Among the other new ICRS features are: the second year of CBA’s Cover My Expenses program to offset buyer travel costs; new exhibit areas designed to build floor traffic; new booth space configurations to maximize exhibitor area and marketing; and expanded international marketing to drive global business.

ICRS 2014 will be held June 22-25 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

New deal enables Southern Baptist chain to serve new markets and boosts total stores to 180 locations in 28 states

LifeWay Christian Stores has begun the process of acquiring Berean Christian Stores, a 17-store regional chain. Berean’s stores are located primarily in California, Arizona and the Midwest with corporate headquarters in Cincinnati.

“This is a tremendous opportunity,” said Thom S. Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, parent company of LifeWay Christian Stores. “Berean, like LifeWay, is known for their commitment to serving church customers. This acquisition will significantly increase LifeWay’s opportunities for ministry across the country.”

LifeWay currently owns 163 stores in 26 states, and will increase to 180 stores in 28 states after finalizing the acquisition.

Tim Vineyard, president of the LifeWay Christian Stores division, said his staff are eagerly looking forward to serving customers in the new markets.

“Berean’s mission and product mix are generally very compatible with LifeWay’s, although, of course, we will be making some changes in keeping with our current standards,” Vineyard said.

Berean Christian Stores was started in 1934 and purchased by Joseph and Deanna Gimelli in 2009.

“Berean’s corporate and local store staffs have been excellent partners in selling B&H Publishing’s books and Bibles,” Vineyard said. “If the acquisition goes as planned, we’ll have 17 more stores for all of LifeWay’s Bible studies, church supplies and other resources.”

Along with LifeWay stores, B&H Publishing Group is owned by Nashville-based LifeWay Christian Resources.

“This will be good for both parties involved,” said Bill Nielsen, former COO of Berean and former top executive at LifeWay. “Over the last 16 months, Berean has shown strong improvement in virtually every business metric, and with the backing of LifeWay, their stores will only do better.”

Vineyard said the acquisition was to close in September, and LifeWay staff were to begin immediately transitioning the Berean locations to LifeWay Christian Stores.

“Our goal is to be a one-source location with Christian resources for churches and individuals as we strive to fulfill our vision of providing biblical solutions for life,” Vineyard said.

This is the latest in a series of acquisitions for LifeWay. In separate transactions this year, the Southern Baptist chain acquired Living Word Christian Bookstore in Sarasota, Fla., Johnsen & Taylor Bookstore in Wheaton, Ill., and The Salt Shaker Bookstore and Café in Wilmington, N.C. The company also announced plans to open a new store in Barboursville, W.Va., this fall.

Former owners of these stores seem hopeful about the direction LifeWay will be able to take their ministries.

LifeWay’s “core values and mission align with what we desire for Johnsen & Taylor, and we are excited to see this ministry continue to flourish within the LifeWay group,” said officials of Tyndale House Publishers, who partnered with South Africa-based Christian Publishing Co. to found the store in 2010. “We feel the community will be better served by being part of a larger Christian retail organization that is focused on retail and has a clear mission of bringing gospel-centered resources to local communities.” —Burns and Tiansay

Billy Graham’s ‘unprecedented’ home-based campaign expected to draw consumers to Christian retail

Billy Graham is one of the most beloved, recognized figures in the United States and across the world. His faith is outspoken, his evangelistic rallies enthusiastically attended, his advice sought by U.S. presidents and world leaders.

As his 95th birthday approaches Nov. 7, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) embarks on a continent-wide initiative called My Hope America with Billy Graham. My Hope America is a grass-roots effort to introduce Jesus Christ to people across the U.S. and Canada via a combination of personal relationships and media outreach. The goal is for believers to invite friends, neighbors and family into their homes the week of Nov. 7 and show a specially prepared program featuring Graham.

“People think of Billy Graham preaching in large stadiums to large crowds, but those people are individuals,” said Preston Parrish, vice president of My Hope America with Billy Graham. “My Hope is that strategy continued, but instead of large stadiums, it’s in people’s living rooms.”

My Hope America with Billy Graham is a sweeping campaign that offers training materials for churches and individuals, videos, webcasts and television spots. It promises to bring people into Christian retail stores, thanks to the Oct. 15 release of Graham’s 32nd book, The Reason for My Hope: Salvation (W Publishing Group, $19.99), and the music CD My Hope: Songs Inspired by the Message and Mission of Billy Graham (Sparrow Records/Capital Christian Distribution).

“It’s important for retailers to understand that My Hope America has become an unprecedented grass-roots movement,” said Parrish. “Within the next three months, involvement and awareness about My Hope America will be at a peak. This is a good thing for retailers because in offering products, they’re offering quality, biblically consistent resources of interest to many people.”

The Parable Group, which serves 165 stores across the country, is featuring the My Hope America product line in catalogs through the end of the year, as well as encouraging stores to pull together their own displays of Graham’s books.

For Randy Ross, marketing specialist at the Parable Group, it’s about impacting the lives of people for Christ. 

“I hope people buy Billy’s books because he’s got plenty to say,” Ross said. “How can anyone refuse salvation? Once you answer that question, stores can be part of solidifying the faith journeys of those people who come to faith.”

Ross points to what he calls Graham’s “legacy books,” including Just As I Am: The Autobiography of Billy Graham; Peace With God: The Secret of Happiness; How to Be Born Again; and Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well; along with books such as Billy Graham in Quotes and Billy Graham & Me.

“Here’s a man who has had the ear of presidents, is visible and well-respected and is still above reproach; he’s got a story to tell,” said Ross. “What Billy writes doesn’t run out.”

Ross is also encouraging bookstores to create “Share Your Faith” sections and prepare new-believer products for display after the My Hope America campaign ends in November. Booksellers can include their favorite go-to titles for someone who has just come to faith.

“Anytime you deal with Billy Graham, it’s more than just about Billy, more than just selling a book,” Ross said. “It’s selling his message and making sure that message is intact in consumers’ minds. On its best day, the Today show or Good Morning America doesn’t have the visibility of a Billy Graham campaign.”

Graham has been appreciative of the role Christian retail has played in spreading the message of salvation, according to Larry Ross, spokesman for Graham and president of A. Larry Ross Communications in Carrollton, Texas.

“Though Mr. Graham completed his public preaching ministry in 2005, Christian retail stores have provided a consistent and effective channel for him to continue to deliver his message through books, which stands as an ongoing ‘crusade between the covers,’ ” Ross of A. Larry Ross said. 

Because BGEA is based in North Carolina, some may be surprised to learn that the United States is not the first country to participate in the My Hope campaign. In fact, 57 countries have participated in My Hope since its beginning in 2002. What began in Central America has spread across the world, most recently via campaigns in Europe, including Spain and Portugal.

“We saw an incredible harvest,” said Parrish of My Hope. “Evangelical churches are a small minority, but this was an unprecedented harvest. A man gave us a check from believers in Spain to help fund a My Hope campaign in America. It was the first financial gift to My Hope in the U.S.”

So far, more than 300,000 churches have been involved in training and My Hope events; more than 4 million Christians have opened their homes; and there have been recorded decisions for Christ from more than 10 million people.

“We’re astounded by what God has done,” said Parrish. “This shows how God uses individual Christians, praying for and reaching out in love to people they know using a Billy Graham presentation.”

In the 19 months of planning for the North American campaign, more than 20,000 churches have registered to participate. In August, those churches estimated that 125,000 people would open their homes in the campaign.

Parrish of My Hope America is excited about the parallel release of The Reason for My Hope: Salvation and the My Hope music CD, which features a dozen new recordings by Christian recording artists such as Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Matthew West and TobyMac.

“It’s a great gift that at almost 95 years old, Dr. Graham is able to reflect and write about the message he’s been preaching his entire ministry,” said Parrish. “At 95, Dr. Graham believes the central message of God is the exact same thing he’s preached his entire life.”

Christian retail stores can help the My Hope America campaign.

“By continuing to carry Mr. Graham’s books, new generations that never heard him preach are being influenced by the same message he faithfully delivered in arenas and stadiums for more than six decades and is still relevant today,” Larry Ross said.

For more information on the campaign, visit www.myhopewithbillygraham.org or call 877-7MY-HOPE (769-4673).

RCA Records announced a long-term deal with Kirk Franklin’s Fo Yo Soul Recordings label. Under the agreement, Franklin and his team will sign and develop talent for the label while RCA will handle marketing, promotion and distribution.

“We are thrilled to be Kirk’s partner,” said Tom Corson, president and chief operating officer for RCA Records. “He is a one-of-a-kind artist and music executive who brings his unique insight to inspirational music. We look forward to welcoming the talent he will bring to the roster.”

The popular music of Mandisa returned to ABC’s Good Morning America today as the program broadcast the world premiere of her new music video for the lead single off her new album, Overcomer (Sparrow Records/Capitol Christian Distribution). Mandisa performed the titular song live on the show last week to celebrate the album’s release.

Now, the three-time GRAMMY nominee is also celebrating Overcomer hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Christian chart as well as No. 29 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album has held the top spot since its Aug. 27 release, and the title track is a No. 1 single.