(RNS1-JUNE01) Donna Singleterry models Christian-themed sunglasses that were created and marketed by her husband, Gerome Singleterry, of Calera, Ala. For use with RNS-JESUS-GLASSES, transmitted June 1, 2009. Religion News Service photo by Beverly Taylor/The Birmingham News.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — When Gerome Singleterry and his brother got laid off last October from their jobs as warehouse workers at a furniture distributor, they didn’t despair.
“We focus on God, not the economy,” Singleterry said. “God will take care of his people.”
Besides, God gave him a vision, he said: Christian sunglasses.
Ones that say “I love Jesus” on the sides and “John 3:16” on the lens, with a cross above the bridge of the nose.
“When you wear these shades, you’re saying you love Jesus,” Singleterry said. “I knew that first design came from God.”
Singleterry, 55, designed the sunglasses and had them manufactured in Taiwan. Now he’s hawking them to Christians who want to turn down the sun but turn up their evangelistic message.
Singleterry has been in the sunglasses business before. In 1986, he made a line of collegiate sunglasses for Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee fans. They were licensed by the schools and were pretty good sellers, with the schools getting a percentage of sales.
The style of trendy sunglasses has changed dramatically since then, when bigger lenses were popular.
He thought about updating the college version and also designed a pair of racing-theme sunglasses he hoped would be endorsed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. “I’m a big NASCAR fan,” he said.
But he wasn’t able to get the rights from the licensing agent for the colleges this time, and he couldn’t get in the door with NASCAR.
Even so, Singleterry says he was convinced it was God’s plan for him to market Christian sunglasses.
“We’re inspired to wear religious products,” Singleterry said. “Why? We love Jesus.”
He thinks people will want to share their faith while reducing their exposure to ultraviolet rays. Singleterry formed Trinity Christian Products with his brother, who also was laid off. They had been outdoor lawn furniture warehouse workers for more than 18 years.
They call their sunglasses line “Shades of Glory.”
The sunglasses sell for $12, and Singleterry hopes to make them available in Christian bookstores by the end of June. Singleterry hopes he’s on to the hottest Christian novelty since the What Would Jesus Do? bracelet phenomenon.
Reasonably priced sunglasses are needed even though consumer spending is tight in the struggling economy, said Gerome’s wife, Donna. “That’s not going to stop them from getting sunglasses,” she said.
“As long as you got God, there’s a way out,” his brother, Terry, said.
“Those sunglasses are going to glorify Jesus Christ our Lord and savior,” Gerome Singleterry said. “We love him; we’re proud of him. We want to say, `This is who I am. Be proud to glorify Jesus and wear them in faith.'”
(Greg Garrison writes for The Birmingham News in Birmingham, Ala.)
