A pioneer Christian retail store has found a way to win back business lost to the Internet.

Baker Book House's Amazon Challenge has boosted its income from local church accounts and drawn interest from other stores wanting to replicate the program.

Launched last year at the well-known Grand Rapids, Mich., store—which dates back 70 years—the initiative promises to beat the leading online retailer’s rates if the congregation will agree to make its purchases through Baker Book House.

Suppliers and publicists, note that we are upgrading our media appearances calendar. Starting tomorrow, Sept. 1, you will be able to submit details of author and artist appearances directly at our Web site.

Just register your user name and password on the Christian Retailing site, then you will be able to add your event to the Media Appearances Calendar.

The Web-based event--hosted by Christian Retailing magazine--features 25 exhibitors, presenting products and extending some special offers to buyers. The virtual show has attracted more than 4,000 visits from 61 countries since it was launched July 20.

Both songs are from Superchick's Rock What You Got--nominated for a 2009 GRAMMY Award in the Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album category.

Following Casting Crowns were: 2. Fearless by Phillips, Craig & Dean (INO Records/Provident-Integrity); 3. The Lost Get Found by Britt Nicole (Sparrow Records/EMI CMG Distribution); 4. Portable Sounds by Toby Mac (ForeFront Records/EMI CMG); 5. My Paper Heart by Francesca Battistelli (Fervent Records/Word); 6. Over and Underneath by Tenth Avenue North (Reunion Records/Provident-Integrity); 7. Faith+Hope+Love by Hillsong (Hillsong Music/Provident-Integrity); 8. Kari Jobe by Kari Jobe (Integrity Music/Provident-Integrity); 9. Hello Love by Chris Tomlin (sixstepsrecords/EMI CMG); and 10. Wow Hits 2009 by various artists (Word Records/Word Distribution).

More than 440 churches have signed up to carry "The Threat of Radical Islam and the Church's Response," set for Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Tyndale officials said. The program will be broadcast on 750 radio stations in either a live or delayed format.

Seventy percent of stores have increased the space they give to DVDs in the past two years, while 40% have cut the room given to rock/alternative music, according to the latest Christian Retailing magazine Vital Signs industry survey.