Byron Donalds says he was born again at Cracker Barrel

Byron Donalds. Image via CBN
'I still get emotional about it.'

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.”

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. His work also can be seen in the Washington Post, the New York Post, the Washington Times, and National Review, among other publications. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


5 comments

  • Michael K

    May 8, 2025 at 4:52 pm

    That headline…

  • R RUssell

    May 9, 2025 at 3:35 am

    What a crock! He will say or do anything for the publicity- “Donalds, the Publicity Hound”

  • Brad

    May 9, 2025 at 7:59 am

    This is the dumbest story….

  • James Bax

    May 9, 2025 at 8:01 am

    Amen. I also ran from Jesus until I found him in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. All those who know Jesus understand your message of finding Him. I pray that the others will someday experience the joy of having Jesus in their lives.

  • Can Donalds get our $10 M back?

    May 9, 2025 at 11:59 am

    I suppose Donalds can enjoy his fairy tale so long as I can enjoy mine. However, we don’t subscribe to his run for governor; maybe he’s better off working at Cracker Barrel; who knows what new revaluations might come to him. Sorry that Pope Trump fairy tale didn’t pan out. Think of all the Gold in those Cathedrals!

Comments are closed.


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