On a warm sunny Saturday morning, car lovers gathered on a Jackson parking lot to talk about street rods, antique cars, motorcycles -- and salvation.

First Baptist Church of Jackson and Pathway Baptist Church near Gordonville put together an evangelistic car show June 16 on First Baptist's parking lot.

"We're trying to provide a format that would connect us with people who don't connect with the typical mainstream church," said the Rev. Rob Hurtgen, associate pastor of First Baptist.

Throughout the show, Christian music played from a sound system while spectators browsed among the 25 classic cars and souped-up vehicles. Prior to giving out trophies, the Rev. Billy Garner of Pathway shared his testimony and gave the simple message: "Jesus loves you and has a plan for your life."

Churches in other locations have had similar events, Garner said, but it's the first for the Jackson-Cape Girardeau area.

The two Baptist churches, different in many aspects, came together to reach people and bring them into the fold. First Baptist is more traditional. Pathway, although conservative in its theology, appeals to younger people who are more casual and not attracted to a traditional worship service.

Perhaps the differences are not so wide after all. Paul Dow is a member of First Baptist Church and has been a deacon there for 40 years. He and his wife sat in what shade they could find next to Dow's bright red 1959 Edsel.

The car was originally his father's, Dow said. His dad paid $2,490 for it brand new from Edgewood Motors in Cape Girardeau. His mother sold the car after his father's death. About seven years ago, he ran across it at a car show in Jackson. It was for sale. Today the car looks like he just drove it out of the showroom.

The Edsel is not only a connection to the memory of his father -- and a beautiful car -- but, Dow said, a chance to witness.

Before the Edsel won Best of Show, Garner gave his testimony and four men came forward to be saved.

"We will do follow-up with them," Garner said. "We just encourage them to get connected to a church. If they don't have a home church, we offer them a place to come."

Garner noted that some of the participants are already connected.

"There are a lot of Christian hot-rodders out there," he said. "I'm a former youth pastor, and I learned to do things a little differently."

"Our goals, first of all, are reaching people, proclaiming the gospel and changing lives," Hurtgen said. "The car show is a tool creating a forum to spread the message of Jesus."

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160