Business Spotlight: Jehovah Java serves more than coffee.

In what is the former Health Nut building on the Manchester square, lies a coffee shop with a familiar feel, and a mission. Although they serve much of the same menu items, as well as new creations, Jehovah Java is serving up a bit more than coffee to our community.

Founder and Executive Director Caleb McCall opened Jehovah Java in November of 2018 in efforts to fund Be the Bush Crisis Center, a faith-based rehabilitation program, soon to be renamed “Be the Bush Recovery Ministries.”

Be the Bush came to fruition when friends and recovered addicts Caleb McCall and Danny Lyons met after completing the Teen Challenge program, a network of faith-based programs for individuals with substance abuse or addictions. McCall and Lyons wanted to share their success and love for Christ with others in the community, and opened the center in September of 2018. Be the Bush Recovery Ministries is an induction center and is an affiliate program of the Teen Challenge Program in Manchester, Tennessee. There are three key phases to the recovery program; induction, training, and re-entry. Students are typically sent to other out-of-state programs for phase two, but in some cases when a student is unable to leave the state, they will complete the entire program with Be the Bush Recovery Ministries in Manchester.

How coffee is helping recovering addicts.

BTB Ministries currently has two homes, housing eight men. The recovery program prefers to refer to them as “students” as they are there to learn to live a new life through faith and hard work. These houses are not operated as half-way homes. A staff member is always on-site with the students at the homes and coffee shop, and students are held accountable for their actions. The men are expected to adhere to a strict schedule, and remain sober of all substances and self-harming behavior.

The program alternates students between classes and work. While one set of students are in class during the day, another set of students are working at Jehovah Java. The students are responsible for chores and tasks at both locations.

Every morning, the men wake up, do a daily devotional and prayer meeting, then begin their day, whether it’s in class or working at the coffee shop. McCall believes that through Christ, hard work, structure, and sometimes tough love, these men can become recovered. Although it may be tough, this program is not without love. Coffee County News met with McCall following a morning prayer and devotional discussion. The men prayed and discussed recovery, and all expressed their love for one another before leaving. The program not only provides spiritual support, but human connection and love, an essential part in any recovery process.

What’s next for Be the Bush Recovery Ministries?

Starting this year, Jehovah Java won’t be the only work option available for the students. Bush Boyz Remodeling will offer students who may prefer working with their hands a new opportunity. According to McCall, BTB plans to partner with Apex Restoration in Tullahoma. Should the student complete the program, Apex will have a job offer waiting on them for re-entry into the world. Upon completing the program, the men will graduate and move on to the next phase. So far, McCall says that they have had an excellent success rate, with no graduates of the program relapsing or any re-arrests.

Though they currently only have two homes, McCall stated that they are working on securing the funding for about 27 acres of land, which would provide the opportunity to serve more students.

Speaking of serving more students, right now Be the Bush Recovery Ministries serves the men of Coffee County, but is planning on opening a sister program for women called “Miriam’s House.” Be the Bush is named after Exodus 3 in the Bible, when the burning bush appeared to Moses. It only seems right to name this sister program for women after Moses’ sister, Miriam. McCall says that while he had not been ready for a women’s program before, he now felt ready and called by God to do so. The women’s program will fall under the direction of McCall and Be the Bush Recovery Ministries, and will operate much the same as the men’s program.

Not only does McCall direct Be the Bush, along with Jehovah Java, he is also the young adult pastor for ages 18 to 35 at Canvas Community Church in Manchester, and is planning a mission trip to India in February. He will visit 14 orphanages, and is planning a pastors’ conference with over 100 pastors in attendance. 2020 is sure to be a big year for Caleb McCall, Be the Bush Recovery Ministries, and Coffee County.

How can the community help?

Be the Bush Recovery Ministries is always looking to gain monthly partners and financial donations. The mission is growing, and that means the budget is growing as well. The businesses they currently run help supplement what it cost to operate the recovery program, but not nearly all they need. If you would like to help Be the Bush you can send checks to P.O. Box 1827, Manchester, TN 37349 or you can visit https://www.bethebushministries.com/ and click “donate.”

If you wish to help support the mission trip to India in February, you can donate by sending checks to the P.O. box as well.

For information on news leads or stories you can contact CCNews by sending our publisher an email at hmorgan@coffeecountynews.com.