God-sent mechanic
Sometimes a car is so much more than a set of four tires and a steering wheel. “Some people are in a cycle of poverty and hopelessness, and that’s what we want to move them beyond,” Pastor Chris Williams said. “A car is just a part of that effort.”
The founder of God’s Garage understands the importance of reliable transportation. In fact, he has created a nonprofit in response to what he saw as a critical need.
God’s Garage repairs vehicles for single mothers, widows and wives of deployed military — at no cost. The organization also gives refurbished vehicles to those who qualify.
Women who would like a car — or who need a specific repair — register online. They go through a yearlong application process, which includes enrolling in a budget management class and a course about life skills.
Then, they go on a waitlist, while Williams and his garage-crew volunteers get to work on providing a vehicle. Donations are key to the effort.
“We take any car that is running or not, as long as it has a clean title,” Williams said. “We do repairs. We detail it. We do everything we can to make sure it’s safe and reliable. Then, off they go.”
God’s Garage also offers classes on how to take care of the cars.
Brittny Butler attended a seminar in September and is waiting for her ride. She said that she has already benefited from the class.
“I’ve been using the tips I learned there since I went,” she said.
Butler found out about the nonprofit from the Houston Area Women’s Center. “I’ve always had car issues,” she said. “Now my car has given up all together. Being in such a big city, you really need transportation.”
She said that a new car would allow her to advance in her career and to drive her child where she needs to go.
“Having a car gives you unlimited possibilities, unlimited opportunities to branch out,” she said.
The individuals the nonprofit helps all have one thing in common, Williams said: They desperately need a vehicle. They can’t rely on taking multiple buses to get to work and child care centers.
Williams added that women often have to ask friends and families for rides to the store or the doctor for their children.
“Traditionally, they have begged for and borrowed rides,” he said. “They have to plan ahead for a trip to the store for diapers. It’s a hardship, and you lose dignity when you don’t have that independence.”
Instead of needing someone else for basic errands, he wants to empower single mothers, widows and wives of members of the military.
“It gives them self-respect, when they’re able to fend for themselves,” he said. “And that’s giant.”
Williams decided to make a career change in 2016 and jump into the nonprofit world, after 26 years serving as a pastor at various churches. He had been tinkering with an idea for God’s Garage for a while and was ready to take the concept to the next level.
Williams’ father, who shares his name, taught him how to fix cars as a child in his native Louisiana — as well as an important lesson about assisting those in need.
“It really all came from my dad,” Williams said. “If someone was broken down on the side of the road, we were going to pull over and help.”
Later in life, as a newlywed, Williams had an older vehicle that barely ran. “I knew how to fix it, but I didn’t have enough money for parts,” he said.
He recalls praying to God that his car would start in the morning so he could make it to work. He felt like God replied with a question, “What are you doing to help others?”
Williams started brainstorming. About seven years ago, he started a group that met at his home, then in Atascocita, called Hot Rods and Harleys. The crew would work on anything with wheels.
Over time, the mission shifted, and the guys started working on cars for people in need.
“I know how to work on cars, but more importantly, I know how to gather people together who like to work on cars,” Williams said. “We started with two guys at first, then it quickly grew to five.”
Once he started asking who needed car repairs, the response was huge.
Two years ago, he was able to make God’s Garage a full-time gig near his home, which is now located in Montgomery.
Williams had been funding the project mainly out of his own pocket for the past 16 years. Still, he felt the pull to focus all of his efforts on helping more people.
“People started giving us $10 here, $20 there for parts,” Williams said. “I also sold stuff, consolidated, to make this happen, because this is what I’m supposed to do on this Earth.”
By 2017, God’s Garage was officially incorporated as a nonprofit. Enough donations and volunteers have made the venture a success.
The infusion of funds and the help of several volunteers, plus an official garage with four hydraulic lifts, allowed the organization to work on multiple vehicles at one time and reach more people.
And the word about the nonprofit is spreading around town and beyond. Hardee’s restaurant even recognized Williams and God’s Garage as one of six “All Stars” from across the U.S., each honored for being selfless and committed to the community.
Williams recently opened a second location of God’s Garage in Utah. He hopes to continue to open new spaces across the U.S.
Adelina Gentry received a car from God’s Garage in June. As a single mom, she needed a car for everyday transportation. At first, she borrowed rides from her family. With time, it became apparent that she needed her own vehicle.
“I thought it was a big thing to be praying for,” she said. “Then I got this answer. This actually exists. It was kind of surreal. I mean, who gives you a car?”
Now Gentry said she can easily pick up her son, go to the park, get to work on time.
“It gave me what I needed to keep going forward,” she said. “It’s a better quality of life. A new era has begun. I have a sense of hope.”