Coffee Shop Serves with Christlike Inclusion

Faith Facts

• Not Your Average Joe provides meaningful employment for people with disabilities, living out biblical commands to serve “the least of these.”
• The nonprofit has expanded to multiple locations across Oklahoma, thanks to church and community support.
• Tim Herbel, inspired by Matthew 25:45 and a promise to his nephew, has created a ministry that brings dignity and purpose through work.

Tim Herbel, motivated by faith and family, founded Not Your Average Joe to fulfill a promise to his late nephew and respond to Christ’s call to value every person. The coffee shop serves as a ministry, aiming to create an inclusive environment for people with disabilities through meaningful work and fellowship.

The first shop opened in 2019, quickly expanding as local businesses, churches, and volunteers offered support. Their mission is rooted in honoring every individual as made in God’s image and equipping them to become active contributors in their communities.

“You realize they’re not less than,” Herbel explained. “They’re more than able.”

Herbel and Kyle Parker, both ministry leaders, see Not Your Average Joe as their central service for Christ beyond pulpit duties. By emphasizing outward-facing roles and teamwork, they empower employees to express their God-given creativity and worth.

When a major Oklahoma coffee chain gifted four locations to further their mission, the ministry gained more opportunities to hire and bless people with disabilities. Students, church members, and the broader community regularly partner with this effort, making God’s love visible through action and hospitality.

“I do more ministry now than I ever did from a pulpit,” Herbel affirmed.

The work of Not Your Average Joe is a testimony to Christian compassion, reflecting the biblical principle that all are created with purpose, and each member of the body of Christ is precious and needed.

Discover how faith-driven compassion is transforming lives in Oklahoma: Read the full story here