The 18-wheel semi-trailer in the parking lot of Rolling Hills Covenant Church in Palos Verdes Estates, California, turns a lot of heads. It also is helping people who once seemed to have few prospects turn their lives around.
The trailer, emblazoned with the words “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength,” is a mobile welding training center—the brainchild of Steve Bunyard, former outreach pastor at Rolling Hills. While he was serving there, he started Reignite Hope in 2011 to teach people who are homeless in Los Angeles how to weld. Before he served at the church, Bunyard was a certified welder and owned a high-end transmission shop.
Bunyard knew welding skills could empower people to make enough money to support themselves. So he began by teaching the skill to five men. The ministry is now located in a 6,000-square-foot building with 15 welding stations.
Many of their students are former gang members, homeless, and formerly incarcerated. More than 600 people have graduated from their course, and all have passed their welding skill certification test.
Find out more at reignitehope.com
