The Ministry of the Dad in the Garage

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(Editor’s note: This blog was written by AFA intern Cate Garner.)

Let’s observe the standard, middle-aged American dad. It’s a sweltering summer afternoon. The garage doors are up; tools are spread around. The hood is lifted. There is classic “dad” music playing. You see two feet sticking out from underneath the car. Lots of grease, lots of sweat – and the fans are going as fast as a fan can go.

Nothing would scare me more as a child than waking up and hearing dad’s music coming from the garage. This meant 14 hours of unpaid manual labor, and 14 hours of unpaid manual labor is never welcome.

My dad takes pride in his garage. He always has the right tool and is overjoyed to find an occasion to use them. He’s even more ecstatic to find an occasion where he must acquire a new tool.

Many of you can identify with this scenario, but have you given it much thought? Each wrench used, oil changed, and tire rotated is a labor of love.

The American dad working in the garage is a practical, tangible, and often unrecognized sign of both provision and protection. Each man is in his own home, working to take care of his own family’s needs. He is in his element, doing what God called him to do. And what a beautiful thing it is to see any creature doing what his Creator intended for him to do.

Keeping cars in good condition provides protection for the family, and he does everything in his power to ensure they arrive home safely. Working in the garage involves protecting their home from decay and natural disasters, therefore providing his family with a reliable roof above their head.

In short, working in the garage is ministry.

We may not have a farm, but we do have a third of an acre. Changing the oil, mowing the grass, and cleaning out the gutters is putting feet to the commandment to “fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over” (Genesis 1:28). In this commonplace way, each man is fulfilling the dominion mandate in his corner of the neighborhood. The Lord God has put each man in his own garden to “cultivate it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15).

But in addition to provision and protection, the garage is a place of discipleship – of tending to souls and passing on a work ethic and practical knowledge for future generations.

A garage is much more than working on cars or building a canoe; it is working on hearts and building spiritual growth, creating a legacy of Christianity to last for generations.

Think of the teenage son who is struggling in his relationship with Christ. Think of the deeper spiritual impact that working on a car with his dad could have. Think of the young girl who is learning how to change a tire. Think of what could be changed. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if her heart were changed, even if they never actually changed the tire?

With God, mundane tasks are given powerful spiritual purposes. Charles Spurgeon explains, “Hard work will do almost everything; but in God’s service it must not only be hard work, but hot work. The heart must be on fire.” Much like Spurgeon points out, working in the garage is hard work – but it is “hot work” for the Lord, ministry in the service of the Lord, when you have a child who is spiritually needy – or a family needing provision.

While the garage is a place where practical needs are met, think of the spiritual needs that could be met. It could be where the real ministry happens. Ministry is not limited by the glamour of the location.

And of course, discipleship is not limited to men who love the garage. Discipleship should be found in every activity – whether you are in the house, walking by the way, lying down, rising up, or even working in the garage.

We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done (Psalm 78:4).

I pray every family has a “kingdom-minded” man in their lives – a man who is taking his job as protector and provider seriously, but also his job as a disciple maker. Spiritually, we need more dads working in whatever “garage” God has called them to.

Now, when I wake up on a Saturday morning and hear music from the garage, I don’t dread it. I thank my heavenly Father for it.

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