From Engineer to Coffee Entrepreneur: The Inspiring Story of Dan the Coffee Man

Engineer Turned Coffee Entrepreneur

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Dan, the founder of High Point Roasters, a Christian coffee roasting company based in New Albany, Mississippi. Dan shared his incredible story of how God led him from a career as an engineer to starting his own coffee roasting business.

Dan's journey began when the engineering company he had worked at for over a decade was sold. He found himself suddenly out of a job, unsure of what to do next. After months of job searching, Dan felt God was pushing him out of his comfort zone to start something new. 

A friend who owned coffee shops presented an opportunity - if Dan would roast coffee for him, the friend would buy it. Taking a leap of faith, Dan dove into researching the coffee industry. He attended a coffee expo, invested in roasting equipment, and went to roasting school, where he surprisingly won a blending competition against big names like Starbucks - with no prior experience!

From those humble beginnings, High Point Roasters has grown to supply coffee to shops from New Jersey to New Orleans, roasting 800-1000 pounds per week. More than just a business, Dan and his wife committed to honoring God and making an impact on people's lives through the company. They give a portion of all profits to support various ministries and adoption fundraising.

High Point Roasters imports high-quality beans from 14 countries to create specialty single-origin coffees and signature blends. Dan and his team find joy in their work each day and strive to be a positive example of a Christian business.

The story of High Point Roasters is a testament to how God can redirect our paths in unexpected ways when we trust in Him. As Dan's favorite verse Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." 

If you love coffee and want to support a business that gives back, check out HighPointRoasters.com. With their commitment to quality, service, and ministry, every bag helps brew up something good.

Like the High Point Roasters Page on Facebook! 

From Darkness to Light: One Man's Incredible Journey Out of Homosexuality and Transgenderism

Born Again: Overcoming Transgenderism For Jesus

David's story is one of the most powerful testimonies of transformation through Jesus Christ that I've ever encountered. From a very young age, David struggled with same-sex attraction and by his teens was living as a transgender prostitute - taking female hormones, engaging in homosexual activity, crime, drugs and spreading HIV. He fully embraced the lie that he was "born this way."

But God had other plans for David's life. While in prison, a Christian corrections officer planted a seed by sharing the truth in love - that homosexuality is wrong but that God still loved David. This set David on a path of questioning and seeking the one man he had never given a chance - Jesus.  

Near death in 2009 from AIDS, David cried out to Jesus from his sickbed. He realized homosexuality was a sin he could overcome through Christ, not an identity. Disgusted by his old life, David moved to start fresh, growing in his faith and becoming part of a church.

However, David often felt silenced by well-meaning Christians afraid to discuss his past. He believes the church must address this issue head on in love and truth. Homosexuality is not normal and people are not "born this way" - it is a sin like any other that Jesus can set people free from, no matter how far they have fallen. 

Looking back, David sees fatherlessness as the root of his struggles and the fate of his many friends who died young. His advice to those wrestling with homosexuality is to resist temptation, trusting God will provide a way out. No one is too far gone for the transforming love and power of Jesus.

Today, David mentors others through his website iBelongAmen.com. His deepest desire is to see the lost find hope, healing and salvation in Christ just as he did. David's testimony is a powerful reminder that in Jesus, we can all step out of darkness into His marvelous light.

From Darkness to Light: Shane Woodruff's Powerful Testimony of Deliverance and Redemption

From Darkness to Light: Shane's Testimony

Today I have an incredible testimony to share with you from Shane Woodruff. Shane's story is one of being delivered from the depths of drug addiction and despair into new life in Christ Jesus. His journey powerfully illustrates how God can transform even the most broken life when we come to the end of ourselves. 

Childhood Seeds of Faith

Shane's spiritual journey began at a young age, when his parents would take him to church. At just 5 years old, he had a profound encounter with God's presence that left an imprint on his young heart. Shane recounts, "I remember when I was a child, the word of God was going forth... At five years old I got up from the pew, went to the pulpit, and started weeping. A presence was there." 

Though not yet born again, a seed of faith was planted that would later bear fruit. As Shane puts it, "The word birthed faith in my heart even as a little young man."

Bound by Addiction

Despite this early spiritual experience, as Shane grew older he became ensnared in the same drug addiction that had torn his family apart. Cocaine, marijuana and sexual perversion had a strong hold on his life. The pain and turmoil of his upbringing followed him into adulthood.

Brought Low in Jail

The turning point came when Shane hit rock bottom in county jail after getting arrested on drug charges. He had lost everything dear to him - his wife, his children, his will to live. Sitting in that jail cell, he came to the complete end of himself. 

It was there that a minister shared the gospel of Jesus Christ rising from the dead. That night as Shane lay on his bunk pondering the message, faith sprang to life. He marveled, "What if this man really rose from the dead?" In that moment, the love of God was shed abroad in Shane's heart. He was born again in January 2007.

Walking Out Deliverance

In the seven years since giving his life to Christ, Shane's zeal for the Lord has been evident to all. He loves to study the Word and share the revelations he receives. Though the journey has not been without struggles and stumbles, Shane holds fast to the promise that God is working all things together for his good.

When I asked Shane if he thought jail was part of God's plan to deliver him, he replied, "I believe God had orchestrated that plan to bring me to that point and purpose in order to bring me forth into the kingdom of God. No pain, no gain."

Amen! I pray Shane's powerful testimony blesses and encourages you today. No matter how dark your situation, know that God's love can reach you and make you a new creation in Christ. If you are walking through the "birth pains" of coming to faith, take heart - your deliverance is near! Thanks for reading and may God's richest blessings be upon you.