Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 ESV quotes Kevin Bodaly, Owner of Creation Bookstore, 900 Oxford St East, London’s Christian bookstore.
Bodaly did just that and more to weather the storm of the pandemic to hold fast to God’s promises for the store and to hold onto his promise to help those in London’s Christian community continue their walks with Jesus by not only providing resources and materials but by praying and walking beside them.
“We are a family run business, intent on instilling a warm, inviting atmosphere filled with the presence of the Lord. We sell Bibles, books, music, DVDs, gifts, curriculum and more. And we are very thankful for the support from our customers especially over the last year and a half that we were able to continue. And all the staff here have to be thanked. Because of their commitment we were able to remain strong in Him,”
He does not let you down. Walking into Creation Bookstore is like walking into a friend’s welcoming living room where you are encouraged to make yourself comfortable and browse the walls lined with current Christian books. fiction and nonfiction, inspiring biographies, children’s books, children’s books, Bibles and more. The tables are laden with giftware, accessories, apparel, stationary and note cards. There is a section for evangelical apparel such as t-shirts for children and adults.
There is a large library like section of bargain books waiting to be leafed and sorted through. The bargain books are there to make it easy to shop for everyone. Affordably priced starting at just two dollars, shoppers can pick up popular out of print titles and more for easy reading or gift giving.
Walking through the aisles, browsers recognize titles and authors names.
God is My Hiding Place 2021, an adapted version of books by noted holocaust survivor and author Corrie ten Boom’s
The Hiding Place, Clippings from My Notebook, Prayers and Promises for Every Day and ten Boom’s biography
Each New Day.
Joel C Rosenberg’s recently published nonfiction
Enemies and Allies: an unforgettable journey inside the fast-moving and immensely turbulent modern Middle East, and the author’s most recent fiction
The Beirut Protocol are there as gift giving or personal enjoyment.
A smattering of charismatic British pastor and author R T Kendall’s inspiring in the Spirit 60 books all available by special order. And so many more available online, in the store and by special order.
Bodaly realizes there is more to giving than just books and giftware.
www.Creationbookstore.ca is the online home of Creation Bookstore, one of Canada's largest independent retailers of Christian resources, the site specializes in yes, the books and Bibles, Christian music but also church supplies, religious items and even church furnishings.
Like so many Christian ministries, it was never Bodley’s plan to own a Christian bookstore and online Christian store. While managing an industrial supply company in London, he was asked to take a position pastoring a church in Ottawa. His wife, Cathy, was a stay-at-home mom with their three daughters, so it was not difficult taking the position. But after five years they started feeling a little distanced from their families in London.
One day in 1995 while visiting their parents Bodaly “happened” into Creation Bookstore when owner Pat Dermenjian was in the store. Dermenjian had previously founded and operated London’s Upper Room bookstore for many years. A few years after he sold it and retired, he felt bored and had bought the existing Creation Bookstore. In conversation that day Bodaly and Dermenjian discussed the store was for sale and if Bodaly was interested. The rest is as they say is 25-year history. Bodaly and his family moved back to London and Bodaly took over the store in July 1996.
A few years later when Cathy was looking for something to do when the girls were in their teems, she slowly got involved in working administration in the store.
One of the couples’ favourite aspects of owning Creation Bookstore however is not the feel of the books, choosing the inventory or setting up the giftware. Every week members of London’s large but tight Christian community come into the store to shop. And without fail, they meet and catch up with friends and associates. Throughout the week there are fellowships happening right in the lobby and the aisles. “Some days it is like church in here,” says Bodaly, “And that is the is a special thing.
Over the Christmas season Creation is open Monday to Thursday and Saturday 9 a.m., to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 am, to 8 p.m. The store is closed on Sunday.
For more information contact at 519- 659-2610 or 800- 366-8004 or
info@creationbookstore.ca
