Why Retail

One of Oasis' core values is that indigenous retail outlets are the most effective way to get books to the people who need them. The needs of growing churches can only be met by a healthy retail distribution system. It is estimated that there are 17,000 new believers in Africa every day, 500,000 a month, and 6,000,000 a year. No mission or Bible society can subsidize getting Bibles and books to all these people!

To supply the need, affordable books must be available for people where they shop. Local vendors and bookstores meet this need. Beyond this, retail creates jobs where Christians can earn their living by selling books, combining economic development and a ministry that is essential for the growth of the church. At a bookshop people can choose the books they need the most for their Christian growth instead of these being chosen for them in a subsidized program. Indigenous retailers know their culture and the needs of the church and they are the ones who decide what books to carry. Competition also makes operations efficient and cost affective.

Subsidies alone cannot meet the needs. Once support from the industrial world ends the program is over. Yet, tens of thousands of new believers will need a Bible and books the next month, thousands of pastors will graduate from seminary in Africa without any books in their personal library. These needs can only be met in the long term if successful retail distribution is there to serve the church.

This is why Oasis exists, to empower retailers in Africa and other poor nations, to help them purchase books people can afford, and to train them to do their job.