Why a Barista at Starbucks?

When I was a pastor, I would go to Starbucks for missional opportunities and to have various meetings for discipleship, members, etc. I enjoyed being among people. After resigning I was thinking of what I would do as a missionary who wants to be strategic for Christ in another country and applied it in my own context, and I decided Starbucks was a strategic job for the kingdom.

Here is why I chose Starbucks:

1. Unbelievers on staff

2. A cultural hub in our society (interviews, meetings, hang, etc.)

3. Place to engage with college students/young people

4. Regular contacts with people to build relationships (customers, coworkers)

5. I can meet with people there

6. Flexible hours (due to my children's ages)

7. Other locations in country

8. Barista is more culturally acceptable than other fast food places

9. Side note: I wanted to keep my beard haha

Since working there for two years, all the above is true. It has been a strategic for the kingdom by sharing about Jesus and his impact on my life in the drive thru window and over the headset with coworkers, praying for coworkers or customers, loving people as Christ loves me, and eating food/having coworkers over for evangelism and discipleship opportunities.

To be honest, I have tried to find other work but nothing really has worked out. And even if I got offered a better paying job, part of me wants to figure out how to still be a barista because of how amazing it has been for the kingdom. So until God has me in another kingdom post, I am trying to be faithful to Jesus as a barista at Starbucks.

Love to hear from you. Email me at pastor2barista@gmail.com