When searching for a business, have you ever wanted one you knew for certain was reputable? What about one that holds the same Christian values as you?
Christian Blue Pages serves as that source and exists to be that resource. Their goal is to unite consumers with Christian products and service providers who strive to operate their businesses and organizations according to Biblical principles.
The Recorder spoke with Darrel Geis, president of the Christian Blue Network, to find out how the source flourishes in the business community and the multiple ways consumers can find exactly what they need.
Indianapolis Recorder: How did the Christian Blue Network get its start?
Geis: In 1991 three men – a pastor of a church in Dayton, Ohio; a captain in the Air Force at Wright Air Force base; and a Christian businessman in Cincinnati, Ohio – purchased a franchise of the Christian Business Directory, what it was called back then. They were also a part of a church association that had campus ministries as their main outreach. Each campus ministry in Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati, Ohio had a campus leader and they decided to hire those leaders as their original advertising sales staff.
Why is a publication like the Christian Blue Pages necessary?
First and foremost, we provide a resource for the body of Christ, for Christians, to come together and support one another across the denominational and racial lines that often divide us on Sunday morning. That’s the heart of why this is needed – Christians supporting one another through business. It also is important because consumers, whether they are Christian or not, are always looking for businesses they can trust. We have provided a filter. Business owners or operators that advertise with us must profess that Christ is their Lord and savior; are actively involved in a Christian church; and they strive to operate according to biblical principles. They’re living out their faith at work.
Is it tricky mixing business with religion?
It could be. I’m sure there are people we have approached over the years that were hesitant to identify as (a Christian business). Maybe a large segment of their clientele isn’t Christian. But bottom line is, if you believe faith is a part of your life, then you can’t just pull out the church box on Sunday, do your church thing, then put it back, and pull out your work/life box. We really believe as long as it’s not sinful, everything in life is sacred whether it’s in our church building or in our businesses. Most of the people we approach embrace the idea of a Christian business directory network. Some don’t have the resources to advertise or advertise in other ways.
What other resources do you have in addition to the Christian Blue Pages?
We have TrustBlueReview.com. Our new website will launch Sept. 15. We’ll offer a way to review businesses for the first time. We’re going to combine the trust filter with a business competence filter. The consumer gets to tell us how advertisers are doing. This is more like a Christian Angie’s List.
What kind of businesses can I find in the Christian Blue Pages?
Anything from A to Z. We have accountants, dentists, plumbers, veterinarians and everything in between.
If I have a Christian business how do I contact you?
Just call (800) 860-BLUE and our administrative staff will connect you with the right person. You can also go to ChristanBluePages.com and click on the advertising tab. That will give you information for advertising representatives in your area.
Where can you find a Christian Blue Pages booklet?
We serve a three-state region – Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. We have a network in Indianapolis, Indiana; Cincinnati in northern Kentucky; greater Dayton, Ohio and the Miami Valley, which includes Springfield; and Columbus and Central Ohio; Akron, Canton and Cleveland, Ohio. We also have websites, mobile apps, digital deals and a Christmas caroling publication, the Christmas Blue Pages. We have a new digital deals program called “I Choose Christian Deals.” You can go to IChooseChristian.com, sign up and get great deals from trusted businesses in our network.
Tell me more about the Christmas Blue Pages.
We launched this in 1996 and it was a response to what happened to me the year before when I went out caroling with my church group in the neighborhood around my church. I walked up to a convenience store clerk, after I got more hot chocolate, and she said “Gosh, you look really cold.” I said, “Yeah, I’ve been out Christmas caroling.” She stopped dead in her tracks and said, “I didn’t think anyone did that anymore.” Those words really changed my heart about what we should be doing regarding sharing the good news of Jesus’ birth in song. So we launched the Christian Carol Songbook and it’s grown since then. Now it has it’s own website called GoCaroling.com where you can download the songbook; find out where to go caroling; what to do and what not to do; and register your caroling group.
I understand Christian Blue Network has an anniversary coming up.
Yes, next year we’re celebrating 25 years of the directory. I feel very blessed to be in a position to offer all of our resources to the consumer for free for all these years. I feel blessed to be able to work with some amazing people that are in business and some are at the forefront of ministry in their community. This has been a joy to connect with people and see their business grow.
The publication is growing too.
Yes, we will be hiring at the beginning of next year in Central Indiana and in Ohio. The average tenure on our staff is 13 years. It’s a great career opportunity for someone who feels called to do this.
Was there anything else you’d like to add?
A couple key bible verses we feel help encourage us in our mission – Matthew 5:16 and Galatians 6:10. Our mission is to develop a connected community of consumers and businesses based on trust and Christian values, where accountability is established, product and service needs are met, and the kingdom of God is extended.
For more information on the Christian Blue Pages, visit ChristianBluePages.com.
