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The Dove Faith Café Origin Tale
God called me to create The Dove Faith Café in 2017. He showed me a vision of a person on a stage at a microphone telling their faith story. I was overwhelmed with the vision and knew it was God’s plan. He put the dream in my heart without sharing the details of when, where, or how. I am a details person, so I can tell you it was with extreme patience that I didn’t pester God for the particulars. I am also well-aware of God’s timing and I knew that it would happen when God was ready, when God had prepared me and the way to allow this to come to pass.
Two years passed this way with me wondering what God was up to. I offered many times to assist God in the planning, but I received no word that it was time.
January 2, 2019, began a period of trial, the likes of which I hope never to endure again. In every area except my health, my family’s health, and my relationships was I tested. Disaster upon disaster fell on me. In those months I thought often of Job and Job’s struggles. At least I don’t have it as bad as Old Job, I thought. Now those were some disasters! Like Job, I was determined to endure and to wait (not always patiently) for God to deliver me. I also knew that the Devil usually comes against God’s people the hardest just before a tremendous blessing from God.
In mid-September of that year, the disasters ceased. God’s blessings began to flow. I had a sudden urge (like fire shut up in my bones) to tell people about The Dove Faith Café. Now, God? Is now the time? I was prompted to share the idea with the seminarians in formation at a retreat. I was urged to share it with the leadership in our church and in the diocese. All were very encouraging about the idea. How could they not be? The idea was God’s.
Over the next months I met with, called, and tracked down grant funders, venue operators, and leaders in our diocese. I worked out the details of how the program would run so that I could put together a budget. I attended webinars hosted by grant makers. Each time I met with an obstacle, God re-directed my steps so that a different door appeared through which I walked. As I wrote narratives for grants to fund the project, whenever I became stuck, a prayer to the Holy Spirit always worked. My family edited my work, talked through the challenges and roadblocks with me, and usually came up with a creative, God-honoring solution. They challenged me, encouraged me, and took over my other duties so that I could write.
At times the challenges were nearly overwhelming. I recited to myself hundreds of times, “Be anxious about nothing. Pray about everything.” I remembered that God would put the people in my life I needed when I needed them. I also remembered that this was God’s project, not mine, and if details needed to be sorted out, they would be, even if God had to stop time to do it.
In the midst of the planning and preparing, the world experienced a global pandemic. It seemed as if the time still wasn’t quite right. During that year-long delay, God put plans into place that ultimately strengthened the project. God was preparing me and setting the table, so to speak.
With the support of the Holy Spirit and friends, family, and colleagues, I finished writing and submitting the grants as we emerged from COVID-19. As word came in that the grants would be funded, one after the other, I was awash with relief. My joy and gratitude could not be contained. God did exceedingly above and beyond what I thought. God pulled it off. The Dove Faith Café was moving from dream to reality.
God, you amaze me!
-Marie Gambetta 8/2021
Viewer Discretion is Advised: Dove Faith Cafe presents real stories from real people that might contain sensitive material for some audiences such as references to substance abuse and sexual abuse. Dove Faith Cafe strongly recommends that children under the age of 18 be accompanied by an adult.
Dove Faith Cafe would like to thank the following generous supporters: The Center for Congregations, The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana, United Thank Offering, and private donors.
Steering Committee
Marie Gambetta (St. Paul’s - Munster)
Co-chair
The Rev. Cynthia Moore (CEMP)
Co-chair
The Rev. Tom Adamson (Holy Family - Angola)
EDNIN Commission on Evangelism Chairperson
The Rev. Matthew Cowden (St. Michael’s - SB)
Creative Director
Jordan Trendelman (St. Alban’s - Fort Wayne)
EDNIN Commission on Evangelism
The Rev. Canon Michelle Walker
Diocesan Liaison
Advisors
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks
VIII Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Indiana
The Rt. Rev. Edward S. Little II
VII Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Indiana
Master Storyteller
Rob Osterman