Independent faith and family film studio Pure Flix suffered a loss this week. Pure Flix founding partner and producer Russell Wolfe died May 27, surrounded by his family. Wolfe, who had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), was 50.

Since his diagnosis in December 2013, Wolfe and his family shared his ALS journey through social media and public appearances, including the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Last year, Russell, along with his family and colleagues, participated in the Walk to Defeat ALS in Phoenix.

Family Christian Stores will likely keep its doors open, assuming the top bid placed in the company's bankruptcy auction process is approved by the court in June.

The five-day auction process ended in the wee hours of the morning Wednesday, May 27, with the winning bid being offered by FC Acquisition LLC, according to the MLive Media Group.

StowTown Records' The Perrys has announced that the group's bass vocalist, emcee and manager, Tracy Stuffle, has been named Christian Voice's "Living Legend" for 2015. This honor was made public at the magazine's 2015 Gospel Music Fan Awards held Saturday, May 23, at the 11th Annual Gospel Music FanFair in Somerset, Kentucky.

Growing up in Morristown, Tennessee, Stuffle's love of music and talent for speaking were evident at a young age. He grew up loving the songs of the church and the classic sounds of Southern gospel, which fueled his fire to sing the music himself. He won a speaking contest during his time in the Future Farmers of America club at school, an early sign of his talent for emceeing, which would blossom later as a member of The Perrys.

Kerusso has announced a new partnership with the Kendrick Brothers, producers of hit faith-based films such as Courageous, Fireproof and the upcoming War Room. The partnership grants Kerusso rights to produce officially licensed merchandise and apparel for the upcoming film, which hits theaters Aug. 28.

“Working on a film like War Room is a blessing,” said Vic Kennett, Kerusso founder and CEO. “It is always exciting to work on officially licensed products for movies, especially when it is for the Kendrick brothers. Their films are so powerful! They can literally change your life.”

Pure Flix Entertainment has announced the addition of two new team members. Steve Okin joins the Pure Flix team as vice president of home entertainment distribution, and Franklin Santagate has been named vice president of outreach. 

Okin will be responsible for maximizing the distribution of Pure Flix properties into major retail outlets such as Best Buy, Walmart and Costco. He will also advance digital programming in association with pureflix.com.

A new campaign from LifeWay Christian Stores and Tyndale House Publishers allows individuals and churches to purchase Bibles for people in the world's most populous country.

The Gospel for China is a partnership between the two organizations that seeks to provide "an easy and legal way for individuals or churches to purchase Bibles for believers and seekers in China," said Cossy Pachares, vice president of LifeWay Christian Stores.

ECPA announced May 26 that President/CEO Mark Kuyper has accepted the position of executive director of the Book Industry Study Group (BISG), the general book industry’s leading trade organization. Having served on the BISG board for the past ten years, Kuyper will join the New York City-based organization in his new position as of June 15.

“I speak on behalf of the ECPA board of directors and the entire ECPA membership in conveying our appreciation for Mark’s leadership these past 11 years as ECPA’s President and CEO,” said Dwight Baker, ECPA chair and president of Baker Publishing Group. “His innovative vision and unique ability to foster collaboration and friendship has led the industry successfully through a period of great change.  I am confident that all he brought to our industry will now be accomplished for the greater publishing industry and we are proud of him.”