MISSION CRY Claudy and Jack Jones of Discount Bible Books & Music in Warren , MI , first learned about Mission Cry when a regular customer asked if they would be willing to donate any Bibles and books to a non-profit Christian organization she volunteered at . Before consenting , Claudy and Jack wanted to learn more about this organization . They were invited to tour Mission Cry ’ s headquarters in Fowlerville , MI , and it was love at first sight ! “ Their heart to spread the good news of Jesus Christ was very evident in every aspect of Mission Cry ,” said Jack . Mission Cry empowers native missionaries around the world by sending donated Bibles and Christian books to those who cannot afford it . Discount Bible Books & Music equips Mission Cry with Bibles , books and other Christian literature that has been donated from customers and churches . Together as partners , Discount Bible Books & Music and Mission Cry sow seed and share the gospel ! To learn more about Mission Cry , email admin @ missioncry . com or visit their booth at CPE Winter 2024 in Charleston , SC .
FOLLOW THE LEADER & ONE DAY AT A TIME MINISTRIES At Believer ’ s Christian Gifts in Rio Rancho , NM , Mike and Jane Huffstuttler partner with local ministries , Follow the Leader and One Day at a Time Ministries , who help feed the hungry and transition people from prison back into society . Through donations from customers and recently a few churches , Believer ’ s Christian Gifts enabled these ministries to open another location to assist in feeding the hungry .
By caring for the less fortunate , they are taking to heart what Jesus said
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
MISSION CRY
BEACON OF HOPE & GENESIS PREGNANCY CENTER Every fall , Charlene Wiggs at On The Third Day-Master ’ s Mercantile in Pottstown , PA , selects a couple of local ministries , such as Beacon of Hope homeless shelter and Genesis Pregnancy Center , for her store to support financially . She sets up a table with information about the ministries , and even invites a spokesperson to talk to customers about the ministry and where the money will be going . To raise money , Charlene will be doing the same fundraiser she did last year . Since she buys so many Kerusso shirts and never wears them out , she is selling “ gently used ” T-shirts for $ 5 . All proceeds go in the donation box for the local ministries . She said customers love it because they are getting something fun and it ’ s going to a good cause .
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Many bookstores in Christian retail partner with Operation Christmas Child ( OCC ), a project of Samaritan ’ s Purse that delivers gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the world . Every year , Karen Phibbs of Emmanuel Gift Shop in Pulaski , VA , sets up an OCC shoebox display in their store and carries an assortment of small products suitable for filling the boxes . Customers are then able to drop off their shoeboxes at her store . In addition to being a collection site , Karen Welch of New Life Christian Bookstore dressed up as an OCC shoebox for a local parade . To learn more about how your store can partner with OCC , contact your marketing group .
TAKING IT TO THE STREETS Emmanuel Gift Shop in Pulaski , VA , serves as a collection center for a local evangelistic ministry called Taking It to the Streets , which provides winter housing for the homeless . People in the community can go to Emmanuel Gift Shop to drop off winter coats for the residents . “ Everyone should have a coat in the wintertime ,” says store owner Karen Phibbs . By caring for the less fortunate , they are taking to heart what Jesus said , “ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat , I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink , I was a stranger and you invited me in , I needed clothes and you clothed me ” ( Matthew 25:35-40 ).
12 CRA today / www . christianretailassociation . org