TBN will also show the inspirational drama Monday, May 10, at 2 p.m. PST and Saturday, May 29, at 9 p.m. PST. Fireproof was shown on television for the first time April 25, airing on the Gospel Music Channel prior to the taped broadcast of the 41st Annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.

Having spent slightly more on Valentine's Day, Easter and even St. Patrick's Day this year, consumers are continuing the spending trend. Behind the combined winter holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, Mother's Day is the second-largest U.S. consumer spending holiday.

Releasing in September from David C. Cook, the books are for children 4-8 years old. In Halfway Herbert--based on Chan's first book, Crazy Love--Herbert learns the importance of honesty and following God with all of his heart. The Big Red Tractor and the Little Village, based on Forgotten God, shows children how to understand the Holy Spirit.

Effective immediately, Criswell takes over for Jim Whitaker--owner of New Life Christian Stores in Lynchburg, Va.--who resigned last October, CBA said.

Two Christian publishing leaders offered words of encouragement to Christian retailers in the face of the challenges the specialty stores have been presented by digital publishing and diverse sales channels.

Thomas Nelson CEO Michael Hyatt said that he saw "renewed opportunity" for stores that focused more on becoming a central place for their local community. "If it's about trying to deliver the good to the consumer, there are more efficient models of doing it," he said in an ECPA Summit open conversation with David C. Cook President and CEO Cris Doornbos.

A nationwide effort to drive traffic to Christian retail stores will take place Oct. 23 when retailers and suppliers unite for Christian Store Day.

The initiative was announced by CBA Executive Director Curtis Riskey, who spoke yesterday to publishers at the ECPA Executive Leadership Summit in Nashville. The effort was intended "to raise awareness and drive traffic to Christian retail," he said, replicating the success of Record Store Days that had seen "great success" in drawing consumers to music retailers.

A concerted retailer push is due to help promote sales of the winners of Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's (ECPA) 2010 Christian Book Awards, announced this week at the group's Executive Leadership Summit in Nashville.

Berean Christian Stores, LifeWay Christian Stores and Family Christian Stores will be featuring the six winners in seven categories on their Web sites, while Munce Group will highlight them in its More To Life online magazine. The top titles will also be promoted on independents' Web sites operated by Innovative, and there will be some in-store promotions.