Standard Publishing announced the theme for its 2011 Vacation Bible School (VBS), officially introducing Inside Out & Upside Down on Main Street: Where Jesus Makes a Difference Every Day!

Each day during Inside Out & Upside Down on Main Street, children will learn a parable that teaches an important quality of the Christian life. Called the daily "Word on the Street," the five concepts will be taught and reinforced throughout the week.

"We want to reinforce the message that Jesus changes lives every day as we listen to His teaching and let him change us," said Standard Publishing's VBS Marketing Manager Bob Wallace. "The stories of the parables teach lessons we all need to learn, and be reminded of, so it's great for adults--and adult workers--as well as the kids."

An immigration judge yesterday dismissed the deportation case against Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of a Hamas founder who had become a spy for Israel. The author of Son of Hamas (Tyndale House Publishers), Yousef spoke at ICRS while under threat of being deported.

Yousef's appearance at Sunday's Pacesetter event had not been advertised in advance due to security concerns. He received a standing ovation there and also had a long line for his book signing at the Tyndale booth the following day.

The oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founding member of Hamas, Yousef exposes the secrets of the extremist organization and reveals the double life he lived, in his book that released in March under Tyndale's SaltRiver imprint.

Sarah Young's popular devotional is still riding high on the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's (ECPA) July best-sellers list, based on the four-week sales cycle through June 19.

After Jesus Calling (Thomas Nelson), the other leading titles were: 2. Crazy Love by Francis Chan (David C. Cook); 3. Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson (Tyndale House Publishers); 4. So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore (Tyndale House Publishers); 5. Unnamed by Chris Travis (Standard Publishing); 6. The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick (B&H Books); 7. Predator by Terri Blackstock (Zondervan); 8. The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield Publishing); 9. Forgotten God by Chan (David C. Cook); and 10. Grace for the Moment: Morning & Evening Edition by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson).

Launching today, an online product preview and buying service for retailers unable to attend live industry shows is offering additional benefits.

Christian Retailing's Virtual Christian Retailing Show will run July 1-Sept. 6 and help stores set themselves for the fall and Christmas seasons with product news, order specials and training. It is the magazine's fourth virtual trade event since debuting the innovative program following last year's ICRS.

Added to the event will be author video visits in which writers present filmed introductions to new titles, and informal question-and-answer sessions with suppliers intended to help retailers learn more about the inspirational and personal stories behind some of the new releases.

The offices of Christian Retailing will be closed Monday, July 5, in observance of the Independence Day holiday, but will reopen Tuesday, July 6. There will be no Christian Retailing Update report Monday.

Around 400 people turned out for the biggest off-site event of the show to hear best-selling author Francis Chan introduce his new film series, "Basic."

"We are so arrogant in our view of God," Chan told the audience at The Roberts Orpheum Theater, not far from the convention center. "If we really understood who He is, we would fear Him. We are just mortal beings in this room. I am just one breath away from meeting Him."

Attendees got to see Fear God, the first 14-minute film in the seven-part series, which will release on DVD July 1. The event, which was opened to the public and promoted to local Christian stores, was simulcast on the Internet.

Best known for its charismatic books, Destiny Image Publishers has joined the ranks of those entering the growing market for inspirational movies.

The company's new Destiny Image Films (DIF) division last night premiered its debut film, A Christmas Snow, made in collaboration with the Narrative Television Network and Trost Moving Pictures.