OUR ROOTS
Many churches operate daycare centers, preschools or even private schools as
part of their outreach ministry and supplemental revenue stream to
congregational giving. However, we at Christian Life Missionary Baptist Church in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma took a unique approach by getting involved in the food
industry. Our Pastor and CEO, the late Dr. Jayel Jacobs Jr. started the Street
Ministry Inc. which led to his pastoral ministry nearly five decades ago. Dr. Jacobs
along with his late wife, Administrative Director Mrs. Joyce M. Jacobs, established
Sweet Spirit Foods in July 2002.
It began with a Snowie snow cone stand at 4621 NE 23rd Street. Later mobile food
trucks were added which made food deliveries all over the metropolitan area of
Oklahoma City. Our first restaurant was opened in Langston, Oklahoma. The
Sweet Spirit Foods Family soon multiplied and we added two mobile food trucks,
four Snowie buildings, one restaurant, one convenience store and a car wash in
Coyle, Oklahoma. Our businesses were staffed by volunteer members of the
church and this still holds true today.
Since we were in the barbecue business, we decided to make our own homemade
sauce. Mrs. Joyce Jacobs and a group of ladies from the church got together and
brought their family recipes. They mixed them together by taking secrets from
one recipe and blending them with another. We initially had two flavors, mild and
hot. However, a mix-up at the co-packing factory gave us medium as a third
flavor.
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The church soon focused on marketing Sweet Spirit Foods barbecue sauces. Janee
Jacobs, who married Pastor Jacobs following the passing of his first wife, began to
drive that part of its mission. The task was actually a blessing in disguise because
In 2003 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “God knew that I was going to
need something to keep me busy during those weeks of radiation,” she said. She
researched barbecue sauce bottling online and worked with experts within the
agricultural department at Oklahoma State University.
​We took an assertive marketing approach. We sold anywhere we could, including
the following places: craft fairs, home and garden shows, conventions, Walmart,
Westlake Ace Hardware, Sam’s Club, Mardels, the Oklahoma City and Tulsa State
Fair. We even sold door to door.
Over the years we have realized that the encouragement we receive from our
customers is something more than money can buy. We are truly thankful for the
support of our Sweet Spirit family. In the words of our CEO, “We have been able
to stay afloat, hold our heads up and maintain our dignity. This is of God, from
God and for Him. It is in the very name. The Lord has given us this sauce.”
