We had been in Middle High and High School youth ministry for a number of years when our daughter went off to college and our son joined the Army the same year. We thought we were going to rest and travel and enjoy grown-up time. God had other plans.
Our daughter and some of her friends had tried to start a Coffeehouse before she left for college and they all got together when she got back to town and began that endeavor in the summer of 1998. It was their desire to have a cool place to hang out and bring in some Christian concerts. Marilyn was “in” from the start – Mark wasn’t very keen on the idea of spending each weekend hanging out with kids after a long week in the clinic. But then! The kids needed some creative ideas for decorating and construction and he got hooked. Twenty-three years later, we are the Executive Directors and have faced many challenges, seen miracles happen, love seeing lives of both the students and volunteers changed through Jesus, discovered our gift (and love) for hospitality through hosting bands and theatre and radio plays, and are grateful for the years we have been able to serve God in this unique and incredibly blessed ministry.