Over ons – Perplex

Perplex. Coming home in the heart of Nijmegen

Perplex is a place of community. Different teams and groups meet regularly and create a place where you are welcome. We do this from the love that we experience from God; with God you can come home. That is why we are Perplex! Welcome to everyone, regardless of your background. Come along to an activity in our café or in the prayer cellar.

Core values .

Perplex is a place of hospitality: we always have coffee, tea and attention. People and community are central to us; before you know it, you are no longer a guest, but a friend of the house who sometimes helps out. In a hectic society, we want to be a ‘place to be’ where you can freely ‘be’ instead of doing.As core teams of Perplex, we are inspired by Jesus. In the prayer room we find peace and refuel. Whether you yourself have something to do with faith or not, you are welcome here!

The team .

As a team, we ensure that everything runs smoothly at Perplex. This would not be possible without our volunteers. Want to get involved? Read here .

Maaike

Martha

Philinde

Vincent

From pizzeria to café .

Did you know that Perplex… used to be a pizzeria? Read more about how we came to be!

Around 1991 a small group of people from Youth with a Mission started a brain storm in Nijmegen about what they could do for this city. This group included people from various local churches. One day the dream of starting a coffee house arose. An old pizzeria at the Eilbrachtstraat was for sale... within 2 weeks enough money was collected. All churches in Nijmegen were involved. Eventually foundation De Verwondering'' bought the building.

In November 1993, the building opened its doors. The atmosphere was friendly and accessible; a place where Christians and others from all corners of Nijmegen could come together. A place of connection and breaking down prejudices. The original target group? Young Urban Professionals, or Yuppies. However, there was little left of that very soon; because of its location in the city district, there were many homeless people and addicts around the building. A number of volunteers thought that this was a wonderful group to support, so the building was soon full of them every day.

A full-time coordinator managed the volunteers. The coffee house was open daily and was a vibrant place for many years. The volunteers always came from various churches; it was a place of unity and cooperation. Over the years there were various teams and activities, including refugee work, supporting prostitutes, a creative studio, men's breakfast, prisoner visits and pastors' breakfast.

Around 2010, the number of visitors started to decrease somewhat with that buzz; the Municipality of Nijmegen started to do more and more for the target group and both the number of visitors and volunteers decreased and the open meals were continued on a low flame. The foundation board came into contact with a student group that wanted to create a place of community for students. No sooner said than done… with a thorough renovation and a new name – Perplex – this change was sealed. Weekly student meals, working together during the study café, going out together during the introduction period under the name ‘Eerste hulp bij Dronkenschap’… in various ways we are active by and for students and we build community in a student world where there is a great need for connection.

After a few years of having two separate teams, the current challenge is to create more coherence in the overall picture of Perplex. Together as Perplex community we are discovering: who are we together and how can we make Perplex a daily vibrant place again?
To be continued!