When one car door closes, another one opens. At least this was the case for one Norwood pastor who received a car donation from a Fordham dealership after his van was stolen.

The 1997 Dodge minivan belonging to Pastor James Miller of the Good News Christian Church was filched from a parking spot near Reservoir Oval West on about Jan. 12.

The van was special because it was not only Miller’s personal van, but it was also used for his parish’s work that included charity missions such as coat drives and shuttling people to and from church.

Parishioners and friends of Miller launched an online campaign to spread awareness of Miller’s story and raise funds to purchase him a new van.

After reporting it stolen, investigators with the Bronx District Attorney’s office  launched a search to find the vehicle that was eventually found abandoned in the Clason’s Point section of the Bronx. In the midst of the search, employees of the Fordham Toyota dealership heard of the story through local media and started thinking of ways they could help a fellow Bronxite.

“His connection to the community made me want to be a part of it,” said Frank Greco, general manager of the Fordham Toyota Dealership. The team at the dealership decided they would donate a 2011 Toyota Sienna to Miller. “I felt this was very important to us.”

Overwhelmed by the support he received after his van was stolen and fighting back tears, Miller said the community “rose up to the occasion” on his behalf, going “beyond our wildest comprehension.” “I am very grateful,” said Miller. “People from the community and from the 52nd Precinct were so good to us.”

The original van, found with its rear seats missing and ignition popped off, was eventually scrapped after the insurance company deemed it un-drivable.

Miller’s first order of business with his new van is a mobile soup kitchen. “We’re able  to connect with people in the neighborhood that way,” said Miller. “We need a vehicle to make that happen.”