More Christian product industry suppliers have stepped forward to support next week's first national Christian Store Day.

Almost 500 stores are taking part in the Oct. 23 event aiming to raise awareness of and increase traffic to Christian retail outlets.

The inaugural event has been sponsored by a small group of leading suppliers, including Tyndale House Publishers, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. They and music distributors are providing giveaways and specials for the day, which will also see a wide range of in-store appearances by authors and artists.

Adding their independent backing to the effort are 1CN Records and Lighthouse Christian Products. The 2-year-old music label-home to praise & worship recording artists Jonathan Lee and Andy Kirk-is promoting Christian Store Day to its fans through social media and running an in-store photo competition on the day.

Former music buyer for The Mustard Seed bookstore chain in Pennsylvania, 1CN President Rob Winter said: "I witnessed firsthand the change in customers' lives, no matter their background or denomination, in our stores each and every day. We here at 1CN want our products available where people are and when they need them, and that unabashedly means Christian bookstores who have proven themselves as valiant front-line warriors in the cause of Christ.

"We're going to continue to support retailers by providing excellent Christ-centered music through our artists," Winter added. "When and where we can, we will provide in-store appearances or just drop in to say ‘hi' as encouragement to store staffs. But most of all, we will continue to pray for our retailer partners who daily address the ministry needs of their customers face to face."

Lighthouse Christian Products is offering $150 worth of its catalog inventory to participating stores for $25 plus shipping and is giving a free collage photo frame, retail price $40, to retailers who write to tell about one of their favorite customers.

Lighthouse Vice President of Sales Ed Nizynski said that he came up with the promotion after reading about Christian Store Day and wondering why gift companies were not asked to participate. "I'm always for the retailers," he said. "I thought about it and then decided to do something myself. ... We wanted to play a small part in supporting stores."

Bob Elder-executive vice president and COO of marketing group Propeller, who is coordinating Christian Store Day on behalf of CBA, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and other sponsors-said: "We're thrilled to have the support from the supplier community and look forward to including all interested suppliers in the planning of future events."

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