Pastors

Hold a “Gas Buy Down”

Give the gift of cheaper gas.

First Baptist Church of Marlow, Oklahoma, holds an annual $1 gas buy down. Volunteers stake out a local gas station from 8 a.m. to noon and buy down the price of gas to $1 per gallon for up to 20 gallons. Each patron also receives a window wash, information about the church, and an offer to pray for them—with no strings attached. The outreach event is about building relationships with people in the community surrounding the church.

"People are developing a different attitude about our church," said senior pastor Joe Ligon. "I think they are learning to trust us. I heard a lady who is not a church member and probably not a Christ follower tell her family that we were doing what the church should be doing."

Copyright © 2014 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.

Also in this issue

How to keep it all rolling

Our Latest

Analysis

Christian Brides Don’t Need to Wear White

How Scripture offers grace in wedding planning.

The Bulletin

Sunday Afternoon Reads: An American Deportation

Andy Olsen reads his piece about a Christian couple’s 35-year stay in America, and how it came to an end.

News

Malaysian Court Vindicates Family of Abducted Pastor

A judge finds authorities complicit in Raymond Koh’s disappearance, granting millions in damages and ordering a new investigation.

News

When God Closes a Church, He Opens Another?

US evangelicals are buying up shuttered Catholic properties.

Why CT Was Skeptical of Cold War Calls for Peace

In 1959, evangelicals looked to political leaders to hold up America’s great spiritual heritage as responses to the Soviet Union divided Christians.

The Bulletin

Dick Cheney Dies, Democrats Win Elections, and Merz Says ‘Go Home’

The life and legacy of Dick Cheney, Tuesday’s elections, and Germany signals future deportations.

News

After Hurricane Melissa, Jamaican Baptists Look to Rebuild from the Ruins

Churches step in as shelters, aid sites, and sources of hope after the island’s strongest storm.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube