When the coffee flows at Ecclesia Church in Houston, there is much more at stake than enhancing the worship experience for weekend attenders.
Ecclesia was intentionally planted in the heart of the city with an art gallery, recording studio, music venue, and coffee shop that sells only fair trade coffee. The coffee shop also sells pastries and other food items made by local vendors.
“There are many people who buy their coffee only from us,” says Ian Uriarte, Ecclesia executive pastor. “We see this as an opportunity to be transformational: with simple decisions, we provide benefits to people who are suffering in the world.”
Fair trade coffee will also be pouring soon at Mercy Street, a church plant out of Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston.
For more than seven years, Mercy Street has sold Equal Exchange Coffee (EEC)–imported products certified by government agencies as coming from businesses that pay workers a fair price, promote good working conditions and abide by strict environmental standards. The church will soon be serving fair trade coffee to attenders as well.
“We are firm believers in the ethic of work and that a person should be paid a fair wage for their work,” says Sean Gladding, Mercy Street’s co-pastor. “This isn’t just about coffee . . “
