CLEARFIELD – A local business owner and pastor is using his sweet shop to minister to people in his community.
In late 2018, Charles and Kelly Lefort purchased the former Neeper’s Sweet Treats, at 117 E. Market St., Clearfield, and re-opened as Lefort’s Sweet Shoppe, an ice cream, candy and coffee shop.
The shop has since moved to a more spacious location at 22 N. Third St., expanded its menu to include soups and sandwiches, chili dogs, bagel pizzas and more. It’s also opened a private meeting room.
However, “the purpose of the store purchase goes beyond becoming a business owner,” Charles shared. “I have a passion and desire to share the Gospel message and the love of Jesus Christ.”
Charles is also a licensed pastor with the Penn-Del District of the Assemblies of God, and has formed a “missional community” that meets weekly on Tuesday evenings, beginning at 7 p.m. at the shop.
The biblical foundation for the group, “One Accord,” is Philippians 2:2, which says: “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”
Charles said One Accord is currently studying The Sermon on the Mount and discovering the “heart and mind” of Jesus Christ. The ultimate purpose of the group is to re-establish a ministry resembling the church of the New Testament.
“It’s about building relationships with one another as well as with God the Father through His son, Jesus Christ,” he said. People interested in becoming part of One Accord can stop by Lefort’s Sweet Shoppe or join its Facebook group.
