Christian Outlet store manager Debbie Verley and owner Kevin Ferguson are seen Wednesday morning in Centralia.
Christian Outlet store manager Debbie Verley and owner Kevin Ferguson discuss opening the store Wednesday morning in Centralia.
After a three-year hiatus, Christian Outlet is back in Centralia with new owners.
Owners Kevin and Krista Ferguson held the grand opening for Christian Outlet — previously Tree of Life Christian Outlet — on Friday, Sept. 14. Debbie Verley was the manager before the store closed, and is back again as store manager.
“Everything just fell together,” Verley said. “The community response has been overwhelming — absolutely overwhelming. In fact, mall management told us that in all the years they have done this, they have never had as many people at a grand opening as we had.”
Verley said there were roughly 100 people who attended, and Kevin Ferguson added the store was completely full at the opening.
“It was a day I will never forget,” Kevin Ferguson said. “To me, it was confirmation that this was not our idea, but God’s.”
Kevin Ferguson said he operates his business based on three values — people over product, mission over money and neighbors over numbers.
“I think that in our current culture, there is a desire for wanting to know a personal God,” Kevin Ferguson said. “I believe it has a lot to do with people wanting to connect with Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I think that’s the reason why people are so excited about this store. … I think our culture is hungry for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
The Fergusons also own Willamette Valley Christian Supply in Corvallis, Oregon — another bookstore Tree of Life previously owned.
“When we began the process of thinking through next steps for our family, I was currently pastoring full time at a small church in Corvallis, while owning and operating our Christian bookstore in town,” Ferguson said. “I was pulled in two different directions. I love to preach, I love shepherding, I love pastoring, but it was real clear that God wanted Krista and I at this given time to run the Christian bookstore.”
Tree of Life previously owned Christian Outlet, along with 10 other bookstores. After the previous owner Mark Schoepke began suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, the company went out of business and Schoepke liquidated the stores, warehouse and offices.
Verley managed Tree of Life Christian Outlet at the time.
“It had nothing to do with lack of business,” Verley said. “Centralia was actually one of our highest volume stores. … He didn’t want to quit, it’s just his health wouldn’t let him (continue). He liquidated all of the stores, the warehouse, the offices, all of it.”
Verley said after the store closed, and the employees lost their jobs, everyone stayed in contact.
“We had dinners once or twice, we have a barbeque every summer and every Christmas we got together,” Verley said. “We’re all good friends.”
When the Fergusons started making moves to open a Christian bookstore in Centralia, Schoepke helped orchestrate conversations to bring Christian Outlet back.
“He has been instrumental, supported us, given us product,” Kevin Ferguson said. “He has been an incredible asset to our success.”
Kevin Ferguson asked Verley what she thought of putting the store back in the same location.
“As we talked, she said ‘give me a moment,’” he remembered.
Within a couple days, Verley had hired back the entire staff.
Said Kevin Ferguson, “God supplied every detail — with Debbie (Verley) having years and years of experience in management, and her team understanding how to operate the point of sale, the fact that they didn’t need any training, the fact that they were able to set up the store. I have product out of my store that we could at least get into here that gave it a foundation.”
The Fergusons not only have the same staff, location and name, they also have the same phone number.
“All these things were things that we can’t do or manufacture,” Kevin Ferguson said. “We believe God provided it so that we can have an impact in the community.”
