The Story Power of
Agape Latte Karen Kiefer
O
UR FAITH STORIES matter. They remind us who we are and where we’ve been and help us see all that is possible through God’s amazing grace. Although it can be scary and challenging, sharing our personal stories with others connects us to others in a more intimate way and can become a catalyst for powerful conversations. No question it is these kinds of conversations that transform and change perspectives, change directions, change lives. That has certainly been the case with cleverly named monthly speaker series Agape Latte, launched at Boston College back in 2006 through a partnership with the Church in the 21st Century Center and Campus Ministry. The name “Agape Latte” is derived from the Greek word “agape” which is defined as the unconditional love of God and, of course, “latte” being the popular coffee drink. Bringing together storytellers, God, and lattes in a coffee bar setting seemed like a perfect programming brew. By reflecting on someone’s personal faith story, Agape Latte had the potential to help students broach tender conversations about their own deepest desires, challenges, happiness and relationships. Add to the brew an overflowing dessert buffet, coffee and music and the model had some staying power. Like most big ideas, the program started small. Fifty or so students would gather each month on a Tuesday evening to hear well-known figures at Boston College—everyone from the president of Boston College to professors and coaches — tell stories about transformative moments in their lives where they saw God working. Their stories were powerful enough to uproot the comfort of a smartphone and get 6
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students talking and showing up. Fifty students has grown to 500 at some Agape Lattes, and the success story continues. What makes Agape Latte work? The stories and the students. The program is student-run and student-driven. Members of the C21 Center’s Student Board invite the speakers, coach the speakers, plan and market the event, and bring Agape Latte to life on campus. Students understand best what students want: an authentic story that relates to their journey. For many, these stories reveal what faith can deliver, while the conversations that characterize an Agape Latte make a “God talk” more comfortable and, yes, possible. Due to the popularity of the program and the gift of an anonymous grant, the C21 Center has begun to export the Agape Latte program to other Jesuit, Catholic private and public colleges nationally, and with great success. Within the pages of this magazine, you will find student testimonials and excerpts from previous Agape Latte talks. The talks are all videotaped, so you can watch them anytime online. We invite you to share them with others and continue the conversation. If you are interested in learning more about the Agape Latte program or watching the video presentations, please visit the website: www.bc.edu/agapelatte or send us an e-mail at: agapelatte@bc.edu. ■ KAREN KIEFER is the associate director for the Church in the 21st Century Center. photo credit: Page 7: BC acoustic group participate in Acoustic Café
during Espresso Your Faith Week, September 29, 2013.