Byron Donalds says he was born again at Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel is known for its homestyle breakfasts, niche soda pops and sprawling gift shop. Yet for U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, it was where he came to Jesus, as he revealed to CBN News.

Donalds, who worked there at the age of 21, served a church group of 13 at the restaurant, then had his epiphany while rolling silverware.

“The Lord spoke to me,” Donalds recalled.

“It was like, ‘Stop running from me.’ And so, it just knocked me back. So I went out to find the table, and they were all gone, and I could see through the windows that they were getting on their bus. So I walked out. My manager’s like, ‘Where are you going?’ I need a second,” Donalds replied.

From there, he had his fateful interaction with a member of the contingent.

“I walk out there. The last lady’s getting on the bus, and she goes, ‘Yo, man, you okay?’ And I go, ‘No, ma’am, I’m not okay.?’ She goes, ‘What?’ And I go, ‘The Lord is telling me to stop running.’ I still get emotional about it,” Donalds related.

“There was a little tree that was right there next to where their van was pulled up, and they all came pouring out the bus. I mean, they just came from a revival. So they’re like, ‘Oh, praise the Lord, we got another one!’ So they pour out of the bus, and they all pray over me, and I gave my life to Christ in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel.”