Doug Teagarden is an engineer by day, a mechanic by night.

His evenings are spent in the garage, working on whatever car his church delivered. Last week, it was a white Honda Passport.

"It's not my own, but you try to treat it like it is," he said.

Mr. Teagarden won't be billing anyone for his moonlighting hours under the hood. The sport utility vehicle, like the labor, will be given away to a stranger, someone Mr. Teagarden won't meet until the day he shows up to hand over the keys.

He is one of several volunteers of the Wesley United Methodist Church's Mechanics Ministry, which repairs cars that are given to people in need of transportation but unable to afford it.

Some volunteers are full-time mechanics who offer their services free after hours.

Most, like Mr. Teagarden, say they just happened to learn their way around an engine after a lifetime of tinkering at home.

"This more suits my talents," he said. "Nobody will come to me for spiritual advice, but car advice I can do."

Ten years ago, the mechanically inclined members of Wesley began to change oil and offer advice to keep the cars of single mothers and the elderly in working order.

The ministry grew, and in 2002, Wesley started repairing donated vehicles and giving them away to deserving families, said Scott Long, the coordinator of the ministry.

The Honda Passport will become the 157th vehicle given away by Wesley United Methodist Church.

Recipients aren't selected by Wesley, but by one of the agencies the church works with, including the Economic Opportunity Authority, the Department of Family and Children Services, Interfaith Hospitality Network and Augusta Urban Ministries.

Those offices accept applications then screen and prioritize clients who are eligible to receive a vehicle.

The cars are given away at no cost to the recipient, but without a warranty and "as is," Mr. Long said.

Each car the ministry repairs has been donated, either by someone who attends Wesley or by a member of another church who has heard of the ministry.

The cars have some wear and tear, Mr. Long said, but they can be made safe with a couple of investments.

"We usually end up putting in about $500 into each car," Mr. Long said. "Any more and we just can't afford it."

The ministry is backed by a number of businesses, including Smitty's Auto, Smith Tire Co., Andy's Automotive, Weeks Transmission, Childs Automotive, Chancey's Wrecker Service and Riverfront Collision Center.

"They are vital to what we do," Mr. Long said.

The businesses provide parts at a discount and the equipment needed to do complicated repairs, Mr. Teagarden said.

He relies on his own family members and the businesses to prepare the car for its new family.

He and his son Kyle, 16, change the oil, repair the brakes or replace hoses while his wife, Dianna, and daughter, Caroline, 13, vacuum and clean the inside of the car.

The mechanics usually hand off the vehicles in person.

"I had one lady last year, her mouth was just wide open. She couldn't believe we did this," Mr. Teagarden said. "We look at an old car and go, 'Well, there's not much there.' But her, she saw opportunity."

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.