Christian News: Christian Industry Heavyweights CBA and Thomas Nelson Work Together on Bible Project to Raise Funds for Children

During ICRS, Thomas Nelson Presented a Check in the Amount of $37,500 to World Vision President Richard Stearns

By Ginny McCabe
Special to ASSIST News Service

ATLANTA, GA (ANS) -- During the International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta at an opening ceremonies press conference on Monday, July 10, two Christian industry heavyweights - CBA and Thomas Nelson announced that they would be working together in a Christian-store Bible exclusive to promote Thomas Nelson's efforts of helping children through World Vision.

Through the God's Word in Action "Buy a Bible, Help a Child" promotion, the sales of Thomas Nelson Bibles will benefit World Vision.

"We are tremendously blessed to have another helping hand with our God's Word in Action campaign," said Mark Schoenwald, Thomas Nelson president and CEO. "Christian retailers embracing the 'Buy a Bible, Help a Child' promotion will build our support for World Vision, helping more and more children. Working together with CBA will also give us a chance to recognize the importance of local retailers in their communities as they spread God's Word. We're thrilled to have this opportunity to fulfill our ongoing mission of inspiring the world."

"This promotion is an extraordinary initiative that demonstrates Thomas Nelson's heart for children and commitment to the poor," said Marcia Kuszmaul, World Vision's Director of Retail Partnerships. "Through one simple act, they are enabling their customers to provide lifesaving care for thousands of children and families around the world."

During the opening ceremonies, Thomas Nelson presented a preliminary $37,500 check to World Vision President Richard Stearns. Officials said that when that amount is combined World Vision matching grants and corporate donations, it could potentially multiply the amount to $172,500, which will help more than 4,000 children. The program aims to help raise as much as $1.4 million in support to help end poverty and preventable deaths among children in the United States and abroad.

"This campaign connects directly to the heart of Thomas Nelson's mission in the world," said Gary Davidson, Thomas Nelson Senior Vice President and Bible Group Publisher. "We believe we are here not just to sell Bibles, but to further God's Word everywhere and to be an inspiration to others. Together, we can change the world."

The CBA Channel Exclusive for the "Buy a Bible, Help a Child" promotion was launched on April 1, 2011 and it will run through March 31, 2012. This means that sales of Thomas Nelson Bibles (including children's and Spanish-language versions) sold in Christian stores in the United States will help children through World Vision. Thomas Nelson's minimum donation to World Vision will be $75,000, with the potential for more, based upon the sales from the promotion. These monies provide children with ongoing medical care, vaccines, clean water, nutritious food, basic hygiene and care and more.

"Our goal for the yearlong 'Buy a Bible, Help a Child' promotion is to donate $350,000 to World Vision amounts," said Davidson. "That will be matched by World Vision grants to multiply the funds by more than four times. If the goal is reached, that translates to $1.4 million."

The joint Thomas Nelson-CBA program also aims to demonstrate and reinforce Christian stores' ministry mission. Through a broad-reaching communications initiative, they will work together to inform Christians and others about children's needs and how they can help.

Curtis Riskey, CBA executive director, said, "This kind of partnership between retailers and their trading partners makes a very powerful statement about the ministry role and purpose of Christian stores. We applaud Thomas Nelson for working closely with its Christian-retail partners to put God's Word in action and help change the world through Christian stores."

Additionally, A special Retailer's Spotlight program will recognize and promote Christian stores, who help to put God's Word in Action within their local communities. Spotlighted stores will be retailers that act as hubs in their communities and encourage outreach - Offering Bible study groups, helping with community ministry projects, or offering other programs that inspire Christians to serve others. Retailers may send their stories and photos to Julie Belschner, Thomas Nelson Publicist, at jbelschner@ThomasNelson.com. Each month, one story will be selected and featured in CBA's Retailers + Resources magazine. (Selected retailers will also receive a store banner and Thomas Nelson products for the local promotional help.)

Visit, www.ThomasNelsonBibles.com, www.cbaonline.org and www.WorldVision.org the latest news and information. Consumers may also visit www.SeeGodsWordinAction.com.