Gift retailer and supplier Aurelio Barreto is recovering from a motorcycle accident in which he broke two ribs and suffered a punctured lung.

The 52-year-old founder of C28 stores and Not of This World (NoTW) apparel company had to be stretchered down from the scene of his fall on open mountainside land near his home in Perris, Calif.

Barreto spent two days at Riverside Community Hospital before being discharged Sunday, Aug, 28. He has since been recovering at home.

Recounting his ordeal in an email message to friends, staff and business associates, Barreto told how his rescue took more than four hours because a helicopter airlift was not available and the fire department could not get its vehicle close to the scene. Barreto’s 20-year-old son, JR, who had been riding with his father, ferried members of the fire crew to where his father lay on the back of his motorcycle.

“I was honestly getting ready to meet the Lord, to be in paradise,” Barreto recalled. “As I waited, I looked at the stars above me thanking the Lord for loving me so much. Even though I was alone, I knew I was in good hands and a great peace started flowing over me.”

At the International Christian Retail Show in July, Barreto received a Champion of the Faith award for his contributions to the Christian products industry, which cited his C28 stores’ emphasis on evangelism. More than 16,000 people have been led to Christ there in the last 10 years.

In the account of his accident and rescue, Barreto told how he shared the gospel with the members of the fire team. “You do not know when God will unexpectedly call you up, so be ready, and make sure you appreciate and make the most of the time you have today,” he said. “I am grateful to the Lord who rescued me and to those of you who had the opportunity to pray for me.”

Barreto’s assistant, Annabelle Testerman, said that his taking the opportunity to preach despite being in pain was “typical fashion.” The C28/NoTW offices had received well wishes from a number of industry associates, she added.

Capitalizing on new technology, Thomas Nelson has released its first ''enhanced" digital book. Released Aug. 25, best-selling author and pastor Max Lucado's Max on Life: Answers and Inspiration for Today's Questions features audio and video elements as well as digital content.

Christian product industry leaders are giving voice to their hopes and concerns in a major new Christian Retailing series helping chart the future.

Publishing and retailing executives are sharing their insights with and offering practical suggestions to stores as Guest Editors for the magazine, the independent voice of the industry for almost 60 years. 

Starting with the September issue, the contributors are writing about the major issues they say need addressing, providing business resources, interviewing other leaders they believe have important lessons to share and nominating stores to be profiled for businessmen successes.

The series is launched by Gretchen Goldsmith, co-founder, president and CEO of Rose Publishing, named Christian Retailing's 2011 Supplier of the Year.

Also vice chairman of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, Goldsmith writes of her optimism about the future of Christian stores in “Why e-books aren't the end of the world.” She also interviews Mark Comon, a photographer and camera store owner, about how he has weathered the digital shift in his industry.

Among those following Goldsmith as Guest Editors will be Scott Macdonald, President and CEO of Zondervan; Bill Greig III, President of Gospel Light; Dwight Baker, President of Baker Publishing Group; and Jason Green, President of Mardel Christian & Education.

“We're delighted that some of the leading thinkers in our industry have agreed to take on the Guest Editor role to help stores chart the future,” said Christian Retailing Editor Andy Butcher. “We believe that their contributions will be a major help to stores as they navigate all the changes they are facing.”