Some pastors preach fire and brimstone. Some emphasize that God is love. Some handle the grill at church picnics. Some play basketball with members of the flock, engage in counseling sessions or teach Sunday school.
In Alabama, one man of faith has added a new dimension to his ministry, opening an ice cream shop that offers sweet treats and a respite from the stresses of life.
Lawrence W. Jackson, pastor of Greater Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Center Point, is the founder of Unbothered Scoops, a small business with lofty goals at 2231 19th St. North in Bessemer.
Jackson, 55, aims to give folks who walk through the door of his shop a mini-vacation, inviting them to chill with heaping helpings of butter pecan, strawberry cheesecake or maple walnut. The Unbothered Scoops Facebook page promises visitors “a moment of peace in every scoop,” and proclaims that “Unbothered Scoops is where good vibes live.”
That might sound like a tall order, but Jackson is a firm believer in the “Unbothered” concept.
“Unbothered does not suggest we’re free of problems,” Jackson said in an interview with AL.com. “It suggests how we handle our problems. We deal with problems in reality, but our faith says we can get through it. We’re unfazed, so we’re not paralyzed by the issues that we face.”
(This story is a part of our summer series, Unsung Alabama, that aims to tell the story of some of the state’s hidden gems. Let us know about any story ideas here.)
In that spirit, Jackson hosts an “Unbothered” podcast on Facebook Live that focuses on “encouragement, enlightenment and enrichment,” streaming Mondays through Fridays at 6:30 a.m. His website, www.unbothered4life.org, touts Unbothered seminars, comedy shows, merchandise and more.
“Between pastoring and opening this ice cream shop and everything else I do, I try to better the lives of people around me,” Jackson said. ”I use everything for empowerment to build people up."
This doesn’t mean staffers at Unbothered Scoops start quoting Scripture to customers as soon as they approach the counter, but they do guarantee a warm welcome and sometimes offer blessings.
If you’re in the mood for the message at the heart of Unbothered Scoops, it’s there for the taking. A chalkboard near the seating area encourages visitors to “Pray more. Worry less,” and says, “All things are possible with God.” There’s also a motivation station near the entrance — two big whiteboards and a container filled with markers— where people can post thoughts, feelings and supportive comments.
Unbothered Scoops opened to the public on May 24 — right in time for Memorial Day weekend — and has served more than 2,000 customers to date, Jackson said. Social media and word of mouth have been his primary marketing tools, and Jackson has touted the ice cream shop via podcasts and remarks to his congregation.
Interest is increasing and his customer base is growing, Jackson said, in the Bessemer area and beyond.
“Some of the people I’ve been seeing (in the shop) are people I don’t know, and that’s what I’m glad about,” Jackson said. “Strangers are here. People who say, ‘I drove 30 miles to come because I heard about it.’ That makes me feel good.”
Like many folks, Jackson admits to a fondness for ice cream. But his decision to open Unbothered Scoops wasn’t based on a personal sweet tooth.
“I don’t know if I love ice cream as much as I love family,” he said. “I love community. I love to see families get together and have a great time. I thought ice cream would just be a great way to do it.”
The menu at Unbothered Scoops features several flavors of Hershey’s ice cream, served in cups, cones, banana splits and other dishes.
Ice cream nachos have become a popular item, Jackson said, made with three scoops of ice cream, drizzled with toppings and paired with waffle chips. Unbothered Scoops also offers hot dogs, chicken salad, traditional nachos, waffles and a lemonade drink called Peaceful Punch. Prices range from $3 to $16.
Jackson spent about six months renovating the building that would become Unbothered Scoops, transforming a former tire shop into a colorful oasis. A cheerful space for outdoor games was part of his plan, allowing families to play cornhole, miniature golf and more.
“Oh, my God, it brings tears to my eyes,” Jackson said. “People love it. One lady said to me, ‘I feel like I’m in Florida.’ That’s how I wanted people to feel. Ice cream is a great escape.”
Jackson also said he wanted to do something nice for folks in Bessemer, who might otherwise have to drive for miles to get ice cream.
“I want people to have a stress-free place to go to and enjoy life,” Jackson said. “Ice cream can encourage you. When you’re depressed, it will pick you up. Or if you get good news, it’ll help you celebrate. It’s an all-around comfort food.”
Now that Unbothered Scoops is up and running, Jackson said he feels a distinct sense of accomplishment. His vision for the shop has been realized, and early customer feedback has been positive. At the same time, the entrepreneurial pastor makes sure to give thanks on high.
“It’s surreal at times,” Jackson said. “Sometimes I sit back and I’m in a daze. I look at this building, I look at this shop, and I know the Lord got me.”