If you happen to pass by Midtown Scholar Bookstore on the first Saturday night of any month and think you hear gospel music, it’s not your imagination.
The music, which may also include Christian hip-hop, rap and bluegrass, emanates from the Good News Café. For three hours each month, the Café serves up singing, poetry, mime and dance in a casual coffee house environment with a little outreach and a lot of Christian faith thrown in.
There is also food to buy, sometimes provided by vendors at the Broad Street Market.
“Our goal is to bring together people to express our faith fellowship and enjoy ourselves, as alternatives to clubbing and bars,” said Stephon Guyton, one of the organizers.
Guyton is also founder of Gospel Live, a Christian media company, which co-sponsors the Café along with TRUTH SPEAKS of the Zion Assembly of Harrisburg. TRUTH SPEAKS plans faith-based events.
“The two organizations … came together to do collaborative programs,” said Naydia Bonner, another Café organizer. “We liked the idea of a café-style setting that would be more relaxed than a church atmosphere. We can worship anywhere, not just within the walls of the church.”
The non-church setting also emphasizes the fact that faith is a “lifestyle, not just for Sunday mornings,” noted Guyton, who ministers at the Café with host Laurie Mitchell. It also suggests that there is a place there for those who don’t attend church regularly.
The Café also showcases talent. In fact, it has become so popular as a performing venue that video auditions are now required for interested talent.
In addition to individual acts—some six or seven each night—an in-house band known as Salt ‘n Light performs.
“Popular” describes the monthly Café itself. The first gathering drew 30 people, “including the staff,” said Guyton. Now they “pack the whole place SRO, with as many as 250. We’ve had to ‘chase’ people away.”
There is no admission charge, although a goodwill offering (voluntary) takes place throughout the evening. But the greater attraction lies in whom you might meet.
Even though most attendees are in their 20s through 40s, there is age diversity—and also one of gender, race and ethnicity. “The Café is embraced by everyone,” said Bonner.
That includes, occasionally, homeless individuals, who have learned, according to Guyton, that “for the next three hours, they can be around people who make them feel welcome and embraced. Everyone has a place here.”
Dacia Kershaw originally came to the Cafe because of her friendship with the organizers. Soon, however, she became a regular.
“I really enjoyed it,” she said. “It’s not normally the type of thing you have in Harrisburg, for Christians to come together to sing and dance together and find fellowship.”
Kershaw loves the fact that some people who wander in out of curiosity often end up staying—and coming back. She has started attending the York Café as well.
Although she doesn’t perform, she’s happy to help out the organizers if needed—whether it’s meeting and greeting or serving food.
“I’ve met a lot of people there,” she said. “I’m always anxious for that first Saturday to come again to see them—and meet new people.”
For performing artists, the Café is a boon. It’s not easy for poets to find venues, so James Axel was thrilled when the Café opened and offered a monthly one.
“I’ve been writing on and off my whole life, but now am taking it more seriously since the inception of the Café,” said the York resident. “I go at least four or five times a year.”
What Axel loves as much as having an audience is its diversity. “There are different races, ages, denominations, yet there is no division, only unity. What we have in common is greater than what divides us,” he pointed out.
The sponsors believe the Good News Café has something unique to offer, leaving people who attend with a “wow” feeling. “They don’t expect the level and quality of the acts,” said Guyton.” We’ve reached artists as far away from D.C., Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, as well as local ones.”
It’s not unusual for attendees to make announcements about (or celebrate) wedding anniversaries or baby births; recently, her family feted the birthday of an 86-year-old grandmother. The organizers believe the Café has created a sense of family and community. “We tell people you don’t need a babysitter—bring your kids,” Guyton said.
Some people share stories of difficult life experiences. Nor is it unusual to see individuals or groups of people praying together—on the spur of the moment.
Another Café activity is “Spotlight Testimony,” in which people volunteer stories about something good God has done in their lives.
Good News Café has expanded into York and has plans to move into Lancaster. The organizers are particularly excited that some of Good News Café’s top artists will perform at Hersheypark Amphitheatre on July 27 at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
“The Good News Café took up faster than we expected,” said Guyton. “Now people recognize us on the street. We’ve all built so many friendships. We’re blessed.”
Good News Café meets the first Saturday of the month at Midtown Scholar Bookstore, 1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For information, e-mail goodnewscafe11@gmail.com or visit them on Facebook.
