Cheap gas draws crowds

Heartland Community Church in Lawrence, Kansas, attracted attention all across the region when they offered gasoline at a local service station at a 40-cent discount. During a two-hour "buy down" on a Saturday, more than 300 cars lined up for the price break. Volunteers washed windshields and served free snacks with the church's contact information. And they answered the question, "Why are you doing this?" by saying, "We're showing God's love in a practical way."

Heartland budgeted $1,000 for the buy down, plus $1 per person for refreshments. The station owner sold the church the fuel at wholesale, and the church made up the difference. Average savings per driver, $4.50.

And the church received a lot of free publicity, good will, and new contacts with people in their community. "We actually had the opportunity to tell people about God's love for two straight hours," said pastor Paul Gray.

Valet parking at church

Abundant Life Church in Grapevine, Texas, has taken ushering ...