Meet Tom and Bonnie...

Jesus Christ is the life of the Jesus Coffeehouse, but Tom and Bonnie are the heart and soul. One has only to read the many "thank you" notes and pictures on the wall to know how much they are loved. One has only to talk with the coffeehouse patrons to see how many lives have been touched by this tireless couple who give all they have and all they are for the glory of God. Proverbs 20:6b asks, "but a faithful man, who can find?" We found two - running the Jesus Coffeehouse.

The origin of the Jesus Coffeehouse dates back to the Christmas of 1987 when God birthed in Tom and Bonnie Lentz - newly saved out of a life of drugs, alcohol, and witchcraft - a desire to help people. Tom, being an artist, created a sign that simply said, "JESUS." They hung the sign on the front porch of their downtown apartment in Bloomington, IL with a desire to exalt Christ and the true meaning of Christmas.

The homeless community, along with people that were in need, began knocking on their door for help. John 12:32 says, "If I be lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself." We know this verse is talking of His death, but also of the power of His name. The name of Jeus will draw people. Through this experience their home grew into a coffeehouse. From their living room, they ministered to the broken, fragmented people who were living shattered lives. In October of 2000, the Jesus Coffeehouse moved to a building of its own and was established as a missionary outreach.

Luke 7:47 says, "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Tom and Bonnie know that their sins, which were many, have been forgiven; and with that same forgiveness and love they received, they desire to give to any and everyone they meet.