BEACON—Crossing Point Church, 7935 Mainland, blessed many San Antonio residents last month by providing $2,000 worth of free gasoline to whoever stopped by their event.

Crossing Point is part of a network of local evangelical churches whose pastors gather on a regular basis to plan events. The intention is to reach out to the local community in such a way as to promote church membership.

Abe Levy, Religion Editor for the San Antonio Express News, reported an “interesting exchange” between the Church Pastor and Thurman Richardson, a retired 72-year-old man. “He was on his usual walk when he noticed the gas station where the church had caused a line of cars to form.

Dressed in overalls and wearing a Vietnam veteran cap, he asked for Pastor Brandon Cox and they had this summarized dialogue.

”There’s gotta be a catch to it,” Richardson said.

“Yeah, we’re gonna invite you to church,” the pastor said. “but I’m not going to begrudge you if you come or if you don’t come.”

“I’m a believer, but I just don’t believe in organized, doctrinated religion,” Richardson said.

“All we want to do is show the love of God, and this right here hits people in the pocket book,” the pastor replied.

By the end of the conversation, Richardson had asked the pastor where the church is. Some who came to the event promised to visit the church. Others were honest in saying they’d never visit, but appreciated the free gas.