Meet Gary and Phyllis Lefort

       Phyllis serves as the Help for Hurting Women Ministry Team Coordinator, is part of the Mourning to Joy Ministry Team, she is an altar worker and teaches an adult Sunday School class along with her husband, Gary.

Phyllis and Gary were both raised in Christian homes, but strayed from God during their teen years and throughout college.  They were married in 1973.  It was at that time, while making their marriage vows, that they decided to recommit their lives to the Lord.  They knew that they had totally messed up their lives doing things their way, and that they would not make it as a couple unless they put Jesus at the center of their own lives, their home, and their relationship.  They certainly have never regretted that decision.  They have been serving faithfully within the church since that time.  In 1982, they were baptized in the Holy Sprit, and their walk with the Lord was radically changed. They began attending an Assembly of God church in Massachusetts.

     After living all their lives in New England, Gary and Phyllis still can not believe that God is allowing them to live here in Fort Myers, where it is just so beautiful and, of course, warm.  They fell in love with Fort Myers, the beaches, and First Assembly in 1995; but it wasn’t until 1999 that God worked out all the details and they were able to make the move.

     They have two children.  Kari is a recent graduate of Evangel University.  She received a BA degree in Social Work, and is currently serving in the AmeriCorps.  Kari loves people, the outdoors, and talking on her cell phone.  Jeremy is currently attending Southeastern Bible College.  He loves sports, cars (Corvettes), and home cooking.  Gary is employed as a sales/service rep for Cardone Industry, a re-manufacturer of auto parts.  Phyllis is a teacher at Cypress Lake High School.

     Phyllis has coordinated our Women's Retreat for several years and was very involved with a special ministry team which traveled to Roatan, Honduras to "plant" a "Help for Hurting Women" Bible Study 

     Phyllis writes, “It has been so exciting for us to be part of what God is doing here at First Assembly, and I am especially honored and privileged to serve on the Help for Hurting Women ministry team.  I walked into Help for Hurting Women with a broken heart and shattered faith, but God brought healing and wholeness to me as I allowed the Word to do its work in me.  Pastor Connie has been such an encouragement and blessing to me and my family, and I am very grateful and thankful to have the opportunity to learn and grow under her ministry.”