Bookstore Inspired From On High

TEMPLE TERRACE - Although academically equipped with a bachelor's degree in business and a master's in education, Joan Germain never dreamed circumstances would lead her down her current path.

Germain is the owner of International Christian Supplies, a store at Sherwood Forest Center that she opened in February.

"It was never something I ever thought I would do, but the Lord inspired me to do this," said Germain, a native of Barbados and wife of Dominica-born Joseph Germain, an associate pastor at the First Baptist Church of Temple Terrace. They have two daughters, Jemima, 10, and Julia, 4.

Employed full time in the health care field for a couple of years, Joan reduced her hours to part time during her difficult pregnancy with Julia. Following the baby's birth, she opted to be a stay-at-home mom for a while.

When she made the decision to return to the work force, potential employers told her she was either overqualified for the position or lacked experience to adequately perform the job.

"I was really struggling with what to do next and I just put it in the Lord's hands," Joan said. "This is where he led me."

Knowing there was no other Christian bookstore or supply store in Temple Terrace helped seal the deal.

"People don't want to drive too far to shop," Joan said.

She has stocked the store with Bibles written in several languages, including Spanish, French, Creole, Japanese, Arabic, Indonesian, Persian and the Indian dialects of Tamil and Telugu.

"Temple Terrace is a very diverse community and [the University of South Florida] is close by, so we felt the need to have the Bible available in many different languages," said Joseph, who handles the custodial end of the business. "If we don't have it in the language someone is looking for, we can order it."

The store's inventory also includes flags of other countries, T-shirts, CDs, DVDs, greeting cards, jewelry, gifts and a children's corner filled with Bibles, other books and CDs.

Study guides, self-help books and church supplies, such as dedication and baptism certificates, are also available. Pastors who purchase materials receive a 20 percent discount.

Joan said her customers seem to "feel at home" when they visit the store.

"I get a chance to talk with them and sometimes they talk with me about their problems," she said. "So, it's not just a store, it's a ministry."

Tina Busciglio of Temple Terrace has been there on several occasions.

"I absolutely love the store because it has a variety of so many different things," Busciglio said. "It has such a pleasant atmosphere that you want to see the business do well."

Mildred Edcox, a John Knox Village resident, agreed.

"It's a wonderful place and I'm so thrilled they are here," she said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: International Christian Supplies

WHERE: 10919 N. 56th St.

WHEN: Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

INFORMATION: Call (813) 985-6300.