Christian Retailing

Store helps pastors impacted by arson attacks Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Thursday, 18 February 2010 03:55 PM America/New_York
A Christian bookstore in Texas is supporting an effort to help pastors whose study materials have been lost in a string of arson attacks on churches.

The Scroll Christian Bookstore in Tyler is encouraging donations to the Church Ablaze Pastor's Book Fund, set up in the wake of almost a dozen mystery fires at churches in the area. Supporters can buy books specifically listed by pastors who have been affected by the fires or can make general donations to the fund at the store's Web site.

Scroll Manager David Rooker was approached for help by organizers of the Church Ablaze group that started a Facebook campaign to show support for those affected. They say that the incidents have "ended up fostering a unity the church hasn't experienced in years."

In addition to the usual savings The Scroll offers on purchases as a discount store--typically around 25%--Rooker is extending the 10% additional savings available to clergy to the purchases for the affected church leaders.

"It's a good cause-ministering to the people who minister," Rooker said of The Scroll's involvement. "Some of these people have lost tools they have developed over the course of years." Many of the churches that had been damaged were customers of the store, he added.