Many Sunday mornings, before most people have found their seats, Mackenzie is already at work. She’s part of the Coffee First Impressions team, the group responsible for brewing and serving the free coffee IBC offers folks as they arrive for service.
“I currently serve on the coffee first impressions team,” Mackenzie said. It’s a simple description for a role that ends up meaning a lot more than pouring cups and wiping counters.
Mackenzie decided to join the team because she wanted a deeper connection to her church. “I wanted to be more involved with the church and my church community,” she said. Serving gave her a concrete way to do that, a reason to show up early, stay engaged, and become part of the rhythm of Sunday mornings rather than just an attendee passing through.
Small Moments, Real Connection
Ask Mackenzie what she enjoys most about her role, and she doesn’t point to anything complicated. It’s the people.
“I enjoy serving our church and getting to speak with people I normally don’t get to speak with,” she said.
That’s the gift of having a coffee bar by the front doors. It puts Mackenzie in the path of people she might otherwise never talk to, guests looking for a friendly face, regulars she recognizes but hasn’t had a real conversation with, newcomers who are a little unsure where to go. A cup of coffee becomes an easy reason to say hello.
“I enjoy serving our church and getting to speak with people I normally don’t get to speak with.”
One of her favorite parts of the morning is a moment that happens almost every week, and never seems to get old.
“Everyone is very excited when the coffee gets put out. Including me!” Mackenzie said.
There’s something honest in that. The excitement isn’t performed. It’s the same small joy shared by everyone in the lobby, the volunteers and the guests alike, when something warm and welcoming appears at just the right time.
“Everyone is very excited when the coffee gets put out. Including me!”
Showing Up, Week After Week
Serving on a rotating team means Mackenzie is at IBC multiple Sundays a month, and that consistency has shaped her in ways she didn’t necessarily expect when she started.
“I think it’s held me accountable with coming to service and being on time,” she said. “It’s also helped me connect with others in our church community.”
That kind of accountability is easy to overlook, but it matters. Committing to a serve team means committing to a schedule, to a team of people counting on you, and to showing up even on mornings when it would be easier to stay home. Over time, that commitment helps build relationships and a sense of belonging.
“It’s held me accountable with coming to service and being on time. It’s also helped me connect with others in our church community.”
Her Advice to Anyone Considering It
For anyone weighing whether to join a serve team, Mackenzie’s answer is straightforward.
“I recommend it to anyone,” she said. “It’s a great way to be involved with the church and connect with other believers.”
That’s really the heart of what Serve Teams offer. They create ways to step into community, to be known and to know others, and to play a small but meaningful part in what God is doing through Immanuel Baptist Church.