Contact: Kim Pettit
ChristianTrade Association International
+1 (719) 432-8428
E-mail: kpettit@ChristianTrade.com

Jim Powell, President of ChristianTrade Association International and former president of the International Bible Society, will retire at the International Vision Celebration to take place on Sunday, July 10, 2011, at the International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta. Sylvester Ejeh, of Edysyl Bookshops in Nigeria, who served as Chair of the ChristianTrade Board of Directors for three years, also ends his term this July.

Jean-Luc Cosnard, incoming Chair of the ChristianTrade Board of Directors, says, “Jim has had a pivotal role in strengthening and encouraging Christian literature distribution throughout the world. I have greatly enjoyed our friendship over the years, and am confident I speak for many people in saying that he will be missed. God will surely reward Jim for his great contribution to spreading the gospel around the world. I am honored to lead the Board and continue the work he began with ChristianTrade.”

Jim has served in the ministry of Christian literature distribution all his life. His first CBA convention was 1966. After 9 years in Christian magazine publishing, he joined a major Bible publisher, and then served with two different Bible Societies. For about 10 years he worked independently – serving Bible publishers and other ministries, including CBA – until joining CBA full time in 2000. He served there until the formation of ChristianTrade Association International in 2005. He steps down from this role in July to join his wife, Peggy, in volunteering in locations outside America in support of Bible translation and other Christian mission activities.

“We are so blessed in America to have God’s Word in so many translations and forms, while millions lack even John 3:16 in their heart language,” says Powell.“Peggy and I are so grateful for the wonderful opportunities that the Lord has given us, but we look forward with great anticipation to the new role He is opening to us to continue our passion through volunteerism in a missionary setting.”

For the past six months, the Powells have served the Lord by managing the Ukarumpa Guest House at the world’s largest mission center, SIL (Wycliffe Bible Translators) in Papua New Guinea. In the meantime, Kim Pettit has served as ChristianTrade’s Chief Operating Officer. Upon Jim Powell’s retirement, Pettit will be appointed Executive Director.

“Peggy and I are so blessed to have been associated with the great people who distribute the resources that lift up Jesus and His Word,” says Powell. “We’ve given our lives to that. Now it is time for us to step aside. There are great days ahead for this industry as new vistas are achieved. The Church today is seeing its greatest growth in developing nations. I believe it is very significant that the new leader of ChristianTrade, Kim Pettit, is both a woman and Hispanic.She is highly committed to supporting that growth through bringing together and providing resources to this vital industry. I commend Kim and ChristianTrade and its board to your support and prayers as they develop new and more effective ways to serve this industry internationally.”

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ChristianTrade Association International is a worldwide association of nations, companies, and individuals committed to fulfilling the Great Commission by distributing Christian resources. It holds international regional conventions in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America; publishes an annual Christian-trade directory; hosts international events at CBA’s International Christian Retail Show; and serves as a catalyst for growing the Christian trade worldwide. For more information, please visit www.ChristianTrade.com or e-mail info@ChristianTrade.com.