CCO Campus Ministry

The Ministry of Coffee

This article first appeared in the fall 2008 issue of On Campus magazine.

“As my wife and I worked in coffeehouses through our time at the university and also through seminary, we became keenly aware that we were intersecting people’s lives in a more authentic way across a coffee bar then we were across a pulpit,” says TJ Fairchild.

Which is why, after graduating from seminary, and Julie opened a coffeehouse of their own, right at the edge of the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The Commonplace Coffeehouse & Roastery is a place where students are able to interact with the rest of the Indiana community. One or two professors even hold office hours there. Allyson Barrante, who serves the CCO and the Commonplace, says it’s her goal to connect college students to older Christians in the community who are living out their faith. The coffeehouse is the perfect place to do that. It’s also a great place to interact with students in a non-threatening way.

“Working in a coffee shop makes me a part of the larger community,” says Al. “Students don’t have a bias against who I am; they just get to know me as an individual without the baggage of authority that the title of ‘campus minister’ can bring.”

Al enjoys the opportunities she has to meet with students, whether in a small-group Bible study or one-on-one over a cup of coffee, talking about their academic struggles or relationship issues.

CCO staff member Linda Ference agrees. Linda taught as an adjunct instructor at the university for several terms through the sociology department and worked in the community mental health field for 10 years before coming on board at the Commonplace.

“My husband Jeff and I have enjoyed a friendship with TJ and Julie since the coffee shop opened,” she says. “If I didn’t work at the shop, I wouldn’t have that ‘third place’ to meet with students. We live just off campus, so often have students to our home for meals. But much of the meeting and trust-building happens at the shop. And if we are having an open house, or ‘Saturday night thing,’ at our home, it’s easy for students to invite others along if they can point at me behind the counter, and say, ‘It’s at her house.’”

International students especially have a difficult time meeting people in the community, since they generally spend so much time on campus and studying. The Commonplace is an especially good place for them to make contacts with the world outside the university.

“Linda and Al became consistent friends who I knew would always be more than willing to listen to whatever was keeping me from peace that day,” says Kimberly Musser, who graduated from IUP in May. “Not only would they listen, but they would be diligent in reminding me of Jesus Christ, the source of my joy. I always seemed to leave that place more prepared to face the day than I was before I entered.”

“It is hard to not get excited when you observe Al meeting with students in the shop,” says TJ. “As Linda serves her students both coffee and a listening ear mixed with wisdom, I am reminded that we are doing what God has called us to. The atmosphere that they create and the community that they build would be terribly missed if they were not a part of the Commonplace.”

What students say

Allyson and me have had a weekly Bible study for one year. I am from Japan and I have no background about Christianity. The Commonplace is a good place to have meeting. We can talk in a relaxed atmosphere. Some of the people I met at the Commonplace are Christians. All of them are very kind, generous, and calm without exception. This is one of the reasons I want to know about Christianity.

“When I go back to Japan, I will miss this Bible study with Allyson. Since the differences between Japanese ways of thinking and Christianity is huge, I cannot decide to become Christian yet. But, I will look for Church where I can continue to study Bible after I go back to Japan. I really appreciate Allyson and other people who patiently teach me Christianity.” —Takashi Kurata, Indiana University of Pennsylvania Class of 2008, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL)

“I think a lot of people feel like one in a million on the campus, and walking into a place where people know your name, what you like to drink, and want to know what’s going on in your life, means the world.” —Mindy Booher, Indiana University of Pennsylvania Class of 2009

What our partner says

“If there is a desire to see Kingdom work happening at your coffeehouse, there is no better way to accomplish this than to partner with the CCO. It is a constant encouragement to be working with CCO staff. It has been our pleasure to work with the ministry of the CCO. I have been so blessed to be a part of this organization.” —TJ Fairchild, Owner, The Commonplace Coffeehouse & Roastery

How it works

The CCO partners with the Commonplace Coffeehouse & Roastery to bring Allyson Barrante and Linda Ference to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus. In addition to their work at the coffeehouse, Allyson advises a student-run Christian fellowship and leads a women’s Bible study. Linda meets individually with students and hosts student gatherings in her home.

Newsroom