Zumwaltimes 2011
Zumwaltimes 2011
The coffee shop/church ministry in Valleybrook is going strong. It has become a community of what might be considered “the least of these.” Daily we serve coffee and hang out with drug addicts, alcoholics, felons, prostitutes and folks with mental health problems. Joe’s sits in the middle of the row of strip clubs that are the main industry of this part of town and ministers to the people of the community of folks that live within walking distance. Most of the people in the area live way below the poverty line, as the latest census shows that the median income in Valleybrook is $11,000/yr.
Through Joe’s we are inviting people to come into the Community of the King, to live in relationship with one another and to follow the Way of Jesus. We run a food pantry and a Free Store (like a thrift store, only everything is free) to help meet practical needs. This spring we planted our first, small community garden and hold weekly community dinners. Church meets in Joe’s on Sunday mornings, and it is like no other church service we have ever seen.
Four years into this experience, we have realized that the issues that accompany generational poverty are many and complicated and cannot be treated by simply “meeting a particular need,” but require that we live alongside people for the long haul, teaching and modeling the Way that Jesus taught. Little by little, hatred is being changed to self-control, to forgiveness, to love for enemies. Bit by bit, depression and hopelessness are being changed to encouragement, to vision, to fullness of life.
As many of you know, the coffee shop aspect of Joe’s has never broken even financially. Rather, as more and more homeless and destitute have crossed our threshold, more and more food and drink are given away. Covering the cost of rent and utilities is our greatest challenge.
Joe’s Addiction Financial Needs
We currently rent three spaces for ministry through Joe’s Addiction.
Coffee shop
Children classroom space/Food Pantry
Free Store
The total cost of rent is $1900/mo.
Utilities run approximately $500/mo. (This includes Wi-Fi service which is an attraction for drawing community people to hang out at Joe’s.)
Provision of free coffee and food: $200/mo.
Miscellaneous shortfall expenses: $200/mo.
Total Basic Need: $2800/mo.
Ministry financial need: The sky is the limit on possible ministry opportunities in the community around Joe’s. Creative ideas often come to our minds for how to help and bless, but often are not carried out due to a lack of finances. Any money that is donated beyond our basic monthly needs, is used to creatively bless this community and open relationships that will give us opportunity to introduce people to Jesus.
Volunteer Needs:
Baristas: We are always in need of people who will commit to working at least one shift per week behind the counter. We will provide training in both barista skills and relationship evangelism.
Food Pantry:
Drivers: to pick up food.
Greeter: This requires greeting individuals, taking their information and computer data entry ability.
Prayer: We always have a “prayer station” available for anyone who desires prayer. This is a fun position, as you get to know the people a little bit and get to minister to them through prayer.
Food Carriers: This involves carrying bags to cars and sometimes transporting food to nearby homes. A vehicle is helpful.
Skilled Volunteers:
Doctors who will give free medical care. Periodic clinics.
Hair stylists who will give free hair cuts.
Chiropractors who will give free adjustments.
Lawyers who will give free legal counsel.
Employers who are willing to take a risk on hiring inexperienced or people with felony records.
Project Volunteers:
There are countless projects that can be done in Valleybrook and the surrounding area, from yard work, to home repair, to house cleaning, to neighborhood clean up, welcome events, etc.
Due to no discretionary budget, we cannot provide funding for materials at this time.
Individuals or groups who would like to serve in a project would need to cover the cost of said project if there is any.
Fund Raisers: There are endless ideas for how to go about raising funds for ministry through Joe’s Addiction, from car washes, to benefit dinners, to raffles, etc. We are stretched thin in our own time, and would love to see individuals or churches that would raise money for ministry to the poor through Joe’s.
Day at Joe’s
Today, a new man came into Joe’s. I’d never seen him and wondered if he might be from the halfway house down the street. He went straight to a table near the front window. He had brought a book with him, but he didn’t read. He began rolling a cigarette.
After a few minutes, I went to him and told him that we have free coffee, if he would like a cup. He said it was too hot for coffee (It was 103 degrees today!). I agreed and asked if he would rather have a tall glass of iced water. His face lit up and he asked, “Could I?”
Several glasses of iced water later, he came over and sat down at the table nearest me. He asked, “Do you have an AA meeting that meets here?” I told him that we don’t, but that we are hoping to start a Celebrate Recovery group. Again he brightened and exclaimed, “I know all about that program!” He then spent the next 10 minutes telling me his story of post traumatic stress, mental problems, cocaine addiction, loss of family, loss of everything, rehab in Louisiana for six months and for some reason landing in Valleybrook, Oklahoma—renting a house on the street behind Joe’s. Someone told him about our free coffee and the help we offer. I encouraged him to come to our men’s discipleship group on Wednesday nights to meet some of the other men who could encourage him. Suddenly downcast, he said, “I often don’t know what day it is and will forget to come.” I told him we’d send someone to knock on his door Wednesday, if he’d like to come. Once again bright, he smiled and said, “Please have them come a little early, so I can get ready!”
Investing in ministry through Joe’s Addiction
Monday, July 11, 2011
Choose Joe’s Addiction under “Funds and Projects”