Retailers and suppliers were encouraged last night to "keep doing what you're doing" by author and apologist Ravi Zacharias, while an offering for Christian bookstores in China generated positive response.

He was the main speaker for the International Christian Retail Show's (ICRS) Worship Now! service, which also featured music from Avalon and Travis Cottrell. The service drew a large crowd who filled approximately 75% of the Murphy Ballroom at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, which had 3,200 seats.

Zacharias shared in large part from his latest book, The Grand Weaver, released last month by Zondervan. In the book, Zacharias examines how every dimension or "thread" of our lives-from the happy to the tragic to the mundane-is part of a purposeful design by God, the Grand Weaver.

"You keep printing and publishing," Zacharias said. "There is a readership out there. … Keep doing what you're doing."

Diane Sowieja, manager of The Living Well St. Michael's Book & Gift Shop in Farmington, Minn., said Zacharias' message resonated with her.

"It was encouraging what he said about we as retailers can be a thread in another person's life for God to reach or touch them with what we sell," she said. "And that's what our business is about. It's a ministry."

As in previous ICRS conventions, the service featured an offering. Adding to what was given during Sunday's Christian Trade Association International (CTAI) event, CBA President Bill Anderson's announcement that this year's offering was for Christian bookstores in China drew applause.

CTAI President Jim Powell said the goal was to raise $12,500, which would pay for 25 Chinese booksellers to attend Marketsquare Asia 2007. The CTAI-sponsored event will be held Sept. 3-5 in Hong Kong.

"Take out the largest bill in your wallet," Powell said. "Your gift will impact the largest country (in the world) for Christ. ...This is an unprecedented opportunity. We want to take advantage of it. Please help us."

The Living Well's Sowieja called the offering for China "phenomenal." "It was a wonderful idea," she said. "I hope they get a lot of money."

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