Omega Espresso Bar

Uh, Pardon Me?

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The Lord loves and rescues people.

He delivers us from our enemies. He pulls us out of our own situations. He redeems us from our own choices. It is His specialty. He deIights in writing His story in us!

I, Janna, am one of those people who was rescued out of my own situation. Now, I help other women know this God Who calls each of us “Mighty Warrior.” He loves us more than we can imagine.

“Mighty Warrior?” I hear you ask. Allow me to explain.

In the Bible—in the book of Judges, chapter 6 to be exact—the story is told of Gideon. He was working tirelessly and hiding from his oppressors. It’s easy to imagine he was a bit on edge already because of the continuous strife facing his nation.

Out of nowhere, a heavenly messenger visited him. He greeted Gideon and challenged him with saving God’s people.

As you can understand, Gideon was taken aback. He essentially replied:

“Uh, pardon me?”

Picture Steve Urkel when you picture Gideon. He was not your “go-to” guy for winning in a battle of any size. Gideon was—even by his own description—“the least in his family.” He was also from the weakest clan of the tribes of Israel.

Yet through the words of the heavenly messenger, Gideon heard God ask him to save His people from the tyranny of the evil, relentless oppressors.

Gideon hadn’t done anything of importance yet at this point in his life. He was just trying to get by and survive. (Plus, his résumé didn’t look so great.)

But here is the first thing God said to him through His messenger:

“The Lord is with you, Mighty Warrior.”

In his own eyes, Gideon was not mighty nor was he a warrior. Once again, Gideon (perhaps rolling his weary eyes) essentially said:

“Uh, pardon me?”

Gideon possibly thought to himself “what did He just call me?” as he looked around the room for someone else.

I can definitely relate to how Gideon felt at that time. Here are some names I used to call myself:

“Weak”

“Worthless”

“Pathetic”

I have scars on my arm—the result of my own choices and the desperation of my old life. You see, I was once a cutter.

But now, when I look down at my faded scars I see what the Lord calls me:

“Healed”

“Rescued”

He calls me “Mighty Warrior” too. Just like in the story of Gideon, it is certainly not because of who I am but because of His power of redemption!

Each time I look for those faint marks on my arms I am greeted with His strong words, now emblazoned upon my body:

Photo of Janna Kainos' tattoo

Just as He did with Gideon, the Lord has given me a calling and a vision. His mission for me is to give other women the powerful, good news that God loves them too.

My God calls them and me “Mighty Warrior!”

What is your calling? What vision is God creating in you? Perhaps you need to be encouraged that God loves you. Indeed, He delights in writing His story in us.

We would love to hear from you about the story that God is writing in your life!

“Hello, My Name Is…”

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Photo of Identity word picture

What is in a name, and how does it give us identity?



Have you ever looked up the meaning of your name?

As you know, words have power. I think names have even more power than we give them credit for.

I like to listen to Christian radio as I’m driving around, running errands. (It helps me if I’m singing along about how Jesus loves us all, making it hard to yell if someone cuts me off!)

Anyway, as I’ve been listening, I have noticed that there are a lot of songs about Jesus and His name.

There are songs about the power of His name, the beauty of His name, and the importance of His name. As Phil Wickham writes in his song:

“At Your name

The mountains shake and crumble

At Your name

The oceans roar and tumble

At Your name

Angels will bow

The earth will rejoice

Your people cry out”

Obviously, neither you nor I are the Savior of the world. We are not the Creator God. You and I are, however, created in His image. We are witnesses of Who He is. We are given the honour of bearing of His image.

So, your name and my name matter. And names have power.

”Sticks and stones may break our bones” but words can hurt us worse than ever…

The names we call each other have power. Your given name has power. And the names you and I place on ourselves—those have tremendous power if we allow them to.

Beyond all those, there are the names that identify us when we have been redeemed by God. Here are just a few of the beautiful, strong, peace-giving, earth-shattering, heart-reaching names we have been given through Him:

Beloved

Daughter

Son

Mighty Warrior

His

Chosen

Saint

Blessed

I recently changed my name legally. It represents who I am now that I know the Lord. And I am growing into who He says I already am.

Hello, my name is Janna Grace Kainos. Janna means “loved by God.” Grace (I’m saved by it.) Kainos means “new creation, fresh, something never done before.”

That’s who I am.

Now, each time I sign my name at work, or fill out a form online, or introduce myself to someone new—I get to remember Who’s I am!

What is your name? What does it mean? Who’s are you?

At the Table: Coffee with Cathy Dennis

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Photo of Cathy Dennis

Cathy Dennis, a member of Omega Espresso Bar’s Board of Directors, talks about her conversations with women who are longing to break out of a downward spiral.

Editor’s Note: This article is the fourth in a series written by the members of Omega Espresso Bar’s Board of Directors. Each one will be answering questions or sharing why he or she is committed to playing a vital role in Omega’s story as it unfolds.
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There is a such a need for the opportunity that Omega Espresso Bar brings. Over the past five years I’ve seen this need first-hand, serving as a volunteer chaplain to the women of a local county jail. For them, sustainable employment is next to impossible on the other side of whatever tragic circumstances they’re coming from.

Women in this difficult situation meet with me on a weekly basis. So often the stories are hopelessly similar. Drugs, alcohol, or abuse each play a cruel part, introducing them to “the system.” Once these women do their time and are released, their options are painfully limited.

Realistically, what can each one do to pick up the pieces of the life she has now? Some have even lost the desire to continue living at all.

A Downward Spiral

To make matters worse, the rehabilation and restitution facilities they can go to are situated in less-than-ideal neighborhoods. The people standing idly on those bleak corners are often the same ones who “helped” these women wreck their lives in the first place. Instead of being situated in healthy neighborhoods where these women might be able to start over fresh, they’re stuck amongst harsh realities and broken spokes in the wheel of “the system.”

Many of them end up right back out on the streets after their release. Homelessness becomes their new prison. Opportunity for true change is nowhere to be found. Many have been forced to sell their bodies, attempting to feed an addictive habit. Abuse and misuse pour their poison into a vicious and often unending cycle.

Recidivism occurs: in and out of one bad circumstance they go, stumbling into another one just as bad, if not worse. Shame and guilt and disease and failure and hopelessness and crime and anger and resentment and… and…

And then it starts all over again.

I have been at the jail long enough now to recognize those who are in and out, over and over again. Some share that they would like to have a different option, but nothing has changed for them.

These women have never yet known what it’s like to have a real job. They haven’t experienced teamwork, developed honest working skills, or been rewarded for achieving agreed-upon goals.

Enter Hope

Watching the transformation take place in Janna Kainos through her life story has been so encouraging. The Lord continues to sculpt her into an amazing woman. She believes in the abilities and rights that others have to succeed also. I believe that Omega Espresso Bar–through her management and business experience–will give these women the opportunity they seek to become a part of something bigger than themselves.

Omega Espresso Bar is not going to be just another coffee shop. Through the possibilities and leadership of the God Who sees and cares for each person, we can each play a vital role together in this story of transformation. OEB will serve as a step in the working world for these women as they recover from absolute brokenness. We can help bring them a sense of accomplishment and an honest reputation–something many of them have never thought possible.

I have asked the girls I talk with if they would be interested in such a place. Their reaction has always been very positive. Many have wanted to know where it is and when it will be open. I look forward to the day when I can reveal that answer and guide them to a place where they can start fresh in a new direction.

By His Power

Personally, I believe this need is way bigger than anything we can imagine, but hey: we serve the God of impossibilities made possible! All we can do is all we can do. And yet, all we can do is—by His power—enough. May we all be followers of His direction for our lives and reach out to those whom He calls us to serve.

So, my role on the board of Omega Espresso Bar is often expressed in silence. I offer my support from near and far, and through much prayer. I am deeply interested in these girls and their well-being, their possibilities, and in the hope of a place where they can someday experience true life change, for good.

And that’s why I’m glad to have a part in the Omega Espresso Bar story.