2013 4th Quarter Report
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
“Give attention to reading...” (1 Timothy 4:13)
This verse is instrumental to our ministry. Reading good commentaries and other writings helps the believer to grow. We strive to have easy to read and doctrinally sound reading material.
“Thus far the LORD has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12).
This verse has been on our fliers and announcements for many years now, and it is just as true today.
Financials:
This ministry needs about $2100 every week for operations, including prepress, printing, inventory, free distribution, payroll, taxes, utilities, office equipment and supplies, etc. Of these expenses, sales of items from the store, website, and at conferences only cover about ½ of these needs. The remaining operational funding comes from donations. At the end of the quarter, the Bookshelf was operating off of funds put into our checking account from a worker emergency fund CD. Without this, we would have been operating very close to zero.
New Publications:
This past year, 9 new titles have been printed, Click here to see new books. More new books are in some stage of production.
Ministry and History:
Believers Bookshelf USA has now been operating for 48 years. The Bookshelf was formed to keep in print selected writings of “early brethren” as well as writings of contemporary authors who follow the same truths of Scripture taught by these earlier writers. An object in many of our books is to make them as easy to read as practical for younger readers and readers where English is not their first language, while still maintaining the scriptural truth presented. We also carry books and other worthwhile material from other doctrinally sound publishers.
While Believers Bookshelf USA is a registered not-for-profit corporation, it considers itself to be a ministry operating in a businesslike manner. It seeks to keep the cost of books published affordable and below the normal retail price for similar books in bookstores to help customers and as an incentive to purchase books.
eBooks
We desire to make our most important titles available as eBooks free of charge, and other books as eBooks for a nominal charge. As we know that many, especially younger people, would rather read something that is free, it is our desire to give them doctrinally sound and easy to read books at no charge so they will be built up in the truth. But there is a cost to making eBooks, plus an estimated loss due to non-sales of paper books, which will still be available. The Church of the Living God is the first title to be produced, and is available now, but work on the website needs to be completed before distribution can begin. We held off sending out this report in the hopes that the website would be ready to sell the eBooks, but as we write this, we’ve had to get a new web developer involved and we hope to have this by next report. A separate announcement will be sent when these are available through the website.
Free Distribution:
Books and Bibles are sent free or at greatly subsidized price for prison ministry, work on various mission fields, at young people’s conferences and at EBC. Tracts, books and calendars have been sent free to assemblies and individuals for their outreach work.
This free distribution also could not have been accomplished were it not for the prayerful support of individuals and assemblies.
The Workers:
Larry Rosen, who is the full time manager and Karen Nassem, part time office worker, are paid a salary based on an hourly wage plus any gifts directed to them personally as servants of the Lord endeavoring in this ministry. The council of volunteers who guide the ministry (Paul Palmer, president; Phil Hanna, vice president; John Marks, treasurer; Roger Daniel, secretary; Bob Costen; Fritz Geiger; Tom Senn and Larry Rosen) meet annually and also participate in monthly conference calls. Glen Balsiger represents us on the West Coast, while Al Groth represents us in the Midwest. Several additional brothers and sisters donate time to maintain day-by-day accountability, to have a continuing supply of newer books, and further streamline the operation.
Conferences:
This past quarter Larry Rosen has taken a book display to the Wayne, NJ; New England (Springfield), MA; and New Freedom, PA Conferences. Glen Balsiger and Al Groth distributed books and calendars locally. As an added convenience to help readers purchase books, most credit cards are now accepted for payments at conferences.
Website:
Several volunteers, council members and staff have helped develop and maintain this website (www.bbusa.org) and are constantly trying to make it better. The Ministry receives requests for literature from all over the world through the website.
Please Pray:
Pray for the work and workers, and for the Lord’s guidance in every aspect of Believers Bookshelf’s service to Him and His saints. Pray too that the Lord may raise up authors, especially younger brethren, to write and help produce edifying books!
Volunteers:
We seek volunteers to help at Believers Bookshelf. The needs are many and diverse, including all aspects of book preproduction; proofreading, editing, page layout, cover design, data entry, web upgrades, and small projects as they arise. Some of these needs can be fulfilled from a saint’s home, like proofreading and editing.
Internship:
We will be sending an announcement in the spring offering an internship position. Details will be in this upcoming announcement, where we hope to encourage a college student in how his or her field of study could be used for the Lord.
Qualified would-be helpers may contact us at:
Believers Bookshelf
By Mail: P.O. Box 261, Sunbury, PA 17801
By email: Click here for email
By phone: (570) 672-2134
