Adventist Church reopens book and health food store

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in good health, even as thy soul prospereth." - 3 John 1:2

It started as the ABC Book and Nutrition Centre, under an initiative of the local church union's publishing house from as far back as 125 years ago when Adventism began in Jamaica, but having been rebranded, it is now the Inter-American Division Publishing Association (IADPA).

Closed for a number a years due to unforeseen circumstances, the reopened store adds to five the number of stores operating in the island providing customers with books, healthy food items and even a spiritual experience.

"There are family books, health books, children's books, Bibles, hymnals. We have books to help you through grief if you are grieving, books for character building... What is happening is that Jamaica is not reading, and what we are saying is we are not selling a book; we are selling an experience and we want Jamaica to read," national manager of IADPA Bookstore, Debbie McLean, told Family and Religion.

READINGCLUB

With each store offering something special, the Mandeville branch is expected to begin a children's reading club.

"Our store in Ocho Rios has a small deli, where you can go and get your smoothies. For this store, we are coming with a lot of offerings for 2016, but we will be starting with a children's reading club that will be managed by our store manager. Children come in and read, and there will be prizes and, more importantly, this will be done in a family setting. You can call us for further information at 961-1314," added McLean.

With over 250 literature evangelists representing the Jamaica Union's publishing department across the island, the store reaffirms the mandate of team 'set to save - bringing hope into every home'.

"We are happy for how IADPA book store is providing spirit-filled literature for our evangelist to go from home to home, taking the message of salvation to a dying world, helping individuals to live longer, to look younger and, of course, be stronger as they read vital words of inspiration and motivation," expressed publishing director at the Jamaica Union Conference, Dudley Hosin.

Echoing his sentiments, treasurer of the Jamaica Union Conference, Pastor Bancroft Barwise, added, "As Seventh-day Adventists, we understand the value of books - of good books. I welcome the store because it will not only serve Manchester, but all the adjoining parishes will benefit as well. We are looking for good things from this store."

The IADPA book store is now located at 2 Midway Mall in Mandeville.

familyandreligion@gleanerjm.com