How Coffee Shops Became the New Community Wells
The Hub of Small Communities
Coffee shops are more than places to grab a cup of coffee. They’re the heartbeat of small communities. One of my favourites is Small Town Coffee Roasters, located along Kalifornsky Beach Road in Alaska. Known locally as “Coffee Roasters,” this spot became my go-to during my time in ministry.
From my first coffee on candidation day to countless devotional times, meetings, and mentoring opportunities, this café became a place of connection and ministry. It wasn’t just a coffee shop; it was a hub for relationships and community life.
Coffee Shops as Modern Community Wells
During my years in Alaska, I came to see coffee shops as modern versions of the community wells of ancient times. In Biblical days, the temple was where people went to meet God, but the community well was the hub of relational interaction. It was where people gathered, shared life, and connected with others.
Similarly, today’s coffee shops meet a physical need that brings people together. Unlike church buildings, which often don’t serve a tangible need for the community, a coffee shop provides a space where relationships naturally happen. They’re welcoming, familiar, and central to daily life, especially in small towns.
As Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
In my experience, a coffee shop creates the perfect environment for sharpening each other through conversation, discipleship, and shared life.
The Role of Coffee Shops in Ministry
A coffee shop provide opportunities for ministry that church buildings often don’t. They’re places where people feel at ease and open to talking about life, faith, and struggles. These spaces become mission fields for relational ministry and outreach.
Jesus demonstrated this in John 4:13-14, where He met the Samaritan woman at the well:
“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.’”
Just as Jesus used the well to reach the woman, we can use coffee shops as places to connect with people on a spiritual level.
Dive Deeper Into Scripture
Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts
- How has a particular coffee shop impacted your life or ministry?
- Why do you think coffee shops are ideal for building relationships and community?
- How can you use a local coffee shop for outreach and discipleship?
