CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- On an early Wednesday morning in west Charlotte, Pastor Jonathan Richardson gets ready to go to work.
"I'm out here because he sent me to this time and place," said Richardson as he set up his large sign that reads "Drive Thru Prayer."
"Just like someone checks in at their job, my assignment is to be here at 7," Richardson said.
You've seen a pastor praying, but probably not like this.
"It's a good way to start your day. Just like you have a cup of coffee, start your day with prayer," Richardson said. "They drive in here because they have specific needs."
His drive-through prayer is set up three mornings a week at Final Harvest Ministries on Alleghany Street.
"Prayer is always necessary in any church ministry or at any time. So, in this time of economic downturn and people in stressful situation it is a really good time to start to pray," Richardson said.
People come to pray for a son in jail, fighting at home and just for strength in the day. Richardson is happy to pray with anyone who drives by. Richardson says this ministry makes it easy for people to find the strength in the spirit. He often has Pastor Obio Rodriguez, a Spanish-speaking pastor, join him greeting visitors.
"They're under time constraints, so they just drive through, put it in park and we pray and believe God and move on," he said.
When the cars aren't there, Richardson reads his Bible, walks and waves to passersby. He's hoping to make a difference in this community, hoping others will get out of the car and come inside on Sunday.
"There is a season. There is a time. There is a purpose. The season is now," he says as he looks up from his Bible.
For more information on Pastor Richardson's ministry, click here.
