Meet The Leaders: Kalli

Meet Kalli Hendrickson, our fearless leader!  Kalli has been with TMPC since the very beginning.  She has been moving mountains all the way from Montana to Mitchelton.  She has an undeniable passion for coffee, but an even greater passion for enabling people and that is evident in all she does.  Here is what she has to say about our internship program...

Overview:
The Meeting Place Cafe has two influxes of interns, one in January and one in June. The cafe internship is designed to teach people how to run a cafe that is both a business and a ministry. January’s internship covers more in depth starting a cafe and managing the business. June’s will cover how to take a functioning cafe and add a missions focus to what we do.  The framework of both runs under the wing of YWAM Brisbane. Interns, therefore are required to live and volunteer inside of this missional community.

What I’ve seen it doing:
It’s been 4 years since TMPC opened, and since then, two internships have run. Both were designed with the goal of imparting the skill for opening a mission focused cafe. Within themselves, both programs were designed with the people participating in mind. What I’ve seen this internship do in short is a lot like the following quote: “If you have built castles in the sky your work need not be lost: that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.”

I believe in harnessing the creativity and desire young people have today to influence the world through the cafe culture. Through this internship, people learn how to think business management, team culture, and quality hospitality skills as well as feel the weight and time management of their dream before it costs them anything. It’s great preparation, and great for people who have ideas but need to learn follow through in a place where feedback can be given and leadership skills can develop. 

What it means to me:
Honestly, having worked in missions almost 6 years now. I believe in influencing the world with young people: to do that, however, changes need to be made to existing projects and new ideas need to be given. I love out of the box ideas! 4 years ago when the concept for the Meeting Place Café was introduced to me…I knew: this could be a new face for a mission focused community. 

My desire is to meet young people where they are, and equip them to know who they are, know who God is, and know what it means to live a life of influence, for this place, this close friendship is where we were created to live from. I see in cafe’s the same needs being met that are met in churches. Only instead of a pastor, there are one-on-one deep and meaningful conversations; instead of pews, there are couches and tables; instead of wine and unleavened bread communion, there is fellowship over bagels and coffee.  

 I latched onto the idea of a business and ministry driven cafe because I believe that relationship is the only way people heal, and find the community of support they need to even let Jesus in. I followed through on it because I saw the influence it had. High Schoolers, up the road coming to hang out over a thick shake because it’s a safe place for them to be; our people going to their games, awards nights, and concerts because of friendships made. It’s the simple choices we make everyday relationally and where we give our time that make the difference. I keep at it because I see that working here.  The interns that come, come young, full of belief, and full of reasons they need community too! When they complete the program, they change into influencers. Those that join this team go back home and whatever they join, they influence with the same tools they learned here. Some will start their own cafe’s, some realise or clarify why they want to influence the world and change direction. Either way, helping people find themselves, and harness their influence…that is my "yes!".

If you are interested in learning more about The Meeting Place Café or our internship program, please contact us at themeetingplace@goywam.com or click here to find out more!