In the parking lot of Hawkins United Methodist Church sits a royal blue tent with five people huddled closely under it.

They sip coffee and tell stories, and on occasion their warm laughter is the only thing that cuts the quiet morning air. If you didn’t know any better you would think you had just stumbled upon an early-morning tailgating scene for some unknown game.

But instead of grilling burgers and passing out drinks, this group is serving up something much different.
There are plenty of drive-thru restaurants in Vicksburg. You can go get your prescription medication in the drive-thru and, if you venture across the Louisiana border, you’ll even be able to snatch up some drive-thru daiquiris.

At Hawkins United Methodist, you can order a drive-thru prayer.

On the first Thursday of each month, members of Hawkins sit under that blue tent from 7 to 9 a.m. with the purpose of providing people with prayer on their way to school or work. It’s a quick and convenient way to start the day with a blessing without even having to step out of the car.

“Some people do not want to come inside a church. They’re just not comfortable doing that,” church member Julie Townley said. “This is so nonthreatening. You drive through, we offer you a prayer and then you go.”

After hearing about the idea from a church in north Mississippi, Hawkins decided to give it a shot. The opening months began a little slow, but in September participation doubled from eight cars to 16 — each one asking for a moment of prayer and reflection from the volunteers camped outside.

“There’s no pressure. There’re no demands, just an offer of prayer. I think people appreciate that,” Hawkins member Dianne Gibson said. “We get people even from other churches, because sometimes at your own church you may feel a little uncomfortable mentioning things to people that you know. But they don’t mind mentioning it to us.”

There is no converting or preaching involved, either. The church looks at it simply as a way to connect with the community in a loving, intimate and convenient way.

“I think people just want someone to listen and love them, and sometimes we touch them and just show them that we care,” church member Lin Cheslek said. “The prayer and the caring can go a long way.”

When things first started six months ago, the volunteers were almost as clueless about what to expect as the participants. But over time, both parties have come to understand the process with a joyful anticipation.

“We had no clue what to expect. We had four (cars) the first time,” Bill Walters said. “They came through kind of wide-eyed about what was going on. We’ve kind of got a feel for it now, what people are asking for.”

With a motto of “Love, Listen and Pray,” Hawkins’ drive-thru prayer service has become a symbol of outreach in Vicksburg that defines this close-knit community. On the first Thursday of each month, the blue tent will be perched dutifully outside Hawkins United Methodist Church taking orders.

“I guess it’s not about preaching at someone,” Cheslek said. “Everyone needs love and caring in a hurting world.”