Serving Jesus and burgers in Isla Vista

Josh Colfer
Staff Writer

Halloween night in the community of Isla Vista is infamous — thousands of costumed partygoers flock from all over the country to “the biggest party in the country” as Playboy magazine once described it, walking up and down the streets of Isla Vista shouting, drinking, and stumbling along.

Amidst them, however, lives a small but passionate group of Christians who seek to bring God’s love to the community. “Jesus is breaking something in this city,” Isla Vista Church pastor Jason Lomelino said. And it’s happening with burgers.

Every Friday and Saturday night — including Halloween night — a small group of Christians gathers at 6686 Del Playa Drive to pass out burgers to people on the street, talk to them, worship, and make the front yard a safe haven. From Westmont and UCSB college students, which over a dozen showed up on Halloween, to middle-age volunteers, they all have one purpose. “Jesus Burgers is a place where people can experience God’s love,” said Lomelino. “It is a place of peace and rest that the community here in [Isla Vista] has come to know as a refuge.”

Jesus Burgers first began in 2002 when a group of eager Christians sought to make a difference in the I.V. community by serving burgers to the homeless on Friday nights. Later, they moved into a house on Del Playa Drive where they could serve all of the inhabitants of I.V.

“We wanted to be touched by Jesus,” said Derika Berendsel, one of Jesus Burgers’ founders and a 2002 Westmont alumna. “We prayed and asked God for a place to spread the word and His love, and He answered with a house on [Del Playa Drive] in September that same year.”

Since then, “We have seen the impact that Jesus Burgers has made in Isla Vista,” Lomelindo noted. “When we first started, there would be fights and couches burning right outside our door — a very oppressive environment. Now, people who know us will stand up for us if that happens, and the peace around it is more evident. Prayer has definitely changed this city. At first we felt timid as believers. Now, we can walk boldly with Jesus’ love.”

“Those who come in here are always grateful for the free food and hospitality. They come in and feel loved and refreshed,” said Gwenna Dewries, who lived in the Jesus Burgers house last year.

Jesus Burgers doesn’t just offer free food.  “When people come in our house or get a burger they are cared for here, which is so different than any other house in I.V.,” said Brendsel. “We offer ourselves as friends, which differs from many of the other houses in the neighborhood. Our purpose is to be a tangible expression of God’s love.”

Jesus Burgers fires up the grill to serve 200 burgers every Friday night starting at 10 p.m., preceded by prayer and worship at 8 p.m.  The ministry is always open to volunteers.  For more information, visit: islavistachurch.org — or just show up at 10 p.m. Friday or Saturday night ready to serve burgers and love people.