Small church provides car maintenance as an outreach
- Feb 19, 2009 -
NASHVILLE — Hickory Hollow Baptist Church is located in southwest Nashville in the Antioch community and is surrounded by apartment complexes.
Most of the complexes have “No Solicitation” rules which keep people of faith from visiting residents, explained Ray Clubb, pastor. The complexes also do not allow residents to change their oil or wash their cars on complex property.
The complexes are home to many single mothers who are needy.
In response, Hickory Hollow Baptist started offering free oil changes to single mothers. In addition, church members clean the inside of the cars and, in warm weather, wash the outside of the cars. To get the word out, Clubb posted notices in the offices of the complexes.
The church, which has provided the service for about nine months, has helped about 55 single mothers. As a result, Hickory Hollow Baptist members have seen one woman make a profession of faith, two people join the church, and heard many affirming stories of how the ministry has helped them.
The single mothers who are helped must make an appointment with Ruth Perger, member of the church who coordinates the ministry, and provide some information about their vehicle so, for instance, oil filters will be available.
While the women are waiting for their car to be serviced, they are invited inside the church facility to enjoy some refreshments. Clubb also asks them if they will participate in a survey the church is taking on the preferences of people concerning worship. The survey ends with a question about what is required to “have a friendship with God.”
That question often allows Clubb to discover if the mother is a Christian and if he should witness to her.
“That’s what I love about this ministry. Twice a month I get to share the gospel,” said Clubb, who added because the ministry is led by lay people, all he has to do is show up. Concerning witnessing he noted that a few years ago he could just visit people in their homes and often witness to them during the visit. That time in many ways is past, said Clubb, who has served as pastor of Hickory Hollow Baptist for six years.
The car maintenance ministry has drawn people of various faiths, said Clubb, including Christians and non- Christians, including some Muslims. The recipients also have included members of the church.
Hickory Hollow has learned about its community, said Clubb.
“We want to build relationships with our community,” he said.
As a result of the ministry, members have identified other needs of the single mothers as they have gotten to know them. For example, members might start a tutoring ministry, said Clubb. They also plan to expand the car maintenance ministry by accepting more than four appointments each Saturday.
“We want to find ways to meet people’s needs so we can earn the right to share the gospel with them,” he added.
Hickory Hollow Baptist faced one big obstacle as members considered and prayed about the ministry. They learned they would have to buy extra insurance. The church draws about 80 people to Sunday morning worship service. Yet, soon the needed money had been given and church members decided to proceed.
Volunteers on a recent Saturday didn’t include any professional mechanics. Working on the cars were Alan Cantrell, who works in finance, and Josh Coleman, who is a family counselor. Also serving was Frankie Churchwell, who works as a designer for LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville. Perger, the ministry coordinator, works for an engineering firm.
Clubb said another good result of the ministry has been the information gained from the survey of the single mothers. The church has learned that most people who are unchurched would prefer casual dress at church and contemporary music.
Of the ministry Cantrell observed, “The women we have helped have been so gracious and very thankful. I’m glad we can help them, especially those in need. This is something this size church can do,” he added.
This article is reprinted from the February 4, 2009, issue of the Baptist & Reflector, the newsjournal of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
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