05/05/2026
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the Wesley Foundation at Penn State. I walked into a large room that has been named “Abba Java”. As the name implies, it is a coffee shop. But it isn’t your everyday, run of the mill Christian coffee shop. I know from my own experience. As a pastor in Alabama one of our churches opened a coffee shop on the town square. It was a great way to open our doors to the community and teach our congregation the need to get out of the big white church on the corner and reach those in our community. It was a dream. A dream that lasted only 6 months because we ran out of money.
Abba Java has been active for many years – I don’t know the exact number but it is close to 20 (if not more). It was started by one of our retired clergy as her DMin project. It continues to grow and develop to meet the needs of students at Penn State.
Let me share with you my experience. I walked in and saw the signage and artwork – all of it bright and focused on the love of God and the love of God’s children, ALL of God’s children. I saw the coffee pots and a smorgasbord of pastries and fruit. I confess I noticed the food first but as I looked around I saw students at the various tables. Some were sitting by themselves with their laptops open – I assumed studying. Some were sitting with other students and chatting. It wasn’t until later, after I was given a tour of the Wesley Foundation building given by Rev. Sarah Coker Voigt, Associate Pastor of St Paul’s UMC and Wesley Foundation. Sarah directs the Wesley Foundation’s ministries as part of her mission.
Turns out the coffee and the pastries were free. Students helped themselves. (When I left it was lunch time and the pastries had been replaced with sandwiches and more fruit.) and the part that I found so exciting is that the volunteers who serve and clean up are both students and congregation members.
The Wesley Foundation also has a pantry for students who experience food scarcity, a coat closet and a shoe rack for those who are in need. The final thing I learned is that at the beginning of each school year the St Paul’s UMC and Wesley Foundation hold a free yard sale for students as they are moving into school.
St Paul’s UMC and Wesley Foundation have found a way to not only serve the Penn State community with grace and love but they have strengthened their own community by coming together to share in this important ministry.
