The Global Bookstore at Mariners Church gives back

The Global Bookstore at Mariners Church, a 3,500-square-foot shop in Irvine, Calif., serves a 12,000-member congregation. For the past 10 years, the store has been able to help fund a variety of outreach initiatives. 

Global Bookstore does more than
$1 million in annual sales, said Bookstore Director Andrea Devin.

The store was founded when Mariners Outreach Founding Pastor Laurie Beshore came up with the idea of starting a bookstore that would give its proceeds to outreach. There are four major initiatives: meeting needs that are both critical and practical; standing in the gap for the poor, marginalized and forgotten; challenging, equipping and empowering the people of Mariners Church; and engaging a global movement. The store’s signage, bags, hangtags and logo convey these initiatives. Customers may also visit the website www.marinersoutreach.org to learn more about the store’s emphasis.

The name “Global Bookstore” is more about the mission and purpose of giving all of the net proceeds to outreach ministries than it is the product mix. 

“One of the reasons our customers shop in the store is to support all of the outreach ministries,” Devin observed. “They are given a bag stuffer at the checkout that explains the four initiatives and it tells where their money is going.

The store’s inspirational boutique evolved out of knowing customers’ needs and what they would want to wear or give as a gift. It started with Christian apparel and jewelry. However,  now customers want more of a mix, including tops, cardigans and pull-on skirts. Accessories like scarves, handbags, make-up bags and headbands as well as Christian and costume jewelry are also popular.

“A customer may be purchasing a birthday gift for a friend who is not a believer. The boutique gives her a place to shop for that gift. If it’s a scarf, she can also purchase a greeting card with scripture, and the hangtag on the scarf will let her know that the gift was purchased at the Global Bookstore, ‘Where all the net proceeds go to Outreach,’ ” Devin said.