We are in California this month, and between meetings, we made a quick visit to San Francisco. While walking, we passed a particular Starbucks that brought back special memories.
Years ago when my son John was a toddler, we stayed in the prophet’s chamber at the Hamilton Square Baptist Church. In downtown San Francisco, there are coffee establishments every few blocks, and to get John out, I would take him with me to Starbucks. I had trained him so that if I placed a gospel tract in his hand, he would hold it out to the nearest person. This produced some amazing conversations on the streets of San Francisco and especially in Starbucks. This is when “Starbucks Evangelism” began for us.
Coffee house evangelizing is a great method for our generation. If you look for someone not working at a computer, just sitting by themselves, you might have an opportunity for the gospel. If you sit close enough to converse, but not so close that it makes one uncomfortable, you can engage in a conversation that can be turned toward the gospel. This can open the 
way for a witness of Jesus or at least the passing of a gospel tract before you leave. The Spirit will guide in these situations.
Good News, and a selection of other gospel tracts are available from the Revival Focus store.
John Van Gelderen
Post Author
Hey, Brother! Thanks for the article. One of our coffee shops (Caribou!) is just around the corner from the high school and middle school, and it often has large gatherings of youth right after school. My 7th grade son and I went there recently to hang out with the purpose of chatting with them. We played board games and enjoyed ourselves. Unfortunately, we picked a day when it was bitter cold and right before a forecasted blizzard, so not many kids were there. But I want to do it again! Thanks for the encouraging article!
Neat! May the Lord bless!
Good morning John Great artical. I love hearing about different ways of sharing the gospel with others. One method I will use from time to time is, say we are at a McDonald’s and one of us will play the role of a lost person who has a lot of questions about salvation and how to be saved. The other one answers his questions. You will be surprised at how many people start listening in on the conversation. Than as we leave we hand tracts to people on our way out. Usually to those we noticed were listening in on… Read more »
Good ideas! We can all ask the Lord for wisdom for new venues in giving the gospel.
Perhaps good coffee is the 4th reason evangelists exist. Good prodding article, reminds me of Charlie Kittrel (?) .
John, I don’t have a reply for this particular discussion but wanted to thank you for the track, “More than a Tip (1996). It is a good track and I’ve found it to be received well. (BTY, at your advice, I try to leave a good tip with it 🙂 )
Thanks! 👍
Do not underestimate the power of the written
WORD.