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Gas Price Break
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One church in West Virginia has decided to use this time of high gas prices and a tight economy to reach out. See how moving the pulpit to the pump has made for some very happy motorists. |
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SCRIPT:
High gas prices across the country became an opportunity for ministry for one West Virginia pastor.
Ronald Burke / Motorist: “This is totally great.”
The Reverend Ron LeMaster has moved the pulpit to the pump.
(Nat sound) “Gas!”
With the help of Ceredo (suh REE doh) United Methodist Church, this gas station dropped its price by 25 cents a gallon.
The Reverend Ron LeMaster / Pastor, Ceredo United Methodist Church: “People aren’t coming to church like they used to. So we thought we’d go out and find them. Everybody uses a gas station.”
Church donations paid the price difference for the bargain fill-ups.
Angie Richards / Motorist: “Not working right now, one income, it helps a lot.”
It wasn’t long before drivers started lining up.
Lloyd Ford / Motorist: “You know that God’s up there, to help us poor people.”
In two hours, church members pumped two thousand gallons and cleaned hundreds of windshields. Besides filling tanks, they also worked on self-service.
Bill Spencer / Member, Ceredo United Methodist Church: “If you’d like to come out some Sunday and be with us and just have a good friendship and good time, we’d love to have you. God bless you, sir.”
The Rev. Ron LeMaster: “People are driving by and saying, we’ve never seen a church do that before. Wonder what else this church is doing differently.”
Lee Adkins / Motorist: “I wish more churches would get involved like that. They need to. It makes it good for the community.”
And while the bargain-priced gas was a temporary benefits, church members say this unusual outreach is a long-term investment.
Sonja Jolley / Member, Ceredo United Methodist Church: “We’ve had several ladies that have already told me they were looking for a church. So they’re going to be in church Sunday morning. So, you know, it’s really worth it.”
TAG:
Church members estimate that 300 people took advantage of the two-hour gas sale. Reverend LeMaster would like to hold another event like this one and the gas station owner has even promised to donate 500 gallons of gas next time.