Peabody, MA (July 30, 2020) – Christianbook has finalized an agreement with Cokesbury to purchase Bibles by the Case. Cokesbury, the retail and customer service arm of The United Methodist Publishing House, has been operating Bibles by the Case (BBTC) as an independent sales channel since November 2019.
Tammy Gaines, CFO of The United Methodist Publishing House commented that “Cokesbury gained numerous benefits from the short time we owned BBTC including augmenting our distribution methods and engaging with thousands of new customers as well as new publishers.”
Ray Hendrickson, President and CEO of Christianbook commented “We are thrilled to bring the Bibles by the Case brand into the 40-year tradition of the Christianbook group. We have shared the same ministry ideals of Bibles by the Case in bringing great prices on Bibles and other ministry materials to churches, organizations and consumers through Christianbook as well as our Bibles in Bulk brand. We are excited for this opportunity to expand our commitment to the spreading of the gospel through the products we sell each day and are honored that United Methodist Publishing House would entrust us with the customers of BBTC.”
Brian Milford, President of UMPH added “Former BBTC owners Russ and Becky Casenhiser were valued partners throughout our involvement and we are very confident that BBTC customers will now be well served by Christianbook.”
Since the company is privately held, no terms of the transaction are disclosed.
From its humble beginnings in 1978, operating out of mom and dad’s home in Lynn, Massachusetts, and carrying only a few academic titles at discounted prices, Christianbook has grown to become the world’s largest seller of Christian products. Through its online presence, Christianbook.com, and 65 unique catalogs the company offers the lowest possible prices and maintains an inventory exceeding 500,000 items. The wide selection includes books, Bibles, homeschool resources, gifts, toys and games, academic resources, church supplies, DVDs and music. Christianbook.com provides great content on its website, including author profiles and interviews, detailed product descriptions and excerpts, reviews, music clips and video content. The company provides not only great value but also exceptional customer service and support. In addition to receiving the Bizrate Circle of Excellence Platinum Award for 19 years, Christianbook is also a nine-time recipient of the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work award. The company currently employs a staff of over 550 employees, and operates out of a 370,000SF facility located in Peabody, Massachusetts, that houses our distribution center, full-service call center, and corporate offices. Christianbook is committed to the spreading of the gospel both through the products we sell each day and in our philanthropic support of missions around the globe. In particular, we seek to have an exponential impact on the kingdom by equipping overseas pastors and Bible school students, who then have a lifetime of impact in their ministries. We are also a proud supporter of the City of Peabody and many local charities.
For more information, please contact Bridget Timmins at btimmins@christianbook.com.
