They got married later that year and watched the business expand from one bay to six bays for car repairs, and from just the two of them to a staff of four other full-time employees.
“We were both meth addicts and God changed our lives,” Tim Ellison said. “I’ve been with no place to stay, I’ve been with nothing to eat, I’ve been with no car.”
Now, instead of doing drugs the couple is doing acts of kindness, providing car repair and oil changes to the poor and needy and spiritual lessons aimed at lifting up those who may feel at their lowest point ever.
“That’s where Mr. Godwrench comes in at,” Ellison said. “We can be a ministry to help people, but I can also be a retail business to generate revenue to help people.”
The Ellisons refer to the helping hybrid as a “businesstry” – half business, half ministry.
They’ll be performing 150 free oil changes this September for economically disadvantaged Jackson, Ky., residents.
“When we go, it’s the same beat up ol’ cars that we done last year,” he said. “They can’t afford to have oil changes. Here people have money, you take things for granted.”
Mr. Godwrench also will be giving away its 27th car since 2009 as part of an ongoing effort to do something good with vehicles donated by customers when they upgrade to a newer vehicle.
“Every now and again we’ve had to buy a couple (of vehicles) that needs work done,” he said. “I can’t buy anything and pay full retail price. In order for us to give something away … we have to get a bargain basement price.”
As long as the interior and exterior of the vehicle are in good shape, Ellison can pay the cost of parts and fix up the vehicle so its in good working condition for the giveaway.
The oil changes and giveaways are part of sayings emblazoned on the walls of the business: “Cars will come and go, but it’s the lives of people that really count” and “Turn your automotive problems into blessings.”
Of the nearly 100 five-star reviews the business has garnered on Google, a great many customers said they wondered to themselves how any car breaking down could be a blessing to its owner.
Ellison said one visit to Mr. Godwrench provides most of them with an answer.
When people are down “that’s when you have a chance to … lift them up,” he said. “Everybody goes through trials and tribulations and has to spend money sometimes, but when we go through that … we try and encourage that person even though they’re going through a trouble with a car issue.”
Treating each customer with respect and dignity means not only praying with them if they want, but also letting them know the business won’t charge them for something they don’t receive.
“They feel safe with us and in turn, they leave different then when they come,” Ellison said. “That’s where the blessings come in.”
For more information, call 513-342-4341 or visit www.mrgodwrench.com.
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