PURPOSE: As an organization and as individuals, our overriding purpose, our reason for being, can be stated very simply.
We exist to:
HONOR AND SERVE JESUS CHRIST
MISSION: In striving to achieve our purpose, Beardsley’s specific mission is to minister through the vehicle of a Christian bookstore to both believers and nonbelievers by:
1. Providing products and services designed to help equip believers to better worship, follow, and serve Christ.
2. Developing an atmosphere through our facility, staff, products, and operation which is attractive and inviting to non-Christians in the hope that they may be drawn to and exposed to the saving power of Jesus Christ.
Further, it is our intent to:
a. Be an essential support resource for Christian churches and other ministries serving the cause of Christ in our community.
b. Deal honestly, fairly, and ethically with our customers, suppliers, employees, and all others as a means of honoring Christ.
c. Provide a workplace where each employee feels he or she can contribute to part of our ministry team and where the potential for personal and spiritual growth and opportunity is manifest.
Beardsley’s Book and Bible History The Bible Book and Church Supply Store began in 1956 in downtown Modesto at 910 J Street. The Freewill Baptist Church Convention bought the store in 1961, and Winston and Allyne Lawless managed it. Then in 1972, Winston and Allyne purchased the store.
In 1975 Les Beardsley intended to purchase a Ben Franklin store in the San Jose area. During this time, He was hired in a management position with TG&Y Stores of Sacramento, and was transferred to manage their Ceres location. Before Les could purchase the Ben Franklin store, the Lord intervened; the financing was delayed long enough for Mr. Beardsley to look at God’s Purpose in his life. Mr. Beardsley and his wife Linda were told by the owner of the Foothill Scripture House in Sacramento that the Bible bookstore in Modesto was for sale. When Les and Linda first looked at the store, a peace came over them and they knew it was God’s will that they purchase the store. The asking price just happened to be the amount Les and Linda had, and the owner shared with them that he had already refused offers form four or five other potential buyers, but felt it was God’s will for Les and Linda to Purchase the Store.
Les and Linda Beardsley’s made the decision to purchase the Bible bookstore thirty minutes before they were to sign a purchase agreement for the Bookstore, at that same time the Ben Franklin store called to tell Les that everything was in place to purchase the store. Before Les believed it was very clear that the Lord opened Les’s eyes to His desire. Now Les was caught at a fork in the road, do the Lord’s will or Les’s will, both options were open. On January 1, 1976, Les and Linda purchased the Bible Bookstore and changed the name to Beardsley’s Book and Bible Store.
God blessed Les and Linda by sending three people with experience in the Christian retail to help with running the store during the learning period. God continued to bless Beardsley’s with more growth then Les and Linda ever expected. In 1977, they moved to a new location on McHenry Avenue and doubled their current size. In 1988, Les and Linda purchased the Zondervan store in the mall, which became our second store. In 1992, this store moved to the Dale Road location and the main store was moved from McHenry to the corner of Coffee and Sylvan Roads. In 1997, Les and Linda opened a Christian Outlet store next door the dale road store. Beardsley’s opened a fourth store in Ceres in 1998. In November 4th, 2002 Les and Linda moved the Coffee road store to its present location in the McHenry Village Shopping Center.
“Praise God and thanks for allowing us to serve Him in this manner and for blessing our efforts and business so well.”
- Les Beardsley
Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
