Two Omaha residents hope to open a Christian coffee house in downtown Fremont by the start of next year.
Jonah and Robyn Reuben are seeking funds to open The Real Rock Cafe, an outreach ministry of Christian Community Fellowship Church in Fremont. The coffee house, located on Main Street, would be a place where artists, musicians and writers could use their gifts to minister to the community. It would be open from 6-10 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays.
“It’s going to be a family friendly environment and we believe it’s going to have a positive impact on the community,” Jonah Reuben said.
The Reubens plan to have music and also movie nights, where they will present different films and encourage discussion afterward. Some nights will be geared more toward youth.
“There are some in the community who don’t feel comfortable in a traditional church setting, so we are also planning weekly Bible studies for them,” Reuben said.
In an e-mail sent to the Tribune, Reuben said he and his wife envision the coffee house to be a place “where those who have been wounded physically and spiritually can receive healing for their broken souls.”
Plans are to have a small food pantry and clothing closet available for those struggling in the community.
Reuben said he and his wife have helped homeless people for years. That’s something they’ve hoped to do in Fremont since attending the church.
“A couple years ago, I played a concert at Biker Sunday (a church-sponsored event) in Fremont and my wife and I just fell in love with the people at the church, so we’ve been going there ever since,” Reuben said in a telephone interview. “It’s always been on our hearts to help the homeless and the unchurched and since we’ve been going to the church there in Fremont, we figured we could start there.”
Reuben said that the coffee house could be a place where homeless people could warm up in very cold weather and possibly get help or referrals.
“I have a lot of contact with area homeless shelters and different agencies that help low-income people that I can refer them to,” he said. “But it won’t be a place for them to just hang out all day and do nothing.”
He described the scope of the coffee house.
“It’s going to be more for the whole community, for basically anybody who wants to come and enjoy some good music and a film. Or maybe just to hang out with friends.”
The couple began looking at possible sites and found one at 635 N. Main St., next door to the Eagles Club.
Before opening the coffee house, however, the Reubens want to have adequate finances to maintain it.
“We’re going to raise funds so we have enough funding to operate for a year before we move in,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of coffee houses open and after two or three months, they close for lack of funding. We’re going to start in the church itself and then get funding and then move out.”
Reuben said he’s begun sending letters to area churches and businesses seeking contributions and already has received several responses.
“Most of the response has been from people willing to volunteer their time, but we’ve also had funds donated to us already,” he added.
In the e-mail, Reuben stated that if 100 people or more donated a one-time gift of $120, it would be more than enough to operate the coffee house for a year.
Reuben also told the Tribune a fundraiser is planned Dec. 5 at the church. A dinner will start at 6 p.m. with a presentation and music at 7 p.m.
He added the coffee house isn’t intended to be a money-making venture.
“This is something that will be non-profit and all we’re looking for is to cover our costs,” he said.
Reuben also said the ministry will have an advisory board and has the covering of the local church.
“Right now, we’re taking baby steps,” he said. “We want to do this right so it lasts. We’re kind of timid in the fact that we don’t want to rush into something that later on we’ll have to close because of lack of funding or lack of volunteers.”
Those wishing to contribute may send donations to: Christian Community Fellowship, 1640 W. Military Ave., Fremont, NE 68025.
For more information, contact Reuben at accidentalproffit@rocketmail.com.
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