By Michael Gryboski, Editor Tuesday, April 28, 2026

A Kansas congregation is stepping beyond its walls to meet people where they are: at the gas pump.

University United Methodist Church of Wichita recently gave away 200 gas cards to commuters, each worth $20, in an effort to help offset rising fuel costs and offer a tangible expression of care to the community.

The church hosted a “Love at the Pump” event on Saturday, handing out gas cards to 200 commuters, with additional support provided through later donations.

University UMC Pastor Yolanda White-Oliver told The Christian Post in an email Monday that the idea came in response to rising gas prices, but also from a deeper desire to reconnect with people who may feel disconnected from the Church.

White-Oliver also wanted “to reach those who may no longer believe that the church is a reliable resource” and “to spread love in our community and overshadow negative news, to remind people that God is still on the throne and that people still care.”

In addition to distributing gas cards, volunteers also collected donations and provided families with $20 to help ease the burden of filling their tanks.

But for White-Oliver and her team, the outreach was about more than financial assistance.

Volunteers first asked drivers “if there was anything we could pray with or for them about,” she told CP.

“We also provided snacks and water, as well as doggy treats for the fur babies in the vehicle,” she continued. “Please note we did not collect any information. There were no strings attached.”

The University UMC pastor emphasized that the heart of the event was simply living out the mission of the Church in everyday spaces.

She described the outreach as “a means of just being the church and doing our best to ensure that ‘no one ever has to do life alone.’”

White-Oliver said events like Love at the Pump “make the Gospel visible,” and that, for many individuals, “the Gospel has been reduced to words or assumptions about the church.”

“But when someone pulls up, receives help without being asked for anything in return, and is treated with dignity, they experience a glimpse of what Jesus actually looks like in real life,” she told CP.

“Jesus met people in ordinary places and responded to real needs. He fed people, healed people, and paid attention to those who were often overlooked. This kind of moment at the pump follows that same pattern. It says, ‘God sees you. You matter. You are not alone.’”

White-Oliver also noted that “some people will never call a church or walk through its doors,” so instead of her church “waiting” for people to show up, "we go to them.”

“Not to pressure or persuade, but to love,” she said. “When love shows up without conditions, it builds trust. And trust opens the door for deeper conversations about faith, hope and community.”

“So, in that sense, events like this advance the Gospel by turning belief into action. They remind people that the church is not just a place, it is a people who show up. And sometimes, the first step toward faith is simply experiencing kindness when you didn’t expect it. In short, we believe in planting seeds that the Holy Spirit waters to bring people closer to God.”

News Source : https://www.christianpost.com/news/kansas-church-gives-away-4k-in-free-gas-cards-to-commuters.html