The local owner of a Chick-fil-A in Birmingham, Alabama, is getting national attention for being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Mark Meadows has been the owner/operator of this Birmingham location for 25 years. He’s known in the community for his selflessness and generosity.
Mark Meadows
A couple winters ago, for example, when “Snowpocalypse” left parts of Alabama covered in snow, Mark delivered free chicken sandwiches and chicken biscuits to stranded motorists along Highway 280.
He exudes the kindness and love of Jesus with every interaction. And one customer, Andrea Stoker, snapped a photo to ensure Mark’s kindness did not go unnoticed.
Andrea Stoker
Andrea shared the photo on Facebook detailing the interaction:
“My son and I were at the location on Highway 280 in Birmingham, AL, when a man came in to escape the 35 degree temps and strong winds with all of his earthly possessions strapped to his back.”
Andrea writes that she’s been a “fan” of Chick-fil-A for many years (because, who isn’t?). She says it’s easy to support a business that is founded on Christian beliefs, and Chick-fil-A truly lives that out in their service.
“What I saw today just confirms why this chain is so successful—God blesses His people.”
As the young man approached the register, Andrea and her son watched as Mark Meadows jumped into action. She didn’t realize at the time that he was the owner.
“Most businesses would force him out, but I watched as the manager walked up to him and asked if he could do anything for him. Before the man could even answer, the manager asked if he had a pair of gloves and walked to the table at which he’d been sitting and picked up his own. As he handed the man his gloves, he asked another employee to get him something to eat.”
The man certainly would have been happy just to work for some scraps, but for Mark, that simply would not do. He went above and beyond to make sure this stranger ate like a king. Andrea shared the post directly to the Chick-fil-A Facebook page, where she expressed her gratitude:
“It was wonderful to see your employees being the hands and feet of Jesus, and that my son was able to witness it all. Thank you for putting your money where your mouth is.”
She later learned Mark was the owner, and added to her post, “That makes it even better IMO.”
Comments came flooding in of people sharing their own blessed encounters with the infamous Mark Meadows:
“He [ate] at my work (Applebee’s Cullman) not long ago, left me a $35 tip and paid for the table’s bill beside me. Said he did it once a month and leaves them a Chick-fil-A card in place of their bill. Amazing man!”
Snowpocalypse or not:
“Isn’t this the same location that took stranded people in during the snow storm last January and gave food to motorist in cars? This owner/man doesn’t just talk Christianity, he lives it and demonstrates it daily!”
When asked why he is always quick to lend a helping hand, Mark didn’t think anything of it:
“I just did the right thing,” he said. “I’m simply awe struck about all this attention.”
It’s an understatement to say that the world needs more people like Mark Meadows. He may may be humble in his actions, but there’s no doubt that his community and those who read about his kindness feel blessed to know of him.
