Church PGA Parking Fees Benefit Mission Work

Thursday, August 9th 2007, 9:44 am

By: News On 6

The PGA Championship is expected to have a $60 million impact on the economy. Restaurants and hotels are packed. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports the championship will also have an impact for years to come on spreading the gospel.

Jeff Jaynes, the pastor at Southern Hills United Methodist Church, is riding his bike to work. He wants to free up another parking space.

"When I got here a year ago all of the members said, you know, we've got a tournament here next year,â€ Jaynes said.

During the PGA Championship, the church opens its parking lot for golf fans.

"We don't pass out tracts or anything to the folks who park here. We just show love,â€ said Jaynes.

And fans love a good parking spot. The church is within easy walking distance of Southern Hills.

"The entry gate is just right across the street. We'll jump across the street, and we'll be in the Wanamaker tent in 10 minutes," said golf fan Ryan Rainwater.

"The ultimate goal is to serve the public and enhance the work of God,â€ said volunteer Bob Fretwell.

The parking fees benefit a big fundraiser benefiting the church's mission work.

"We're going to Van Cleeve, Mississippi, on a mission trip this fall to rebuild after Katrina,â€ Jaynes said. â€œSome of our funds are going to go to Habitat for Humanity, local missions. We work with the South Peoria Neighborhood Center because that's our neighbor as well."

The lot has room for about 300 vehicles.

The last time a huge PGA event was held at Southern Hills, the 2001 U.S. Open, the church raised $23,000 through parking. This time around, they hope to raise even more funds for mission work.

"We're going to find ways to be wise about these resources, because in the end it's God's resources. In the end, it's God's,â€ said Jaynes.

And in the end, the mission work will have a lasting impact, long after the PGA event is over.

The church is located on south Lewis between 61st and 71st, just southwest of the Southern Hills entrance.

Watch the video: Church Opens Parking Lot To PGA Fans For Fundraiser

For more on the 89th PGA Championship, click here.