Coffee is a versatile drink enjoyed hot or cold, sweet or bitter, with cream or straight. Entire business empires have been built around the myriad ways coffee can be served, and it even finds its way into baking, as seen in delicious coffee cakes. Let’s be honest—some people are definitely not morning people until they’ve had their first cup!

During my college years, I consumed copious amounts of coffee, but now I consider myself more of a social drinker. The coffee industry is a staggering $495.5 billion market. According to ncausa.org, the coffee sector in the U.S. alone has a total economic impact of $343.2 billion, generating 2.2 million jobs and over $100 billion in annual wages. Remarkably, the economic impact from 2015 to 2023 increased by 54%.

So, why are we discussing coffee? Its influence on our society is profound. Every Friday, coffee brings people together at our church for our weekly “Coffee and Conversations.” This gathering is one of my favorite times of the week. There’s something beautiful about sitting at a table with a cup of coffee—whether it’s sweetened, with creamer, or however you prefer—and simply engaging in conversation.

The stories and wisdom shared over cups of coffee, along with surprise baked goods and laughter, foster a sense of community. While Sunday worship is important, it tends to be more passive. In contrast, Friday’s Coffee and Conversations are interactive and spontaneous, with no topic off-limits.

As we sit together over a cup of coffee—a humble bean that significantly impacts both the global and local economy—let us remember the words from Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.” This doesn’t just mean Sunday mornings; it also encompasses those Friday coffee chats that help us connect, learn about each other, and grow together.