$1 Car Wash


Saturday was definitely a highlight of my summer. There are many times in which I look at my husband with awe and marvel at how he allows God to use him. Saturday was no exception. It began with a simple idea: a $1 car wash, which was followed by weeks of planning and preparation, complete with a video tutorial on how to properly wash a car.



You may be thinking, “Great fundraising idea”, right?

Wrong. Bryan wasn’t interested in making money, and neither was the church we are currently working for. Instead, Bryan wanted to use this car wash as a way to reach out to the neighborhood where the church is being relocated and share the Gospel with them.

You may be wondering, “How does a $1 car wash accomplish those goals?”

Well, as a vehicle pulls up to the car wash there is a student standing there to greet them with a wad of $1 bills. The unsuspecting driver then presents their dollar and expects the student to take it so they can drive forward. However, at this point the student rejects their dollar bill and presents them with a dollar to take, instead. This gesture is often greeted with a confused look and nervous chuckle. The student then explains how we are offering them a dollar and a car wash as a free gift, just as Jesus Christ offered us the free gifts of salvation and eternal life with Him. They then hand the driver a flyer of our church’s new schedule of services and upcoming events. At that, the student usually receives a gracious “thank you” and the driver proceeds through the car wash.



Simple idea: profound effects.

The event was a success with 25 students helping at the different stations and approximately 45 cars washed and 45+ individuals ministered to. It was a slow start that morning, so we prayed (just as we had so many times previously for this event), and the Lord heard our prayers and soon there was a line of cars, waiting for their wash and free snacks.

The Lord showed up that day. Not only in the form of 45 cars the students could wash, but in the drivers who said they wondered if this building would ever be occupied, and those who committed to checking out the church. Also, it was a wonderful experience for the students to build their boldness in sharing the Gospel.

It was the goal from the beginning to lift high the name of Jesus and I am so encouraged by my husband’s willingness and ingenuity in doing so. He was given a creative idea and a definite talent for washing and detailing cars that was able to be put to great use in this way.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" Colossians 3:23

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