Marching Orders for WIN Communications and Writers Information Network

Mission Statement: "Help me, O God, to do my best to help other people to accomplish and to achieve, knowing that their contribution is what God is trying to give the world." --from Florence Sims, 1873-1923, who started the YWCA. (Claimed for WIN, November 15, 2004)



Mandate: "Now go and write these words. Write them in a book. They will stand until the end of times as a witness" (Isaiah 30:8 NLT).



Message: "The Lord gives the Word [of power]; the women who hear and publish [the news] are a great host" (Psalm 68:10-11 AMP).






Thursday, May 21, 2015

CBA’s 2015 International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) opens June 28



2015 ICRS format changes mean focused time for keynotes, training, and exhibit floor

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO CBA’s 2015 International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) will have a later exhibit-floor start time. This unprecedented change is to allow the entire industry to attend three keynote sessions on topics with far-reaching consequences: religious liberty, engaging with the culture, and the future of Christian retail.

ICRS is June 28-July 1 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The new exhibit-floor hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 29-30, with exclusive floor hours 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. On Wednesday, July 1, the exhibit floor is open 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

The time reserved for the Monday and Tuesday keynote sessions is 8-9 a.m. followed by targeted breakout workshops, 9-10 a.m. Sunday’s keynote is 3-4 p.m. prior to the industry worship service, Worship Him!

“Because these issues are so important to our industry’s future, we want everyone to have   the opportunity to attend these sessions, hear the messages, and apply what they learn to their business or ministry,” said CBA President Curtis Riskey.

Pam Harrington of the Billy Graham Training Center (Asheville, NC), said, “Our industry is at a point where we need to come together. I understand why having new exhibit floor hours is necessary. I think it’s critical we be together as a group.”

The first general session, “Religious Liberty: Can You Be a Christian and in Business?” is 3-4 p.m., Sunday, June 28. Craig Parshall, special counsel for Jay Sekulow’s American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), will frame the discussion and moderate the follow-up panel dialog including Doug Napier, Alliance Defending Freedom’s senior counsel, executive VP, and chief alliance officer; and Daniel Blomberg, legal counsel for The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. 

“With local court decisions ruling against traditional Christian values, it’s more important than ever that Christian business owners keep informed about threats and what to do about them,” Riskey said.

“Engagement: Building Relationship Based on Truth” is 8 a.m. Monday, June 29, featuring keynote speaker Steve Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. president and founder of Museum of the Bible. Panelists include author and evangelist Josh McDowell (Barbour); Sue Smith, manager of Baker Book House (Grand Rapids, MI) and CBA board chairperson; and Bob Lenz, Life Promotions president.

“To have a positive influence on the culture for Christ, we need to understand how to engage the culture without compromising our convictions – even promoting them as viable life solutions,” Riskey said.

“Connecting the Future: Church, Store, and Digital Natives” is 8 a.m., Tuesday, June 30. Inspirational speaker and author Nick Vujicic (WaterBrook-Multnomah) will give a brief message, and Ed Stetzer, executive director of LifeWay Research, will frame the panelists’ conversation with new research on the church and young people. In addition to Vujicic, panelists include author and pastor Jarrid Wilson (Nelson Books), and third-generation retailer Zach Wallington of Christian Supply (Spartanburg,SC).

“Our mission to support the church and the Great Commission is directly tied to how the next generation is coming to Christ,” said Riskey. “Serving technology-enabled people requires a new mindset for everything we communicate.”

For information on 2015 ICRS, visit www.ChristianRetailShow.com.
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