What's New
The 07 summer brought to the table many memories but one that has risen to the top was the opening of the “Perfect Blend” coffee shop and conference room at MRO. The unfinished space beneath the dinning hall has been transformed into a warm and inviting coffee shop with a live stage that can accommodate speakers and musicians alike. Acting as the camp store, the coffee shop will serve as a new way to connect relationally with campers and share the love of Jesus. We are excited to see how the Lord plans to use the coffee shop not only this summer but in the future as well.
The smell of fresh ground coffee beans fill the air and this scent almost seems to harmonize with the sounds of an acoustic guitar and blur of an espresso machine. This is the backdrop of one of the most comfortable settings in America, the “coffee shop”. For the 21st century small nooks with strong aromas, smooth music and eccentric color schemes have rediscovered the meaning of “where two or three are gathered in My name”. There have been countless testimonies of God’s Spirit moving over a shared cup of Joe and a pastry, but why?
The success of the coffee shop can largely be credited to the severe starvation of community within the busy and career driven American culture. Some organizations have tried to fulfill this lack of community and connectedness but like the corporate office has offered only stale programs and empty formulas. Connectedness and community are two ingredients to a good coffee shop and in an interesting way mirror that of good evangelism. Christ’s ministry was a sweet mix of connection and community. For a counselor to share with a struggling teenage girl over a steaming cup is much like the opportunity Christ had 2000 years ago at a well in Samaria. The groundwork of grace opened her heart to receive the history breaking truth that he shared with her moments later. The coffee shop sets the perfect stage on which truth and grace can collide and do their divine and supernatural work.
The comfort of the coffee shop allows people to relax and be themselves, these are the prime conditions in which the Holy Spirit can do His work. This coffee shop will not only be used to share the gospel with campers but can also be utilized by any retreat group. The visual and audio capability of the room offers a great spot for conferencing groups to do presentations and meetings. The late great St. Patrick used small communities to share Christ with thousands; we plan to use the coffee shop to relationally spread the gospel to the same.
Artwork is one of the greatest gifts given to humanity by God for the worship of Himself. The coffee shop will be used to display artwork that draws the soul to worship an Almighty Creator. Artwork will be expressed by music, drama, drawings, photography, paintings, and a variety of other venues like woodworking. Local craftsman Gary Krauss has most graciously donated an awe-inspiring line of wood furniture that captures the beauty of the Maine woods and brings it indoors.
The Grand Opening of the “Perfect Blend” was Sunday night July 15th of the 07 summer. There was dinner and a concert by performing artist Unspoken, an up and coming Christian band. We enjoyed seeing anyone connected with Moose River Outpost that came and celebrated with us. All in all the Perfect Blend was a great success for both campers and retreat groups alike. Here is what a few campers had to say about their MRO coffee shop experience.
*Check out Gary Krauss at www.nativewoods.net and Unspoken at www.itwasyou.com
