Contact: Roger Zanders, Mission Media, 208-573-3229

BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Saturday, December 9th, 2006, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, immediate families of deployed military service members from throughout the Treasure Valley had their gas tanks filled, free of charge, and received gifts and services. A cross-denominational group of Treasure Valley pastors (representing The Christian Churches of the Treasure Valley), business leaders, and dignitaries were at Jackson's Chevron, on Fairview Avenue in Meridian (ID), pumping free gas for three hours as part of a modern day parable. The Christian Churches of the Treasure Valley, an association of approximately 75 churches from various denominations, sponsored the parable for the third year in a row.

The theme for this year's event, entitled Grace Gift Parable III, was 'God's Grace in Action', and was a living representation of the nature of God's grace toward people regarding salvation – that it can not be earned, but rather only accepted and received. After the military families were served, the general public was also invited to have their tanks filled with gas. Over 120 volunteers pumped $12,277 in gas, cooked and distributed food, and handed out bags of goods and services to 388 families during the three hours of the event.

The original Grace Gift Parable, in December of 2004, allowed people to have their parking fines paid in full – just by asking (see http://www.gracegiftparable.com/parkingticket/).

Last year (December, 2005), Grace Gift Parable II was an outreach to single parents from throughout the Treasure Valley. Treasure Valley pastors and other state and local dignitaries filled their gas tanks for free, washed vehicle windows, and gave away wonderful gifts (see www.gracegiftparable.com; click on 'View Past Parables').

Dignitaries who pumped gas at the event included: Idaho Governor Jim Risch and his wife Vicki; U.S. Congressman-Elect Bill Sali; Idaho State Treasurer Ron Crane; Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction-Elect Tom Luna; Idaho State Senator Russ Fulcher; Idaho State Senator John McGee; Idaho State Senator Patti Anne Lodge; Idaho State Representative Shirley McKague; Idaho State Representative Mark Snodgrass; Ada County (ID) Commissioner Fred Tilman; Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd; Garden City (ID) Mayor John Evans; and, Nampa (ID) Mayor Tom Dale.