From offering bold prayers during the Orlando attack to offering up hot chicken biscuits to first responders during the Texas tornadoes, Chick-fil-A is known for coming to the rescue in their local communities. Where there is a need, the Christian owned and operated fast-food chain is ready and willing to serve.
And a recent church crisis in Henrico County, Virginia, proved to be no exception to the restaurant’s generosity.
When White Oak Community Church members arrived at their worship location at the Econolodge on Labor Day weekend, the congregants were welcomed by quite an unpleasant surprise plastered on the doors.
Clearly marked “condemned” signs indicated that the building was not to be occupied.
“Upon arriving to our current worship location we found that the building has condemned signs on the door,” the church shared on its Facebook page. “The only legal use of any of the spaces are for the Econolodge to conduct business. We obviously do not have church this morning.”
Displaced but still desiring to worship, they moved their equipment in search of a new space.
The members remained incredibly hopeful and positive after what they called a “minor setback.”
“Often God sandblasted us out of places in order for us to see the next great thing that he has for His church,” they optimistically proclaimed on Facebook. “A little frustrated this morning, but excited for what God has for our future!”
At an emergency meeting held by the church’s leadership, one of the board members who works at the local Chick-fil-A got a brilliant idea. The woman contacted her boss, who readily agreed to allow White Oak Community Church use their building for service on Sunday.
The church’s lead pastor, Dave Wilde, was overwhelmed by Chick-fil-A’s willingness to go above and beyond to accommodate them, as the chain is known for being closed on Sunday to honor the Sabbath.
But what better way to honor the Lord’s day than to bring church right into your doors?
“I did want to send a huge thank you to Greg Williams and Chick-fil-A for graciously agreeing to host us next Sunday,” Wilde said in a Facebook video.
“No they are not serving food… You cannot order chicken biscuits at Chick-fil-A next Sunday,” joked the pastor. “So if you’re a current or future attender, and you always wanted to worship in a restaurant setting, this is your lucky day.”
About 30 people showed up for the makeshift service.
…And though the restaurant didn’t serve up their hash-brown burrito scramble or signature breakfast Chick-n-Minis, you better believe those folks got one HEARTY serving of the Word of God.
