I know I've mentioned several times wanting to have a cafe here in London, but I want to take the time to explain the overall vision of this project. On our team we have many artists, and inside these skills are many opportunities to reach into the "secular" areas of society. As church and missions, I believe we have drifted into a radical divide between secular and sacred. Yes, I understand completely that we are in the world but not of the world, if you are reading this and believe in the Bible. If you don't, what this basically means is that we believe as Christians we are to live to a higher standard, and mark a difference with the way we live our lives. But we do still live in this world....so how do we reconcile this? As a team here in London, and me as an individual, we have a heart to get into major areas of society, including business. One of the projects we are currently pushing forward is a multi-purpose shop. Including but not limited to a cafe, tattoo studio, hair salon, and clothing store, this shop is more than just something to bring revenue. It is a way to be in our neighborhood, interacting with the people around us, and also being available as employers. My heart, and I know many share it, is to have employees from all walks of life and be a workplace that encourages, challenges, and pushes people to the max and best of their character and abilities.
A few weeks ago, my leader asked me to compile a list of equipment and a budget for the cafe aspect. I asked him, you want what I think we need as basics? And he told me NO, give me the big dream. I could talk about so many things just off that one interaction. DREAM BIG; surround yourself with people that push you to dream bigger; stop looking at all the things that go wrong and keep after the things on your heart, etc. I think we all have that big dream, but we have so much doubt and fear that we minimize it into something we can make happen by ourselves. But the whole point of a dream is that its bigger than us, and requires more than just our capabilities and strengths. I don't want to finish my life wondering how big my dreams could have gotten, I want to see those big dreams happen. It takes work, patience, suffering, sacrifice, and a heart of gratitude along the way, but when it's worth it to you, you will push through it.
Of course with all of this, we need partners. These kinds of projects take capital, and my God is a God of miracles, but also of relationship. If this is something that stirs your heart and you would like to get behind, even in a small way, please get in touch with me. Also, London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and as we expand into more houses and plan outreaches for next year, costs are getting a bit higher. If you would consider a one time donation, or possibly monthly support for what I'm doing here in London, also feel free to get in touch with me for the best way to do that. Thank you all for the love, support, prayers, good thoughts, and most of all, dreaming with us.
