Gas Station Makes Gospel Convenient for Customers

Reprinted with permission of Charisma News Service.

When patrons stop for gas at what appears to be a typical convenience store just off a state highway in Jacksonville, Ark., they may go inside to pay for their gas and plan to pick up a six pack of beer and a carton of cigarettes. But instead, they are offered the gospel.

They don't sell alcohol or tobacco products, girlie magazines or lottery tickets at the Acts 1:8 Convenient Store. Customers find Bibles, Christian books, tapes and CDs for sale, and may hear a witness from the Christians who run and visit the store.

Pastor James Bolden and wife, Cynthia, who lead Evangelistic Ministries Church in Jacksonville, opened the store in March, with the aim of offering a gospel influence to the hundreds of locals who would traverse such a store every day.

The Boldens' independent charismatic church of some 500 members named the store after the Scripture that talks of the Holy Spirit's power. They say God's presence is in the store -- so much so that some who have wandered in to buy quick food have ended up confessing Christ as Lord.

Some take their lunch breaks in the store to hear taped sermons or taped Christian music played, Bolden said. Parishioners and other local Christians frequent the store -- just off State Highway 161, in the town of 38,000 people -- to give tracts to visitors and engage them in conversation.

"We have three church members who are employees of the church in other positions who run the store," Bolden said. Hours are weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The store is closed on Sundays.

Bolden faced the rebuke of locals and product distributors who took their business elsewhere when they learned that no beer or cigarettes were available for sale in the store.

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