Methodist minister Edgar J. Helms wasn't expecting much 100 years ago when cleaning out his church's basement in Boston's south end. Helms was making room for a community outreach program, a place where the area's jobless immigrants could earn a few dollars.

Little did he know that this goodwill concept would eventually grow into Goodwill Industries International, one of the world's leading nonprofit employment and training agencies.

"The Paycheck," by Norman Rockwell, 1950s. Norman Rockwell gave Goodwill this painting in celebration of its 50th anniversary. The wheelchair-bound worker, wearing work overalls and cap and carrying his metal lunchbox, smiles with delight at the paycheck in his hand. The other hand turns the chair's wheel, with such power that he kicks up dust as he speeds along.

It started simply enough. Helms wanted to help those church members who didn't have jobs. He didn't believe in giving handouts, so he found a way for them to earn their money.

With a burlap sack over his shoulder, Helms began walking Boston's wealthier neighborhoods, asking residents for used clothing and household items they no longer wanted. Back in the church basement, he sat up a workshop where the unemployed could repair the items and prepare for a community-wide sale each weekend. Proceeds were split among workers.

Helms' message: "Give a hand up, not a hand out"

Word began to spread about this unique ministry, and by the 1940s a Goodwill store was operating out of most big-city Methodist churches. By this time the mission had expanded to include the homeless and people with disabilities.

By the 1950s the Goodwill concept had grown so much the church couldn't keep up. The unexpected growth and federal funding restrictions led Goodwill to split from the church and become its own nonprofit organization, though it retained close ties to the Methodists.

Today Goodwill is a $1.8 billion nonprofit agency, providing job training and employment services to people with disabilities or other special needs. Behind the great bargains you'll find at Goodwill stores are adult literacy programs, daycares and sheltered workshops. More than 86 cents of every dollar Goodwill receives goes directly into its services, leading "Smart Money" magazine to consistently rank it among the most trustworthy charities.

Helms' ministry lives on

Goodwill's clients -- whether disabled, homeless or just down on their luck -- operate the thrift stores. Just as Helms designed 100 years ago, the sale of used goods provides wages for needy people.

Goodwill's network of more than 200 agencies paid $85 million in wages last year to its employees. More than 544,000 people were served through Goodwill's career training and employment programs.

Helms died in 1942, but lived long enough to see his humble little program change lives around the world. Such is ministry. Sometimes we can't imagine its effects.

As Goodwill celebrates its 100th anniversary this summer, it struggles with identity problems. Most people recognize Goodwill stands for something good; they just don't know what that is. And that's OK.

As long as people continue to donate those clothes they've outgrown or toys their kids no longer want, Goodwill can keep trucking along. Let's face it: We'll always have too much stuff cluttering up our homes, and there will always be people in need of work. Goodwill brings the two together and makes a ministry.

Prior to working for ChurchCentral.com, Julie Roberts was a media specialist and development officer for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky.