Grace & Truth Books Expansion

Goal:

 USD $25,000

Raised:

 USD $320

Campaign created by Elizabeth Smith

Campaign funds will be received by Elizabeth Smith

Grace & Truth Books Expansion

When we bought Grace & Truth Books 2 years ago, it was primarily an online store, run out of the former owners' garage. Just a year prior, we had moved to AR from NC, where we'd raised our 9 kids. We didn't know it at the time, but God had a crazy plan to bring a Christian bookstore back to Conway, where the last one had closed some 12 years earlier.

Since we were only an online bookshop and publishing company, when we bought G&TB, we secured a space with a warehouse in Conway's industrial district. We set up shelves to pick our orders from, and when word started getting out that we were here (G&TB has been in business for over 30 years), people wanted to come in and shop. We called it our "industrial-type bookstore." When folks began asking for other things like more Bibles (we'd only ever carried a few), Christian t-shirts, home decor, gifts, and church supplies, we added those as we could. 

Now, as I mentioned above, we are not an ordinary Christian bookstore. People ask us why we are in the industrial section—although our location is excellent, right off exit 129 on I-40 (Dave Ward Dr, across from Bargain Brothers). We were first an online retailer and publishing company (we publish about 100 of our own titles). But we also exhibit at homeschool conventions around the country, partner with churches to be the bookstore at their conferences, and most recently, shifted our business model to do book fairs at schools and as fundraisers for other ministries.

Because of all that, we needed office space and a shipping area in addition to retail space. And here we are 2 years later, and we find that we've run out of space in this little shop. Last Saturday for example, we couldn't get down the aisle to help folks. We'd been discussing expanding for some time (our landlord is probably frustrated with us by now for talking it over so many times with him!) and praying regularly about it, and we saw that we finally had to have the faith of a mustard seed and take the plunge. The space next door to us has been open for the two years we've been here—almost like God was keeping it for us! 

Real ministry happens in this little shop nearly every day—people are personally helped with whatever they need, and the body of Christ finds gifts and books to encourage others. We supply outreach Bibles and tracts for those who take up the call to evangelize. There's even been counseling, prayer, and tears shed here. No kidding! We strive to be the source for all Conway's (and the surrounding areas') Christian product needs, from Communion supplies to Bibles and Bible studies to greeting cards to devotionals. 

But we need your help! We are a small, family-run business, and expanding is no small thing. 

If you cannot give financially, would you consider, most importantly, praying for us?

If you are part of the community here, please come and see what we're doing (you may find the book or gift you didn't know you were looking for!).

Nearby churches, we need you! Would you prayerfully consider shopping locally for your church supplies?


Recent Donations
Show:
Anonymous Giver
$ 100.00 USD
1 month ago

Wish it could be more. Love you and will continue to pray for the battles you fight - that your armor remains sure and the Lord is always your general.

Allen Reid
$ 100.00 USD
2 months ago

Glad to be able to support the work!

Anonymous Giver
$ 10.00 USD
2 months ago

Anonymous Giver
$ 100.00 USD
3 months ago

We are praying for you, dear friends! May Christ be Magnified!

Anonymous Giver
$ 10.00 USD
3 months ago

I'm so excited for you, Liz and Rick! Phyllis Wheeler

Updates

It Was a Grand Re-opening!

October 1st, 2024

On Thursday, September 19, we had our ribbon cutting and grand re-opening event. The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce stopped by along with many of our regular customers to celebrate this momentous occasion with us. We enjoyed custom-made cookies with our logo from Julie's Sweet Shoppe, and our son Christopher made delicious popcorn.

It's slow and difficult to spread the word and change people's Amazon habits, but the Lord has brought new people through the doors and provided many opportunities for prayer, counseling, and meeting folks' needs with solid biblical books. 

One of the most common comments we hear is "You need a sign." But signs are expensive, and we've been prioritizing reprinting some of our most popular titles and stocking inventory. Thus, part of the funds we raise will go toward getting a sign on the building so more folks can find us, especially as it starts to get dark earlier.

We now also have Grace & Truth Books t-shirts for sale, and part of the sales of those goes straight to our fundraising efforts! Get them here: https://graceandtruthbooks.com/product/the-official-grace-truth-books-t-shirt

We really appreciate everyone who has partnered with us so far. May the Lord be glorified in all that we do!

Update It Was a Grand Re-opening! Image
The Walls Are Open!

August 31st, 2024

Renovation Update!!! 🔧🔨🪚

The walls are open, and now we’re working on refinishing the used shelves we found in Fort Smith—they were the only things left in a mall space from a Christian bookstore that had gone out of business years ago.

The “crazy” (God) thing is we had just seen this kind of shelving in a Christian bookstore we visited in Tennessee on the way home from a homeschool conference the day before I searched online and found it for sale!

They look ugly now, but the pegboard backs will be painted navy blue, and the shelves will be refreshed in a white-gray hue. First, though, was cleaning, removing old pieces of tape 🙄, and sanding.

Most of the fixtures here will be “new to us,” bought used from another retailer, or donated to us (another God-glorifying testimony on that coming soon!). So it will definitely have an “eclectic” look when it’s all done! 😂

We’ve got a little ways to go, but we’re thankful to the Lord for His provision every step of the way.

Update The Walls Are Open! Image
Construction begins!

August 15th, 2024

We've signed the lease, and construction is now underway on removing the wall between the two spaces for our expansion. There will be three 10' x 10' openings.

We will remain OPEN during most of the construction. The goal date for the grand opening of our larger, more "awesomer" 😂 store is September 1. We can't wait! 

Update Construction begins! Image

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