Retailers heard details of a new Bible channel exclusive, at yesterday's ribbon-cutting ceremony at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS).

Thomas Nelson's God's Word in Action "Buy a Bible, Help a Child" promotion will see donations made to World Vision for each of the company's Bibles bought at Christian stores through March 31, 2012.

With a minimum donation of $75,000 pledged, a higher goal set by Nelson's Bible team and matching funds could see more than $1.4 million raised to help needy children around the world through the effort, said Gary Davidson, Nelson's senior vice president and Bible group publisher.

Meanwhile, best-selling author Max Lucado delivered a devotional message to attendees of Munce Group's annual breakfast, marking the 20th anniversary of the marketing group launched with 22 members.

Now serving several hundred stores, including more than 70 church stores, the group believes that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Christian bookselling, said founder Bob Munce. He told of stores dabbling with other businesses to keep their doors open, from wigs and a pharmacy to even pest control. "Whatever it takes, these folks are doing," Munce said.

Elsewhere, STL Distribution North America (STLD) could be under new ownership before too long, President Glenn Bailey revealed. "We are in the due-diligence stage with an exclusive purchaser," he said, declining to name the prospective purchaser, but describing the company as not a part of the ICRS world."

STLD was put up for sale by Bible distribution ministry owner Biblica soon after ICRS last year in the hopes of finding a better fit for the wholesale division. Biblica North America CEO Doug Lockhart said that he could not give a date for when the sale might be finalized.

Zondervan announced the purchase of longtime best-seller The Beginner's Bible from Mission City Press, for which Zondervan has published the title since 2004.

Zondervan President and CEO Scott Macdonald—who took over at the helm of the company from Moe Girkins in March—said that the acquisition was reflective of the renewed focus on the company's core publishing.

Meanwhile, Randall Wallace—scriptwriter of the Oscar-winning Braveheart and author of The Touch, a novella to be released by Tyndale House Publishers in September—spoke of his inspiration in writing stories about courage and honor during the 12th annual Christy Awards, honoring the best in Christian fiction.

Winners: Contemporary Romance: Sworn to Protect by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale House); Contemporary Stand-alone: Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry (Tyndale House); Contemporary Series, Sequels and Novellas: The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue (David C. Cook); Young Adult: Motorcycles, Sushi & One Strange Book also by Rue (Zondervan).

First Novel: Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group); Historical: While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group); Historical Romance: The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group); Suspense: The Bishop by Steven James (Revell/Baker Publishing Group); Visionary: To Darkness Fled by Jill Williamson (Marcher Lord Press).

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