Barnabas Bear Returns to Family Christian Shelves

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Aug. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Family Christian announced today the return of Barnabas Bear, the company's popular teddy bear that is designed to be given by customers to those in need in their communities. Available exclusively at Family Christian, Barnabas Bear spreads a message of comfort and encouragement and lets the recipient know that Jesus loves them. A Family Christian tradition for over twelve years, more than one million Barnabas Bears have provided joy and assurance of God's love thanks to the generosity and compassion of the company's customers.

Family Christian customers can purchase Barnabas Bear at any of the company's locations across the country for $6.99, and may designate him to be donated by Family Christian to local ministries, or can take Barnabas with them to give him to someone who needs to feel God's love. Barnabas Bears that are donated online will be given to Back2Back Ministries, an organization that helps bring Barnabas Bear's message of hope and encouragement to children across the globe.  

Each year, Family Christian receives testimonials from across the country and around the world about how Barnabas is impacting lives:

• "One customer recently purchased 100 bears to support a bear ministry at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. She donated the bears to provide comfort to current and past military personnel, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The customer's son suffered from PTSD and she said it was amazing how much they appreciated the bears."   Danielle – Naples, Florida.
• "Another customer is a police officer who buys Barnabas Bears to give out to children who are in crisis (being removed from their homes, car accidents, etc.). He has shared many times how the bears have comforted children." Stephanie - Mishawaka, Indiana.
• "One of our customers delivered Barnabas Bears to a local shelter. When they arrived they met mothers and their children in the common area. When she saw the bears, one little girl's face just lit up with happiness and excitement. Something as small as a bear can bring great joy!" Lakesha - Waldorf, MD

"Barnabas Bear is a wonderful tradition that allows us to partner with our customers in an incredible way to help spread the message of Jesus' love," said Chuck Bengochea, President and CEO of Family Christian. "Each year our staff looks forward to the return of Barnabas Bear because we are able to hear the stories and see real examples of the significant impact that he is making in the same communities where we live and work."

If you would like to impact someone's life with Barnabas Bear, he is now available at Family Christian locations and online at www.familychristian.com.

About Family Christian

Located in the United States, Family Christian is the world's largest Christian-focused retailer. The nonprofit organization has approximately 250 stores in 36 states. The organization offers a variety of Christian-themed merchandise, including apparel, Active Faith athletic wear, Bibles, books, home decor, art, gifts, DVDs, kids' products and music. In addition to its physical stores, Family Christian provides consumers with access to all of these resources through www.familychristian.com, its eCommerce platform. When you shop with Family Christian, your purchases support efforts to unite with ministries that are helping children and families in need around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at http://www.familychristian.com/about.

SOURCE Family Christian