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From the Smoky Lake Signal, January
9, 2002 by Cathy Taylor The Rock Gospel Café is faith put into action. "The Lord put it in my heart to open this as a service to the community," said Sheena Rogoza, who with her mother Sandy Simons, grandparents Meryl and Kel Mallory and friend Randy Wells are operating the new drop in coffee shop in Smoky Lake. "People are searching for something, but they are looking in all the wrong places. They should be looking towards God," Sheena explained. The Rock Gospel Café is a drop in center, where coffee and lunches are available for a donation. "We are not a restaurant," explained Sandy Simons. The idea is to provide a place for fellowship. As well as refreshments, they have Christian literature, some movies, and pamphlets of information. They have a TV and VCR and people who come into the café are welcome to put a movie on to watch, or resources can be borrowed on a "sign-out" basis. They want to provide a safe environment for kids to come and play and visit. With their Christian material they hope to have the right influence on the children, teaching them to be polite, and willing to share. Christmas provided an opportunity for events which were very successful. A Christmas concert was held Thursday, December 20, with the Bellis Mission School providing the concert. Saturday, December 22, a full turkey supper was held. There were approximately 40 people in attendance at each event. Sheena's enthusiasm for the Lord is behind the Rock Gospel Café. "The Lord has shown me so much love, filled my life so completely with joy, and happiness," she says of her reason for the project. "I have a wonderful family, great job, and want to share. God is always there. You can always count on Him. You never have to fear or worry. His words are living words. He is always there to provide, but we have to have the faith to listen to him." Sheena was raised a Christian, and attended a private Christian School for a year. However, she feels it is really only the past eight years that she and her mother have made a much stronger commitment to the Lord. Sandy Simons says she has faced hardships, yet the Lord has been strong enough to help her through. In a two year period, she lost her father, brother and a son. Many people would be bitter, but her faith has kept her from bitterness. "There are a lot of people who are hurting," said Sandy. "We want to provide a place where people can come in. Some people are lonely, they want somebody to talk to." Sandy has suffer from life threatening asthma. She cannot work, but helps out at the Rock Gospel Café as she is able. "I'm not doing anything here that I wouldn't be doing at home," she says. Surviving her illness, and her hospital experiences provide Sandy with another reason for thankfulness. The owners of the Rock Gospel Café are not trying to compete with the churches, the hope is to work with them. The café's hours of operation are during the daytime on weekdays, specifically because churches are usually not open then. They want to be cautious about times they plan other events, so as not to conflict with church services or local Bible studies. They have been surprised by the needs they have discovered. People have come in wanting information on available resources, or to provide donations of clothes or bedding. They have directed people to the local Free Store, or provided information on other available resources. CJIL, a station out of Lethbridge on satellite TV, are praying for the Rock Gospel Café and the people of Smoky Lake, and phoning regularly to find out how things are going. Billy Graham's organization and the Benny Hinn organization are other contacts, for the Rock Gospel Café, with people of faith. The Rock Gospel Café has been asked to provide music nights and crafts nights, which they will consider for the future. As well as her volunteer work at the Rock Gospel Café, Sheena works at the hospital. She has been off on maternity leave, but will be returning to work soon. "It is such a privilege to work at the hospital and auxiliary," said Sheena. "I am so thankful for where I work. The staff are awesome people to work with, very loving and caring." Of the Rock Gospel Café, she concludes, "it is nice to be in a position where in the Lord's name we can give back to the community." How will the center survive? "By faith," said Sheena. "The Lord has blessed us. I have to have faith that He will provide. All we are trying to do is have enough money to keep open." Return to Smoky Lake History Archive
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