Answering a call

Faith 2011

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Ruth James and her daughter, Natalie Church, own Ruth’s Christian Bookstore in Oakwood Mall. James answers a question about the business expansion that placed the business in the mall. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)
Ruth James and her daughter, Natalie Church, own Ruth’s Christian Bookstore in Oakwood Mall. Church talks about the literary selections available at the store. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)
Ruth James and her daughter, Natalie Church, own Ruth’s Christian Bookstore in Oakwood Mall. Inspirational Crosses are among the items available at the store. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)
Ruth James and her daughter, Natalie Church, own Ruth’s Christian Bookstore in Oakwood Mall. Books are among the items available at the store. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)

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April 9, 2011

Answering a call

Mother and daughter team to provide marketplace ministry in Oakwood Mall

By Kasey Fowler, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle The Enid News and Eagle Sat Apr 09, 2011, 08:29 PM CDT

ENID — Ruth’s Christian Bookstore started 23 years ago on a wing — sort of — and a prayer.

“I asked the Lord for a call on my life,” said Ruth James, owner of the store. “It wasn’t a lightning bolt or anything but I kept thinking about a Christian bookstore.”

She decided to keep the store close to home, just south of Pond Creek, and while it was not a true wing of her house it was close.

“I had a brown metal building behind my house that had been empty for a while.”

James admits she was afraid and unsure of herself when she started the store.

“I was not confident because I’d never been in business or anything. I gained confidence from the book of Ruth. Ruth 3:11, ‘And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.’ It gave me the courage to do what we do,” James said.

Shortly after opening the store in the metal building on the family farm, it moved to Oakwood Mall.

“We started with card tables in the mall,” James said. “We had the desire to minister.”

James’ daughter, Natalie Church, who was in high school when the first store opened, now co-owns the chain ... yes, chain.

These days Ruth’s has four locations: Enid, Oklahoma City, Muskogee and, most recently, Stillwater. The first three of Ruth’s stores are in malls, with the Stillwater location free-standing.

“We’ve been called to the malls because that is where the people are,” Church said. “We are called to marketplace ministry. We try to encourage our customers with the store. We pray for people to feel God through our store and know God is alive and well.”

Ruth’s sells a large variety of items, but its No. 1 seller is the Bible.

“We are doing a Bible for Everyone campaign,” Church said, adding they are pushing Bible sales by the case: 10 Bibles for $20.

Ruth’s employees add something special to each Bible sale, James said.

“We pray over every Bible we sell. We’ve never had anyone say no.”

Other best-sellers are Christian-focus books, T-shirts, jewelry, art, gifts and even vegetables.

One of the big sellers for youths are Veggie Tales movies, books and other promotions. The brand focuses on Bible stories and lessons as shared by vegetable characters.

“We’ve been doing the showing since 1992. We do them about every quarter,” Church said.

Ruth’s also hosts live musical performances and book signings. Also, their Veggie Tales showings are very popular.

Ruth’s stores are in Oakwood Mall in Enid, Quail Springs Mall in Oklahoma City and Arrowhead Mall in Muskogee and at 520 E. Hall of Fame, near the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater.

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Faith 2011

Faith 2011
One of the attributes of living in Enid and Northwest Oklahoma is the abundant pride residents have in its people, land and businesses. The 2011 News & Eagle Progress edition highlights these areas and pays tribute to all of those who make our region shine 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

April 9, 2011 1 Photo
Offering a ‘hand up’
Since that first Feed The Neighborhood event 12 years ago, the occasion has grown to involve more than a dozen churches and other organizations that donate money and vouchers so children can have backpacks and school supplies.

April 9, 2011 2 Photos
Now serving
During the budget cut process, churches, organizations and businesses in communities served by Wheatheart helped provide Friday meals for seniors.

April 9, 2011 2 Photos
Our Daily Bread demand steady in today’s economy

“More and more of them are having to walk or ride bicycles because they can’t afford gas. We feed 200 to 300 every day.” — Sandy Howard, director of Our Daily Bread

April 9, 2011 1 Photo
the latest toys — Send a message
Oakwood Christian Church worship minister Alan Gloor said the church is undergoing a project to install intelligent lighting and projectors for the use of high definition video in services.

April 9, 2011 2 Photos
Meeting you where you are
Chaplain Jeff Jackson, of Hospice Circle of Love, says today you have to meet people wherever they may be on their road to faith — even if that road doesn’t exist.

April 9, 2011 1 Photo
Hope Outreach thrifty with its ministry
The organization is comprised of many ministries that reach out to those in need in various ways, all funded, in part, by the store.

April 9, 2011 2 Photos
YMCA focuses on its faith
The YMCA seeks to honor God by providing an outstanding facility, atmosphere, and programs that foster a positive change in the spirit, mind, and body.”

April 9, 2011 1 Photo
Let the children come
Using a variety of activities, K-Life helps youths grow in their faith and have fun in the process.

April 9, 2011 4 Photos
Sewing seeds of Christianity
First United Methodist Church hosts students from Drummond to Pioneer in its Little Ladies Sewing Circle.

April 9, 2011 5 Photos
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Answering a call

Mother and daughter team to provide marketplace ministry in Oakwood Mall

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