Odds are, you’ve got something you enjoy doing in your spare time, something you would like to do even more often if you could.

Have you ever thought about how you could use that hobby or passion for God’s glory? 

Dennis Green of M40 Auto didn’t start out thinking he was going to start an auto ministry. He was just like many typical 16-year-old guys, interested in cars and having to learn how to work on them since he couldn’t afford to have his own repaired. His skills continued to grow, and he even passed them on to his son. The two were always buying cars and fixing them up. They thought it was just for fun, but God had other plans.  

It’s one of those you-wouldn’t-believe-it-if-I-told-you kind of stories. Working as a full-time pastor, his church knew he was the guy to ask about cars. Another pastor approached him with a need – a single mom who had been duped into giving a dishonest mechanic the last precious dollars of her teacher salary to repair her car. What she got back from him was a non-working vehicle with a missing engine and transmission! 

Dennis followed God’s prompting to go through the process of donating a minivan he and his son had just finished fixing up. And since she didn’t need what was left of her old vehicle, she let Dennis have it to work on. Within three days, Dennis found another car, the exact make and model of hers, that had been in an accident. It was not drivable, but the engine and transmission were in perfect condition! He got that car fixed up – just in time to hear about another single mom who needed reliable transportation. 

When Dennis shared the story of how God had brought these women and these vehicles together, the people of the church got excited and started giving.

They saw that God was moving, and they wanted to be part of it. Over the next three years, they gave away 35 cars! 

Wouldn’t it be cool to see God move through your passions like that?

As Dennis says, “God will use you if you let him, every piece of you, all of your experiences, good and not so good, interests and passions, if you will allow him, have your antennae up.” 

Henry Blackaby created a whole study, Experiencing God, on the concept of looking to see where God is working and joining Him in his work.

“The truth is that God can do anything He pleases through an ordinary person who is fully dedicated to Him.” 

In Matthew 25:40, Jesus tells his disciples, “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

M40 Auto takes its name from that verse, and it’s a great reminder. Dennis wanted to communicate more than just auto repair. They want to serve Christ by serving others and be a safe place for those in need to find someone they can trust.

“I want to be a blessing every time we can.” 

Take a look at one of your interests. How can you tweak it for God’s glory?

It might be dedicating your talents to someone who needs them like Dennis did, or it might just be asking a younger man to join you in your hobby to intentionally get to know him better. That could lead to prayer, evangelism, or discipleship. 

What are some ways you could use one of your passions to be a blessing this week? 

M40 Auto exists to give away safe and reliable cars to people and families in need. Check them out if you are looking for a reliable mechanic for inspections, repairs, oil changes, tires, etc. 

They also sell and repair cars to fund the ministry. If you have a car you would like to donate, or if you need help, call Dennis at 804-400-9820. 

M40 Auto is located at 5770 Hull Street Road Richmond, VA 23224.