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If you happened to drive N Gilmer Ave on Saturday, chances are you saw a large crowd eating and praying in a parking lot. That was the Tabernacle of Praise Chruch International in Lanett putting on their biannual Operation Takeover Pull-up for Prayer event on Saturday. 

The event on Thanksgiving and Easter week gives the community free home-cooked meals and clothes. The church has been doing the clothes and food drive for six years, although the Church Overseer, Derrick Vines, said they now hold them two times a year after seeing the impact.

“We’re not just confined to the four walls of the church, reaching outside the church and going out to the community. This is why we are outside today, so people can see that somebody actually cares about you,” Vines said. 

The women’s department in the church cooked all the food for the event, according to the Executive Minister and Vines’ wife, Jaz’men Vines. The feast included chicken, green beans, mac and cheese, rolls, and cake. 

“We make the food… we all clean out our closets. Anything that you know is still in good condition. Some of this stuff is brand new,” she said.

The church also works with vendors, like Samaritan’s Closet, for clothing and drinks. On Saturday, there were many people combing through five tables piled high with clothes. Gospel played on the church’s large speakers as attendees prayed and talked together.

“Pull-up for prayer” referred to a table off to the side, where members of the church would pray with anyone from the community. Vines says after the prayer, the members invite you to their church on Sunday. The food and clothes were also for non-church members. 

Vines said the role of his church “is to make sure we are a light for someone to see in a dark world… somebody who’s gonna show love to t