A double decaf epiphany with a twist?
A cosy relationship has blossomed between one of Sydney's fastest growing churches, the hand-clapping hard rock preachers at Hillsong, and the Gloria Jean's chain of coffee shops.
While the two founders of Gloria Jean's in Australia say there is no financial link between the coffee company and the church, both are devout followers of the Hillsong gospel - one sits on the church's board.
"I've often had people ask me if the church is owned Gloria Jean's ... it's not true," said the managing director of Gloria Jean's, Peter Irvine.
But it is true that he is a member of the Hillsong Church, while his co-founder and partner in Gloria Jean's, Nabi Saleh, is a Hillsong elder and sits on the Hillsong board of directors.
"But no, this is not a diversification for Hillsong," Irvine said.
"There is no financial link."
Several Gloria Jean's franchisees are also Hillsong devotees.
"My business partner and I ... we both go to the church and have done for a long time," Irvine said, agreeing the way the Gloria Jean's business ran reflected the principles of Hillsong. Gloria Jean's also has a training centre next door to the Hillsong complex at Baulkham Hills. "I think that has helped to confuse people," he said.
Gloria Jean's performance in Australia has been nothing short of divine. Since Irvine and Saleh went to the US and secured the Australian rights for the business in 1996, the chain has grown to 200 stores, employing 3500 people, which last year generated $85 million in revenue.
And Hillsong is not far behind.
Last year it had total revenue of $33.5 million, but once things like administration and service expenses were deducted, it was left with a paltry $121,523.
Luckily the Hillsong Church, which has had big success from sales of its chart-topping CDs, is exempt from paying any tax.
