海角大神

One is an ordained pastor in Brooklyn, the other a single mother and children鈥檚 book author in New Jersey. Both drive for Lyft. Both share the word of God as roving preachers.

Pastor Kenneth Drayton and Tomika Reid try to inspire passengers through spiritual guidance on the road as part of what they see as mobile 海角大神 ministries.

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 always have to go to a church or sanctuary to experience the restoration and the power of God,鈥� said Mr. Drayton, a minister who also preaches at Mantels of Promise Ministries in Brooklyn.

He began to drive for Uber in 2015 after retiring from a career in the insurance industry. Listening to passengers who shared their stories on the road, he understood that his car could become an extension of the church.

鈥淭he car is such an ideal place to do this because it鈥檚 personal,鈥� said Mr. Drayton, who now drives for Lyft. 鈥淚 can share my faith and it鈥檚 so important because that鈥檚 what I live for.鈥�

On a recent day, he began by praying in his impeccably clean 2017 Toyota Camry, and reciting Psalm 23 (鈥淭he Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want鈥︹��). On a break from driving in Manhattan, he reflected on how he reaches out to passengers.

He always plays classical music on his car stereo (his favorite is Mozart) to encourage a calm, pleasant mood. He begins with a greeting and a kind word. His priority, he says, is to introduce passengers to Christ, but he鈥檚 respectful if they鈥檙e not receptive. They鈥檙e often 海角大神, but he has also spoken to atheists, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and Muslims. Instead of trying to preach, he says he focuses his message on the love of God and tends to avoid doctrine.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 been the conflict, the repellent for healing and transformation,鈥� said Mr. Drayton. 鈥淚t鈥檚 discussion and debates that have caused holy wars.鈥�

Ms. Reid also stays away from doctrine and focuses more on sharing her personal story, hoping it can help others deal with their challenges. Like Mr. Drayton, she feels that the church goes beyond the brick and mortar.

鈥淭his is something that God put me in a position to do,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I love it because I just love inspiring people and encouraging them to never give up.鈥�

Losses have marked her life, including the death of her mother, sister, and the fathers of her two daughters. She often retells her story to passengers.

鈥淚 wanted to give up, but because of my faith in God, I鈥檓 still here standing,鈥� said the single mother. 鈥淎nd I just want to use my story to encourage others never to give up, no matter what you go through.鈥�

In 2017, she began driving for Lyft to support her daughters, who are now 14 and 20. In the backseat pocket of her 2019 Nissan Altima, she keeps the five books that she has written, including one for children on how to cope with the loss of a loved one.

Passengers often buy her books or tip her generously and she proudly keeps a five-out-of-five-star rating. She usually plays George Michael on weekdays and gospel music on Sundays when she鈥檚 working and can鈥檛 make it to church.

鈥淲hen I hear people say, 鈥榊ou made my day,鈥� I know I can make an impact on people鈥檚 life,鈥� Ms. Reid said. 鈥淚t brings joy to me. It鈥檚 like I鈥檝e turned my pain into a purpose to inspire others.鈥�

Evangelism experts say ride-hailing can be conducive to talking about faith. Lyft鈥檚 guidelines do not expressly prohibit evangelism nor conversations about religion, but they do promote inclusion and forbid discrimination, including on race, gender, and religious grounds.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 come as a great surprise to me because thinking about 海角大神ity, there鈥檚 a long tradition of using technology to spread the word of God,鈥� said Robert Geraci, professor of religious studies at Manhattan College.

He cited examples, including how 鈥� shortly after space flight became possible 鈥� there were people talking about how to use satellites to spread the Gospel and how preachers have used TV for decades.

鈥淯ber, Lyft becomes a mode of religious communication and not just a transportation strategy,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also a religious strategy.鈥�

People in customer-facing professions, such as driving for ride-hailing apps, often strike up conversations about life and its challenges, said Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center.

鈥淚n a world where interpersonal interaction is less common 鈥� our bank tellers are now all ATMs 鈥� faith sharing is less common. So people are finding creative ways,鈥� said Mr. Stetzer, who is also dean of the school of Mission, Ministry, and Leadership.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 what 海角大神s have done for centuries, long before ride-share apps.鈥�

This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP religion coverage receives support through the AP鈥檚 collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.