Sharing Jesus through food: How a plant-based restaurant is making a difference in its community

Victoria Delaughter was driving down the road when she saw a familiar face opening the doors of the Stearns, Ky, Church. Delaughter had been studying the Bible with Amazing Facts for four years but had not yet attended a Seventh-day Adventist church. She had planned to visit but only if she knew someone there.

The familiar face was Kristina McFeeters. Delaughter knew her from Kristina’s Kitchen – a plant-based restaurant and bakery in Whitley City, Ky. The next time Delaughter visited Kristina’s Kitchen, she spoke with McFeeters and made plans to attend a church service. She was welcomed with open arms.

 This was the goal when McFeeters opened her restaurant seven years ago: to reach people in her community. McFeeters had been involved in health ministries for 12 years but wanted to have a location that would be more accessible to the public.

“[Kristina’s Kitchen] is just a place to network and connect with the community,” McFeeters said. “It’s a place of influence. I tell everybody I share Jesus through food.”

The vegan restaurant offers a variety of meals including soups, pastas, haystacks, Asian dishes, and sandwiches. In addition, Kristina’s Kitchen also has a bakery that sells things such as bread, muffins, cookies, and granola. According to McFeeters, almost everything is made from scratch.

Kristina’s Kitchen also serves as a community center in Whitley City. In the past, it has been used by the city’s chamber of commerce, board of tourism and farmer’s market. Other local organizations have also used it for their meetings.  

According to McFeeters, Kristina’s Kitchen has opened the doors for friendship evangelism. Since COVID-19, nine new people are attending Stearns Church on a regular basis and four individuals have started Bible study for baptism. These new visitors were regular customers at Kristina’s Kitchen.  

“Kristina's Kitchen is where we make friends for Jesus,” McFeeters said. “Once we make friends, then we invite them. We may invite them to a Bible study, we may invite them to church, or we may invite them to social events. But through our friendship, we share Jesus with them.”

Delaughter joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church by profession of faith in 2018 and has been attending the Stearns Church for five years now. Last August, Delaughter began working part-time at Kristina’s Kitchen and now uses this opportunity to share the joy she found in Jesus.

“I don't see it as a job, but as a chance to get the [good news] out,” Delaughter said. “I believe that [Kristina’s Kitchen] is not just something people want, but it is a ministry that is needed in our county.”

Kristina McFeeters poses during the process of making some homemade bread to sell at her restaurant, Kristina’s Kitchen. The goal of this Vegan restaurant is to reach the community in Whitley City, Ky. Photo Courtesy of Kristina McFeeters.

Matthew Divine, Victoria Delaughter, Kristina McFeeters and Daniel McFeeters at the Healthy Taste of Knoxville. Delaughter started attending the Stearns Church due to her connections with Kristina’s Kitchen. Now, she is not only a faithful Seventh-day Adventist, but she also uses her part-time job in Kristina’s Kitchen as an opportunity to share God’s love. Divine is also studying for baptism. Photo Courtesy of Kristina McFeeters.

Brunch served at Kristina’s Kitchen. The plant-based restaurant offers a variety of healthy meals including haystacks, pastas, enchiladas, salads, soups, sandwiches, and veggie burgers. In addition, Kristina's Kitchen also bakes bread, muffins, cookies, granola, and gluten free goodies. Photo Courtesy of Kristina McFeeters.