GREATER GRACE MINISTRIES TJ ’ s Christian Bookstore in Cedar Falls , IA , is also a seasonal drop-off spot for different ministries . Last Christmas , they collected cleaning supplies for their local women ’ s shelter . In addition , all last year , they invited customers to round up their purchases to support a different local charity each month . This year , owner Joyce Barbatti will be sending several boxes of books left over from their annual tent sale to a ministry she supports called Greater Grace Ministries , which is building a Christian school and seminary in Monrovia , Liberia .
ISAIAH 117 HOUSE Sonya Higgs of Christian Book & Gift Shop in Greeneville , TN , supports a local foster care ministry called Isaiah 117 House , taken from Isaiah 1:17 , which encourages believers to help the oppressed and defend the fatherless . At Christmastime , customers can bring in or buy Bibles to donate to the house . For the store ’ s 50th anniversary , Sonya said they set a goal of donating 50 Bibles to Isaiah 117 House . To meet this goal , they partnered with their customers by discounting many of the kids ’ Bibles at 50 % off and allowing customers to choose the Bibles they wanted to purchase and donate . Christian Book & Gift Shop is another example of how a small bookstore in a small town can make a big impact for the kingdom .
MY faith
PARTNERS CARD Rick and Susan Lewis of Logos Book Store in Dallas , TX , participate in a community-wide fundraiser for The Family Place , a local woman ’ s shelter . Customers can buy a Partners Card for $ 70 , which entitles them to 20 % off most everything in their store , as well as over 700 stores in the Dallas- Fort Worth area , during the first week of November . One hundred percent of the card ’ s fee goes directly to the shelter . For over 30 years , Partners Card has raised over $ 20 million to provide safety for the victims of domestic violence .
ANGEL TREE
ANGEL TREE New Life Christian Bookstore in Murray , KY , supports different charities through their chamber of commerce , including pet adoptions and toy drives . Owner Karen Welch said if her chamber of commerce needs a place for an Angel Tree , she volunteers her store . Customers will typically purchase her store ’ s gift cards for the tree gift , so it ’ s a win-win . “ Jesus did His ministry outside of the church ,” Karen said . “ We need to use that as an example .”
HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE For over 10 years , Ron and Karen Grosse of Lighthouse Christian Books in Green Bay , WI , have partnered with Home Instead Senior Care at Christmastime by putting up a tree for them in their store . The tree has ornaments with a senior ’ s name and wish list . Shoppers can choose an ornament and purchase the gifts on the wish list and bring them back to the store . Home Instead picks up the gifts , wraps them and distributes them . Home Instead shared that the seniors are often in tears because it may be the only gifts they get . Since the seniors often want things like sweatshirts , sweatpants and candy , Karen said most people do not purchase their gifts from her store ; however , they have come to know Lighthouse Christian Books and the products they have because they come through the store to get their list and drop off the gifts . “ We gained many new folks who were not familiar with the store , and the good will was so helpful ,” Karen said .
How will your store be spreading goodwill to others this Christmas ? Partnering with an existing ministry is a good place to start . CRA
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