JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With the sounds of Amazing Grace in the background, it's not just tobacco talk among new and old friends at Holy Smokes in San Marco. Every Monday night, it's an evening of smokes and Scripture.
"Jesus kind of laughingly responds, he says 'don't be afraid, from now on, you'll be fishing for men,'" said Mo Leverett, Minister and owner of Holy Smokes.
It's Bible study -- with cigars -- and crosses hung between boxes of boutique smokes.
"How do you bled this with your spirituality?" News4Jax asked Leverett.
"Yeah, I guess some people see them as contrasting, and I don't at all," he said. "Men are by nature, poor communicators, but you put a cigar in their mouth and they start talking like girls. And so it brings men together and gives us the opportunity to enter into the more important spiritual matters of life."
In comfortable chairs, Holy Smokes is somewhat of a safe place away from the everyday stresses of life, giving the guys who come a chance to loosen up and light up their love "the word," and of course, the cigars.
"They just give you something to talk around, kinda like a bonfire. It's something good to talk around, it really is: Something that's slow, you can just take your time and enjoy it," said Holy Smokes customer Josh Turner.
Dexter Chen, a Bible study attendee, added, "The real nitty gritty part of it is, how does it apply to our lives? Who are we? Where do we live and how do we need more of God and how can we encourage each other?"
It's all about the fellowship here, as the men gather for cigars and scripture and read from their cell phones.
"We believe that God has given us everything," said customer Trey Jefferies. "So cigars are a way for us to enjoy the things that God has given us. It's fun, it's enjoyable, It's not something to be condemned. Those who don't want to smoke cigars don't have to come smoke cigars."
Leverett said his passion for his faith runs deep. He ran Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans for 18 years -- helping transform lives in blighted communities before Hurricane Katrina hit.
He met his wife and moved to Jacksonville and together, they run their own ministry out of their Northside home, Rebirth Community Ministries, where they currently minister to some urban youth from the area. They just acquired a three-acre piece of land they hope to use to expand their outreach in Moncrief. They look forward to breaking ground, eventually building a gym and neighborhood recreational center -- and a place for Bible study.
At Holy Smokes on Hendricks Avenue, Leverett reveals his passion for playing guitar -- playing one of his own, original songs.
He prays his business not only helps him, but others, too, and is grateful his customers are helping fulfill his vision.
"We thank you that you receive us now, through him, without condemnation," Leverett preached to his Bible study crowd.
Holy Smokes cigar and pipe shop is located at 3921 Hendricks Avenue and holds Bible study every Monday night at 7:00. For more information you can call 904-374-1645, contact the shop online or visit the Holy Smokes Facebook page.