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Bookseller Profile - Aldersgate Books

Run by the husband and wife team of John and Jennifer Schuit, Aldersgate Books is one of Abebooks’ leading Christian booksellers.

"We offer books for the modern church and people interested in Christianity," said John Schuit, who spent four years as a pastor, has two degrees in theology, years of bookselling experience, and still teaches theology and Christian history at a local college. Jennifer’s MBA and work in church administration adds to the knowledge mix.

"It might appear we are working within a narrow focus but Christian books cover a very broad spectrum. The main market is the United States where we see demand from California, Texas, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Additionally, we send books to the UK and Australia every week as well. Around 20 per cent of the people who buy books from us are Christian professionals such as pastors and teachers. Biographies, history and theology are all popular."

Aldersgate Books joined AbeBooks in July 2002 offering mostly used copies with the inventory stretching to 15,000 books including many rare and collectible titles.

"In the first year of operation, we advertised for books so we could build up our inventory but now they come by word of mouth," said John. "People call us. We buy from retired pastors, libraries, or anyone from the Christian tradition. Our last major acquisition came from a pastor in Toronto who wanted to sell part of his collection."

And the future appears bright for Aldersgate as demand continues to increase.

"Seminaries are full, bible colleges are flourishing." said John. "At the same time, an unprecedented number of students of higher education in the U.S. are committed Christians. People want to know how to live in a Christian way, how to treat their husband or wife, how to run their business, how to be ethical. We think it is also comforting for a Christian to buy a book from another Christian. Naturally, there is an element of trust involved.

"There is much interest today in books published during the Victorian era. There was a great flow of intellectual writing about the subject in Britain during the Victorian Age – people like C.H. Spurgeon, a noted British minister. People also contact us to see if we have anything by Alan Redpath – another British minister who wrote in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s." Other authors among the top evangelical scholars today include J.I. Packer, D.A. Carson and Leon Morris.