How two friends’ obedience in Kentucky grew into a youth-led movement of hope.
It began on a chilly night in Louisville, Kentucky, after a long day at the Cross Conference.
Joey Rumbos, a teenager from St. Catharines, and Jake Slingerland, a family friend, were walking back to their Airbnb. Both were still stirred by a message they’d heard just hours earlier:
“Feed the poor. Go to those who are forgotten. Let the Gospel be visible in your hands, not just your words.”
As they made their way through the quiet streets, they noticed men and women huddled under blankets near storefronts and bus stops—faces weary, unseen by most who passed by. The words from that sermon suddenly felt personal. The call to feed the poor was no longer abstract; it was standing right in front of them.
That night, Joey and Jake began talking about what obedience might look like once they got home. They didn’t yet have a plan, but the Holy Spirit had already planted a seed.
Back Home: A Simple Start
When Joey returned to Canada, the images from Louisville wouldn’t leave his mind. One afternoon, he turned to his dad and said, “Let’s just make some coffee and go.”
They filled a thermos, grabbed a box of Costco cookies, and drove around St. Catharines, offering a warm drink and a listening ear to anyone who would receive it.
That drive became a weekly rhythm. Soon, other students joined in—pouring coffee, praying, listening, and realizing that the Gospel shines brightest under streetlights and in public squares. The first Neighbors Table was born.
The Ministry of Presence
From the beginning, the goal wasn’t to “fix” people—it was simply to be with them.
One night, a man in visible distress approached the group—pacing, trembling, muttering to himself. Instead of stepping back, one of the teens quietly offered him a cup of coffee. Over the next half hour, his hands steadied, and his breathing slowed. He talked about loss and fear; they talked about grace and hope.
Moments like that taught the volunteers something profound: that presence itself can be ministry. Coffee cools, conversations end, but the peace of Christ lingers.
Stories Only God Could Write
Over the months, miracles—big and small—became part of the story.
A man who hadn’t set foot in a church for decades began visiting the table weekly. After weeks of conversations and prayer with the youth, he surprised everyone by showing up at the weekly pre arrange pick up place for Sunday Worship provided by the table. He stayed for service — and lunch. “Those kids made me feel like I still mattered,” he told us.
Another evening, a father volunteering at one of our tables recognized a familiar face among the guests—his estranged son, whom he hadn’t seen in years and was living in the streets. That night, father and son reunited over coffee and hotdogs. What began as ordinary outreach became a story of restoration only God could write.
A Table That Teaches
At Neighbors Table, teenagers lead the way. They’re trained, encouraged, and trusted to serve—preparing food, handing out coffee, listening, and praying. They learn that discipleship isn’t a theory; it’s what happens when faith meets real people with real needs.
They discover that leadership means humility, and evangelism starts with kindness.
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
— 1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV)
Adult mentors stand beside them—not to take over, but to guide, protect, and pray. The result is a living picture of the church as Christ intended it: generations serving side by side, united by compassion.
The Welland Table: Meeting a Providential Need
When the team prayed about expanding, Welland stood out. As they first tried a Wednesday night, they noticed something remarkable: Wednesday was the only day of the week when no organization served food to the homeless.
That gap wasn’t coincidence—it was providence. Today, the Welland Table fills that void. Every Wednesday, youth volunteers set up, pour coffee, and offer warmth and prayer. For many guests, it’s the one consistent meal—and consistent kindness—they can count on all week.
From Louisville to the Niagara Region and Beyond
From two friends walking through Louisville to dozens of youth serving in two Ontario cities, Neighbors Table continues to grow—but the heart remains the same: love Jesus, serve people, build relationships, and trust God to move.
It’s not a program—it’s a calling. A willingness to say “yes” when God says “go.”
And it all began with a cup of coffee, a faithful father’s drive, and two friends who decided that obedience was worth the effort.
From the Neighbors Table Ministry
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
— Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)
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