For some time now we have been working with the wonderful pastor and people from the Greve Church of the Nazarene in Denmark. They have been looking for creative ways to reach out to the people of Denmark with the gospel story of Christ's redeeming love. After much prayer and consultation, they believe that the concept that we have used in Poland, the Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop, could work well in Denmark where there is a rich "coffee culture" among the people there.
Over the course of time, God led us to offer one of our key and most trusted volunteers, Katie Fitch, to move to Denmark to assist them in such a project. God graciously called Katie to this work and she moved to Denmark to work with the Greve Church of the Nazarene. The research and planning phases of this new adventure have brought the church to a place of readiness to move ahead this year, 2012. The following article contains the information that Katie has shared with her own prayer partners in her volunteer work. It occurred to Rhonda and me that our Poland Partners would not only want to know about this new "offspring" of the Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop ministry, but might also want to participate in this new venture for the Lord. There are ongoing needs and plans in Poland, but we believe that our Poland Partners are uniquely prepared to understand, pray for and support such a ministry as it expands to Denmark.
I wholeheartedly commend this future Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop ministry to you and urge you to join this outreach endeavor in any way that God may lead you.
Our prayers are with Katie and the Greve Church as the move forward under God's direction.
In His service,
Ev Tustin
From Katie:
Coffee is a way of life in Denmark!
When I (Katie Fitch) moved from working in the Sweet Surrender coffee shops in Poznan and Krakow in Poland to Denmark, I thought my coffee habit would decrease. It has only increased! I have discovered that there is a huge coffee culture in Copenhagen.
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| Katie Fitch with Palace Guard, Copenhagen |
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| Typical Danish Transportation |
I also discovered that while the coffee culture may be thriving, the churches are not. Churches are really struggling in Denmark, and we have asked God to help us find creative ways to reach people. Our plan is to combine the familiar “coffee culture” in Denmark with outreach.
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| Copenhagen Street Scene |
The vision God has given us is a coffee shop / ministry center in Copenhagen. We can reach people where they love to be, drinking coffee and enjoying good conversation. Through a coffee shop ministry we can find unique ways to share the gospel, start Bible studies, and support non-profit organizations (such as donations to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries).
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| Greve Nazarene Church |
The Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop project in Copenhagen is the dream of our people in the Greve Church of the Nazarene. We are working in concert with the Sweet Surrender shops in Poland and will adapt their ministry plan to fit the culture of Denmark. After months of dreaming and talking, we are ready to get things started! We have researched locations and have some good possibilities. When the right place at the right time is known, we will then prepare to renovate it to function as a coffee shop. Our goal is to open the shop in September 2012.
We are now looking for churches, individuals and groups who are willing to come along side us with support through prayer, monetary contributions, and Work & Witness teams.
What do we need?
· Most important, we need people to join us in prayer.
· Since our present financial resources are limited, we must raise needed funds.
· Finally, we will need volunteers to work on the building.
Our present estimate is that we need to raise about $80,000 in order to be able to complete the renovation and open the shop.
We are looking for two or three work teams who will come and help us this late summer/early fall, 2012.
If you are interested in putting together a Work & Witness Team, please check out the following website for specific information:
For more information on how you can support us, please e-mail Katie Fitch at: katie_rae27@yahoo.com .
We are thankful that God has given us this creative challenge. We are praying that God will help us find those who will share the vision He has given us and join us as He leads us forward.
Thank You!
-Katie R. Fitch
Mission Corp Volunteer in Denmark
Please feel free to share this information with interested people. And if you would like to be added to Katie’s mailing list, please let her know by emailing her at Katie_rae@yahoo.com .
