The Word Group comprises WORD BOOKSTORES and WORD Australia.

WORD BOOKSTORES is a group of 19 retail stores offering the best in Christian material including Books, Bibles, Christian Music, DVDs, Software, cards and Gifts in very attractive retail environments.

WORD AUSTRALIA is a trade distributor serving Australian and New Zealand Bookstores on a wholesale level. The WORD group celebrates its 63rd Anniversary in 2009.

Word Bookstore

Word Bookstore commenced as a division of The Gospel Film Ministry Ltd (GFM) founded in Sydney, Australia, in 1946 by Raymond James Moulton. The Christian film industry was commencing and Mr Moulton set up an evangelistic ministry showing films and preaching the gospel. Churches of all denominations were quick to see the potential of visualising the Christian message and before long obtained projectors of their own and began renting films from GFM.

In 1953 Mr Moulton moved the headquarters of GFM from Sydney to Melbourne. Interest in films grew and outlets were soon opened around Australia. In addition to the film libraries, GFM began distribution of Christian music from WORD Inc, of Waco, Texas, USA in the 1950s. In the early 1970s GFM established Christian bookstores at Oakleigh and Adelaide. Known as Word Bookstore, they began selling a large range of Christian material. In following years further bookstores were opened in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth. Christian retailing became a major activity of the organisation.

Raymond Moulton passed management of the company to his sons, Stan and Norm, on his retirement in 1976. In 1990, the administrative headquarters moved to a large complex at Kilsyth, Victoria. With continuing growth and emphasis on retailing Word then moved to a prime retail location at Nunawading, Victoria in 1997, and under management of Norm Moulton, Word expanded its retail operations over the next 10 years, with new stores, catalogue offers and internet shopping.

In 2004 Word acquired the Keswick Bookshops group of seven stores in Victoria - in City, suburban and regional centers - thus increasing the availability of its resources throughout the State. In 2004 and 2005 new stores were opened in Adelaide (SA) and Alderley (Qld), both featuring Cafes and children’s play centers and conference rooms.

In 2007 WORD acquired the Bible Society Bookshop in Lilydale, Vic, and a vibrant Word Bookstore at Lilydale now serves Melbourne’s outer east. Also in 2007 Word opened a store at Sunshine in Melbourne’s western suburbs which increases the availability of WORD’s resources in Victoria.

In October 2008 WORD opened a new State of the Art Christian Store in West Pennant Hills, in Sydney’s popular Hills district, with the best of Christian items available. This store is wonderfully situated on busy Pennant Hills Road with adequate parking for day shoppers and Sydney visitors.

Early 2009 saw a second store in Perth, situated on the north side at Morley, well located near the Galleria and with ample parking for customers.

The 19th store, a Word Express store, at Wesley Mission in Pitt Street, Sydney, also opened early 2009, giving Sydney city shoppers and visitors access to Word Bookstore’s best selling Christian resources.

The 19 Australian family owned bookstores of superlative quality are at Melbourne (Nunawading, Dandenong, Frankston, Sunshine and Melbourne City), at Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo in country Victoria, in NSW at West Pennant Hills, Sutherland, Sydney City and Albury, in Queensland at Brisbane (Eight Mile Plains and Alderley), and at the Gold Coast (Southport), In South Australia at Adelaide (in the heart of downtown Currie Street) and in Western Australia at Victoria Park and Morley.

Quality monthly mail order catalogues and this web site offer WORD customers the best in Christian resources. WORD stocks Australia's best range of books, Bibles, music, videos, software and gifts, all at the most competitive prices.

Word Australia

Word also operates the wholesale distribution company, Word Australia. This commenced in the 1950’s as licensee for Word Inc. of Waco, Texas, USA and continues today as Australian and New Zealand distributor for Word Entertainment, Gaither Music and other significant overseas Music, Video and Publishing houses as well as Australian Music companies such as PlanetShakers. Word Australia is a major supplier to Australasia’s large network of Christian booksellers with its fine range of Christian material.

The Word Group Australia

Today, in it’s 63rd year, ownership of the Word Group is with Word Bookstores Pty Ltd, managed by Stuart and Craig Moulton, grandsons of the founder. The Word Group, comprised of Word Bookstore and Word Australia, is Australia's leading Christian communications company, serving the church, colleges, and individuals with the best in Christian resources. Word is a significant Australian family owned Christian organization employing a wide group of dedicated Managers and staff throughout Australia.

Our Mission Statement

"To promote the Christian Faith and Lifestyle by providing a full range of Christian resources and supplies in a welcoming environment and at attractive prices. Our staff are dedicated to this Mission and committed to providing the highest level of customer service."