When Pendleton Adventist Church members learned that Serve One More funds were available from Upper Columbia Conference to help churches serve their neighbors, Brendan Griffin started to imagine what was possible.
With a background in auto mechanics, Griffin understood how crucial a safe, reliable vehicle is for families living on the financial edge.
“From what I’ve seen, when families are struggling with finances, car maintenance is often one of the first things to be cut back,” said Griffin. “But a dependable car can mean the difference between keeping a job or losing it, making a medical appointment or missing it.”
Griffin shared his vision of a community automotive maintenance program with Stephen Farr, Pendleton Church pastor, and together they turned that dream into a Serve One More funding request. The church agreed to cover 30% of the project's total cost.
Serve One More dollars give churches permission to dream big about how they can benefit the people around them. When those dreams begin to take shape and get moving, people want to be part of it. The momentum keeps growing, paving the way for another project, another outreach and another person experiencing God’s love firsthand.
When Serve One More project funds arrived to purchase the equipment for what would become the Pendleton Auto Care Co-op, excitement spread quickly. In an unforeseen generous act, a reliable trailer was donated to house the equipment. With the value of the trailer and the church’s pledged funds combined, every Serve One More dollar had already been equally matched by the local church and its community.
With the trailer stocked and ready, it was time to get the word out. Church members went out into their community to promote the Pendleton Auto Care Co-op’s first free oil change and maintenance event. As more neighbors showed up, greater needs surfaced — new tires for one vehicle, a transmission repair for another. The costs were significant, but the needs were urgent, and within 10 days, church members raised $2,000 to cover both repairs.
In the end, for every dollar given through Serve One More, Pendleton Church contributed $1.25. That kind of multiplication happens when God blesses the faithfulness and generosity of His people.
What’s happening in Pendleton is about far more than wise stewardship. It’s about peace of mind for families who now know they can safely get to work and care for their loved ones. It’s about the joy and energy experienced when church members rally together to create a welcoming, hope-filled space for their community.
“It is amazing to watch the members of the church come alive with excitement when we serve our communities,” said Farr. “Being part of Serve One More has not only created a benefit for our community, but it has also caused revival in our church family.”
Through Serve One More, great things become possible. And as more churches join the movement, they’re discovering that generosity doesn’t just change their communities; it transforms themselves.
Visit serveonemore.org to discover how you can make an impact. To learn more about the Pendleton Auto Care Co-op, watch their story at news.uccsda.org/servecafe126.
Pathfinders add car washing to the car maintenance services offered.
Credit: Richie Brower
