Gas & Glory: Tennessee Church Pumps $10,000 in Free Gasoline on Easter Weekend

Knoxville Church Pumps $10,000 in Free Gas for 400 Drivers on Easter Weekend

Overcoming Believers Church in Knoxville, Tennessee hosted its annual "Gas & Glory" event on Saturday, April 4, 2026, pumping free gasoline into the tanks of roughly 400 drivers at the Thumbs Up Exxon station on Magnolia Avenue. Each vehicle received $20 of complimentary fuel during the Easter weekend outreach.

The roughly 1,500 member congregation, led by Senior Pastor Daryl Arnold, originally budgeted $8,000 for the giveaway. Donations from both members and non members pushed the final tally close to $10,000.

More than 65 volunteers staffed the event, praying with drivers, distributing free t shirts and candy, and inviting every commuter to Sunday worship. A line of vehicles had already formed by 6:30 a.m., hours before the pumps opened at 10 a.m.

National gas prices have recently crossed $4 per gallon for the first time since August 2022, according to AAA data cited in the report. The church said its mission was to be "the hands and feet of Jesus" during an economically painful season.

This was our best year ever. We keep getting better every single year.

That statement came from Karen Swint, a church spokesperson who described a "testimony area" and bingo board set up to engage drivers while they waited. Volunteers were also positioned on site to help with minor car issues.

Tennessee Congregation Turns Rising Fuel Costs Into Gospel Outreach

Overcoming Believers Church describes itself on its website as "a witnessing and worshiping community of believers" committed to "spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ." The Gas & Glory event has become one of the congregation's signature community outreach programs.

This year's giveaway was strategically timed for Easter weekend, allowing volunteers to invite every driver they served to the church's Resurrection Sunday services the following morning.

The Crusader's Opinion

This is what authentic Christianity looks like. While the world screams about inflation and politicians point fingers, a Black church in East Knoxville is out at a gas station praying over strangers and paying their bills. No cameras demanded. No politics. Just the Gospel in action. Imagine if every church in America gave $10,000 a year directly to their neighbors instead of padding endowments. The early Church turned Rome upside down by sharing bread. Pastor Arnold's congregation is turning Knoxville upside down by sharing gasoline. That is the Kingdom of God, and it is more threatening to darkness than any protest sign.

Take Action

• Support persecuted and struggling Christians globally through www.TheShepherdsShield.org
• Learn more about Overcoming Believers Church and their outreach at overcomingbelieverschurch.org
• Organize a similar gas, groceries, or utility giveaway with your local church this year
• Partner with Open Doors to support Christians suffering hardship abroad
• Give to Voice of the Martyrs to strengthen the global Body of Christ
• Invite one unchurched neighbor to Easter service this weekend