THE STORY
Crossroads Coffee Co. started off as just an idea. An idea that would end up building itself.
When I (Liam), had an idea to start a coffee business, I had a few ideas to begin with. I have been working with Paul at ARK Expedition Outfitters to create a place where we can build rigs, build community, have great adventures and quality coffee. We also wanted to make our faith in Jesus a central part of our businesses; so when I was thinking of a good name for the shop that would encompass all of these things——faith, community, coffee, rigs, adventure——I was at a metaphorical crossroads. As I was explaining to my mom all of these aspects, it hit me: Crossroads Coffee Company.
Crossroads is more than just a name, it is a choice that we all have to make, in both our spiritual lives and our physical ones. In our physical life, it represents the choice between the certain, safe, easy, and sometimes monotonous way of life that most people stick to; or the uncertain, risky, difficult, and even uncomfortable way of life that we choose as adventurers. It is a difference between taking the safe route that will certainly be perceived as normal, or living a life experiencing this world for what it truly is; a gift. The choice is to live each day like it is your last, make the most of everything, and not be afraid to do things that others will call you crazy for; take risks, start up your own business, disappear for a while, travel, explore, adventure...
In our spiritual lives, the choice is somewhat the same. On one hand you have the world, which offers things that seem important now; money, fame, instant gratification. It offers a path that if you just go along with the flow and do what everyone around you does, you’ll be fine. It will be easier and it may seem more fun in the moment, but it won’t last. On the other hand, you have Jesus, who offered you His life so that you could have an eternal reward. The choice to follow Jesus is not easy, you may have challenges, you may be uncomfortable, you will have to let go of yourself; but ultimately, it is far more enjoyable and rewarding. You may not be happy all the time, but you will have a deeper joy that is impossible without Jesus. When you die, it won’t matter how many followers you have online or how much money you have. What matters is that choice you made. Did you take the easy, wide-open road; or did you take the difficult, narrow road?
The choice is yours; you just have to take it. The first step is the longest stride, but it is well worth it. Now, YOU are at a Crossroads...
Core Values
Some of the core values that Crossroads stands for are masculinity, femininity, family, and servant leadership.
Biblical Masculinity
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” - Micah 6:8
To be a man is to provide, protect, and serve. A man strives to be more like Christ everyday; he controls his emotions and passions, he helps others in any way he can, and he hates injustice. It is a mans job to protect those who can’t protect themselves, and to lead others as Christ leads.
Biblical Femininity
A Biblical woman is kind, modest, beautiful, trustworthy, submissive, strong. Most people believe that the last two are opposites when in reality, they are linked.
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” If you just read that part, it may seem like women are meant to be servants, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. If you read one more verse:
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy.” Not only is a man called to love his wife, he is called to serve her.
Servant Leadership
This is the part that ties masculinity and femininity together. A man leads his wife as Christ leads the church, by sacrificing everything in service. Jesus could have made everyone bow down and worship Him but instead; he bent down and washed his disciples feet, healed the sick, and died for the salvation of the world. Just as Christ served others, a man serves his wife and a woman serves her husband. Both men and women are called to serve others and lead them closer to Christ, to disciple and mentor others in their faith.
Traditional Family
To create a Biblical family, it takes a masculine man and a feminine woman both leading as servants to raise up children in the faith. A Godly family mirrors the church, all growing together, the old teaching the young.