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“We were privileged to give away $10,000 in free gas. Hundreds of families were blessed and God got all the glory.” – Pastor Daryl Arnold

KNOXVILLE (WATE) – As gas prices are on the rise, a local church is doing its part to help the community. Saturday, volunteers from Overcoming Believers Church pumped gas for drivers who got the fuel at no cost. The church gave away $10,000 worth of gas as part of its “Gas and Glory” event. “It’s just to serve the community,” Pastor Daryl Arnold said. “We believe that’s what Jesus has called us to do and so we’re going to do this.”

Darnnelle Ellison drove from Chattanooga to Knoxville to volunteer for the event. “It’s a great thing,” Ellison said. “Giving back to the community is something I feel that every church should do no matter how big or small it is. It’s a matter of being able to give back.”

Cars started lining up before 7 a.m. with some lines stretching for several blocks. “There are a lot of people out here that don’t have gas to get to work and everything and it helps,” Knoxville driver Jeri Harris said.

The church holds the “Gas and Glory” event every other year and this is the third time Exxon has participated. “We feel like we are part of the community,” Exxon Marketing Advisor Mazhar Khoja said. “The whole reason for this is not just because people are getting gas but because they feel like there is a sense of unity in the community.”

The Pilot Station on Western and University Ave also partnered with the church. “Easter really is about giving,” Arnold said. “Jesus gave us life and we want to reflect that image here on earth and that’s what we wanted to do make this whole weekend about giving.”

The event was held from 10 a.m. until noon at the Exxon station and from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Pilot station.