Pastor Douglas has a Passion For Cars – V2V Church

As well as being a dedicated family man and man of God Pastor Douglas has many interests outside of church such as a passion for cars.

In Pastor Douglas’s early days of work he used to work in a car garage. As with most young men he was very interested in cars and that interest pushed him to get his driver’s licence at the earliest possible age. After obtaining his driver’s licence Pastor took the next step and bought himself his first car (Austin A40) with money he had saved over time.

After owning that vehicle, Pastor worked harder, saved more and bought his dream car at the time, the classic Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite

Another classic vehicle Pastor has owned is the Ford Cortina MK1 & MK2.

From a young age Pastor was disciplined with money and believed a man had to work hard and save to obtain the things he desired, this is a basic principle Pastor abides by to this very day, a principle he tries to instil in all the youth of today. There is no better satisfaction for a man to be able to see and enjoy the fruit of their labour.

Pastor has a great knowledge on the workings of a car and the functionality of each part, this knowledge came from working in the garage, his older brother and of course his father, that knowledge is even exhibited in the way Pastor cleans his car, in his case it’s not just the visible areas that matter but also the areas that everyone neglects as they aren’t visible but crucial to the running and maintenance of the vehicle.

From classic cars to modern day marvels Pastor Douglas still follows the motor industry with a keen eye. Where time permits he likes to visit classic car roadshows with Pastor Erica Goodman by his side. This was never a passion of Pastor Erica’s but in applying biblical principles to their marriage being true to the word and making it practical in their lives Pastor Erica has learned to love Pastor Douglas’s passions and he has also learned to love and embrace her passions, this makes for a healthy marriage, home and also strengthens the brings life to where the scripture says 2 shall become one.

A keen car enthusiast Pastor ensure he taught all his children to learn to driver as soon as they legally could learn. Pastor believes that when you can drive it’s another step towards independence and it also meant he didn’t have to play the role of chauffeur! He would encourage driving without maps and even now believes we should not be reliant on the satellite and navigation system, if you get lost you will find your way and ultimately learn a different route to your destination that you can use in the future and pass on to others, some of these routes are helpful when trying to avoid traffic.

Pastor also believes that for a young lady the ability to drive and owning your own car helps provide a sense of security and shielding. Security is that you avoid some of the perils of travelling late or in the night time by yourself on the train or via bus and shielding in that you can avoid some of the unsavoury characters that prey on young women on the public transport.

Pastor encourages every member of the congregation to learn how to drive, even if you do not have money for a car just do the necessary tests, pass and then save for a vehicle. Even when taking the tests if you fail Pastor always says ‘do not stop, do not be discouraged or dismayed get back up and do it again’ the bible says in Philippians 4:13 ‘I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me’, the word of God is there to be applied, used and stood on in all issues of life.

As much as Pastor Douglas has a passion for cars he understands that you must have priorities in life and your priorities should take precedence over material things. When a man loves a woman he will do that which is necessary to provide for her and their future! Pastor sold his beloved Ford Capri 1600 GT to fund his wedding to Pastor Erica when they were just 18! They were in love and wanted nothing more than to do things the right way which was to get married, live together and build a family. To start the process the sacrifice was made without any hesitation or debate to sell the car and over 40 years later they are still together, happily married, 4 children, 4 grandchildren and full of stories to last a lifetime.

Luke 6:38 ‘Give, and it shall be given unto you; a good measure pressed down, and shaken together, and running over shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measure to you again’. That is a powerful scripture and one that Pastor stands on and applies in his life. Over the years Pastor has given away so many cars to bless those that don’t have and because of that they have never lacked in that area, God has always made provision and seen that the family can get from A to B to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

Because Pastor knows what it was like to not have the exhibits compassion to those that might find themselves in that position, however as the bible says ‘Do not despise the days of small beginnings’ (Zechariah 4:10).