Approximately 225 overseas and domestic guests were praised for being "seed planters" by CBA's leader during the Christian Trade Association International's (CTAI) annual International Vision Celebration (IVC) and Luncheon.

"I see a lot of seed planters here," CBA Executive Director Curtis Riskey said. "I want to thank you for the work you do in planting seeds for our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray you have an orchard of blessing. ... I pray your week here is blessed, that you have great conversations and you're lifted up."

The delegates from more than 30 countries were also encouraged by Sylvester Ejeh, CTAI's chairman and owner of Edysyl--a bookstore, distributor and publishing house in Nigeria.

"Fluctuating exchange rates have probably impacted our members more internationally than any other factor," said Ejeh during the association's annual report to members. "Australia, along with several other nations, is richer and some are poorer as a result of these changes. There is no question that the value of business done internationally have grown within the Christian trade this past year. At Christian Trade Association International, we find more suppliers wishing to learn more about how to reach international buyers."

There was also a panel discussion on how U.S. publishers could support "emerging markets" in the world, featuring Edwin Anja, owner of Evangel Bookshop in Nigeria; Barine Kirimi, owner of Evangel publishers in Kenya; and Mark Carpenter, CEO of Mundo Cristao in Brazil.

Carpenter said his publishing company saw a 57% growth last year from 2008, in part because he was able to have his books featured in the catalog of cosmetic giant Avon in the South American country.

Meanwhile, British evangelist Dennis Pethers, whose evangelism-training resources were recently released by LifeWay Christian Resources, urged the audience to make the gospel relevant in a postmodern society. "We need to present Jesus as the question before we talk about Jesus as the answer," Pethers said. "It's the story of our lives that will cause people to ask who is Jesus.

"People are not going to read our books unless someone gives it to them, so we need to make sure our books and DVDs can be given by Christians with confidence," added Pethers, who became a Christian 30 years ago after his boss gave him a copy of Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. "I travel the world communicating the gospel to thousands of people because somebody gave me a Christian book."

Kathrin Schultheis, editorial director of Francke Publishing in Marburg, Germany, told Christian Retailing that she was encouraged at the event. "It's so inspiring to hear all the different stories," said Schultheis, who was attending her first ICRS. "We're all businesses, and we have to make a profit, but it's much more about the ministry to spread the gospel. It's just really inspiring to be here and be a part of it."

Another first-time attendee of ICRS, Ivy Makuluni, director of Books For Life in Harare, Zimbabwe, agreed. "It was good to be able to mix with people who are in the same ministry," she said. "Your business many not be doing well and you may feel alone, but we're all in this together. I know God is for us."

In addition to a special offering taken at the Sunday evening Worship Him event, CTAI took an offering to sponsor Eastern European publishers and booksellers to be able to attend Marketsquare Europe in Romania, to be held Oct. 1-2. CTAI officials said they received $2,962.

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