Christian store is born again at new location

Lifeline Christian Store operated for years at Plaza Shopping Center. That business closed in July, but one of its owners has opened a new store on Hillside Lane called Wellspring Christian Store.

‘It’s a different name, a different place, and people seem to like this store better,’ said Teresa Paris, who has gone into partnership with her daughter, Cassandra Eckel, to form Wellspring. ‘This store is not as big. People say it’s cozier. It’s the right size for McMinnville.’

Wellspring has just about everything when it comes to Christian-related merchandise. Naturally, Bibles are a top seller and there are all different versions with all different type sizes.

‘We imprint the Bibles right here if you want someone’s name on it. We don’t have to send them off,’ said Cassandra. ‘It usually takes about 15 minutes.’

Wellspring offers Christian-based greeting cards, music, books, figurines, and even crossword puzzles. Some of the music is accompaniment music that works much like karaoke. There is background music and background vocals, but the singer is left to provide the lead vocals.

Teresa and Cassandra say they get customers from several surrounding counties as more and more people learn about their location.

Church leaders shopping at Wellspring will find everything from communion bread (hard and soft), baptism certificates, and forms to keep Sunday school records. There are even those cards that say ‘We missed you’ that churches send out when people can’t make it to a service. In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit my family has received one of those cards.

Preachers receive 20 percent off on their personal purchases, and churches that buy in bulk can get a bit of a price break, Cassandra said.

Wellspring can be reached at 474-SEEK. Hillside Lane is located off of Red Road. Wellspring is open six days a week.