Sales of Christian books have risen significantly. The popular Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins had sales of more than 70 million. The hard cover edition of The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown has sold more than 40 million copies. According to a Baylor University report, nearly 12 percent of Americans spend more than $50 a month on religious products. A third of them made those purchases at a local Christian bookstore. Judging by Christian book sales, the Bible is the best-selling Christian book this year -- and every year.

Americans in general are much more aware of the popular Harry Potter book series than two best-selling books that reflect conservative evangelical views--the Left Behind series and The Prayer of Jabez, according to a Barna Research survey.

Charismatic religious pastors have contributed tremendously for Christian book sales. Rick Warren, Pastor at Saddle Creek Church has world wide following. Rick Warren's book "The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?" has sold more than 22 million copies since its 2002 release. Joel Osteen is the pastor at Lakewood Church in Houston where 30,000 people attend his sermons every week and his weekly television broadcast airs worldwide.

Purpose Driven Consumers

When an independent research firm hired by Zondervan surveyed people who bought "The Purpose-Driven Life", out of 30,000 responses...

* 83% said they had actively recommended the book.

* 4.5% bought additional copies to give away.

* Within that subgroup, 73% bought 1-3 copies, 17% bought 4-6 copies, and 7.1% bought to 10 copies or more