Patrick Paas
President
cb [at] cruxbooks.com
We began Crux Books while I was a Th.M. student at Wycliffe College, when my son Aaron was about 12 years old. He would price all the books by hand as part of his “homeschooling” education. All 4 of my children: Danielle (and her husband Tyrone), Aaron, Miriam, and Dorothea have worked or are currently working for me at present. My wife, Jocelyn, has always worked for a steady income and given continual support that ultimately made the bookstore possible.
Our first sales came during my first class at Wycliffe. I realized there was no bookstore serving the Toronto School of Theology student body. During the Romans class with Prof. Andrew Lincoln I began using the contacts that I had from working in the bookstore at Calvin Seminary and Zondervan Publishing. There was a certain epiphany as I handed out the books with one hand and clutched a wad of cash with the other. This is what I want to do. I am most excited about book sales when I can give a great deal to the customer and still make a buck. I like call it “gentle capitalism”.
With the vision of the principal of Wycliffe College at that time, Michael Pountney, we began to sell book from a small room in the basement of Wycliffe. From there we moved to a bit larger room a few years later and then to the present location. The space where we are now was the library, and once the Trinity and Wycliffe libraries merged, the space became available. We have been selling books since 1996. We have had some great help along the way and I feel that our best crew is with us at the present. Please feel free to call or email me with any concerns, compliments, or suggestions.
With the continued input of my son Aaron the marketer, Billy the manager and the rest of the staff we hope to continue the general philosophy of a good deal for great books while improving on the quality of service and products. Thanks for your continued support.
William (Billy) John Gekas
Business Director
billyatcrux [at] hotmail.com
After being a regular customer at Crux for over a decade, I was initially invited to to become the Store Manager, which eventually evolved into my current role as Business Director. I come from a corporate background (The Strategic Coach) and retail management (Starbucks). With regards to ministry, I have been involved with many forms of overseas mission work and local church pastoral and worship ministries, in several denominations. I am currently attending St. George-the-Martyr, an Anglican church in the heart of downtown Toronto.
I have a degree in Religious Studies and Philosophy from the University of Toronto, and currently working on a Masters in Theological Studies at Wycliffe College (Toronto School of Theology), specializing in Ecological Theology through the Elliot Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology at St. Michael’s College. I am also co-teaching an eco-theology reading course at the Ignatius Jesuit Center in Guelph. I have been studying the integration of religion, spirituality and ecology for the past seven years, and have a passion for social justice and healing ministry.
I am also a violinist, singer, and avid yoga and Reiki practitioner. I have too many interests and stories to tell on a profile, so please come by the store and say “Hi!“
Frederick Harrison
Inventory
I came to Crux in August 2007 after a 26 year stint with Sam The Record Man. I am a University of Toronto Alumnus, having studied at Erindale College, now University of Toronto Mississauga, in the late 1970s, sadly without finishing my degree. I came to faith in high school, fell away during university, but returned to faith in 1989. I am a member of Kingsway Baptist Church in Etobicoke, where I serve in the choir and worship team, in addition to writing and preparing prayers and the occasional devotional. I also read books on ecclesiology, worship, healing, and prayer.
I love to collect many things – antique glass bottles, music CDs and LPs, and books. I have done primary research for a book on the history of Harrison Park in Owen Sound and have had a research article published in a history of the glass industry in Canada. I am also a fan of the Wombles – the first environmentally conscious children’s literature characters from the UK whose legacy includes TV, books, toys, and records.
Among my favourite authors: C.S. Lewis, Eugene Peterson, Marva Dawn, Brennan Manning, Leanne Payne, Henri Nouwen, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm Muggerdige, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, R. Buckminster Fuller.
Among my favourite musicians: John Rutter & The Cambridge Singers, Bruce Cockburn, Beatles, Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys, Gordon Lightfoot, Nick Drake, Wailin’ Jennys.
Scott Sharman
Online Used Book Seller
When I got a job at Crux in the Fall of 2006, my intention was to recoup some of the book buying expenses accrued during 3 previous years of loyal – the i.e. excessive and compulsive spending – patronage. In my 16 moths of gainful employment I have made some positive progress towards bibliophilic fiscal responsibility, but I’m pretty sure I’m still in the red. (It evens out, however, when you consider that I have easy access to free hot chocolate). I sell theological books 2 days a week. The other 5 days I read them, think about them, and talk about them. One day I might even write one, and if I do, it will either be about the place of the Theotokos in the ecclesiology of Russian Orthodox theologian Fr. Sergius Bulgakov, or cats, or Edmonton Oilers hockey. Next time you’re in the store feel free to ask me about any of the three. Peace!
Miriam Paas
Webmaster
I was born with a pricing gun my hand, my dad always tells me. It seems I have always worked for Crux Books, even when it had its humble beginnings as The Bookstore in a one-person dorm room in the basement of Wycliffe College. It is so great to see the development and growth it has made over all these years. I am truly proud to work in anyway for such a fine establishment. Its relaxing ambiance, cheap books, and great staff are incomparable.
Currently I am a third-year undergraduate student at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota where I am studying media communication. I write for the sports section of the school newspaper and have co-hosted a show for the school radio channel for a couple of semesters. I also play for the varsity women’s hockey team at Bethel, which has been such an awesome and fun experience. Hockey is the most fun thing to play in the world.
Along with hockey I love playing and listening to all kinds of music. It soothes my soul. I love reading books by C. S. Lewis and am always interested and eager to learn more about the Bible. I feel so blessed with such an incredible family and above all else I live to serve and glorify God.
Customer Service Representatives:
Alex Sharman Meek
I am a third year M.Div student at Wycliffe College and have worked at Crux since September 2006. Before starting at Wycliffe I did an M.A. in Christian Studies at McMaster Divinity College and a B.Th. at Canadian Bible College. I am married to Scott (who also works at the store) and we have a cat named St. Thomas who lives with us. I am a Deacon in the Anglican Church of Canada and am looking forward to parish ministry after I graduate. I like to watch TV and eat popcorn.
Ian Clary
Originally from Windsor, my wife and I now live in Toronto. I am a student at Toronto Baptist Seminary currently in my last year of a M.Div. My thesis topic will explore Augustine’s understanding of grace in the later Pelagian controversy. I hope to further explore patristic history in a Master of Theology next year, and then doctoral work in post-Reformation studies. As you can likely tell, I love church history and historical theology – the broad scope: from patristics to the contemporary church. I am also a lover of music and listen to anything from bluegrass to metal-core, from jazz to folk. Check out my blog at: http://ruminationsbythelake.blogspot.com
Michael Iafrate
I am a doctoral student in theology at the University of St. Michael’s College with interests in political and liberation theologies, ecclesiology, theologies of peace, and the intersection of religion and radical social movements. I am originally from West Virginia and I have been writing and performing music in various genres for about 15 years. A new musical interest of mine is traditional bluegrass and “Old Time” music. I am married, and my wife and I share our small apartment with a dog and 2 cats. I blog sometimes at: www.catholicanarchy.org.
Ronnie Jawdi
Sculpted and crafted by the surpassing skill of the Universe’s finest and by far the greatest (whom none can compare to) artist and designer – the sovereign God; I, Ronnie Jawdi, was brought into existence by Him. What a great debt I owe to such a wise and loving creator to an unfortunate sinner such as myself, saved by His grace, my desire is to live for His glory. So here I am, undergraduate student at the University of Toronto in the Religious Studies and Philosophy program. I have spent a year at Toronto Baptist Seminary (a school to which I owe a great debt to in my spiritual formation), and was previously enrolled in the Life Sciences program at U of T. Now I find myself in the euphoric experience of being privileged to work at Crux (to which I owe a lot, literally) and I am so thankful for this job. For a more personal look into my life, I enjoy long walks through forest trails and beaches, fine dining (Burger King, Chicken Wings, anything with sugar or salt), and I love watching sunsets and sunrises. I also enjoy playing the guitar (with which I can tame the wildest of hearts with) and any physical activity (you know, you have to keep your body in top physical shape). I am engaged to a wonderful woman, her name his Jody Anne Talaban, and we are planning to wed in August 2008. Crux ROCKS!!! It beats all the rest!!!
