A new organization has been formed in India to unify and represent Christian retailers, distributors and suppliers.

About 65 booksellers and publishers from across India attended a Sept. 14 meeting at the Bible Society of India in Bangalore, which was set up by Christian Trade Association International (CTAI).

"We were very pleased with the outcome of this meeting and have a solid start toward an association," said CTAI President Jim Powell. "A committee of 10 was formed to carry the idea of an association forward. It is to meet again on Jan. 15. After they have developed plans, they will call for a larger meeting in the spring."

Though India has more than a billion people, only 2.3% are considered Christian, according to official census figures. The Christian product industry in India has unique challenges in reaching Christians and equipping the church, CTAI said.

The committee members elected at the meeting included W.R. Paul Raj of the Bible Society of India; George Korah of Primalogue; Immanuel Prabu R. of Word of Christ; Johny K.J. of OM Books International; Christopher Roberts of Evangelical Literature Service; Philip Solomon of Inpress; Sister Marisa Maru of the Pauline Book and Media Centre; Sunny Abraham of SuVārtha Bhavan; and J. Obeth Jebakumar of Christian Books and Music World.

This is the third group established for Christian suppliers and retailers in the country. Evangelical Literature Fellowship International, founded in 1954, ceased operations in the late 1980s. CBA India was formed in 2000, but has been inactive since 2005.

CTAI Chief Operations Officer Kim Pettit said the group offers "a promising new start for the industry in India." "We are excited about the level of interest and excitement for this initiative, and hope it will result in greater effectiveness and cooperation in the distribution of Christian resources to those who need them most," she said.

• Prev
• Next