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churches across the area. They use the club as a vehicle to deliver the message of their common faith.

“It’s a way for us to get into the community and to share the Lord with people,” Elston said. “...People who have a love for cars and want to come out to that sort of thing. There’s also a way to do it as good clean fun. It doesn’t have to be one where there’s drinking and all that stuff going on. It can be a good family atmosphere.”

Perez concurs wholeheartedly with Elston’s appraisal.

“Good fellowship is important,” he said. “...Fellowship with guys who are seeking things other than the wild life, from a Christian and more family-oriented perspective, and who like cars.”

Both men participate in the group’s events, each showing a vintage Chevrolet pickup.

“In high school we were always working on something to race with, to take to the drag strip on the weekends,” Elston, the father of four, reminisced. “When my oldest son was 14 we bought a ’72 Chevrolet pickup. We took it down to the frame and restored it back. He was 24 when we fnished, so it wasn’t like it was a quick project. We worked on it as we had the money, the time, and the parts. I kept that '72 step side for shows.” Perez acquired his show truck as a work vehicle in 2000.

“I’ve got a 1986 Silverado pickup that’s pretty much all original,” he said. “This year, since it’s 25 years old, it’s considered a classic.”

“I had a Corvette before that,” he continued. “I ended up selling it. When I sold the Corvette, I repainted the truck completely and just did a frame-on restoration. We did the motor; we did the interior and repainted it. It’s fun to drive.”

Restoring the ’86 Silverado took Perez about three years.

Sharing their faith and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow club members is a big part of the reason for Christian Classic Cruisers, but there is another important mission for the group.

“We give about 80 percent of what we raise through the car shows to charities in the community,” Elston said, citing Cross Timbers Pregnancy Care Center and Touchstone Ranch as targets for their giving.

“Up until last year, the only charity we supported was Cross Timbers