This email was sent to Tom Ratliff on the 5th of May 2005.

Hi Tom,

I wanted to send you an e-mail to elaborate on the conversation we had at Bristol. I talked to you after the service and said that I was a friend of Barry McGee.

The amazing thing is that I told you about my first experience with Racers For Christ in Columbus, Ohio and you said that you were the guy that gave the message about filters on your race car, and how you need filters on your life also.

I just wanted to say that if you ever wonder about your work for Christ and whether the messages that God gives you reach people; well, I am here to testify that they do.

I have never forgotten the message and have often shared it with other people. So keep doing what you do and know that you are called. 

Thank you, and may this e-mail bless you today.

David Markesbery

 

Dear Pastor Ken:

On February 5, 1995 I took my two sons to the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona California. I like to get there early, so as we entered the drags about 7 a.m., my oldest son Christopher said to me: "Dad, we need to go to the chapel service this morning." Although we are Christians and go to church services on Sundays and most Wednesday nights, when on an outing or vacation I haven't been in the habit of going to church. I found this to be a surprise and told him we were going to the pits to watch the crews get the cars ready to race. He didn't say anything. About 15 minutes later he said: "Dad, we need to go to the chapel service." Again I said to him: "Chris, we are at the drags, we'll go to church on Wednesday night." Again he really didn't say much. About 15 minutes later he said: "Dad, we really need to be at the chapel service this morning!" I immediately set out to find the chapel service and told my son "If you really feel that way, we're going."

If my memory serves me right, you preached on God's unconditional love for us and how we should love one another. The boys got all excited to see Eddie and Ercie Hill at the service and Joe Amato sat right in front of us.

Ken, right after that day my son started to feel ill, and on February 16, 1995 (11 days later) my oldest son Christopher went home to be with The Lord. He had a rare form of Leukemia diagnosed on February 14th. The chapel service we attended that Sunday was the last church service (our emphasis) he ever attended. On Sunday February 12th he was too sick to go to our church.

Ken, I thank God everyday for the 15 years that he allowed me to be with Christopher. The pain of separation is hard at times and I look forward to the day when we will be re-united in Heaven. I thank you and your team for all you do for the racing world. I wanted to write to you sooner but never seemed to be able to get it down. Please find the enclosed check in his memory.


Raymond Algorri.....San Dimas, Ca.

RFC's response letter:

Dear Raymond:

Words cannot express how your testimony touched my heart and how grieved we are for your loss. I am sure Chris was a best friend and very close. At times like this we all wonder and ask the unanswerable question.........why? I wish I had some better answers for you as you approach the anniversary of Chris' passing and your hour of grief. Instead, all I have for you is three things for you to consider.

1. My Opinion: There are some people that have such rare qualities that God decides He needs them more in Heaven than on Earth. They are so precious to Him that He asks us to pay the temporary price of separation. It is obvious that the spirit was speaking directly to Chris on that Winternationals Sunday. He is truly one of those precious people. I hope that this eternal perspective may ease your burden.

2. One of the scriptures that has brought me comfort in my moments of grief is First Thessalonians 4: 15-18. Please allow me to share it with you. Paul writes:

I can tell you this direct from the Lord: that we who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet Him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a mighty shout and with the soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the great trumpet call of God. And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord. Then....we who are still alive and remain on the Earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever........so comfort and encourage each other with this news.

3. On behalf of all of your brothers in Christ at RFC let me just make you aware that we are here for you. We do not have any way to lesson your loss, but sometimes it just helps to have someone to pour your heart's grief out to. We are here for you my brother.

We will be praying for you as you approach the anniversary of Christopher's passing. May God strengthen you, put His loving arms around you, draw you close and comfort you in your hour of need.

Mike Schacter
Racers for Christ

A Belief in Jesus Christ as their Savior! Read what they have to say...

"Big Daddy" Don Garlits - The king of fuel dragsters and a racing legend.

"I've won the world championship for the National Hot Rod Association three times, but I could not get by one single day without Jesus Christ in my life!"

Eddie Hill - World champion drag racer, motorcycle racer and boat racer.

"I try to make Christian principals a working part of my life, and the better job I do, the richer, fuller, and more satisfying my life becomes. God has made our success possible, and we want to be an example of a life committed to Him."

David Schultz - NHRA, IDBA and PROSTAR motorcycle champion.

"I surrendered my life to Christ at the early age of 10 and have since experienced the joy of the Christian walk. My goal in every endeavor of my life is to allow Jesus Christ to be seen through me."

Al Holbert - Five time world champ and the winningest drive in IMSA history.

"Knowing Christ as my Lord and Savior and that He paid for my sins is overwhelming and assuring. Because Jesus Christ is my Lord, my strength, and my counsel, I can know the love and grace of God, and the purpose for my life."

Frank Hawley - Two time world champ, founder of The Drag Racing School.

"My life has filled with too many coincidences for me not to consider God. Becoming a Christian has been a gradual never-ending process. I could never make it to Heaven if the admission price had not already been paid by Christ."