Thursday, February 05, 2009

[CBS] Coffeehouse

02/05/2009 10:30:00 PM
Posted by Caleb Chan

Hello Family :)

As it has been mentioned the past couple of weeks, we felt that we should elaborate on what this "Coffeehouse" thing actually is. For instance, what do we do at Coffeehouse? How do we prepare for Coffeehouse? However, these questions are grounded in a deeper question: Why do we have Coffeehouse and what is its purpose?

We know that it gets difficult to read long emails so we will try and keep it short, but we hope that you (yes you!) will really prayerfully consider these words and how they apply to your own life. If you don't have time or you just don't want to read a long email skip down to the Challenges part.

This past (fall) semester, our goal as an Evangelism ministry was to try and build Chinese Bible Study up as a fellowship that truly understood the joy of salvation that came through the Gospel (Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for our sins) in such a real way that our hearts would have no greater desire than to "teach transgressors (people who have sinned) [God's] ways" (Psalm 50:10-13). And to equip you guys to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope (in Christ Jesus) that you have" (1 Peter 3:15). This semester, it's time to put more of an emphasis on action. In a sense we're "sending you guys out" into the Cornell campus and amongst your friends to let them know the reason for the hope that we have!

One practical way to do this is to host an event that more people (such as people who are not Christians) might feel comfortable attending. In past Coffeehouses we've had skits and other performances portraying an aspect of what Christianity is and/or how it is to live as a Christian. We've also had testimonies where certain people talk about how their life was before they found God and accepted Jesus as their savior, and how it's changed their lives. We also provide food and drinks (coffee included!) and a time where people can talk and get to know each other. And finally, there is a short message where someone talks about what we, as Christians, believe in.

The ultimate goal of Coffeehouse is simply to provide a way for people to hear the Gospel and the Good News that Jesus loves them and died for their sins. If you don't feel comfortable sharing the someone on your own, bring them to Coffeehouse! Even if they are simply an acquaintance or someone you met in lab or in Ho Plaza, inviting them to Coffeehouse is a way to for us to let others know of the great gift that we have been given and it also helps us to have a "full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ" (Philemon 1:5).

Challenges
So what does all this mean for us as a fellowship and as individuals? How do we put all this into action?
1. Pray hard

• pray for your friends (or non-friends) who are not believers that they would be open to coming (be specific!)
• pray for your own hearts, that you would be bold in inviting people
• pray for Coffeehouse, that we would trust God in all our planning

• we know it's starting to get busy, but we'll need all the help you can give!