The Coffee Chronicles: Bearing the Fruit of the Coffee Bean and Jesus
Coffee is predominately a social drink in today’s culture with a lot of respect towards growers, roasting, and brewing. Nothing could be closer to the truth for one UNC Charlotte student bent on making coffee a viable career choice.
Wooyi Jeon, or simply ‘Woo’ as referred to by his friends, is a well-dressed, short-statured, Korean-American and barista at Not Just Coffee’s Packard Place uptown location. Woo is not the average run-of-the-mill, Folgers coffee cultivator; he deals with some of the world’s best premium coffee.
The Passion of the Coffee
“In 2017 I spent two months in Laos living with coffee farmers,” said Woo. “Living with the farmers showed me from farm to cup that there are so many levels to this drink we drink.” In that experience, a passion for the drink was born and he knows a significant human element to coffee was presented as well.
He realized he could work with growers, and one day, have his own shop.
“When I got back to the states, I knew I wanted to work in coffee.” The drive was present, but Woo needed the vehicle.
That vehicle for Woo came in two different ways: entrusting his life to Jesus and working as a barista in Charlotte.
Woo, a born-again Christian, actively seeks to follow the life and teachings of Jesus, whom he believes died and rose again to save humanity of their sins. He knows that together, coffee and mission work make a good partner, as both span culture and language barriers: much like himself.
“When I personally accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ in college, my outlook on life changed!” he exclaimed. “I now want to influence and witness to people — all from my customers, co-workers, and to the coffee farmers I’ll work with.”
From Creation to the Cup
“He [Woo] dives into every resource available to him for learning and improvement to ensure that he can be the best at what he does,” boasted Jake Morgan, Shop Manager at Not Just Coffee. “Woo is incredibly receptive to being taught; he learns extremely quickly and is always willing to improve.”
As a coworker and manager of Woo for a year, Morgan has come to know the diligence and work ethic produced by Woo. The drive and vehicle are ever-present for Morgan, fellow staff members, and church community.
“The combination could be astounding!” chuckled Mollie Murphy, College Resident at Mercy Church. “Passion for Jesus could, and should, be compatible with just about any career.”
Woo often brings his trade home where he has a full pour-over, kettle, and French Press setup. Brewing for his friends, like Murphy, is part of his passion and call to service. It uniquely foreshadows his future as a hopeful shop owner.
“Woo’s passion for coffee is downright contagious; his excitement is tangible and infectious to any who will listen,” Murphy said jokingly. “To be friends with Woo is to be introduced to quality coffee and lovingly called to increase your appreciation for the product and Jesus.”
His barista roots dig down into Davidson, NC., where he worked for Summit Coffee Company. Working as a barista part-time for rent and spending money, he saw there was more than earning a few extra dollars.
“Through Not Just Coffee though I gained the ability to create a community around the coffee,” said Woo. “It was just convenient that I could do something I was interested in.”
The (Coffee) Harvest is Plenty
As for the future, Woo knows two things: The gospel message of Jesus is worth his devotion and coffee is his passion. Together he plans on blending the two full-time in an ornate way, curating relationships with farmers, having his own shop, and sharing the gospel.
For now, a student and a barista are his immediate callings, but the latter is still achieved.
“I take care of stock,” said Woo. “I order coffee, to curate coffee selections that not only the customers, but the staff would enjoy.” Woo credits his manager and mentor, Jake Morgan, for learning the shop-management aspect.
“He is actively taking steps towards growth in his coffee career and positively impacting the people in his life,” added Morgan.
Through immersion, much like the brewing process, Woo has reputably ingratiated himself well into Charlotte’s coffee scene, something Morgan sees as fruitful to delve into with knowledge and confidence.
Elaborately, Woo spells out the comparison to Jesus and coffee from beginning to end. From fruit, to harvesting, to community, the themes are interchangeable; it’s what he wants us to know about coffee and God.
“Coffee beans are harvested from a fruit,” said Woo. “When we abide in Jesus, we bear his fruit; that’s how we know we’re saved.” To a coffee farmer, the plant and its bean comprise his income.
For the Christian, says Woo, their income is a relationship with God, one of which they can enjoy like the finished product of coffee.
If sourced, gathered and brewed correctly, a great community can enjoy the drink.
“In all aspects that is an opportunity to be woven together with the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Woo, “creating a community of believers.”
With Woo’s knowledge, charisma and practice, through support and patience, Woo knows his possibility can be a reality sooner rather than later.
Twitter: ‘If you like caffeine and passion, you won’t want to miss this:
In a world of non-commitment, see how @texjohnson1995 plans to leverage his commitment to Jesus and coffee for the greater good of humanity.’ — headline picture as the feature picture
Instagram: ‘Dip on in for your morning jolt (down arrow emoji)
See how one college student is leveraging his faith and passion for coffee to advance his career!’ Location: ‘Not Just Coffee Packard Place’ — picture in the middle of the story as the feature picture.
