Longtime Billy Graham Crusade soloist George Beverly Shea died Tuesday, April 16, in Montreat, N.C., following a brief illness. He was 104.

"I first met Bev Shea while in Chicago when he was on Moody Radio," Graham said. "As a young man starting my ministry, I asked Bev if he would join me. He said yes and for over 60 years, we had the privilege of ministering together across the country and around the world. Bev was one of the most humble, gracious men I have ever known and one of my closest friends. I loved him as a brother. My prayer for his wife, Karlene, and his children, Ron and Elaine, is that God will strengthen them during this time."

Shea, who first sang for Graham in 1943 on the Chicago radio hymn program, "Songs in the Night," recorded more than 70 albums, including How Sweet the Sound: My All-Time Favorites and the DVD Then Sings My Soul (both Gaither Music Group/Capitol Christian Distribution). In addition to earning 10 GRAMMY nominations and winning once, in 1965, he was presented with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

Shea was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 1996. He was also inducted into the inaugural class of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists' "Hall of Faith" in 2008. The soloist was the subject of 2009's George Beverly Shea: Tell Me the Story by Paul Davis (Ambassador International).

Born in Winchester, Ontario, Canada, where his father was a Wesleyan Methodist minister, Shea first sang in public in the choir of his father's church. At age 23, he composed one of his best-known solos, "I'd Rather Have Jesus."

"Even though Bev was 10 years older than my father, he never acted his age," said Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham and president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association . "He was absolute fun to be with. Bev was one of the most gracious and unassuming men I have known. He was always encouraging and supportive, a man of deep faith and strong commitment to Jesus Christ."

Shea is survived by his wife, Karlene, and two children from his first marriage, Ronald and Elaine. His first wife, Erma, died in 1976. Details on the funeral service are pending.

To visit the George Beverly Shea memorial website, click here.

Abbey Press plans to hold a drawing for stores at the 2013 International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) for two free passes to its April 2014 Open House.

Known for producing a wide variety of gift products, including its eco-friendly Snail’s Pace stationery, First Communion items and Irish-themed products, Abbey Press holds its Open House event this year May 6-22. Retailers are welcome to attend anytime during the 2.5-week period and can set an appointment to see new and future product introductions in its permanent showroom. Stores can take advantage of an Open House discount of 15% and can purchase closeouts. Accommodation is provided overnight for retailers who come from a distance.

Shopping and human connection often go together. Because of my former colleague’s odd working hours, he used to go to Wal-Mart in the middle of the night just to see people. Maybe that’s one form of what has been dubbed “retail therapy”—a practice that a new survey says is growing among Americans.

The survey conducted in March by TNS Global for Ebates.com found that more than half of Americans say they shop and spend to improve their mood—often when they’ve had a bad day at work (18.9%), received bad news (14.6%) or had a fight with a significant other (12.2%).

California’s 1 Eighty Apparel proclaims the gospel through high-end T-shirts.

Owned by Kevin Sumner and his wife, Sue, 1 Eighty was launched in 2004. Kevin Sumner did his own informal market research by asking Christians why they weren’t wearing Christian-themed apparel. What he found was that consumers ages 18 to 50 weren’t finding the quality, colors and designs they wanted in Christian T-shirts.

Christian bookstore chains and authors are urging prayer after the Boston Marathon bombing. Two bombs ripped through the crowd at the finish line of the world's oldest annual marathon Monday, April 15, killing three people, maiming others and injuring more than 100 in what a White House official said would be treated as an "act of terror."

"If you woke up this morning wondering what you can do for the people of Boston or those in Iran that were hit by a devastating earthquake and others affected by various tragedies across the globe, there is always one answer," said in a post today on Mardel Christian & Education's Facebook page. "Prayer. It changes everything! Pass it on."

A post on Berean Christian Stores' Facebook page cited Matt. 18:19-20, which says, "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured during the explosion at the Boston Marathon," Berean said. "May God be with you."

Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., and author of Lost Boy (Regal Books), also encouraged intercession through his Facebook page.

"Pray that God comforts those who are mourning and extends His healing hand to those who are suffering," he wrote. "Also pray for wisdom for law enforcement as they try to find out who is responsible for this horrific attack and that justice will be meted out. Finally, pray that people in their hour of need will turn to Christ who can give them hope in a hopeless world."

Cindy Jacobs, author of Deliver Us From Evil (Regal) and Possessing the Gates of the Enemy (Chosen/Baker Publishing Group), said the worst bombing on U.S. soil since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks "displays the reality that we are a targeted nation, both physically and spiritually."

"Pray for America," she said. "Ask the Lord for mercy on our nation and for Him to guard our nation with His peace and security. Declare that the hand of the enemy cannot touch this land! (Psalm 91)."

The Adventure Video for Cokesbury's 2013 Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, Everywhere Fun Fair, has won a Telly Award for Excellence in Children's Programming.

Produced by Cokesbury with Gemini Production Group in Nashville, the video features segments for assembly time at VBS in order to reinforce key learnings about God's love. Everywhere Fun Fair is about a kid-friendly global fair in which children experience the love of Jesus, meet characters from the Bible and explore the everyday life of people from around the world.

Cokesbury's VBS programs also won Telly Awards in 2010 (Religion and Spirituality) and in 2007 (Excellence in Children's Programming).

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards program honors the best local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, video and film productions and work created for the Web. The latest awards competition received nearly 12,000 entries from 50 states and numerous countries.

Click here for more information on Everywhere Fun Fair and here for the Christian Retailing 2013 VBS Product Guide.

The sixth annual Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Awards were recently announced.

Sponsored by Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA), the awards—which recognize books produced by small publishers for outstanding contributions to Christian life—featured 12 categories, which drew 91 titles nominated by 69 publishers.

Voted on by Christian retailers, the winners were: Muted Grey by Dianna Young (WildFlower Press) in Fiction; Sarah's Gift by Skye Wieland (ShadeTree Publishing) in Romance; Reasons for Hope in the Mosaic of Your Life by Carl Kerby (Genesis Publishing Group) in Christian Living; God's Wake-up Call by Rick Metrick (ShadeTree Publishing) in Bible Study/Theology; If Today Is All I Have by Linda Nordyke Hambleton with Todd Hillard (Florida Hospital Publishing) in Biography; Grandparenting Through Obstacles: Overcoming Family Challenges to Reach Your Grandchildren for Christ by Rene? Gray-Wilburn and Dianne E. Butts (Pix-N-Pens Publishing) in Relationships/Family; Daily Readings for Difficult Days by Jennifer Carter (Hope Books) in Devotional; The Christian Alphabet Book: Teaching Children About Jesus, Prayer and the Bible by Tracy Sands (Love the Dove Publishing) in Children's (4-8 years); Where the Crickets Sing by Rosie Boom (Boom Tree Publishing) in Children's (8-12 years); Is Your Fruit Sweet or Sour? A Teen Girl's Guide to Christian Living by Karen Finn (Precept Publishing) in Young Adult (12 years and up); Billy Tucci's A Child is Born by Billy Tucci (Apostle Arts) in Gift Books; and Equip Your Mind With the Word of God, Volume 1, compiled by Barney O. Browne (MindEquip) in E-book Exclusive.

Established in 2004 to represent and promote small Christian publishers, CSPA has grown from three to more than 100 member publishers.

Click here for more information.