Church fuels people’s interest with gas ministry

Sept. 3, 2004

A UMNS photo by John Gordon Members of Ceredo (W.Va.) United Methodist Church offer to pump gas as part of an outreach ministry.

"This is totally great," said Ronald Burke, who filled his tank for 25 cents a gallon less than the normal price.

And the preacher at the pump, the Rev. Ron LeMaster of Ceredo (W.Va.) United Methodist Church, found it to be a much better way to invite people to visit his congregation than knocking on doors.

"It has been amazing," LeMaster said.

Ceredo United Methodist Church members arranged with the C-K Mart in nearby Kenova - near the borders of West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio - to sell 2,000 gallons of gasoline at the reduced price. The church used donations to reimburse the station for the difference.

Cars began lining up quickly after the price signs were changed, dropping regular unleaded to $1.64 per gallon.

The bargain-priced gas was sold in two hours on a Saturday morning. The "full service Christians" also pumped the gas and cleaned hundreds of windshields.

"Not working right now, (with) one income, it helps a lot," said Angie Richards, a Kenova resident who stopped to fill up.

A UMNS photo by John Gordon. Pastor Ron LeMaster talks to a motorist while son Casey, 8, cleans the windshield.

"It’s just wonderful. I’ve never seen anything quite like this before," said Kevin Moore.

Church members also invited drivers to visit and passed out cards with worship service times.

"There was a time when you could open the doors of the church and people came," LeMaster said. "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."

LeMaster has led the church and its 70 members for a year. Before trying the gasoline ministry, he used more conventional methods, such as yard signs in the neighborhood, to draw visitors to church.

"There are a million things out there competing for people’s time, from the television, entertainment, all these things out there in the modern world," LeMaster said. "We need to do something different to get their attention."

The price drop did get the attention of Lloyd Ford, who stopped to fill up when he saw the price sign and cars lined up at the station.

"I believe that they’re doing a fantastic job today," he said. "You know that God’s up there to help us poor people."

Church member Sonja Jolley said the unusual outreach could help attract new members.

"We’ve had several ladies that have already told me they were looking for a church," she said. "So they’re going to be in church Sunday morning. So, you know, it’s really worth it."

Kenova resident Frank Jarrell was surprised by the gasoline sale and the dedication of the church members, pumping gas and washing windshields in 90-degree summer heat.

"Let me tell you, these people are fantastic," Jarrell said.

"I wish more churches would get involved like that. They need to," Lee Adkins added. "It makes it good for the community."

Though small in number, members of the Ceredo church seldom miss a chance to volunteer. The church also operates a thrift store to help pay for the addition of a fellowship hall and education wing.

The church has a long history, dating back to 1858. The original sanctuary is still in use.

The area was one of the last stops in the Underground Railroad before escaping slaves reached freedom, prior to the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

"We’re selling God and gasoline," member Bill Spencer said. "If we just get one new face in the church, it’s worth everything we’ve done."

The gasoline sale was so successful, church members are considering doing it again. Next time, they plan to have more cards to hand out. They ran out of the 200 they had printed.

"Everything else out there is getting creative in reaching out to people," LeMaster said. "And I don’t see any problem at all in being creative in our approach and finding new and different ways to share the love of Christ with people.

"I would encourage other churches to try to find a way that they can reach out to their community, maybe in a way that nobody else has."

*Gordon is a freelance producer residing in Marshall, Texas.

News media contact: Tim Tanton, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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