or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on wikipedia . see wikipedia s guide to writing better articles for suggestions . march 2013 learn how and when to remove this template message family christian family christian is the world s largest christian focused retailer and is located in the united states . 1 as of 2012 the retail chain has approximately 281 stores in 261 cities . 2 3 the retail chain offers a variety of christian themed merchandise especially books bibles gifts and music . 3 the company was founded in 1931 by two young brothers who were first generation americans at the start of the great depression . from their family farmhouse in grandville michigan . pat and bernie zondervan launched zondervan publishing house as a company committed to spreading the gospel of jesus christ through publishing and eventually christian resources and products as well . until 1993 the chain was part of zondervan the christian publishing company that owns the copyright to the new international version of the bible . 1 the two companies share the same office complex in western michigan . family christian stores has increased its size through acquisitions including joshua s christian stores and shepherd shoppe . 3 in 2012 the management team and a group of atlanta based christian businessmen purchased the company from the private equity firm madison dearborn partners which was the majority owner since 1999 . the new owners pledged that 100 % of store profits would go towards ministries serving widows and orphans . 4 christian items and church supplies are also sold over the internet through the company website which transitioned to a new platform in the fall of 2011 . 3 the corporate office is located in grand rapids michigan . 2 some of the larger stores in the chain host large in store events including concerts for christian artists 5 book signings and special events . in 2012 the company was acquired by three atlanta area businessmen who had the singular idea to turn it into an engine for increased christian generosity . in december 2012 the organization was granted 501 c 3 status from the internal revenue service officially transforming it into a nonprofit company . family christian pledges to its customers that when they shop with them 100 % of the earnings will be donated to christian organizations and causes . company history 2015 family christian files for chapter 11 bankruptcy . 2013 family christian transitions from a for profit to a nonprofit organization . 2012 family christian reaches two significant ministry milestones 100 000 child sponsorships through customer generosity and nearly 1 000 000 bibles donated around the world through various promotional partnerships with bible ministries . launches new company logo and branding in all print collateral and in store signage . company purchased by current management team and a group of atlanta based christian businessmen . 4 2011 the james 1 27 calling becomes the mission for all areas of business at family christian from internal communication to catalog and emails . greater initiative is taken to inform the customer of how a percentage of every purchase with family christian goes to support orphans and widows around the world through the work of their non profit foundation the james fund . family christian adopts new logo and begins rolling out new brand strategy that reflects this calling . company also re launches website on new e commerce multi channel platform . 2010 family christian s commitment to the james fund and the mission of james 1 27 moves center stage being adopted as the company s calling . in support of their commitment to orphans and widows around the world family christian launches good goers mission based adventure travels and begins facilitation and coordination of mission trips in north central and south america . 2006 cliff bartow becomes president and ceo . 2003 family christian stores establishes the james fund a non profit 501 c 3 foundation dedicated to serving orphans and widows as based on the bible verse james 1 27 . 2002 david m. browne becomes president and ceo of family christian stores . 2000 family christian stores store count stands at 356 stores in 39 states . 1999 family christian stores is acquired by a private equity firm . 1997 family bookstores changes its name to family christian stores to better reflect the variety of christian lifestyle products it sells . 1994 the leadership organizes a management buyout of family bookstores from harpercollins making the organization an independent company with 153 stores nationwide . 1993 zondervan reorganizes again into two distinct businesses zondervan publishing house and family bookstores both reporting directly to harpercollins . leslie dietzman who had been in charge of the division continues as president and ceo of family bookstores independently . 1989 family bookstores opens its 102nd store . 1988 zondervan is acquired by harper & row publishers which later becomes harpercollins . 1981 family bookstores stands at 64 stores in 20 states . zondervan establishes a policy to open stores only in established shopping centers . at this time it s estimated that 30 % of the chain s customers do not attend church . 1975 family bookstores location count stands at 40 stores . 1971 zondervan reorganizes into six distinct divisions which includes the retail division . the company changes the name of its bookstore chain from zondervan book stores to family bookstores . 1960 zondervan opens a third bookstore in wyoming michigan . stores in flint east lansing and indianapolis were soon to follow . 1937 zondervan opens its second bookstore in winona lake indiana . they also begin selling books music and cards by catalog . 1933 zondervan publishes its first book women of the old testament by abraham kuyper . 1932 zondervan opens its first store in grand rapids michigan to sell remainders purchased from harper brothers . it is simply named zondervan book store . references edit a b faith s purchasing power cathy lynn grossman december 13 2007 usa today retrieved january 22 2008 a b family christian stores inc. quick information hoovers retrieved january 22 2007 a b c d family christian stores company description hoovers retrieved january 22 2007 a b 1 family christian press release retrieved november 16 2012 ffh draws crowds nationwide with release of new cd book ; august 21 2001 ; christianactivities.com ; retrieved january 22 2008 external links edit official website retrieved from https en.wikipedia.org w index.php title family christian stores & oldid 744355122 categories christian media companiesbookstores of the united statescompanies based in grand rapids michiganreligion in grand rapids michiganprotestantism in michiganmadison dearborn partners companiesamerican companies established in 19311931 establishments in michiganhidden categories wikipedia articles needing style editing from march 2013all articles 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