Husband-and-wife Christian fiction pioneers Gary and Carol Johnson were honored before 200 guests for their contribution to Christian publishing last night at Baker Publishing Group's author dinner.

President of Bethany House Publishers and vice president of editorial, respectively, they were given a standing ovation after Baker President Dwight Baker noted how hundreds of thousands of Christian readers had been impacted by the Johnsons' work.

When the couple began developing Christian fiction almost 30 years ago "they entered the room alone," he said. “They pulled the rest of us in to that room. ...When they made that move, they did it on their own."

Baker spotlighted the Johnsons' contribution in his welcome to the Georgia Aquarium function-held in a glass-walled room from which guests could view sharks and fish in one of the attraction's large tanks-as this International Christian Retail Show will mark the pair's last in full-time positions. They recently announced that they plan to hand over some of their management responsibilities while continuing to be involved part-time with Bethany House.

Baker said he wanted to "acknowledge Gary and Carol's contribution to the book world" and express "deep appreciation" for all that they had done.

Baker Publishing Group had "much to celebrate" in the last year, Baker told guests, including marking Bethany House's 50th anniversary. Baker acquired Bethany House in 2003, doubling its inventory and increasing sales by more than 60%, according to the publisher's Web site.

Among the authors attending the event was Brother Andrew (God's Smuggler), who was invited to say grace before the meal.

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