Short stuff

Visual Bible International was scheduled to begin filming for its first film, a word-for-word depiction of the Gospel of John, in Toronto and Spain in January 2003. The film is scheduled for release in September 2003. Visual Bible International hopes to eventually film every book in the Bible.

—Visual Bible International

Bill and Gloria Gaither, together with Salem Communications, have launched Homecoming Magazine. This follows the 10 years of Homecoming concerts and videos produced by the Gaithers. It will be a bi-monthly publication with stories and insights of friendship, faith and fun. The magazine will be available in bookstores; subscriptions are available by calling 800-527-5226 or logging on to Homecoming Magazine.

—Salem Communications

A list of Canada’s top songs sung in churches, according to Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI), starts with one by Canadian Brian Doerksen, “Come, Now is the Time to Worship”. This is followed by “Lord, I Lift Your Name On High”, “Shout to the Lord”, Open the Eyes of My Heart” and “You Are My All In All”. For an annual license fee, churches receive permission from CCLI to copy from more than 150,000 songs for congregational use.

—CCLI