Equip & Edify at RMCC

May 4, 2022
3 min read

The RMCC bookstore ministry was launched as a book table back in 1996, when the church rented space at the Point McKay historical building in northwest Calgary. It began with the desire to equip people with Biblically-sound books and Bibles at a reasonable price.

In the early days, when Pastor Glen traveled to Calvary Chapel pastors’ conferences in the U.S.A., he’d fill his suitcases with books for the book table. Eventually the book table found a permanent home when RMCC moved into its current location in the year 2003. Now Mrs. Jen Nudd simply orders the books online.

Bookstore With a Purpose

“This ministry is a non-profit organization that is aimed at providing biblically-sound books and Bibles to people without having them spend a fortune,” Jen explains. There is a strict policy about screening each book to ensure it is biblically-sound before it goes on the shelf. Each book is meant to build up the reader in their Christian faith and beliefs.

Jen keeps inventory well stocked. However, if there’s a particular item you’re looking for, talk to Jen. She may be able to order it for you.

The Bookstore Team

“There are six wonderful ladies who volunteer at the bookstore. They have been such a great help to me,” reflects Jen. “I really couldn’t do this alone. The women serve one Sunday a month. They are so servant-hearted, reliable, and trustworthy.”

Quite often, you may also find junior high girls serving. This gives them the opportunity to learn about customer service and handling money.

Bestsellers and More

Some of the bestsellers include (in no particular order):

  • Bibles,
  • wall art/pictures,
  • journals,
  • mugs,
  • greeting cards,
  • devotionals, and
  • books.

At Christmas time, the bookstore sells items created by RMCC members.

The Ministry Grows

About two years ago, Jen started reading picture books to about 10 young preschoolers, and that has really impacted those families. First, the kids are being blessed by having “Story time with Mrs. Jen.” Secondly, it has allowed the parents to fellowship, knowing their children are in a safe and loving environment.

“This ministry was not planned. It just evolved, by one child asking me to read a picture book, and I did,” Jen explains, smiling.

Visit the RMCC Bookstore

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16 (NKJV).”  

This scripture is a fitting description of the ministry of the RMCC bookstore —a place where Christians can purchase materials that will edify us and help us to be deeply rooted so that we’re not tossed around by every doctrine.

If you’ve never entered the bookstore, head over to the North foyer. Take a few moments to say “hi” to Mrs. Jen or some of the other volunteers who would be happy to help you find a book or possibly a gift for a friend. You may even find Mrs. Jen on her bench reading stories to a group of young preschoolers crowded on the floor around her!

Written by Laurel Kenny

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