Show Christian books are big business Author Peretti at the vanguard of genre's revival long-dorma- nt By MICHAEL HIRSLEY Chicago Tribune DENVER — The floor of the darkened room suddenly was bathed in a crimson glow that revealed ominous swirls of smoke A gloomy yellow light assumed a massive shape above Frank Peretti’s head Was the image demonic? Were hundreds of eyes out there in the darkness looking back at him? g Christian author Peretti and his publishers Crossway Books of Westchester 111 hoped so They had planned it that way The darkened room was the main ballroom at the new Colorado Convention Center where a crowd attending the 41st annual convention of the Christian Booksellers Association gathered one evening last week to hear Peretti read from his first novel “This Present Darkness” The Christian bookselling business has become a $3 billion industry And it has accelerated in recent years said association President William Anderson surpassing $1 billion in 1982 and $2 billion in Best-sellin- 1988 s While music church and gift items are included books account for 40 percent of the sales total And Peretti is at the vanguard of attempts to revive a genre Christian fiction As special effects lighting and smoke played across a temporary stage installed for his performance the author paced and delivered his lines with dramatic flourish: “ right above the bed a hideous mask of a face hovered contorting grotesquely ”spitting out vicious words While it has the ring of horror and science fiction Peretti’s writing about spiritual warfare in modern society with angels physically pitted against demons as a backdrop to the human struggle below also has the attention of a large Christian readership His first novel sold more million copies and its than curric-ulum- long-dorma- nt 1 sequel Darkness” “Piercing is nearing the that mark He has sold film rights for “This Present Darkness” to a group that includes Holly wood producer Howard who lists “Raiders of Ka-zanji- an 8 Church News Standard-Examin- er While it has the ring of horror and science fiction Peretti’s writing about spiritual warfare in modem society also has the attention of a large Christian readership the Lost Ark” among his past efforts While Peretti’s success outstrips his Christian-write- r peers it reflects both change and growth in what traditionally has been a loyal but small audience for evangelical religious writing These readers once felt their faith was best served by nonfiction inspirational and motivational books With their acceptance of fiction not only is the Christian bookselling business burgeoning but the secular bookselling market is opening up to Christian books A recent survey of secular bookstores by Publishers Weekly the book publishers’ trade magazine indicated that 211 of 295 respondents or 715 percent stock and sell religious books they intend to increase that inventory next year While the survey did not make comparisons to earlier years Publishers Weekly editor John Baker said “Religious books are certainly making inroads in secular bookstores” Membership in the Christian Booksellers’ Association is open to stores whose sales are “75 percent Christian product” Anderson said While membership has held at about 3000 since 1980 stores are reporting increased sales “Half of our members have $250000 and up in annual sales” he said “Our top dues category in 1985 was $400000-phi- s in annual sales million-plus- Artwell V Checketts and Dale Gardner have been selected to Serve as first and second counselors to the new Ogden Temple president Dorman Baird Their wives Colleen Checketts and JoAnne Gardner will L serve as assistant matrons to temple matron Lenora Baird native of Providence A Checketts attended Utah State University He and his wife who is from Hyrum have lived in Ogden since 1948 where he was employed by the government for 36 years He was deputy director of Data Systems at DDO His activities in the church include most recently as president of the Lorin Farr Stake He was also a counselor in the stake presidency a high councilman bishop bishop’s counselor and worked with the young people on both the stake and ward levels An active scouter he has received the Silver Beaver Award MOUNTAINVIEW CENTER CHURCH OF RELIGIOUS SCIENCE Rev Shirley Jones Heal inf Meditation 10:30 AM Service 11:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Phone Newgate ” 392-471-4 Mall Community Entrance 2 1 1 COMMUNITY UNITED METHODISE 163 West 4800 South (Laker Way) CHURCH ST Ogden Utah Worship Service 8:45 & 11 Church School 9:30 Nursery Care Provided New Life Christian Academy hold a Community Will Open House For information registration at 7:00 pro at Roy Christian Church 4347 S 1900 W in Roy is offering grades Presc1990-9- NLCA for the hool-Sixth school 1 year NLCA uses ABEKA and ALPHA OMEGA Christian Curriculum Limited class size Strong Emphasis on Phonics Math "Mastery Strong Reading Program Weekly Chapel and Daily Bible Classes Special interest clubs and activities 2 9 or Please call for more information 774-961- 774-960- admits students of any NLCA creed race or ethnic origin but reserves the right to refuse admission if the administration determines that NLCA's program is not feasible for the individual Our school is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International The Church °TERRtctoMM STEVE PIKE am 30 1990 JULY MONDAY 479-743- 0 (IN Pastor 300 West 4600 South THE WASHINGTON TERRACE RECREATION BUILDING) THURSDAYS AT 7:45 PM “CHRISTIANITY 101” Clearfield 773-433- 9 SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE EVENING KM AM SCHOOL A Study Of The Book Of Acts FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: (Affiliated 476-850- 5 With The Assemblies of God) WORSHIP Uffl AM STUDY 610 PM WORSHIP 7 ffl PM PASTOR BILL ROBERTS 776-657- 2 FelhwBtuppiag m The American Bgpdtt Amoc LUTHERAN ELIM LUTHERAN Sunday School 9:30 am Worship Services 10:45 am Evening Services 6:00 pm Bible Study Wednesday 9:30 am 6:30 8 Washington Terrace SALT VALLEY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 160 East 1700 South (Disciples of Christ) 705-23r- d Colleen has been president of the Relief Society the Young Women and of the Primary The couple have four children Gardner is from Deweyville and a graduate of Weber College and earned his master’s degree in education from Utah State University He was assistant athletic director at USU and was director of athletics for 9 years at Weber State College and managerdi-recto- r of the Dee Events Center for 9 years He served on the Ogden City Council for years before resigning to serve in the Kentucky Louisville Mission as its president JoAnne was busy raising a family and has a degree in cosmetology She has served as stake Primary president and counselor both for five years and says she's taught in all the organizations of the church Room FIRST CHRISTIAN and Also 25 percent of those who carry religious stock said Now it is $3 Checketts Gardner named as counselors CHURCH-ELC- 575 23rd St Phone: pm 394-554- 3 10:00 AM Sunday Worship Nursery Facilities Available Ramp For Handicapped (Nursery Care Available) THE DOCTOR phoned one of his delinquent patients “Mrs Prygroff" he said “I’m sorry to tell you this but your check just came back” “So did my arthritis” she replied and promptly hung up Some things si are not cured in ' just one visit! Come to church V-i- I Sunday! FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 26th and Jefferson Phone 393-566- 2 Keith W Spahr Pastor Worship 9:00 and 10:30 Church School 9:00 Coffee Fellowship am Nursery Care Provided f Us SHOP Standard-Examine- r CLASSIFIEDS 0393-847- 7 Worship 10:00 am Nursery Care 10:00 am M--F Office Hours: 8:30-4:3- 0 TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN 1st and Tyler 0 10:00 am CHURCH Worship OGDEN JAPANESE CHRISTIAN 580-23r- d Street Worship 10:30 WESTMINSTER am PRESBYTERIAN Meeting At N 600 W (550 N Main ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH ELCA 805 2nd St Ogden Utah I Summer Worship at 9:30 am Nursery Care Provided 1 Nursery Care available 550 SAVE DAILY! N FIRST PRESBYTERIAN Street 880-28t- h Pastor Karl W Kruse 546-021- 2 St) Kaysville Utah 84037 Worship 10:15 AM Pastor: Steven E Wigdahl 7 Phone 393-651- ST PAUL CHURCH And DAY SCHOOL MISSOURI SYNOD 3329 Hirmoo Blvd Phone Bev Jack D Heck 8 745-250- Sunday Morning 8:30 & 11:00 Sunday School 9:45 am ChUdren’i Sermon Every Sunday tad Day Care Call Classified 394-167- 1 July 28 1990 |