(PETROLIA, Pa.) BRN – She sat in her car after it was serviced by our team and as the tears rolled down her cheeks she said, “Thank you for caring for a population of people that often get overlooked and taken advantage of.”  She was not the only one to voice that sentiment throughout the morning as our Harvest Community Church – Petroleum Valley team served the community through an oil change outreach event.

Another participant rolled into the parking lot, PR card in hand, only to discover that she did not register her vehicle. Thankfully, because of a connection with Jiffy Lube, we were able to give her a free oil change gift card. Following that gesture of mercy, she sat in our parking lot for an hour and a half, and poured her life out to one of our volunteers, who spared no time reminding her of where her hope can be found.

After we wrapped up the morning of service, we had an opportunity to care for over 30 widows/single moms. We fed them, loved them, talked with them and cared for their children while their vehicles were being taken care of. Many of them did not want to leave the waiting room even after their cars were serviced. The atmosphere of hospitality could be felt in the room. One of the volunteers remarked, “Community is about building relationships around a common mission.” And our mission was really simple: “…let your light shine before men that they might see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven…” (Matthew 5:16).I am especially appreciative of the funds that enabled this particular outreach to take place. The BRN evangelism grant funds allowed us to publicize on Facebook, in local newspapers and a direct mail campaign that reached women we otherwise would not have been able to reach. The funds were also used to purchase the supplies for each vehicle and to set up a “waiting room” with refreshments and children’s resources, which opened doors for Gospel conversations with every woman that came into the waiting room while her car was being serviced. I am grateful for the vision of the Baptist Resource Network that continues to fuel our church’s focus on “Know, Show, Grow”. We are seeing fruit from that vision: God has blessed us with the need for a second service.