Fred Whitaker will do it again even if it means having to pay officers for traffic control.

That was about the only complaint registered during the gas giveaway Whitaker’s Consuming Fire Global Ministries held today at the BP station across from Ruby Tuesday.

Lines stretched back to New China as the church paid the gas bill for some 150 people — putting about $15 worth of a fuel in their vehicles.

It started with thanks to New Dixie Oil owner Scott Aman for allowing the giveaway to be held at one of his stations and then a prayer circle for a successful project.

“Fred told our team this what he wanted to do. They relayed it to me,” Aman said before the church began letting cars in. “It’s free gas they’re getting here and they’re introducing people to the Lord. It’s saving souls.”

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Sylvester Witherspoon was one of the church members helping out. “We’re fueling souls as we’re fueling cars. We give them a little gas to be a fuel for God.”

Andrew Taylor of Garysburg was one of the people who got gas. “I think it’s really nice. It’s a blessing. It’s going to help me out a whole lot. I believe it’s the work of God.”

Francine Evans talked to the motorists as other church members fueled the cars and cleaned windshields. “I’m talking to them about Jesus and coming out to the Fire and that the Fire is the place to be.”

Aman, left, and Whitaker.

Evans said it made her feel good helping. “It makes me happy doing something good for somebody. I just wanted to help. It’s just a blessing.”

Betty Bennett was ecstatic to get gas in her car. “It’s the best thing ever to happen in Roanoke Rapids.”

Maurice Powell helped guide cars to the pumps and has been with the church for about a year. “Seeing the smiles on other people’s faces,” he said when asked why he came out. “We’re asked to give back what God gave to us and helped being blessed the same way.”

T-shirt worn by church members.

Westry Thorpe was one of the organizers of the event. “Someone will be touched today. I wish we could do it for all of them. It lets other churches see we’ve done it successfully. They can do it successfully, too. That’s what it’s about.”