I will give no excuse to why I have not written in here in a while other to say that I was not about to have anyone other those who absolutely must join me on the roller coaster of a ride that this journey has been. It was rough on everyone as we would get so close only to end up back at square one at multiple points. I had resolved to only communicate things as absolutely needed and avoid unneccessarily building anything up.
I write this today in wierd combination of celebreration, humility, thankfulness, and even fear as I share that Nexus Cafe and Coffeehouse is expected to open its doors April 2, 2012 at 627 Prospect Ave in downtown Cleveland. This past Friday Alex signed a 10 year lease with two 5 year options.
I am overwhlemed by God's faithfulness. I feel a very similar feeling to that which I felt when I first came to Christ- complete unworthiness. I am overwhlemed by God's grace and the trust He puts in me to leaf forward in His name through this tool. The fear I discussed earlier stems from this as the sense of resonsibility that is within me is sobering.
So here is a quick explanation of what is to come next:
- There is construction to be done to be ready the space. We are working with the landlord, architect, and contractor this week to begin the work as soon as possible. We expect that construction will be complete and Gateway will begin meeting in the space as early as Feb 1, 2012.
- Teams are being assembled to help in the launch process. If you have a skillset or passion in the areas of finance, restaurant operations, marketing, facilities management, technology, or human resources and want to help get us prepared email me at mickey@gatewaycleveland.com
- I leave for Sumatra November 10 to meet the farmers we intend on getting our coffee beans from. We will work on the many logistics that must be in place but also get to know them and their needs as this is only the beginning of a long relationship with these farmers and others in their area. It is our expectation that we will form a relationship with them and open avenues for us to express God's love for them in deed and word.
Please pray!
With Nexus and this trip to Sumatra the exciting part is not the food or coffee. Let's be honest- another restaurnt in Cleveland is not exciting, it happens all the time. More coffee in the states has no cool quality in and of itself, coffee is shipped in every day. In both of these the exciting part is the life change that can happen. This is about people seeing God through a new lens- maybe seeing God for the first time ever. I believe in a God that is alive and well today- He is relevant, creative, and maybe even entrepeneurial in His ways. I have the privildge to share this God with people that have never been introduced to God in this way. This is what is exciting and this is what makes it all worth it.
Now that we are moving I promise to post more- at least weekly- and share everything going on. I will include pics and all sorts of fun stuff along the way.
MickeyD
