Donna Hunter, former vice president of merchandising for Kayser-Roth Corp., has been named the new chief merchandising officer effective immediately at Family Christian, the nation’s largest Christian retail chain.

“Donna joins Family Christian from a variety of successful merchandising and design leadership roles spanning a 25-year merchandising career,” said Family Christian CEO Chuck Bengochea. “Her expertise in leading merchandising, product development, assortment planning, sourcing and buying will significantly impact our business across every channel in which we operate.

“We have an incredible story to tell. We are a not-for-profit business investing in ministries and impacting lives for Jesus Christ around the world. We aspire to be the world’s best Christian retailer. Donna will be leading the way in shaping our brand and in sharing what God is doing in and through Family Christian.”

Hunter began her merchandising career at Federated Department Stores Inc., and her experience includes merchandise design, global sourcing and buying leadership roles at Fashion Bug Stores, Kmart, Jockey International Inc. and Kayser-Roth Corp. 

“I feel extremely blessed to work among the people at Family Christian who place the needs of others before themselves,” said Hunter. “This is my first nonprofit endeavor and I am excited to make a contribution to our mission.”

Hunter earned a Master of Science degree in international business from Central Michigan University.

“Donna brings the experience, heart, skills and gifts that will grow our ability to serve our guests and advance the ministries of Family Christian,” Bengochea said. “Donna has a heart to serve and will have great impact as we passionately pursue our mission to help our customers find, grow, share and celebrate their faith in Jesus Christ.”

Bookmasters, one of the largest providers of integrated book publishing services in the U.S., has signed an agreement with Outreach Inc. to provide sales, distribution and fulfillment in the secular U.S. and Canadian markets for their forthcoming title, The Official A.D. Study & Guidebook.

The Official A.D. Study & Guidebook is the official companion to A.D. The Bible Continues, the television series event that picks up where The Bible TV miniseries concluded in 2014 with the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A.D. The Bible Continues is scheduled to air on NBC for 12 weeks beginning Easter Sunday, April 5.

Founded in 1996, Outreach Inc. has quickly grown to become the largest provider of church outreach products and services in the world. With a mission to share God’s love and empower the church to share the message of Jesus Christ, Outreach provides cost-effective, proven methods and resources in a variety of forms, including books, media and film, postcard invitations, banners, bulletin covers, curriculum, church campaign materials, and more. Located in Colorado Springs, the company has established five divisions under the umbrella of Outreach Inc.

Bookmasters will begin distributing The Official A.D. Study & Guidebook upon its publication date of Feb. 9, 2015.

“These A.D. resources create a tremendous opportunity for churches to help their members and community discover more about the powerful stories of the first followers of Christ, the rise of the early church, and what it means today,” said Scott Evans, founder and CEO of Outreach Inc. “It’s also a chance for them to reach out to the millions of people who will be watching the TV series and want to learn more about the stories they’re seeing from the book of Acts.”

“Outreach and their titles hold a unique and respected place in both the Christian and secular markets, so Bookmasters is excited to be able to partner with them on The Official A.D. Study & Guidebook,” said Ken Fultz, general manager at Bookmasters.

The 2015 Christian Product Expo (CPE) encouraged, equipped and engaged independent Christian retailers and vendors from across the country in a three-day trade show Jan. 18-20 at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

“Our theme verse for our CPE events this year was 2 Peter 1:3: ‘His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness,’” said Munce Group President Kirk Blank. “The importance of Christian products and the retailers who sell them has never been greater than it is today. CPE is one of the ways the Munce Group can help to encourage, equip and engage independent Christian retailers. It is a blessing to serve them this way.”

CPE began on Sunday with a full line of activities, including a Retail Refresh Bootcamp led by Robbie Halstead of Kingdom Retail Solutions, Bookstore Manager training and VBS training. In additional training, Scott Gabrielson from ChurchMart in Rocky Mount, Virginia, encouraged retailers with powerful principles for Christian leadership. And best-selling author Dannah Gresh equipped retailers to reach their tween and teen market with a fun and practical message.

“We are so grateful for CPE for all of the services provided,” said Mike and Deb Woodard of Bethany Book & Gift in Baxter, Minnesota. “The prayer support, encouragement and training mean so much to us!”

Before enjoying a Sunday dinner presentation from Compassion International, retailers had the opportunity to meet and greet best-selling authors and artists at the Personality Party, which included Dani Pettrey, Shirley Amendt, Terry Whalin, Carol McAdams Moore, Gayle Roper, Karen Whiting, Jean Watson, Rachelle Dekker and Dannah and Bob Gresh.

At the Night of Worship, attendees were spiritually refreshed by internationally acclaimed singer and violinist Jean Watson and critically acclaimed author and pastor Randy Singer (Tyndale).

“Being able to step away from the store for a few days and fellowship with retailers and vendors is invaluable,” said Kelly Harding of Central Christian College Bookstore in Moberly, Missouri.

The evening ended with a movie premiere of Do You Believe? (Pure Flix), viewed by a packed house that extended into an overflow room.

For many attendees, this was their first time at CPE Hershey, including over half of those who were also new to the CPE family.

On Monday morning, Rachelle Dekker, the daughter of Ted Dekker, shared the story behind her new book, The Choosing, in a Q&A session with Blank.

Following a series of retail training sessions, the show floor opened Monday for a profitable time of order writing.

“CPE was the most successful show I have had in years,” said Danny Tager from Singer Company. “I wrote more orders than I have written in any show for the last five years. I also opened up four or five new accounts. I was sold on this platform before, and this just solidified my participation for years to come. Our market is alive and well.”

Once the show floor closed, retailers and exhibitors gathered together for dinner and an unforgettable performance from the Collingsworth Family.

To conclude the evening, CPE attendees were privileged to be a part of the premiere screening of War Room (Provident Films), the fifth theatrical release from the Kendrick Brothers, starring best-selling author and Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer.

CPE Hershey ended on Tuesday with a breakfast and presentation by Christian Authors Network (CAN) and a prize package drawing that blessed three retailers with $1000 worth of products, plus a cash prize giveaway at noon when the show floor closed.

“I needed God’s guidance for the future of the store after 40 years in business,” said Ruth O'Carroll from Body & Soul in Jamesburg, New Jersey. “I came here ready to quit—now I’m invigorated to go on!”

With one winner in each of 13 different categories, voting has officially opened for the 2015 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award.

The Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award honors books produced by small publishers for outstanding contribution to Christian life. All retailers selling Christian products and all readers of Christian books are invited to vote for the Book of the Year.

“The publishing industry is changing. Today, almost half of all books published are independently published,” says Sarah Bolme, director of the Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA), which sponsors the award. “With this changing book market, Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award is a vital venue to help shed light on new, quality books published outside of traditional publishing houses.”

All Christian book readers are invited to vote for one book in each category online at bookoftheyear.net. Voters will choose one book in each of 13: General Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Biography, Christian Living, Relationships/Family, Devotional, Bible Study/Theology, Christian Education, Gift Book, Children’s Book (4-8 years), Children’s Book (8-12 years) and Young Adult (12+ years).

Award voting remains open through March 31. Winners of this award are determined solely by Christian retailers’ and readers’ votes and will be announced on April 22.

Less than two years after opening its most recent outlet, the Canadian chain Blessings has announced that it will close the doors on its fifth and final store in Chilliwack, British Columbia, on Jan. 31.

Blessings CEO Mark Hutchinson said the company has run at “a continual financial deficit” for the past several years, including the last two at a “six-figure range.”

“To continue further after this fashion would simply be poor stewardship,” Hutchinson said. “It is with a very heavy heart that we have begun the pursuit of amicably and honorably winding up our operations, being left with no alternative course.

”Our Edmonton retail location saw its last customers on Saturday, Jan. 10, and our Langley retail location served until close of business on Thursday, Jan. 15. Our Calgary location closed on Jan. 23 and our Chilliwack on January 31. We served with tremendous spirit and dedication until the end. We would like to extend a heartfelt and sincere thanks to the hosts of faithful customers who have graced our stores with their patronage over the years.”

Blessings operated four brick-and-mortar locations and an online store.

Hutchinson shared the news with his employees in early January. In a letter, he praised his team and for their service to the company.

“I truly believe in Blessings, in what we stand for and why we do what we do,” Hutchinson said in the letter. “My enthusiasm and heart for you, this business and for reaching people for Christ has not wavered at all; it remains as strong today as it did on June 1, 2006, when Angela and I bought Blessings.

“We ended our last financial year May 31, 2014, with a loss of $154,000, and despite very creative and hard work on streamlining our processes we have found that even these adjustments were not enough. We have come to the end and we as a company cannot continue anymore. To go on would ultimately result in bankruptcy for Blessings so I have made a very tough decision. We will be able to pay all of our bills this month and Blessings will close as of Jan. 31, 2015, with a clean slate.

“I want to say from the bottom of my heart ‘thank you.’ I know how hard this announcement is for you to receive, but unfortunately there is no other way. We have all done everything possible and we must all hold our heads high knowing that we have done the very best we could have.”

Ave Maria Press is commemorating its 150^th anniversary in 2015 with a new look.

An apostolate of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Ave Maria Press is unveiling a fresh, new company logo as part of its celebration. The logo reflects Ave’s Marian heritage and devotion, emphasizing Ave (the first word of the “Hail Mary” in Latin) in their name and including a light-blue graphic image of the turning pages of a book.

Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., founded Ave with the publication of the first Ave Maria magazine on May 1, 1865, 23 years after he founded the University of Notre Dame. Fr. Sorin wanted the magazine to honor the Virgin Mary, focus on Catholic families, and showcase the best American Catholic writing.

Fr. Sorin himself edited the first issue of the magazine, a 16-page piece. Many had doubts about whether the publication would survive, but it has and, at one time, was the most popular Catholic magazine in the country. Fr. Sorin’s legacy continues today.

“Planning for our anniversary has given all of us at Ave Maria Press a welcome opportunity to step back from our day-to-day work and reflect on the history and legacy of the wonderful publishing ministry that Fr. Sorin founded 150 years ago during a very different era,” said Thomas Grady, publisher of Ave Maria Press. “Fr. Sorin might be mystified by the way we create and distribute our work in a digital era (as I frequently am), but I hope he would recognize that we have remained faithful to our mission to proclaim the gospel, serve the spiritual needs of the church and join the Congregation of Holy Cross as ‘educators in the faith.’”

Rev. Anthony Szakaly, C.S.C., president of the Ave board of directors, agrees.

“Fr. Sorin’s vision of deepening the faith remains the basis for everything that Ave Maria Press does today.”

There will be several events in the coming months to celebrate Ave’s 150^th anniversary, including an open house at our 1865 Moreau Drive, Notre Dame, Indiana, offices on

April 30, 2015. On May 1, the actual date of Ave’s founding by Fr. Sorin, there will be a Mass and dinner at Moreau Seminary on the campus of Notre Dame. The Mass will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne, South Bend (Indiana), with Ave staff and their spouses, board members past and present, and members of the Congregation of Holy Cross in attendance.

In addition, Ave’s staff has compiled a commemorative history that will be published prior to the official anniversary. There will also be special anniversary promotions for customers throughout the year. Find out more at avemariapress.com/anniversary.

The first American Ebola survivor—Dr. Kent Brantly—and his wife, Amber, have signed a major book deal with WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, a division of the Crown Publishing Group at Penguin Random House.

The still-untitled book is scheduled for release from WaterBrook Press in Summer 2015, in print and digital formats, to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the surge in the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

When American doctor and Samaritan’s Purse missionary Kent Brantly was diagnosed with Ebola in July 2014, the epidemic in West Africa became headline news in the United States. His emergency medical transfer from Liberia to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, along with fellow missionary Nancy Writebol, is an extraordinary story of medical advancements in conjunction with God’s grace.

Following Kent’s release, the Brantlys have been active in addressing the Ebola epidemic and are in high demand for media interviews and speaking engagements. Kent was included on the cover of Time Magazine’s “2014 Person of the Year” issue recognizing “The Ebola Fighters.”

Alex Field, WaterBrook Multnomah vice president and publisher, and Bruce Nygren, senior editor, jointly acquired at auction North American print, electronic and serial rights. The Brantlys are represented by Chris Park at Foundry Literary + Media.

“We are thrilled to partner with Kent and Amber on this book project,” said Alex Field, WaterBrook Multnomah vice president and publisher. “After spending time with the Brantlys, I’ve been deeply impressed by their sincere desire to follow their passion and calling to help others.

“Their book will be about how God called them to serve the people of West Africa, and along the way, readers will experience what the Brantlys experienced in the chaos of the Ebola epidemic. We believe that their story will inspire many readers to follow God’s calling for their own lives as a result.”

Writer David Thomas will assist the Brantlys with chronicling their journey. Thomas’ credits include the New York Times best-seller Foxcatcher with Mark Shultz, which has been adapted into the Golden Globe and Academy Award-nominated film starring Steve Carell. WaterBrook Multnomah senior editor Bruce Nygren is the project’s editor.