The Baker Academic title A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology by J. Richard Middleton (Baker Publishing Group) won in the Biblical Studies category of the 2014 Word Awards.

The Word Awards encourage the pursuit of excellence in the art, craft, practice and ministry of writing and help to raise the profile of Canadian writers who are Christian. Presented by the Word Guild, the 2014 Awards celebrate outstanding works released in 2013.

HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) has announced a new partnership with BibleMesh and Kairos Journal. Under this agreement, HCCP will utilize content from these two online resources to create multiple study Bibles using various translations.

Kairos Journal and BibleMesh are internationally known sources for theological content that promotes biblical understanding and discipleship. Kairos Journal launched in 2000 to equip pastors and church leaders to restore the prophetic voice of the church. BibleMesh launched in 2010 to offer high-quality courses in a cutting-edge, online learning environment.

Christian retailers gathered with suppliers and distributors at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, June 28-July 1, where a significantly fewer number of attendees convened. Those who did, however, benefited from a full program of training, discussions of industry issues and exhibit hall appointments. Hosted by CBA under the theme "Expect," the event emphasized the need for hope and courage in the face of business and social challenges.

CBA said convention registration numbers suffered because of broader industry events and currency exchange rates for international attendees. Total attendance declined 25 percent from last year to 3,002. Exhibitor attendance was down the most because exhibitors brought fewer people to the show. International attendance declined 14 percent.

Christian fiction readers read more than the national average and are more frequent book buyers, which creates a core customer opportunity for Christian stores.

Nearly 50 percent of Christian-fiction readers read more than 10 books annually. By comparison, only 36 percent of American adults read more than 10 books per year, according to a 2014 Pew Research study.

Church bookstore managers and staff and those considering entering the church store market gathered Tuesday afternoon for a Church Bookstore Connection Center Reception. The RSVP-only event at the 2015 International Christian Retail Show featured Josh McDowell, internationally renowned author and speaker. In addition to the message, meal and mingling, church store retailers also were gifted with a number of books from publishers, including McDowell's latest, God-Breathed (Barbour Publishing).

“Josh McDowell is an industry veteran, who has absolutely been at the forefront of cultural trends and groundbreaking ministry for over five decades,” said Geni Hulsey as she introduced the guest speaker.

The buzz about films at ICRS took center stage at ICRS in Orlando, as retailers were urged by film companies and distributors to promote movies in their stores, encourage customers to see films during their opening day or weekend and to watch for new releases heading their way. Retailers, vendors, authors and filmmakers attended screenings, workshops, roundtable sessions and DVD release presentations throughout this week's International Christian Retail Show.

At Tuesday’s Film Product Trends Workshop, Propeller’s Bob Elder told retailers to look for films to appear in theaters as special events for one night or a few nights only, like 2015’s The Drop Box and Four Blood Moons.

Faith-based films were big business at ICRS Orlando, with screenings throughout the week. The best-attended event was the Tuesday-night screening of 90 Minutes in Heaven, a drama from Giving Films (Family Christian Ministries) based on the best-selling book by Don Piper. More than 250 packed into the screening before organizers began turning people away because the room had reached capacity. Piper and his wife, Eva, attended and were visibly moved by the movie, which is based on Don’s story of dying in a car accident and going to heaven.

“This was the first time we’ve seen it with a big group of people, and it was very hard to watch and re-live it,” Don said. “It is very true to the way it all happened.”