Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Smith.
Hi Dan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
After being in church music & worship ministries for 20+ years, my wife Wendy and I felt called to minister to the under-served. Over time, we decided to open a coffee house in Northeast KCMO to engage the neighborhood with practical help and the good news of God’s love through Jesus. Eleos Coffee House became not only a place for fresh-roasted specialty coffees, lattes, and cappuccinos, but also a safe place that welcomes homeless, trafficked, and addicted, for help and hope. Eleos employees go out on the streets to engage with people in difficult circumstances and we offer assistance with obtaining birth certificates, IDs, and a variety of other resources along with group classes, Bible studies, one-on-one mentoring, and community events.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been many difficulties along the way. We intentionally opened in an area of the city that was really struggling with crime and other issues in order to try to make a difference. We were broken into many times, interacted with people that were really in a bad place in their life and were acting out in difficult ways. But it has been amazing to experience God’s gracious care and provision for these past 15 years.
As you know, we’re big fans of Eleos Ministries Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Eleos Ministries is a non-profit 501(c)3 that takes the shape of a traditional coffee house. Eleos Coffee House roasts specialty coffees and serves lattes, cappuccinos, teas, matcha, blended drinks, pastries, breakfast and lunch. We hope to provide value to the community by being a gathering place for everyone and to help meet the needs of those who are experiencing homelessness, addiction, or other related issues. We are most thankful for God’s grace to be able to walk through difficult circumstances with people and for the lives that we have seen changed by the goodness of God.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
When we’re not in the city, we love to do primitive camping!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eleosministries.org
- Instagram: eleoscoffee
- Facebook: Eleos Coffee Kansas City
- Youtube: @eleosministries6719
