About Driving Hope

How do a Baptist, a Catholic, and a Methodist come together to transform their community? The answer lies in the story of the Bridgewater Bible Study, where Richard Consoli and Steve Bowman first crossed paths.

Richard, a retired entrepreneur and active member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, felt a calling to support the underrepresented in Knoxville. He joined KnoxWorx, a program by the Knoxville Leadership Foundation that assists individuals emerging from incarceration and young adults without high school diplomas. KnoxWorx helps these individuals attain their High School Equivalency Test (HISET), obtain various credentials, gain vocational training, and secure jobs. One significant hurdle they face is the lack of affordable transportation.

Steve, formerly the Retail Sales Director at the Knoxville News Sentinel and a member of First Baptist Church on Main Street, had already been working on a ministry that donated cars to those in need. When he shared this with Richard during their Bible study, a spark ignited. They envisioned a sustainable program that could expand and perpetuate this generosity.

Meanwhile, Jackie Dehler, the Community Engagement Specialist for Cokesbury United Methodist, was also experiencing barriers to transportation issues within the community. She joined forces with Richard and Steve, forming a collaborative team that launched a pilot program. This initiative offers no-interest car loans to individuals who meet specific criteria: a valid driver’s license, insurance, stable employment, and completion of a financial literacy course through Operation Hope. Additionally, participants receive training on vehicle maintenance.

The connection at Bridgewater proved pivotal. Adam White, owner of Secret City Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram is providing essential backend support for elements of this ministry. Their combined efforts have been instrumental in making this program a success.

This initiative exemplifies how God orchestrates collaboration among people of different faiths, leveraging their resources and expertise to create lasting, positive change in their community. It’s a testament to the power of divine guidance and the spirit of giving back, driven by a shared commitment to uplift those in need.