First Baptist Church Centerville (FBCC) offers a
practical outreach ministry for single moms to help
with car maintenance. Twice a year, men from the
church change the oil and oil filters of single mom's
cars at no charge. Over 180 single moms from the
community brought their cars to the church at their
most recent Single Mom's Free Oil Change on August 15.
FBCC has been offering this ministry for six years
and has worked on 949 cars to date. The ministry is
growing. The first time the oil change was offered at
the church, 20 single moms showed up.
"A year ago at this time, we worked on 124
cars. Because of the economy and the need, we are
expecting the numbers to keep growing. We have 15 oil
change stations set up in the parking lot across the
street from the church. In addition to changing the
oil and filters, we also check tire pressure and
fluids and make notations about any possible repairs
that the car might need. Our average wait time is
about 30-35 minutes. We start at 8 a.m. , and the cars
start lining up by 7:30. We close at 12 noon,"
said Tim Price, Director of the Men's Ministry at FBCC.
While the moms and their children are waiting for
their cars, the women of FBCC invite the visitors
inside the Family Life Center where there are plenty
of refreshments for all. AWANA game leaders from the
church entertain the older children, while the younger
preschoolers paint, draw, or play in the children's
corner of the Family Life Center.
Luann Purcell, Women's Missionary Union Coordinator
at FBCC, recruits women volunteers and organizes the
refreshments. Ladies from the church take the
opportunity to visit with the single moms and to let
them know about the children's and youth programs
offered by First Baptist Church Centerville.
"The men from the church are doing the work on
the cars by changing the oil, but the women of FBCC
are the ones really making a difference by
establishing relationships and offering a listening
ear. They do a great job heading up the activities in
the Family Life Center for the women and children
while they wait," Price said.
"I've heard it said that people don't care
what you know until they know you care. That's what
this ministry is all about– showing the community
that we care about them. Without our church's united
effort, this outreach couldn't happen. We had over 75
church members helping out at our recent oil
change," a member of FBCC said, when asked about
the oil change ministry.
The next scheduled Single Mom's Free Oil Change
will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2010, from 8 a.m.
to 12 noon. For more information on the oil change
ministry, email mensministry@fbccenterville.org.
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