With the non-profit café-bistro "SCHMECK58," we want to draw attention to the problems between our materialistic West and the rest of the world: problems caused by the yoke of injustice (through sin) in the form of poverty, hunger, and exploitation. In this project, dedicated volunteers work in the café, actively opposing these injustices – driven by their love for Jesus Christ.
Building a children's home in the Philippines - supported by proceeds from the café
What are your goals and how did you come up with the name "SCHMECK58"?
“SCHMECK58” derives its name from the 58th chapter of the Book of Isaiah with the following motto: “Share your bread with the hungry, loose the chains of those who are unjustly imprisoned, free them from the yoke of slavery, give the homeless a home and clothing, help where you can and do not close your eyes” (cf. Isaiah 58:6-7).
According to recent statistics, more than 3 billion people live on just $2 or less a day. This means that almost half the world's population struggles to survive on the amount we spend on fries or soda (for food, medicine, etc.). More than 26,000 children will take their last breath today due to hunger or preventable diseases. These people did not choose their fate and should not be left to it. Even more tragic, however, is that of approximately 7.7 billion people, only an estimated less than 30% of humanity have truly heard what it means to accept Jesus as their personal Savior (source: The book "David Platt – No Compromises").
Our three guiding principles are as follows:
Encounter: The café is a bridge to faith and an alternative to other meeting places – for friends, acquaintances, and colleagues. Here, the motto is: "Come home and spend time in good company."
Serving: Through voluntary participation in the café, but also regionally through neighborhood assistance.
Mission: God stands especially on the side of those in need, and if we want to encounter Him and live by His side, we must not overlook them. The proceeds are donated to both regional and global projects.
The café-bistro “SCHMECK58” invites you: “Be a part of it, passing on the taste and taste for yourself what it means to live 58.” Taste and experience how you, as a Christian, can confront poverty, injustice and the yoke of sin.
What inspired you to open such a café?
The founders of the project independently shared the desire to open a café with a clear call to practice worship. We were also inspired by the vivid and moving documentary "58: Extreme Poverty and What Christians Can Do About It" by Compassion Germany. Other Christian cafés, such as Café Reach run by the church in Trossingen, also served as inspiration.
What are your experiences so far?
More and more people are becoming enthusiastic about the project and getting involved. Many encounters with local residents and invited colleagues/friends who are not religious have taken place in the café, and they have always been convinced by the concept and its underlying idea.
Thanks to the proceeds from SCHMECK58, we have been able to provide financial resources for various projects, including a Christmas gift campaign for a children's home in Ukraine, financial assistance for the construction of a children's home in the Philippines, support for widows and orphans, and sponsorships for children in India, to name just a few. In 2020, we were able to support people in need with approximately €30,000.
What made the start easier?
First and foremost, it was the certainty that we are instruments in God's hand and that God is behind this project.
During the renovation project, we received generous donations and support from numerous specialists (IT, catering, crafts, design/art). Their voluntary assistance was a tremendous asset.
But the exchange of experiences with the "Reach" café also gave us an important starting point.
What unexpected challenges have you already had to overcome?
The bureaucratic process of establishing the association, along with all the requirements imposed by the authorities, presented a major hurdle at the beginning and demanded great faith from us. We often had to demonstrate perseverance during the renovations and the furnishing of the café.
We also had to learn how to deal with the coronavirus crisis so that we could maintain operations within the framework of the regulations. We have now switched our traditional café to "takeaway mode" to cover fixed costs and continue financing ongoing social projects, which has worked well for us so far.
What are your goals for 2021?
- Isaiah 58 to live.
- To increase the visibility of the cafe in the city and to build trust among local residents so that we can provide people with a neutral place to talk to them about faith and Jesus Christ.
- To launch initial local projects in Schifferstadt (a neighboring town of Speyer) and the region (neighborhood assistance, palliative care unit, hospice).
- To tell people about God and to carry out Jesus' mission.
Where do you see SCHMECK58 in five years?
We want to build strong trust in the community and offer a point of contact for many residents of Schifferstadt, and also achieve integration into society through neighborhood support and social, local projects.
Numerous fundraising events should be held if possible.
Through donations and our work, we aim to save many lives through humanitarian aid. Likewise, we hope that countless people will find God through the proclamation of the Good News.
With the presentation of our project, we also want to encourage you to work in God's mission field. Help the poor and tell people about the redeeming work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Municipality of Speyer
Sergej Dachtler
