Koinonia Coffee House will be more than just a place to buy a cup of coffee. The Greek word “koinonia” has to do with fellowship and the sharing of lives in deep and meaningful ways. The vision for Koinonia is to create an environment where people from a multitude of backgrounds all feel welcome to come in, enjoy a good cup of coffee or tea, and share a moment with other members of the Koinonia community. Groups from local organizations, businesses and college and university campuses will be encouraged to use Koinonia as a place to hold meetings, discussions, and social events. And Koinonia will embrace the diverse cultural backgrounds of its proprietors and customers through its décor, informational materials and artistic demonstrations (music, poetry, visual arts, etc.).

The prophet Isaiah celebrates the God who “does a new thing” in the wilderness, and we gratefully acknowledge the new thing that God is doing on this formerly abandoned corner in the heart of Jackson!

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness … to give drink to my people … that they may proclaim my praise.” (Isaiah 43:19-21)

 

Lee Harper is a 1978 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Office and Business Administration. Since receiving her degree, Lee has pursued studies in mortgage financing and servicing, urban development, personal financial management and banking. Lee’s professional career includes the roles of health care administrator, chief financial officer, chief executive officer, city executive and assistant vice president. Lee has participated in the ownership and operation of two local businesses. Lee has an extensive background in personal financial management, finance and accounting and business development. Much of her professional career has been in the fiduciary care of organizations with annual budgets of several million dollars. She sits on several local boards and committees, and served a seven-year term on the Jackson Public School Board, where, during her presidency, she gave oversight to a $300 million facilities bond. She is a 2000 graduate of Leadership Jackson. Recognized nationally by the McAuley Institute and the Ford Foundation; featured on ABC Primetime; selected as Jackson’s Delegate to the President’s Summit for America’s Future with General Colin Powell.

Alexis Spencer-Byers grew up in San Francisco, and then attended Amherst College in Massachusetts. After receiving a B.A. in English from Amherst, Alexis moved to Jackson, Mississippi, to complete a one-year editorial internship with Urban Family Magazine. Jackson proved harder to leave than she expected, and she spent the next ten years working for a variety of local community development/racial reconciliation organizations, including Voice of Calvary Ministries, Enterprise Corporation of the Delta/Hope Community Credit Union, and Mission Mississippi. Her job titles have included administrative assistant, health center receptionist, volunteer services coordinator, associate director of development, and network/systems administrator. For the past year, Alexis has freelanced as a newsletter writer, copy-editor, and database consultant while drafting a novel and preparing for Koinonia's opening. In 2005, she self-published a collection of poetry and short fiction entitled Urban Verses, and her website includes an “Urban Voices” section where she features the work of other emerging urban Christian poets.

Thursday, February 12, 2009, 6:30 pm	Tapestry with C.J. Jones, Human Rights Struggle veteran
Saturday, February 14, 2009, 9:30 pm - midnight	Gospoetry open mic night - $5
Thursday, February 19, 2009, 7:30 - 9:00 pm	Jackson Progressives meeting
Friday, February 20, 2009, 6:30 pm	A Common Stream book signing & poetry reading
Saturday, February 21, 2009, 8:00 pm - midnight	Gospoetry open mic night - $5
Friday, February 27, 2009, 6:30 pm	Tapestry with Janet Lahr Lewis, United Methodist Liaison to Israel and Palestine
Saturday, February 28, 2009, 8:00 pm - midnight	Gospoetry open mic night - $5
Friday, March 6, 2009, 6:30 pm	live music by Justin Gudger - free admission

Welcome to the website of Koinonia Coffee House in Jackson, Mississippi!

This website and this coffee house are under construction - please check back soon.

For more information, contact us at info@koinoniacoffee.com or by calling 601/352-4039.

Koinonia is now hiring baristas, bakers and sandwich-makers who share our vision for creating community and celebrating culture in a coffee house environment. If you are interested in working with us, please complete our application and return it by mail to P. O. Box 3583, Jackson, MS 39207 or by email to info@koinoniacoffee.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Koinonia Coffee House is located at 136 S. Adams Street, Jackson, Mississippi. We are two blocks west of Gallatin, between the Metro Parkway and West Capitol Street.

From I-55, take the Pearl Street exit, drive west on Pearl through downtown, continue on Metro Parkway at Gallatin, stay to the right and look for the two-story yellow house on the right.

From I-220, take the Capitol Street exit, drive east on Capitol past zoo toward downtown, turn right on Adams Street and look for Koinonia on the left.

From Jackson State, take Metro Parkway toward downtown, travel 3/4 of the way around the Terry/Pascagoula roundabout, exit at sign for JSU/Highway 80, turn left on Parkway, then immediately turn right on Adams.

From South Jackson, drive north on Terry Road, after Lynch Street look for left-hand entrance to Parkway roundabout, travel 1/2 of the way around the roundabout, exit at sign for JSU/Highway 80, turn left on Parkway, then immediately turn right on Adams.

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