An Inspired Chat with Jeff Bagwell of Buford/Duluth

We recently had the chance to connect with Jeff Bagwell and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I feel that God is leading me to be a bridge builder in my community, as we continue to help the homeless find help and housing. For the first time, we have a coalition of churches and nonprofits coming together to share resources and begin partnering with individuals who have nowhere to call home. I have found myself setting up meetings and helping groups work through their differences to achieve a common goal: walking with the unhoused to find stability in their lives. Sometimes I get caught in the crossfire of two groups working out their difference. I am learning not to take it personally, but to see that their disagreement is not with me, but rather a difference in strategy or style. It helps me not get angry or hurt, but rather be compassionate and grace-filled in how I respond to these groups or individuals.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Jeff Bagwell, cofounder and co-owner of Phoenix Roasters. We are a missional coffee company that is about more than coffee. With the mission of creating local and global change, Phoenix Roasters utilizes direct trade and the world’s top-ranked coffee to provide dignified and empowering work for those in underdeveloped communities. Aware of the importance of accountability and relationships, at Phoenix Roasters, we purchase our coffee directly from the coffee farm at a price substantially more than the “fair-trade” minimum. Purchasing directly ensures maximum compensation to our farmers and their workers, resulting in daily wages that are over 300% higher than those of other farms. Each bag of Phoenix Roasters also supports domestic relief projects such as ending the commercial exploitation of children, ending homelessness, restoring the rights of abuse victims, helping single mothers, and much more. We call it The Cycle of Relief.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My Dad taught me the most about work. His work ethic was demonstrated by example and through multiple conversations on the importance of hard work that he had with me during my childhood. He would wake me up early on Saturday mornings, when I wanted to sleep late, to cut the grass and help with yard work. When I was old enough for a part-time job, he strongly encouraged me to apply for jobs. I see a lot of his work ethic in my life today.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I cannot control or prevent failure. It is a necessary part of the life experience that is essential to help us learn and grow. I have learned life lessons I would have never learned without failing. Failure is not final; it is part of the journey. The only actual failure is not learning the lesson that failure is trying to teach. Admitting my failure is my saving grace and the starting point in my relationship with Jesus Christ. When I fail with Jesus, I am forgiven. This is why I can say failure is not final.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I rely on God’s ideas all the time. The Bible is filled with wisdom for life, and if applied, leads to a life of contentment. I often quote Bible verses to people, followed by the following statement… Time and truth go hand in hand. If you want to know the truth, simply give the idea or situation time, and the truth will always rise to the surface.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe I am doing what God has gifted me to do. Helping lead a missional coffee company and pastoring a church is not what I would have chosen, but God has confirmed His mission for me throughout this journey. The transformation I see through Phoenix in the lives of people and our community is God’s way of affirming my life vocation.

Contact Info:

• Website: phoenixroasters.coffee and phoenixatl.org
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/phoenixroasters
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/phoenixroasters.com
• Youtube: @phoenixroasters165

Image Credits
Emily Holland