What happens when local ministries choose collaboration over isolation? In our featured article today, UB Cohort Member Rev. Dr. John Ames, regional director of Send Relief, shares the inspiring journey of a dream that began in 2022 between Tremont Temple Baptist Church, Send Relief, and The Well Coffee House. What started as a casual conversation about an underutilized, street-facing first-floor space in downtown Boston has officially become reality: a brand-new nonprofit café location right inside Tremont Temple!
This partnership is about much more than warm drinks and shared tables. Through innovative efforts like the BREW Program—which provides paid internship opportunities and pathways to long-term flourishing for individuals from underserved communities and local refugees—this is a space where organic Gospel conversations and care can shine every day of the week. Read more below, and stop by soon to support this incredible kingdom footprint in the heart of Boston!
By Rev. Dr. John Ames
Boston is a community of dreamers. That’s one of the things that I love most about our city. Here’s the story of when a group of us came together to do just that—envision something new.
In 2022, Jaime Owens, Senior Pastor of Tremont Temple Baptist Church and I began a set of conversations about what the future of ministry could look like in one of Boston’s most historic church buildings. As we talked, dreamed, and prayed together, our attention kept returning to one particular first-floor space. Unlike much of the building, this area opened directly onto the street and yet most of it was largely unused on a regular basis. Outside, tens of thousands of people passed by every week—college students, downtown professionals, tourists, commuters, and residents from every corner of the city.
We knew that this space was an opportunity, but what could be done there?
As one conversation turned into several, we kept dreaming and processing together. What if that space could become a place where people naturally gathered? What if it could become a place where conversations could begin, and relationships could develop? What if it could become a place where ministry could just happen organically?
At one point, and I honestly can’t remember exactly when it happened, almost casually, Jaime said, “I’ve always liked the idea of a café.” I remember responding immediately, “I love that idea, and I think we could partner together to see it happen.”
Since 2021, Send Relief (the organization that I have the pleasure of representing), has been housed out of the 5th floor at Tremont Temple and to that point, we had been looking for a way to help their church creatively engage the city and this idea seemed perfect.
That’s how it started. A couple conversations between friends about ministry.
As we continued to dream, we envisioned an intentional café located inside Tremont Temple—a place where Gospel conversations and compassion ministry could develop over shared tables and warm drinks. We imagined students studying between classes, professionals stopping in before work, visitors coming in while they were touring downtown Boston, and neighbors finding community. We imagined the underserved getting jobs at the cafe and ministry happening every day of the week, not just on Sundays during worship services.
At some point during those conversations, I suggested that we not reinvent the wheel, but that Jaime and I connect with Matt and Jullie Love, who had already been faithfully leading The Well Coffee House, a Christian nonprofit coffee ministry with three locations serving communities across Greater Boston.
A few weeks later, in the spring of 2023, representatives from Send Relief, Tremont Temple Baptist Church, and The Well Coffee House gathered together in downtown Boston. After touring the space, talking logistics, and considering the ministry partnership between the three of us, we walked across the street and set our eyes on the building with a fresh perspective. As we gazed upon Tremont Temple and prayed, all we could see were the possibilities. As we said “amen,” there was excitement, enthusiasm, and a shared sense that God might be bringing us all together for a greater Kingdom purpose that could not have done on our own.
From that point forward, Jaime, Matt, Jullie, and I forged a collaborative partnership and got to work.
Over the months that followed, we worked alongside many others to establish a shared vision and take practical steps forward. Plans were developed. Partnership was formalized. Funding was secured. Permits were obtained and renovation work began.
Like any meaningful ministry endeavor, the process was not without challenges. There were delays. There were obstacles. There were frustrations and adjustments. There were moments when progress felt slower than we hoped. Yet throughout the process, the partnership remained strong because we were united around a Kingdom friendship and a common mission. During that season, Matt and Jullie Love displayed unbelievable perseverance and faith as they trusted God through every curve ball. Their persistence and faithfulness remain an amazing testimony.
Last week, as summer began in Boston, that vision became reality when The Well Coffee House officially opened its newest café location inside Tremont Temple Baptist Church.
The vision then is the same vision now.
All three organizations wanted to create a space that would engage the city in a tangible way while simultaneously proclaiming and demonstrating the goodness of God.
One of the most exciting aspects of this collaboration is the notion that more ministry synergy will develop in the years to come.
One of the areas where we are hoping to see even more collaboration happen is through the BREW Program, which provides paid internship opportunities for individuals from underserved communities.
Since Jullie Love created it, The Well Coffee House has utilized the BREW program to serve numerous participants. In the past couple of years, as Send Relief has come alongside, we have had the privilege of funding and connecting three local refugee participants to these opportunities. Two of those individuals ultimately transitioned into full-time employment with The Well Coffee House after their internships concluded and the third secured a full-time job elsewhere.
In a conversation with Jullie recently, she reflected on that partnership, saying, “We are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with Send Relief and can’t wait to see how God uses our BREW internship program as an instrument for His glory.”
Both The Well Coffee House and Send Relief recognize that compassion ministry is most effective when it creates pathways toward dignity, opportunity, and long-term flourishing. It is not simply about meeting immediate needs; it is about helping people thrive.
Looking ahead, we are excited about expanding these partnerships in this new location. As a ministry collective of Send Relief, The Well Coffee House, and Tremont Temple, we are already exploring additional opportunities to collaborate together. One possibility includes hosting conversational English classes onsite, which would create another welcoming environment where relationships can be built, and practical needs can be addressed while opening doors for meaningful Gospel engagement.
In addition to compassion ministry, our collaborative partnership is deeply committed to supporting church planting and church revitalization throughout New England.
As the café grows and becomes established, we are exploring a ministry agreement that would allow this collective effort to support future church planting initiatives across the region. We envision ministry residencies being hosted through Tremont Temple Baptist Church, where emerging leaders can receive training, mentoring, and practical ministry experience.
Together, Jaime Owens, Matt Love, and I bring a shared background in pastoral ministry, church planting, and church revitalization. We believe that combining those experiences can help equip the next generation of church leaders to faithfully serve communities throughout New England and beyond.
Jaime recently reflected on why this partnership works so well: “The Well Coffee House and Send Relief are the ideal partners for our church. So much of compassion ministry and discipleship is around a shared meal or a cup of coffee.”
Ultimately, this story is not about a building renovation project or a new coffee shop.
It is about what can happen when ministries choose collaboration over isolation.
It is about local churches, ministry organizations, and Christian leaders coming together around a shared mission.
It is about creating spaces where relationships can flourish, compassion can be demonstrated, and the Gospel can be proclaimed.
What began as a conversation in 2022 has now become a tangible expression of ministry in the heart of Boston. We are grateful for all God has done, excited for what lies ahead, and eager to see how He will continue to use this partnership to impact lives, strengthen churches, and advance His Kingdom throughout our city and region.
We invite you to come, sit, and enjoy a cup of coffee at The Well Coffee House at Tremont Temple and consider how God might be leading you towards Kingdom collaboration in your own context.
Come out to The Well Tremont at 78 Tremont Street Boston, MA 02108 to support this meaningful kingdom collaboration! Open Mon-Fri 7am-3p or Saturdays 8am-3pm
Top Picks: The Chicken Pesto Panini, the gooey Cinnamon Roll and our Crem Bru-latte or Iced New Orleans Latte!
Learn more about The Well here, including events and coffee subscriptions!