Eliza’s Cafe: More Than a Soda Bar

What happens when you combine Kentucky missions, a little creativity, and a soda bar?

You get Eliza’s Cafe—and apparently, people really love it!

First introduced at Proclaim in 2025, Eliza’s Cafe quickly became a hit. We brought it back for Thrive, and then our Annual Meeting, where it once again drew people in. Most recently, we took Eliza’s Cafe to Cultivate (a Women’s Leadership Event hosted by the Kentucky Baptist Convention), and it was a massive hit there, too.

But why does a soda bar work so well for missions?

Because Eliza’s Cafe gives people an experience instead of just another announcement or funding drive.

Make Missions an Experience

Churches are constantly looking for ways to communicate the importance of missions and encourage people to give to the Eliza Broadus Offering for State Missions. But sometimes, even the most important announcement can become just another announcement.

Eliza’s Cafe changes the conversation.

Guests aren't simply handed information about the Eliza Broadus Offering. They are invited to stop, choose a drink, interact with others, learn something new, and experience Kentucky missions in a memorable way.

And that's the point.

The goal isn't just serving drinks—it’s creating a moment where people connect generosity with missions.

Eliza’s Cafe is a Kentucky missions-themed soda bar featuring signature drinks named for historical missionaries and Kentucky missions. The drinks can be customized with different flavors and garnishes, but the names and stories give each one a purpose.

For example:

• Eliza’s Elixir honors Eliza Broadus and her legacy of Kentucky missions.

• Annie’s Pop celebrates the legacy of women who served faithfully.

• Lottie’s Legacy Lemonade connects us to a legacy of global missions.

• Bluegrass Mission Bubbles highlights missions happening right here in Kentucky.

• Send Me Soda offers an invitation to respond to God's call to missions.

The names become conversation starters. The drinks become part of the story.

Tell the Mission Story

Of course, Eliza’s Cafe isn't really about soda.

It's about the mission.

Every guest should leave knowing:

• Who Eliza Broadus was

• Why her story matters

• How missions are being carried out across Kentucky today

• How their generosity can make a difference

That's why the Eliza's Cafe: Soda Bar Guide goes beyond recipes and decorations. It includes ideas for setup, signage, sample menus, posters, and ways to intentionally make your cafe a missions experience.

You might create story boards featuring historical photographs, mission highlights, and ministry impact statistics. Volunteers can share one- to two-minute mission moments throughout the event. A video loop can showcase ministry photos, current mission projects, and stories of transformed lives.

You can even turn your soda bar into a prayer and giving opportunity by providing prayer cards or Week of Prayer resources and using a QR code that allows guests to give to Kentucky missions right from their phones.

Enjoy a drink. Support Kentucky Missions.

It's a simple invitation, but it opens the door to a much bigger conversation.

Why It Works

Part of Eliza's Cafe's appeal is simple: it's on trend.

People enjoy trying new drinks, customizing their orders, taking pictures, and sharing experiences with their friends. But the real power is what happens underneath the trend.

Instead of asking someone to stop and listen to another announcement about missions, you're giving them a reason to stop.

Instead of simply handing them a brochure, you're starting a conversation.

Instead of making generosity feel like another request, you're connecting it to stories of real people and real ministry.

And instead of letting the Eliza Broadus Offering become something people hear about once a year, you're creating a tangible experience they can remember.

That's what makes Eliza's Cafe more than a soda bar.

It's a missions conversation starter.

Bring Eliza's Cafe to Your Church

You don't need a huge event or an elaborate setup. Eliza's Cafe can be adapted for a women's gathering, missions emphasis, Week of Prayer event, church foyer, fellowship meal, or other church gathering.

The Eliza's Cafe: Soda Bar Guide gives you the tools to get started, including setup instructions, sample menus and posters, signage ideas, and ways to intentionally incorporate prayer, missions education, and giving.

So grab some cups, choose your favorite flavors, give those drinks some meaningful names, and invite your church to pull up a chair.

Because sometimes, a simple soda can start a conversation that leads to a deeper understanding of missions—and a heart ready to give, pray, and go.