By DAISY MOON / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – Although they own a coffee shop, the goal of the Ekklesia Coffee House owners is not to simply serve coffee.

Casey Morris, Mike Ruttka and Owen Watkins have found a way to incorporate delicious coffee and treats with something closer to their hearts.

As Christians, they are using their new coffee shop as a way to reach others with Christ, or as their motto reads “coffee with a purpose.”

After God turned his life around a few years ago, Morris said he and Ruttka felt called to open an establishment where they could both serve and witness to others.

“God opened every door,” Morris said. “We relied on God to do it, not us.”

And on March 24, more than two years after that initial calling, the two men, along with Watkins, owner of Owen Watkins Construction, finally opened Ekklesia Coffee House.

MENU

Ekklesia offers a wide variety of coffee shop favorites, including both hot and iced drinks, smoothies, pastries and more.

Morris said the snickers mocha is quite popular among many customers.

Besides that particular favorite, specialty drinks also include the caramel latte, mint mocha and caramel mocha.

For a cool treat, customers can order one of the many smoothies Ekklesia has to offer, including the peach, strawberry, strawberry/banana and blueberry pomegranate flavors.

Morris said he has really noticed a trend among female customers to go for the smoothie.

Of course, no drink is complete without a yummy treat on the side.

Those treats consist of cinnamon rolls, muffins, chocolate cake, cheesecake and caramel cake.

ATMOSPHERE

Up to 15 customers can be seated inside Ekklesia.

That works perfectly, since around 15 people attend the weekly Bible study held on Friday nights at 6 pm. at the coffee house.

Customers can come back on Saturday nights for live music performed by local bands. Morris said they are really looking forward to the famous group Red who is scheduled to make an appearance sometime this summer.

SERVICE

Like a typical coffee house, customers line up behind the counter to order their favorite drinks or treats.

Of course, Ekklesia is anything but typical. Morris said that the word “ekklesia” is a Greek term meaning “the called out ones.”

And that is exactly what all three owners of Ekklesia certainly are – called out for God’s purpose.

FIND IT

109 Foothills Pkwy

Chelsea, Ala. 35043

678-4444

http://www.ekklesiacoffeehouse.com

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 5:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m. – 10 pm.;

Sunday, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m