XENIA — About 30 church volunteers fanned out across the lot at the United Dairy Farmers gas station pumping gas at a discount, cleaning cars and spreading the word about God on Saturday, March 15.

For two hours, Xenia Christian Center covered 25 cents of the cost for every gallon of gas customers ordered — regardless of whether they were filling it up or topping it off.

"Twenty-five cents off is 25 cents off. You've got to save where you can save," said Debbie Baxley, 36, of Xenia as she waited in line for gas that cost $3 per gallon for regular after the discount.

Gordon Kester, 72, of Xenia is a retired Presbyterian minister who said he was very impressed with the nondenominational church's outreach effort.

"It's kind of a super neat idea," Kester said.

He said Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran and other denominations "have a lot to learn about reaching out to the young people."

The gas station served about 300 customers during the two hours that the church was helping pay for gas, said Bill Bales, zone manager for UDF. The church picked up $375 worth of the cost and also bought about $500 worth of $1 UDF coupons and gave them to customers, according to Wesley Miller, pastor of Xenia Christian Center.

Church volunteers also were handing customers invitations to Easter Sunday services. One of the volunteers, Steve Eldridge, 46, also asked people if there was someone they wanted him to pray for.

"I know the love of Christ needs to be spread," Eldridge said. "God is awesome. He just wants people to know he's as real as what you read in the Bible."