How a Hardware Store in Small-Town Texas is Helping the Gospel Go Global (And How You Can Too)

In a world filled with big-box stores and corporate chains, it might surprise you to learn that one small-town hardware store in East Texas is doing more than just selling nails and paint. At Hardware on the Square, we’re serious about helping our neighbors—and that includes neighbors we haven’t even met on the other side of the globe. One way we do that is by supporting the mission of Bible Tracts Inc. (BTI), a faithful ministry that’s been giving away gospel tracts around the world—free of charge—for more than 80 years.

Yes, you read that right: free of charge. They don’t sell tracts; they send them—into prisons, public schools, foreign countries, college campuses, street corners, and more.

And they do it with the help of people just like you.

Helping The Gospel Go Global

Gospel Tracts: A Tool in Every Toolbox

Whether you’re a contractor, a coffee drinker, or just stopping in for a bag of screws, chances are you’ve seen gospel tracts around our store. Why? Because we believe gospel tracts are like the Swiss Army knife of evangelism—compact, practical, and powerful.

We’ve been using tracts from Bible Tracts Inc. for years. They’re clear, biblically sound, and beautifully designed. And they’re easy to slip into your wallet, your bag, or even inside your bill when tipping at a restaurant. If you’re not sure how to use them in daily life, check out this excellent article: Using Gospel Tracts in Your Everyday Life.

We love BTI because they don’t just send tracts—they send truth, hope, and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

Small Town, Big Mission

Hardware on the Square isn’t just your average hardware store. We’re a local family business in San Augustine, TX, and we care deeply about our community, our country, and the Great Commission. We believe that when Jesus said “Go ye into all the world,” He meant it. And He didn’t just mean preachers—He meant plumbers, painters, farmers, baristas, and, yes, even hardware store owners.

That’s why we support missions in every way we can—financially, prayerfully, and practically. From hosting local outreach events to giving away tracts to our customers, we see our business as a platform for eternal impact.

We’re especially excited to announce that our son Gilbert will be interning with Bible Tracts Inc. this summer! He’ll be learning the ins and outs of printing, shipping, and sharing the gospel across continents. If you’d like to follow his journey, we invite you to read the updates on our family blog at consfords.com/blog.

It’s a Team Effort—And You’re Invited

Bible Tracts Inc. is able to do what they do because people like you care enough to give. They’ve sent over 600 million tracts into more than 100 countries, all without charging a single penny. That’s only possible because churches, individuals, and small businesses step up to support the mission.

One of those churches is our own home church, Central Baptist Church in Center, TX—a church with a heart for missions. Central Baptist supports BTI because we believe in the power of gospel literature to reach hearts where a preacher may never go.

If you’ve ever wished you could do something meaningful for the Kingdom but didn’t know where to start, supporting BTI is a simple and strategic step. Every dollar you donate helps send tracts into the hands of someone who might otherwise never hear the Good News.

Think about it: a single tract could end up in a prison cell in Nigeria, a hospital waiting room in India, or a street market in Mexico. That’s impact you can’t even measure.

How You Can Help Bible Tracts Inc. Today

  • Give – Make a one-time or recurring donation directly through their website. It’s safe, simple, and makes an eternal difference. Donate to BTI here.
  • Use – Start using gospel tracts in your everyday life. We keep a supply of BTI tracts right here at Hardware on the Square. Stop in and pick up a few—it’s free, and it just might change someone’s life (yours included).
  • Pray – Pray for Gilbert’s internship this summer, for the workers and volunteers at BTI, and for every single person who receives a tract.

We’re All in This Together

As a small-town business, we may not have millions of dollars to give, but we believe in using what we do have. Whether it’s a cup of coffee served with a smile, a loyalty card designed by BTI, or a gospel tract slipped into a shopping bag, we’re doing our part to make Jesus known.

And we hope you’ll do yours.

If you’ve never heard of Bible Tracts Inc. before today, now’s your chance to get involved with a ministry that has stood the test of time and continues to press forward in faith. From our family here at Hardware on the Square to yours, thank you for caring about the gospel and helping it go forward.

Ready to make a difference?

Visit bibletractsinc.org today and support their mission through your donation. One dollar can send hope across the globe.