Businesses fill niche for Christian products

Music, videos and computer games that give positive messages are available.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
BOARDMAN -- Sex, drugs, violence and foul language -- it's par for the course in some videos, computer games, music and software.
But there are other choices for teens and children and their parents who prefer to take another avenue.
Steve Parry, owner of Heaven on Earth, has been in business eight years. He runs a store at 8381 Market St., and an outlet next door. The walk-in business is supplemented by a catalog that notes "Christian resources."
Parry offers just that.
"I just felt the need for this," he said. "There are so many negative influences out there. I think this is a safe harbor with positive, Christian items.
"Whether you're Christian or not, you might be looking for something more desirable in your children's lives," he said. "These are positive influences," he said of the merchandise.
Parry, a member of Greenford Christian Church, said, "The influence of the Christian ethic is a plus."
But, the store owner admitted, there is lag in Christian-based software and computer games. "It's expensive to develop," he added.
What's out there
But among choices for 4- to 12-year-olds are "Bible Champions," a computer adventure game based on Biblical characters. "It's like a secular game but based on the Bible."
Another offering listed in the catalog is "Thank God for Adventures in Imagination," which is about "discovering God's world," he said.
Also for the computer is "Hermie and Friends," which focuses on sharing, and "The Oak Inside the Acorn," about miracles within each person.
Parry said he also carries some "general market offerings based in family values." He noted these included the enduring favorite, "Lassie," along with the more modern "Veggie Tales" that's for PlayStation2 and Game Boy. There's also DVDs for "Veggie Tales" with the themes of a Bible storybook.
Geared to young girls, the catalog lists "Gigi, God's Little Princess," a devotional Bible. The catalog also lists "Adventures in Odyssey," an audio series that has various themes, including "A Place of Wonder," "Bible Witness" and "Character Building." Parry also carries items such as Christian-based board games and Bibles for children.
Also popular is "Extreme Days," a travel adventure series featuring a saddle club and three girls and their horses and "The Chronicles of Narnia."
Geared to teenagers is the Biblezine project, which is the look of a magazine and features articles on Scripture. There's also a fantasy fiction series for teens and young adults with titles such as "Circles of Seven," "Tears of a Dragon" and "Eye of the Oracle."
"Hangman's Curse," a movie now released on DVD, is something Parry called "cutting edge" in its message.
'Real changes for teens'
"There have been some real changes for teens," Parry said, referring to the large scope of Christian- and spiritual-based music and DVDs available. "In the last five years, I've seen Christian music triple in contemporary bands. It's really flourishing."
Among popular groups are Kutless, Hawk Nelson, Newsboys, Disciple and Jars of Clay. "Kids come in to listen to the music and see if they like it," Parry said. Most of what he stocks comes from national bands. And there's also a range of gospel and inspirational music. "They sound like secular groups with a similar sound but have positive lyrics," Parry said of the contemporary Christian music groups.
"Dance Praise" is for the computer and features Christian contemporary music and an interactive dance pad.
At A New Beginning, 2232 Elm Road N.E., Warren, owner Sandi Buchanan, said, "There's so much garbage out there," she said. "We offer items with family values."
Even though she's been in business for 25 years, Buchanan said "there's not an avalanche" of offerings based in Christian or family values. She said she thought there was a need in the community for such a store.
Wholesome choices
Buchanan did offer some ideas to parents who want to provide something wholesome for their children.
"'Angel Wars' and 'Veggie Tales' have been well-received," she said of the video games.
She pointed out an older series, "McGee and Me," which was released by the Christian group Focus on the Family years ago, was a forerunner in its combination of real-life action and animated characters. "It's about a young boy, who's in the fourth grade, and his parents who move in with the grandparents. It offers wholesome stories," Buchanan said.
Buchanan described "Adventures in Odyssey" as an "enduring classic" about adventures in a town called Odyssey. Other popular DVDs are "The Last Chance Detectives" and "Sugar Creek Gang."
Buchanan said she's waiting to get a video game based on "Left Behind," a book dealing with those left behind to face the anti-Christ.
As for board games, Buchanan said there are Christian versions of "Gestures" and "Mad Gab" and a number of Bible trivia games.
A New Beginning also offers a catalog that's mailed to some 15,000 customers three times a year, she said.
linonis@vindy.com