Charis Christian Bookstore is Taking Part in National Bibles for Troops CampaignCustomers can come to the store, and buy and sign a Bible that will be given to an active-duty U. S. soldier serving somewhere in the worldLARGO - National Bible for Troops Campaign is at First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks’ Charis Bookstore, 12685 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Across the nation, an effort is underway to sign and send 100,000 Bibles to American troops in 100 days. Tens of thousands of people are expected to go to a local Christian bookstore, purchase a $4.99 camo-covered special edition Bible, write a personal message inside the front cover of the Bible, and give it back to the retailer to be shipped to an American soldier serving somewhere around the world. While there have been other efforts to provide Bibles to soldiers, never before have Bibles been sent with personal messages inscribed by individual Americans, expressing their prayers and gratitude. At a special display station in at least 1000 participating Christian bookstores across the country—including Charis Christian Bookstore of Largo, caring Americans will be able to purchase, sign, and send the Operation Worship special edition of the New Living Translation. The Christian retailer will then send the signed Bible—along with thousands of others—to be distributed free-of-cost to active military via hundreds of military chaplains around the world who have requested Bibles. “What better impact can you have on a soldier than to provide them with the Word of God?” said Jeff Hilliard, cofounder of Open Window Foundation and Operation Worship, a national not-for-profit ministry whose mission is to enrich the spiritual lives of military personnel. “No matter how we feel about the war, our soldiers need our support. This is an incredible way for ordinary Americans to support our soldiers in a personal and meaningful way.” “Soldiers continue to ask for Bibles in the field,” Hilliard said. “One chaplain I talked to estimated that out of 40 soldiers attending a field church service from the back of a HumVee, only 2 to 5 of them will have a Bible. There is a great need.” When Bibles are made available, he reports, they are eagerly received by soldiers—many of whom are confronting some of the toughest challenges of their lives. For general information about First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, please call 727- 595-3421 or go to the church’s website at www.indianrocks.org.
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