Dr. John Dickson, author of A Doubter’s Guide to the Bible (Feb. 2015), will visit four U.S. cities from Feb. 5-16 to support the release of his new book.

Dickson will visit New York City, Atlanta, Dallas and Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as local churches and the college campuses of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, Georgia Institute of Technology, Dallas Theological Seminary and Point University near Atlanta.

As the author of more than a dozen thoughtful books, Dickson’s A Doubter’s Guide to the Bible is not an exercise in “apologetics”—the art of trying to prove the truth of the Bible. Rather he offers a simple outline of the Bible’s overarching themes for curious doubters, then suggests what it might mean for life if the Bible happened to be true. His latest book serves as a “biblical primer for those who aren’t sure what to make of the Bible.”

Tour events will include university, seminary and church events focused on presenting the Bible as the world’s best-selling book as well as a reliable source of truth and wisdom. Many Americans will have heard Dickson speak previously at Willow Creek Community Church, Saddleback Church or at Ravi Zacharias' ministry events, and many more will encounter Dr. Dickson for the first time during this U.S. tour.

An Australian, Dickson is the founding director for the Centre of Public Christianity, an independent research and media company promoting informed discussion about social, ethical and religious issues in modern life. He earned an honors degree in theology from Moore Theological College in Sydney and a PhD in history from Macquarie University. He teaches a course on the Historical Jesus at the University of Sydney for its Department of Jewish Studies.

These strong credentials allow Dickson opportunities to discuss big ideas that have shaped our world—from history and science to religion—with skeptics and atheists worldwide.

In addition to the Doubters’ Guide, Dickson has authored other books including Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love and Leadership; Investigating Jesus: A Historian’s Quest; Jesus: A Short Life; The Life of Jesus: Who He Is and Why He Matters; and Hearing Her Voice: A Case for Women Giving Sermons.

The idea that turned the nation’s largest Christian retail chain into a financial engine to support widows and orphans is expanding to the film industry.

On Monday, Jan. 26, Family Christian Stores’ new sister company, Family Christian Entertainment, begins the Atlanta shoot of 90 Minutes in Heaven, the 2004 New York Times best-selling book (7 million-plus sold) about Pastor Don Piper’s death experience.  Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns) and Hayden Christensen (Star Wars, Jumper) star.  Michael Polish (Twin Falls Idaho, Big Sur) directs.

In 1989, Don Piper died in an automobile accident (paramedics had covered him with a tarp) when another pastor at the site prayed over him. Before Piper returned to life, and to a protracted physical recovery, he saw heaven, met family members, friends, church folks, teachers … even joined the procession as a heavenly choir entered heaven’s gates.

Piper, who knows well his story’s effect, is eager to see it translate into theaters.

“In the 10 years since the book’s release—in 46 languages—the response always is personal and moving to each reader,” he said. “To think now that it’s also going to be a film is humbling and gratifying—and for Family Christian Entertainment to produce it is immensely exciting.”

90 Minutes Executive Producer Rick Jackson says the film is just the beginning for Family Christian Entertainment. 

“We know our audience, we know the power of stories, and we plan to make at least two films a year,” Jackson said. “In production, in quality, budgets and professionalism, the Christian and family markets have matured, and we’re upping the ante more.” 

Jackson founded and is CEO of Jackson Healthcare, the nation’s third-largest health care staffing company. He and two other investors formed Family Christian Ministries, a 501C-3 holding company that owns Family Christian Stores, IDisciple, Family Christian Entertainment—and sends 100% of retail profits to Christian charities.  

Jackson added that Family Christian Entertainment is open to all sources for ideas—from developing original scripts to ideas that come in the door.  “And we’ll stay true to the story,” he said. “When faith is a factor, it stays in.”   

While Family Christian Stores leads in sales of Christian DVDs, Jackson emphasizes that FCE theatrical films, as they become DVDs, will sell far beyond Family Christian Stores. And again, all movie profits will go to charities.

The Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI), a research-based organizational and human resources consulting firm, has announced that InterVarsity Press is certified as a Best Christian Workplace for the sixth straight year.

InterVarsity Press had an exceptional 66 percent of staff engagement. BCWI describes staff engagement as the degree to which employees are emotionally and spiritually connected and committed to their organization and their role, exerting discretionary effort for the betterment of the organization and those they serve. The survey results also showed that 97 percent of the 89 people working at IVP rated InterVarsity Press as “an exceptional place to work.”

“The tremendously positive results of this survey are a tribute to everyone who works at IVP,” said InterVarsity Press publisher Bob Fryling. “We are greatly encouraged by the affirmation of our strengths as well as the identification of areas for growth. I am particularly grateful that our highest ranking is in the category of ‘job satisfaction,’ which the writer of Ecclesiastes says is a good gift of God.

“Indeed, the spiritual vitality and the twin demonstrations of relational integrity and professional competence as reflected in this survey are evidences of God’s grace at IVP," he continued. "I am very thankful.”

To achieve certification, organizations must complete the Best Christian Workplaces Institute employee engagement survey and meet predetermined standards of excellence. Employees of InterVarsity Press answered 58 questions measuring employee satisfaction in terms of organizational commitment, Christian witness, supervisory effectiveness, opportunities for personal growth and development, customer/supporter satisfaction, teamwork, communication and fairness of pay and benefits.

Additional open-ended questions provided an opportunity for department managers to gain insight into what employees think and ways they might improve.

Executive produced and narrated by Grammy-nominated, and five-time Dove Award Female Vocalist of the Year, Natalie Grant, In Plain Sight: Stories of Hope and Freedom features six modern-day abolitionists as they fight sex trafficking across America.

In an effort to bring the issue to the forefront and to promote Human Trafficking Awareness Day (Jan. 11, 2015), screenings are scheduled around the nation throughout the month of January.

The film takes the viewer on an eye-opening journey to six U.S. cities, revealing what's happening down the street, literally, "in plain sight." Victims share their unimaginable stories of darkness turned to hope and deception turned to freedom through riveting interviews that recount the depravity of the crimes committed against them and their life-changing, life-saving encounters with a sex trafficking aftercare home.

"Most Americans are completely oblivious to the fact that thousands of women and children are enslaved within their own communities," said David Trotter, co-executive producer. "This isn't limited to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York. We're talking about cities across America—from Sacramento to Little Rock to Baltimore—where the unthinkable is happening."

Grant, whose organization has been battling the social tragedy for over nine years, stresses the importance of the film to American society.

"The reality is that children are being ravaged day in and day out. If you have a heart beating on the inside of you, I don't understand how this couldn't be important to you," said Natalie Grant, narrator and co-executive producer, who has been an outspoken champion for human trafficking awareness.

In 2005, she founded Abolition International, which recently merged with Hope for Justice to combat trafficking in America, Europe and Asia.

With a focus on educating the American public and motivating people to take action, the campaign centers around three resources released by Word Entertainment. The DVD, music album and 31 Day Devotional & Group Study Guide are available now in stores nationwide.

To learn more and watch the trailer, visit wordfilms.com or inplainsightfilm.com. To attend a screening or to request a screening in your hometown, click here.

A popular website's claim that potential 2016 Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson plagiarized sources in a 2012 book he authored has been debunked by the source himself, National Review Online reported Thursday.

William Federer, author of such works as America's God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations and Treasury of Presidential Quotations, defended Carson's material in his book, America the Beautiful, co-written by Carson's wife, Candy.

“In my estimation, he has used my material exactly the way I wanted my material to be used,” Federer told National Review Online. "The fact that he had cited me 16 times shows that his intention was to be honest and up front in his use of my material and the two times that the BuzzFeed article cited that he had not, in my estimation, is an editor’s oversight, errata, and it’s not plagiarism.”

The Associated Press has reported Wednesday that Dr. Carson's publisher is looking into allegations that Dr. Carson failed to properly credit Federer for some of the material in the book.

An article published Tuesday on buzzfeed.com alleged that “in many cases, Carson cites the works that he plagiarizes in endnotes, though he makes no effort to indicate that not just the source, but the words themselves, had been taken from different authors.”

 Although Federer exonerated Carson of any wrongdoing, Carson admitted that he "inadvertently missed some" of the source citations.

“I attempted to appropriately cite and acknowledge all sources in America the Beautiful ... I apologize, and I am working with my editors to rectify the situation," Carson said.

Zondervan, a Christian publisher owned by HarperCollins, released a statement on Thursday that reiterated Carson's stance.

“It has become apparent that further source citation is appropriate in Dr. Carson’s America the Beautiful. Any necessary updates will be made in subsequent printings.”

Carson’s 2014 book, One Nation, topped the New York Times best-seller list shortly after its release last spring. He spoke about many subjects concerning the book with Charisma News in June.

The 63-year-old Carson has written several books and has a new one, You Have a Brain: A Teen’s Guide to Think Big, scheduled from Zondervan next month.

Midwest-CBK LLC, national designer and manufacturer of holiday, gifts and home and outdoor décor, announced the addition of Scott Wehrs as general manager and chief administrative officer, effective immediately.

In his new role, Wehrs will oversee all aspects of day-to-day operations and manage the growth of the Midwest Seasons, CBK and G! brands. Wehrs brings more than 13 years of experience as the former president of Midwest-CBK and MVP Brands, and former president and chief operating officer of Ty Inc., creator of the successful Beanie Babies brand.

“Scott’s knowledge, experience and passion for the gift and home décor industry and independent specialty retailers is outstanding,” said Howard Ganz, president of Ganz, parent company of Midwest-CBK. “We’re excited to welcome back Scott’s enthusiasm and breadth of experience to the company and our customers.”

Wehrs served as the president of Midwest-CBK in 2012, negotiating the sale and overseeing the transition of Midwest-CBK to Ganz. As the MVP Brands president, he also led the operations and sales of the Colonial Candle, Everybody’s Ayurveda and Monkeez Makes a Difference brands. Prior to that, Wehrs served as president of Ty Inc., running the successful Beanie Babies business.

He also held titles of director of credit, vice president of Internet, vice president of business development, vice president of marketing and chief operating officer at Ty.

“Midwest-CBK represents three industry-leading brands—Midwest Seasons, CBK and G!—with the best designs and highest quality product, backed by the most talented team and excellent infrastructure and drive for rapid and successful growth,” Wehrs said. “In addition to these outstanding brands, Midwest-CBK customers also have access to Noelle, the No. 1 fashion line in the industry.

These synergies present significant growth potential, and I look forward to continuing the success of the company and helping our customers succeed, starting with the winter market launch of exciting, new and most sought-after products available in the market.”

New York Times best-selling author John Hagee has re-upped his deal with Worthy Publishing prior to the release of his newest title, The Three Heavens.

Hagee’s previous release, Four Blood Moons (750,000 units in print) spent 37 weeks on Publishers Weekly and 18 weeks on the New York Times best-seller lists. Hagee is the founder and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, a nondenominational evangelical church with more than 20,000 active members. He is also founder and president of John Hagee Ministries, which telecasts radio and television teachings throughout America and in 100 nations worldwide.

The Three Heavens, which releases May 12, explores the multiple dimensions of heaven and the spiritual powers that inhabit the heavens. Importantly, his book addresses the end of time on earth and our entry into the next life. The Bible depicts not just one heaven, but three—an important distinction for all who expectantly look toward that future.

“Worthy is thrilled to announce our renewed partnership with John Hagee and his team on his notable new title,” said Byron Williamson, president of Worthy Publishing. “Our past collaborations have resulted in two best-selling titles which continue with impressive movement.

“I have no doubt Worthy’s aggressive marketing campaign, as well as Pastor Hagee’s widely viewed weekly television program and social media following, will make his new message reach far and wide.”

Hagee’s previous bestsellers include Jerusalem Countdown (Charisma House; over one million copies) and Can America Survive? (Simon & Schuster).