Since the day that God called me to this ministry, I knew that He was up to something that was bigger than just me and my life, bigger than what I could envision. And in the 14 years since He placed this calling in my heart, He has affirmed it over and over, and has shown me several reasons why the future is bright for this ministry.

Not Alone

One of the first things I realized as I began to be involved in the Christian bookselling community was that I was not alone. Even in 1993, many church bookstores were up and running. However, trying to connect with them was a hit-and-miss operation.

But now there are so many ways for us to be in touch with one another. Each year brings The Gathering, we have the Web site churchbookstorehelp.com, and we have regional directors who have been in the business for a long time and can offer help regarding most areas of your store.

So I hope that you also will remember that you are not alone. There are hundreds of others just like you who are struggling with the same challenges, doing the same chores and meanwhile trying to maintain balance in their lives outside the store. We are all here to help and pray for one another.

On the Rise

The second thing I see is that the number of church bookstores is increasing. Each week our regional directors—and many of you—get phone calls from churches that want to start a bookstore or resource area.

It may be a well-established church with a pastor who sees a store as a new opportunity for ministry, a church plant with plans for growth, or a church beginning a building program with a desire to add a bookstore and other support ministries like workout facilities or a cafe. As Christians are using more creativity in reaching out to the lost, the ministry of church bookstores is growing ever brighter.

Full of Hope

The third thing I see is God calling people to the bookstore ministry who have a vision for what it can add to the church. They are not just looking for another place to volunteer; they are men and women who have a heart for the printed word, beginning with the Bible. They also see music, gifts and cards as tools to reach out to lost and hurting people. These visionaries are prepared to give their all, and they want to be better at their work tomorrow than they are today.

Joining Together

The Church Bookstore Network is a concrete manifestation of all these trends that I have noticed: that I am not alone; that the number of church bookstores is growing; and that those who work in them want to do it with excellence.

The network exists to support you, and the people who are involved in it want to help you as your store grows or as you begin a new store. Through the Gathering of Church Bookstores, Internet communication and printed material, the network exists to help you have the best church bookstore possible.

The main reason that I know the future is bright for church bookstores and for the Church Bookstore Network is that you tell me it is. Nearly every day I get calls and e-mails saying that you are grateful for The Church Bookstore magazine, the Gathering of Church Bookstores and the Church Bookstore Network. The truth is that you are the reason for it all.

As we complete the tasks that God has given us, our challenge is this: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Col. 3:23-24, NIV).