K-fe (pronounced “kah-fay”) in Carolina, Puerto Rico, is donating a portion of its proceeds from coffee sales to the development of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Spanish-language resources.
Five cents from every coffee purchase goes toward the creation and development of Spanish-language resources and materials for Hispanic/Latino churches and for churches looking to expand their outreach ministries by starting a Hispanic/Latino ministry in their communities. The Office for Resources and Relationships with Hispanic/Latino Constituencies, an arm of Congregational Ministries Publishing (CMP), denominational curriculum publisher of the PC(USA), produces those materials.
CMP publishes Asi Creemos for Spanish-speaking and bilingual children, and Estudios bíblicos reformados, ¡Refórmanos!: Una fe que busca entendimiento, and Participe for Spanish-speaking adults.
“We want to share the blessings that we receive,” said Rev. Cruz Negron-Torres, pastor and executive director, Villa Carolina Presbyterian Church, which sponsors K-fe.
About K-fe
K-fe opened in 2013 near the campus of Villa Carolina Presbyterian Academy—a private school for children in kindergarten through twelfth grade that is owned and operated by Villa Carolina Presbyterian Church. The program strives to provide high-quality food and service, offer faith-based experiences for customers and employees, and celebrate life by sharing God’s love with others.
“[Initially] we thought about starting an afterschool program for youth, but then I remembered seeing [church-related] coffee shop programs in the United States,” Negron-Torres said. “In Puerto Rico, we didn’t have anything like that. We are the only private school [in Puerto Rico] with a real business that serves the community.”
The coffee shop is a safe place for students to study after school and socialize. Family-friendly activities take place daily, including live music, comedy shows, story time for children, and karaoke. Academy students have the opportunity to receive hands-on training from experienced baristas to learn to use professional coffee machines and make coffee art.
Giving back
When the Villa Carolina leadership board discussed how it would share the blessings it receives, Negron-Torres suggested it do so by supporting the creation and development of Spanish-language resources. Everyone agreed.
“We need to learn what the [Presbyterian] church believes. Then we need to learn how the church works,” said Negron-Torres, referencing the PC(USA) Book of Confessions and Book of Order. “You can’t understand how the church works if you don’t understand the theology behind it.”
Negron-Torres talked to Rev. Marissa Galván-Valle, associate for resources and relationships with Hispanic/Latino constituencies, CMP, about supporting her ministry.
“We are really grateful that this church has decided to intentionally support an effort that helps all of the Spanish-speaking ministries of the PC(USA),” Galván-Valle said. “They have benefited from CMP’s Spanish-language resources, and now they are giving back. That is an amazing response of discipleship.”
Learn more about PC(USA) Spanish-language resources here.
Villa Carolina Presbyterian Church is home to 100 members, and the academy enrolls 700 students. The leadership board is considering opening more schools around Puerto Rico in hopes of sharing what being Presbyterian is all about. Visit the Villa Carolina Presbyterian website.