News New York City, NY, US: "Heidi's Health Kitchen" Melds Food and Faith

By Mark A. Kellner, Online Content Editor, Adventist Review

It's famously said of New York City that "if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere." Now, a pair of Seventh-day Adventist entrepreneurs are demonstrating just that — and it began with a desire to share their faith in Jesus in one of the world's largest metro areas.

Ivan Joshua Raj, 34, and Heidi Liv Tompkins, 43, are Seventh-day Adventist Bible workers, but with a twist: they'll reach out to folks with a carob candy truffle known as a “Caruby,” or with a plant-based, gluten-free meal at a "pop-up" restaurant that also serves up Adventist music in the background and Adventist tracts for diners to take home.

"We've had a really great response: everyone's loved the food," Tompkins said.

Raj said one customer was "gluten intolerant and had a soy allergy. The only dessert which does not give her any reaction is Carubies. She's been a loyal customer now for 18 months."

Both workers say they are self-supporting, thanks to the candy-and-catering project.

Such self-reliance, a hallmark of many early Adventist missionaries, is regaining prominence as the movement seeks to reach those in the world's largest cities. Read More . . .