Henry Rojas, the Heart and Soul Brunch host, was the original Phoenix Suns Gorilla from 1979 to 1989 and spent a total of 15 years performing in many NBA cities. He has also been a pastor, counselor and motivational/ inspirational speaker who speaks to diverse multi-denominational audiences, religious and non-religious. He has been a friend to those struggling with issues of guilt and shame that h
ave manifested into addictions, insecurities and feelings of paralyzing self-consciousness. As a Jesus follower and political ju**ie, Henry became uncomfortable with how his faith was being represented by contemporary evangelicalism. He began to seek a third way of living out his convictions without compromising his rooted sense of God-given identity. The road was painful, conflicting but exciting. During the journey, his questions did not disillusion him but instead deepened his call to the words of a compassionate and inclusive Christ. While we will certainly never agree on all matters related to religion, politics, or theology, we CAN agree that love must be the default on all matters. Together with others, Henry came to the conclusion that his understanding of the church as an institution longed for a missing ingredient. Community. All living beings posses the breath of God and desire a sense of belonging. That kind of welcoming is expressed in the sharing of meals, music and global compassion. So today the fruit of a twenty-five year spiritual journey has blossomed into a place where all can maintain their particular leanings and convictions and still gather in community around music, food and an inspirational message. Always looking outward to caring for the most vulnerable. These are the things that bring us all together and where there is no restriction. It is the coffee and donut hour he so loved growing up in the Presbyterian church. Heart and soul is not intended to replace church, synagogue or temple. It is a compliment to those blessed with a home and a refuge to those without. It is not created as a tool to convert to something. It is genuinely a place to be together no matter who you are. The coffee and donut hour on steroids with music and a message for ALL. With a prayer of hope It will lead to a heart filled with soul and a connection to the global community. The Heart and Soul Brunch, where music, food and inspiration transcends. As a child, close family raised me. As a young man, the God of love wooed me. Through music, the spirit grooved me. As a youth, church connected me. Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder inspired me. Basketball engaged me. Making people laugh intoxicated me. Poverty sobered me. Becoming a celebrity with a mask confused me. Unmasking as ‘The Gorilla” transformed me. Being a speaker and spiritual director informed me. Conflicts between religion and politics saddened me. A dream to transcend differences awakened me. The need for community provoked me. Music, Coffee, Food and Wine invited me. People of other understandings welcomed me. A desire for All people to gather called me. Others like myself joined me. The Refuge found me. Henry Rojas a.k.a. The Original Phoenix Suns Gorilla
The Heart and Soul Brunch
Where food, music and inspiration transcends. All profits from food and drink go to assist those in need.
