KJV Apparel’s Chad Bonham believes the sports world is largely an “untapped market” for faith-based vendors, but his company aims to change that. Founded by Harry Sneed, the Northeast Oklahoma company creates “sports parody” shirts that retail for $16.99.

“We take logos or concepts from pro and college teams and turn them into witness wear,” Bonham said.

Swanson Christian Products is moving into its second year of partnership with the Rutherford County (Tenn.) Correctional Work Center as the gift company builds on the successes and salvation stories that already have been born out of the ministry.

Spearheaded by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, the collaborative program seeks to help rehabilitate low-security prisoners by teaching them a marketable skill or trade they can use for gainful employment once their sentence has been completed.

Worthy Publishing is embarking on a major national television campaign to promote New York Times best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins' I, Saul. To be released Aug. 27, the historical novel tells the stories of Augustine Knox and the man who would become the apostle Paul.

Worthy is marketing I, Saul through a book trailer on cable and network television.

"With having sold over 70 million books in his career, it only made sense to roll out the marketing of Jerry B. Jenkins's new thriller, I, Saul, with something large and unique," said Dennis Disney, vice president of marketing for Worthy. "Doing a national television campaign is both, and not only for Christian titles, but also for the vast majority of published books period."

The trailer will run as a commercial on cable networks A&E, ION and WGN America. Running for two to four weeks after the book's release, the trailer will target six TV markets: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, Fla., Charlotte, N.C., and Minneapolis.

"We are specifically targeting time periods adjacent to the broadcasts of major television ministries on the aforementioned networks/channels," Disney said. "This tightly targeted commercial placement allows us to speak efficiently and effectively to the early adopters of Christian novels."

Jenkins, who has written more than 150 books, is best known for co-authoring with Tim LaHaye the "Left Behind" series, which has sold more than 64 million copies since the first title came out in 1995.

To watch the trailer, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUoos-jlmDE.

Barbour Publishing has won the 2013 ReaderLink Distribution Services' Outstanding Specialty Publisher award, which honors a vendor who has shown excellent initiative and creativity in product design and format.

The Uhrichsville, Ohio-based publisher was recognized for New York Times best-selling author Wanda Brunstetter's "The Discover: A Lancaster County Saga," a six-book series that follows the love story and challenges of a newly wedded Amish couple.

The awards ceremony was held Aug. 15 during ReaderLink's Annual Publishers Conference at the Intercontinental Hotel O'Hare in Rosemont, Ill. ReaderLink is the largest full-service distributor of hardcover, trade and paperback books to non-trade channel booksellers in North America.

Two bookshops of the Bible Society of Egypt were recently attacked due to an outbreak of violence and unrest across the predominantly Muslim country. The shops in Assiut and Minia in southern Egypt were completely destroyed Aug. 14 after being set on fire.

"These were both very beautiful, fully equipped bookshops," General Director of the Egyptian Bible Society Ramez Atallah wrote in an email to supporters. "Fortunately we were closed, fearing such an attack, so none of our staff were injured. The attackers demolished the metal doors protecting the bookshops, broke the store windows behind them and set the bookshops on fire. They did the same to many stores on those streets as well as demolishing many parked cars. Similar incidents are taking place across the nation. To date, 15 churches and three Christian schools have been attacked and some set on fire."

Christians have long suffered from discrimination and violence in Egypt, where they make up 10% of the population of 90 million, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Attacks rose after the Islamists ascended to power in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that led to the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. However, Christians have come further under fire since President Mohammed Morsi was ousted July 3, unleashing attacks by Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, the AP reported.

"The Bible Society of Egypt has been in operation for 129 years and this is the first time we have been the victims of such attacks," Atallah wrote. "We thank God for His protection, praise Him that none of our staff were injured and are determined—as soon as things settle down—to rapidly restore these two bookshops to continue providing God's Word in those two strategic cities."

Atallah said that both shops were insured, but claiming insurance in Egypt takes a minimum of a year and often longer.  

He also asked for prayer for “Christians to have a spirit of forgiveness and love towards those who are perceived as being our enemies.”

B&H Publishing Group President Selma Wilson has appointed Jim Baird oversight of three of the company's key consumer brands.

"Jim's background and experience in the academic, software, publishing, ministry and business arenas make him uniquely gifted for this role," Wilson said. "His leadership both internally and externally has helped build B&H Academic as a recognized leader amongst authors and scholars."

In his new role, Baird will manage B&H Academic, WORDSearch and CrossBooks. Baird, who has led B&H Academic since 2008, will work with Paul Mikos and Chris Cowan, who set strategies for CrossBooks and B&H Academic, respectively.

LifeWay Christian Resources, B&H's parent company, acquired Bible reference software companies WORDsearch Corp. and QuickVerse in 2011 to strengthen its digital focus. B&H Academic provides resources for undergraduate and graduate theological education. Launched in 2009, CrossBooks is the self-publishing division of LifeWay.

Baird sees a natural alignment between B&H Academic and WORDsearch.

"As a WORDsearch consumer for many years, I know from experience that we serve well those who teach and preach," he said. "We are able to reach the masses through all forms of technology, including desktop, iOS app, cloud and, coming soon, the Android app."

Xist Music has signed a long-term partnership with Malaco Music Group.

"I'm truly excited about this opportunity," said T. Black co-founder and CEO of Xist Music. "It gives us a partner that understands our vision. I really want to thank D.A. Johnson and Tommy Couch Jr. for allowing us to continue to build what God has blessed us with."

Xist Music will operate as a stand-alone label with the added services having a booking and publishing company. The merger will also allow for the expansion of Xist's artist roster and provide Christian based hip-hop, urban and pop artists "a strong label partner" in Malaco, while broadening the marketing efforts for the artists, company officials said.

The first releases under the partnership are Heads Up, the fall debut of U.K. artist Jahaziel, and The Genesis, Xist Music President Sean Simmonds' project, which is to release in the first quarter of 2014. New artists signed to the roster are Adia and Milton Young.

Started in 1968, Malaco Music Group is comprised of recording studios, music publishing companies, direct marketing operations and distribution services. Couch Jr. serves as Malaco's president, while Johnson is executive director of Malaco Gospel.