From its origins, Coffee Break’s mission has been to reach neighbors with the gospel. Even the name “Coffee Break” communicates a safe, welcoming, and relaxed environment where neighbors feel invited to participate. Once someone visits a Coffee Break group, they are introduced to the Bible, the very Word of God that has power to effect life change.
Today, Coffee Break has expanded to become Global Coffee Break, and groups have formed in more than 20 countries, multiple languages, and many denominations.
The Global Coffee Break team is busy equipping leaders and churches to reach out to their communities in a variety of ways, but the common thread is discovering God’s Word together. Here are a few stories from the past year:
Refreshing Souls in India
When Jeong-sun Lim and her husband, Gwang-ho Song, first arrived in India as missionaries, Lim wasn’t sure where to begin. Following God’s leading, she began a Coffee Break small group Bible study with other missionary women. In the small group the women joined hearts to receive refreshment, recover from challenges, and breathe new life into each other. The loving community of the Coffee Break Bible study gave the missionaries courage to continue God’s work in the communities and neighborhoods to which they had been called. Soon they launched new groups with neighbors and church members. As a result, Coffee Break ministry has spread to many parts of India, and there is now a need to translate Bible study materials into Hindi to reach even more people with community, love, and God's Word.
Church Evangelism
David Bosscher, pastor of Lakeside Church in Alto, Mich., noted the impact of Coffee Break on his community. “There is a level of life change that really can only start to happen when (people) start experiencing God daily in Word and prayer themselves. That rhythm of opening a Bible can have massive effects. And Coffee Break can help instill that in the lives of those that (attend).”
Though the church’s Coffee Break program has been for women in the community, Bosscher said, he’s recently began discipling participants’ husbands.
Coffee Break After Hours
Jenny Griffin is a former Coffee Break co-director, a woman who values time in the Word, and a mom who understands how hard it is for women with kids at home to find space to study the Bible. Due to COVID, her church’s Coffee Break was meeting online, but the Zoom session offered at the usual Coffee Break time wouldn't work for moms with young children at home who ordinarily used the childcare the church offered at in-person meetings. God placed these young moms on Griffin’s heart, and she came up with the idea of offering the Coffee Break Bible study "after hours." Moms could put their children to bed and join from their own homes without having to get a babysitter. It has been a beautiful success.
God is using Coffee Break around the world. What can God do in your community through his Word?
About the Author
Amy Friedman is the Administrative Specialist for Raise Up Global Ministries.
