Several years ago, Kevin Roukema attended a “Discover Your Gifts” workshop at New Life Ministries Christian Reformed Church in North Haledon, N.J. Being mechanically gifted, he said, “It became clear to me how God set me up to do my auto repair ministry and put my faith in action.”
Roukema now gives two Saturdays a month to this work. For people who can afford it, he charges for parts and labor and that helps fund services for those who can’t afford it. For people who can pay something, he provides free labor, and for those who can’t afford anything, parts and labor are free. The funds are administered by the church treasurer.
Roukema uses his employer’s facility and tools and his son, Brett, helps with the repairs from time to time.
Emily Wilson, the Executive Director of New Hope Ministries in Haledon, said that Roukema has helped many of their clients in difficult times.
“One of the families he assisted had no way of getting to work without a vehicle so in having their car repaired at a low cost by someone they could trust enabled them to keep their jobs!”
