Full House Productions
Is it a coffeehouse with a Christian message, or a Mission that serves coffee?
According to Greater Grace Christian Coffee House owner Andy White, it really doesn't matter. He just hopes people will stop by and try it.
White opened Greater Grace in March 2005. But the project had its genesis years earlier.
"This is something I have had in my heart to do since I was 16," the Louisiana native said, as we sat on the spacious deck overlooking Barons Creek. "I just felt this was a place where people can come and spend time being close to God, and to hang out with other people."
He created his coffeehouse by converting a former home at 311 East San Antonio Street, which is fitting because of White's belief in the significance of family. During missionary stints in Russia and Central America, White observed firsthand how other cultures embrace all generations. By contrast, western society often constructs artificial boundaries between generations: seniors are funneled into assisted living centers; kids are sent off to separate Sunday school classes.
White wants Greater Grace to be a place where families can come, where young and old can socialize together.
"We’ve had Bible study with people in their 60s and 70s mixing with teenagers," he said. "Once you break the ice between those generations, you can’t rip them apart."
Greater Grace is a welcoming place, rich with the scents of good food and the sounds of inspiring music. The day I stopped in, a mother was teaching her son to play chess, a songwriter strummed guitar and sang, and a man with a laptop was taking advantage of the free wireless internet. The ambience evokes the flavor of New Orleans, which is where White spent time running small businesses.
The day begins with platter-filling breakfast tacos ("Mediterranean style"), and pan per' du ("real French toast"), bagels, biscotti, and pastries. The lunch menu includes soups, gumbos, pasta, and croissant sandwiches, with baklava and other treats for dessert. All day, White pours bottomless cups of specialty coffees, plus espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes.
Praise and worship groups such as We Are One perform Christian music on Fridays and Saturdays. White also encourages younger musicians to play, even if their music is not something typically heard in church.
"When you are dealing with the Gospel, conveying it accurately is of the utmost importance," he said. "I’ll never be able to relate to heavy metal, but if they are getting that message out there accurately, more power to them."
With White's concept realized, can we expect to see a chain of Greater Grace Coffee Houses?
"No," White said quickly. "But I’d like to inspire other people to do something similar, to use coffee shops as a form of Christian outreach. We have to find different ways to actively reach Christians. We can’t do it just sitting in our churches anymore, thinking somebody is going to come along."
So... is it a coffeehouse with a Christian message, or a Mission that serves coffee?
"You can say it any way you want to say it," White said. "We are very up front about our Christianity. That’s the whole point in doing this. We ought to be showing that we are Christians."
"We really are taking a stand."
According to Greater Grace Christian Coffee House owner Andy White, it really doesn't matter. He just hopes people will stop by and try it.
White opened Greater Grace in March 2005. But the project had its genesis years earlier.
"This is something I have had in my heart to do since I was 16," the Louisiana native said, as we sat on the spacious deck overlooking Barons Creek. "I just felt this was a place where people can come and spend time being close to God, and to hang out with other people."
He created his coffeehouse by converting a former home at 311 East San Antonio Street, which is fitting because of White's belief in the significance of family. During missionary stints in Russia and Central America, White observed firsthand how other cultures embrace all generations. By contrast, western society often constructs artificial boundaries between generations: seniors are funneled into assisted living centers; kids are sent off to separate Sunday school classes.
White wants Greater Grace to be a place where families can come, where young and old can socialize together.
"We’ve had Bible study with people in their 60s and 70s mixing with teenagers," he said. "Once you break the ice between those generations, you can’t rip them apart."
Greater Grace is a welcoming place, rich with the scents of good food and the sounds of inspiring music. The day I stopped in, a mother was teaching her son to play chess, a songwriter strummed guitar and sang, and a man with a laptop was taking advantage of the free wireless internet. The ambience evokes the flavor of New Orleans, which is where White spent time running small businesses.
The day begins with platter-filling breakfast tacos ("Mediterranean style"), and pan per' du ("real French toast"), bagels, biscotti, and pastries. The lunch menu includes soups, gumbos, pasta, and croissant sandwiches, with baklava and other treats for dessert. All day, White pours bottomless cups of specialty coffees, plus espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes.
Praise and worship groups such as We Are One perform Christian music on Fridays and Saturdays. White also encourages younger musicians to play, even if their music is not something typically heard in church.
"When you are dealing with the Gospel, conveying it accurately is of the utmost importance," he said. "I’ll never be able to relate to heavy metal, but if they are getting that message out there accurately, more power to them."
With White's concept realized, can we expect to see a chain of Greater Grace Coffee Houses?
"No," White said quickly. "But I’d like to inspire other people to do something similar, to use coffee shops as a form of Christian outreach. We have to find different ways to actively reach Christians. We can’t do it just sitting in our churches anymore, thinking somebody is going to come along."
So... is it a coffeehouse with a Christian message, or a Mission that serves coffee?
"You can say it any way you want to say it," White said. "We are very up front about our Christianity. That’s the whole point in doing this. We ought to be showing that we are Christians."
"We really are taking a stand."
