INSIDE: - City Light News

y Doris Fleck
The only coffee house in downtown
Blackfalds has lofty goals. After the Grind,
a ministry of the local Youth With A Mission
(YWAM) branch, wants to serve their
community, create deep relationships with
their customers,
and be a
catalyst for
change both
locally and
globally.
Chris
Keim said
that since
opening After
the Grind
in July, 2008,
he has seen
countless
people come
in for a coffee,
and over
time, share
their personal
struggles.
The leader
of YWAM
Blackfalds
said that
some customers
have
broken down
in tears,
many have
asked for
prayer, and
one young couple even credited the people
at the coffee shop with saving their marriage.
“This was a place where they could talk
about issues in their marriage and not be
judged,” Keim explained. “Just the ability
to be real and listen to people can make
such an impact.”
Keim has been involved in YWAM for
decades since a radical change happened
in his own
life. A selfproclaimed
“bad kid”
of Blackfalds,
Keim
went to the
YWAM base
in Kona, Hawaii,
in 1990,
to practice
his surfing
skills. When
he arrived
to find no
real beach
and the base
40 minutes
away from
the ocean,
he was angry.
But during
his time
studying the
Bible, God
transformed
his heart.
EVENTS CORNER
The change
was so dramatic
that
when he
came back home, his future wife, Sharon,
said, “If it does that much for him, imagine
what it’ll do for me,” Keim related
jokingly.
She went to Kona as well and three
years later they were married. After studying
abroad, they arrived back in Canada,
and then in 2000 began the YWAM base
at Eagles Nest Ranch in Cypress Hills,
Alberta.
“Eagles Nest is very remote,” Keim
explained. “It provided a great spiritual
life, but there was no authentic life of
living out what you believe” with those
outside the faith.
When Cornerstone Christian Fellowship
donated a historic building to them
in the heart of his hometown of Blackfalds,
Keim seized the
opportunity to have his
students interact with
the community. They
moved to Blackfalds
and decided this facility
would make a great
coffee house. After the
Grind is a not-for-profit business, relying
on volunteers from YWAM and the
community.
“What I really want to see happen is
that we develop such an authentic place
that people really meet the love of Jesus
through us,” Keim said.
For many of the local kids, this is happening.
After the Grind hosts a popular
games night each Friday for youth aged
eight to 14.
“It’s packed. It’s chaotic. They all love
Red Deer reps:
Peter & Doris Fleck • 403-348-9916
Emails: pcf1@telus.net
doris@calgarychristian.com
Blackfalds coffee shop out to “change the world”
YWAM’s Chris Keim stands outside the mission’s
After the Grind coffee house in downtown
Blackfalds.
— photo by Peter Fleck
“It’s packed. It’s
chaotic. They all
love it…”
it,” Keim said. “It’s getting the kids off the
street and some of them really have been
able to open up.”
In the 7,200-person, oil-driven town,
where many fathers are away for weeks or
months at a time, 10 of these youth now
volunteer at After the Grind.
“Just last year we were able to send
four of our teenage volunteers to a camp
out at Sylvan Lake,” Keim said. “From
the conversations they’ve had here, they
were more interested in learning about
spirituality, God and faith. Now their lives
are just changed.”
Keim also wants his
students and the community
to understand
how they impact the
lives of others globally
through their purchasing
power. After the
Grind stocks fair tradeplus
coffee from Doi Chaang in Thailand.
This coffee company allows the farmers
to own land, gives them 50 per cent ownership
of the company, and pays them
market value plus an additional 50 per cent
for their coffee beans.
After the Grind also purchases local
produce for the soups, muffins, panini and
salads they make there.
“How can a coffee shop change the
world?” Keim asks. “Simply by God
changing people through us being here.”
September 25 Concert featuring
Christian recording artist Jacob Moon.
Sponsored by YWAM and held at After
the Grind in Blackfalds, 4911 Broadway
Ave. Concert starts at 7 pm and cost is
$20/person. For more information call
403-885-2560.
October 4-6 Arise, a Freshwind
conference for women, held at the
Sheraton Red Deer Hotel, Friday 7 pm –
Sunday noon. The conference features
musician Cindy Keating, speaker Alicia
Britt Chole and the comedy duo Bare ‘n
Von Hair. Cost is $160 by September 27,
and $175 on site if space is available.
Cost includes all workshops, general
sessions, snacks, Saturday lunch and
Sunday brunch. Registration or more
information can be found at www.
freshwind.ca.
October 19 Freed-Up Financial
Living, a one-day workshop held at
Balmoral Bible Chapel and sponsored
by Shalom Counselling Centre. Saturday
9 am – 4 pm. Cost is $90/couple and
$60/individual. Cost includes all materials,
lunch, refreshments and childcare if
needed. Registration or more information
can be found by calling 403-342-0339
or at www.shalomcounselling.com under
Education.
October 9-November 27 Anger
Management Group Therapy for
Adults, eight sessions held at Shalom
Counselling Centre, 5515 27th Ave.,
Wednesday evenings 4-6 pm. Cost is
$299 and includes a resource book.
Registration or more information can
be found by calling 403-342-0339 or
at www.shalomcounselling.com under
Education.
November 10 “FriendRaising”
concert featuring award-winning Christian
recording artist, Steve Bell. Held
at First Christian Reformed Church,
16 McVicar St. Concert starts at 7 pm
and cost is $20/person. Proceeds go
to Shalom Counselling Centre. Tickets
can be purchased from Scott’s Parable
Books, Shalom Counselling, online at
www.stevebell.com or by calling 1-800-
854-3499.
If you would like to see your event in our Events Corner, contact Doris
Fleck at 403-348-9916 or email doris@calgarychristian.com.
www.calgarychristian.com
CITY LIGHT NEWS, OCTOBER 2013 — 9