Bookstore sales increased by 3.9 percent this June, relative to June 2014, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s preliminary sales estimates. Bookstores posted $698 million worth of sales during June, a $26 million increase on June 2014 sales.

Josh Wilson celebrated his highest street week debut in his nine-year career last week with the recent release of That Was Then, This Is Now (Sparrow Records/Capitol CMG). The album landed in the top five on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. The album also represents his first-ever debut on the Billboard Top 200 chart, selling more than 25 percent over his last album’s street sales.

Todd Gongwer’s LEAD… for God’s Sake! has surpassed 100,000 copies in print. The previously self-published book was picked up and launched by Tyndale House Publishers in October 2011.

Last year, religious book sales in the U.S. rose more than 10.5 percent to eclipse 52.4 million units, according to Nielsen BookScan. Sales in the overall book market could not keep pace, growing only 2.4 percent from 2013. Sales in the first half of 2015, however, have slowed somewhat, as adult nonfiction sales were down 3.72 percent in the first 25 weeks and adult fiction sales were up just 6.4 percent.

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced Wednesday the nominees in 41 categories for the 46th annual GMA Dove Awards. Lecrae leads all nominations with seven, followed by for KING & COUNTRY with five. Crowder, Matt Maher and Chris Tomlin tally four nods each.

Gospel Light announced Wednesday that it would postpone the release of SonSpring Oasis VBS until further notice. This announcement comes following Monday’s news that the company has voluntarily filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.

The sale of Family Christian Stores to FCS Acquisition was approved by a federal bankruptcy judge Tuesday. The ruling follows Monday’s affirmative vote by Family Christian’s creditors to allow the sale, according to court documents.

With this decision, the nation's largest Christian retail chain will begin the transition to new ownership under Richard Jackson, who controls FCS Acquisition. Chuck Bengochea remains the CEO of Family Christian.

Judge John Gregg originally denied the sale after allegations of insider dealings plagued its original auction. Following some negotiation, Family Christian Stores received approval to let creditors vote on the validity of the chain's sale to FCS Acquisition.

The creditors had good reason to approve the sale. Court documents said that the creditors found FCS Acquisition “acted in good faith” during the auction and did not exploit its insider status. Creditors have favored the sale for months because they believe that Family Christian’s continued presence as a distributor presents greater potential revenue streams than liquidation does.

Todd Almassian, an attorney for Family Christian Stores, told MLive.com that he was pleased with the result.

"Today, Family Christian is reborn," said Almassian. "We're here because of the leadership of Chuck Bengochea, the commitment of Richard Jackson and the sacrifice and loyalty of the creditors."

MLive.com reported that Family Christian Stores will be sold debt-free for between $52.4 million and $55.7 million. FCS Acquisition plans to keep over 90 percent of Family Christian’s 266 stores open and operating.