"Well, I started out with nothing and I've still got most of it left" Well this Seasick Steve song could be the signature tune for God's Garage in Dewsbury.
This really is the story of our journey from January to the present day. 2013 has been a year where we have seen the hand of God in practical ways. We started out with nothing and we still have nothing.
We first of all got a unit (2,000 sq ft) for free, no cost for rental, no cost for rates, no cost for electricity. Then all the things that you need to put together a comfortable and welcoming place for people to come to came in one by one.
Here is a short list of the things we have had donated to us for use in God's Garage Pennines.
Hot water boilers x2, A sink, An undersink cupboard, Crockery, Pots and Pans, and of course mugs. Paint for the floors, and the walls and varnish for the top of the bar and buffet area. 10 pallets to build a bar with. Some lamps from Ikea. Boxes of electrical sockets, Wiring and trunking. Worktops, Fridges and Freezers. (3 x household and 2 x commercial) Leather settees, coffee tables and sideboards. bookcases, and shelving. Camo netting. 2 x Computers, 1 x Daylight projector. Bibles. Communion sets. Communion tables. Strip lights. Spotlights, and wall lights. Cushions, sleeping bags, Microwave, TV's (x2) Projector screen. Cables for projector. Extension leads, Mattresses. BSH bike magazines for wallpaper. Wallpaper paste. A grandfather clock (Yes, a Grandfather clock!) Cupboard doors. Hinges. Cupboard doors. Door handles. Door hinges. Tools and tool boxes, Paint brushers. Gaffer tape. Masking tape. Mirrors and artwork for the walls. Number plates for the walls. and so much more.
Here's the thing we still have nothing. so it is true to say "we started out with nothing and we've still got most of it left" I'm sure that someone out there has already thought of this but a good title for a church planting book would be "Planting Churches with no money"
So what are the things that we have learned in the process of beginning a faith community in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
That people are generous, that somebody somewhere has what we need and would not mind giving it away. That money is not everything. That finance should never be the blockage to seeing a dream come true. We also have learned that we live in a throw away world, and we for one are happy with other people's donations.
