Over 250 people checked out pricey cars and motorbikes at a church-run car show last Saturday.
St Paul’s, Castle Hill’s third annual car show featured drag cars, hotrods and Harley Davidsons, with a combined value of over $2 million.
As visitors viewed and sat in the cars and motorbikes on display, David Brown, a motoring journalist and member of St Paul's, gave a running commentary.
Attendance at the show has more than doubled since 100 came along in its first year. According to Men-to-Men Team Leader Bruce Pollard, 150 of the 250 people who attended this year were not church members.
"Two-thirds of the cars on site were through people who don't come to church," Bruce said.
"And they've said they want to bring more bikes and cars next year."
Evangelism Director, Ian Barnett says the event was designed to build bridges with people in the community.
“The show is a way of developing relationships with people we normally wouldn’t have contact with.”
As the show is not aligned with a particular brand, Bruce says the variety of cars on display was a big drawcard.
The show is a strategic part of the "Men to Men' ministry’s yearly calendar, says Bruce.
"We want to try and connect with the guys at church and in the community."
Bruce said his team had their tarpaulins at the ready, but "God blessed us with the weather."
Rain could have hampered the show, as owners are sometimes hesitant to display vehicles in wet weather.
How does a church pull together a collection of cars to show?
Bruce said the collection came from members of the congregation and their contacts, as well as advertisements in the local papers.
He says the show has been one of the most successful evangelistic events the church has run, outside of church services.
"This event is the most popular Men to Men evangelistic event on the calendar," says Bruce.
The show has grown from purely being a men's event, to catering for families as well.
In previous years, a talk was given on the lawn outside the church.
This year however, visitors were encouraged to come into the Christian Education Centre for a talk from David and a welcome from Ian.
Ian invited visitors to ask any member of the men’s ministry team - who were all wearing signature green polo shirts - if they had any questions relating to the talk.
"Everyone was relaxed to be there," says Bruce.
"Not one person left " they stayed for the full 25-minute talk."
See more pictures of the St Paul's Anglican Church car show here.
