Fall 2024 Newsletter
Fueling Faith
Executive Director Eddie Baugher
Caring for Cruisers
Chaplain Desirée Flath
A Walk to Remember
Chaplain Jim Jack
Executive Director Eddie Baugher
Mike Arnerich with Justin Ashley’s crew adds fuel to a Top Fuel dragster.
Mike Arnerich with Justin Ashley’s crew adds fuel to a Top Fuel dragster.
Mike Arnerich with Justin Ashley’s crew adds fuel to a Top Fuel dragster.
Fuel is a vital resource. It comes in many forms and is used to power almost every aspect of our lives. It’s the food we eat to keep our bodies alive and healthy, and it can be wood, coal, petroleum, or natural gas that keeps things running, including the gas, alcohol, or nitromethane used to power the motorsports we love.
But there is another fuel, one that’s just as vital. It’s not something mined from the earth, dispensed from a nozzle, or purchased in a store. It’s not a commodity – it can’t be bought, bottled, or burned – but it’s critical to our well-being. It’s the fuel for our spiritual life, the fuel that helps us and others grow and strengthen our faith in God!
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7).
Believing there is a God is one thing; but genuinely believing in, having faith in, and following God are something else altogether. So, what does it take for the kind of solid, strong faith that gives hope for the future? It takes fuel! But not just any fuel – you need the right type of fuel.
Racers rely on the proper fuel to ensure their engines perform their best. What about the fuel for our spiritual lives? What about the fuel that keeps our faith running strong? I know I’ve had times when my faith was strong like Peter’s, when he got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
But there have also been times when my faith was weak, like Peter’s, when he took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. Even after Peter denied Him three times, Jesus never gave up on him and continued to encourage his faith.
Serving as a chaplain with Racers For Christ has given Kelly and me countless opportunities to fuel the faith of people around the country. For some, it’s a warm smile, a kind word, or a prayer in the staging lanes. For others, it’s hearing God’s Word proclaimed during chapel, Bible study, or devotion time. It could also be a one-on-one meeting, a quick text message, or a timely phone call with someone needing assurance or direction.
Chaplain Kelly Baugher prays with Pro Stock driver Chase Van Sant, son of RFC board member Bruce Van Sant.
Chaplain Kelly Baugher prays with Pro Stock driver Chase Van Sant, son of RFC board member Bruce Van Sant.
Our role as RFC chaplains and ministry assistants is to point people to Christ, helping fuel their faith that allows them to grow in their spiritual walk, giving them tools to help them weather the storms of life and know who to turn to in times of sorrow and joy. Jesus told the parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Racers For Christ has been called to train, equip, and send chaplains to meet the spiritual, emotional, and practical needs of people in motorsports by proclaiming the truth of God’s Word — the sure Foundation on which to build our faith. We are so thankful for the people and organizations that support the ministry in various ways, making it possible for us to go and fulfill our mission.
We can’t have faith for someone else, and we can’t save them…but we can tell them about Jesus. Our job is to keep fueling faith. It’s up to the individual what they choose to do with the fuel we pour into their lives. Will they use it wisely, or will they waste it? Whatever their choice, we will remain faithful — going, sharing, and fueling faith in motorsports and the wider world.
Caring For Cruisers
Chaplain Desirée Flath
Chaplains Norris, Dickerson, Flath, & Nilon
Chaplains Norris, Dickerson, Flath, & Nilon
I really enjoy working with my fellow Region 1 chaplains – they’ve been so warm and welcoming, and everyone with the ministry is wonderful! God has moved in significant ways at some shows that will become annual events for Rodders For Christ. Last season’s Fleming’s Pumpkin Run in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, was a stand-out where I served alongside Chaplains Jeff Nilon, Joe Dickerson, and Jerry Norris.
In addition to setting up our own RFC booth with giveaway items, free resources, and volunteer recruiting info, our team got to pray with one of the event’s staff members, and we took turns walking around to the other vendors to serve them.
Some folks are there alone and can’t leave their set-up, so we offer to “boothsit” for a while so they can take a break. Chaplain Jeff had the great idea of offering them bottled water and leaving an Our Daily Bread devotions booklet, too. It was a simple, hands-on demonstration of love and care, and it was wonderful!
This season, we’ll be giving out our contact info through the Pumpkin Run staff, and vendors can text us directly when they need a break. Also, Jeff has a contact for the Jersey Shore car shows, and they’ve asked that RFC chaplains be present at the events they sponsor. All these opportunities…God’s perfect timing.
A Walk to Remember
Chaplain Jim Jack
Brothers in Christ Top Fuel driver Antron Brown and Chaplain Jim Jack
Brothers in Christ Top Fuel driver Antron Brown and Chaplain Jim Jack
At April’s NHRA Arizona Nationals held at Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, I had the coolest quarter-mile stroll with three-time NHRA Top Fuel Dragster World Champion Antron Brown.
Right after chapel service Sunday morning, I asked Antron if he would sign a hero card for a young girl in Florida. “Sure,” he said, “let’s walk down to my trailer.” Heading that way, we set out, shoulder-to-shoulder…as if we were connected.
Walking along the pits, many people said hello to Antron; some asked for his autograph, and some wanted a photo with him. But he and I remained stuck together.
RFC Executive Director Eddie Baugher had talked about baptism that morning in chapel. As we walked, Antron and I talked about the day he got baptized. We laughed, shared smiles, and just had a great time strolling together as brothers in Christ. Many of his fans watched as we passed by, wishing, I’m sure, they could get as close to him as I was.
It was a special time with a special friend amid thousands of spectators…just the two of us, walking and talking about our Savior.
Photos from the Field
Trackside
with Kevin Cooke
Chaplain Kevin offers some pre-race encouragement to junior racer Sofie Cooper.
Chaplain Kevin offers some pre-race encouragement to junior racer Sofie Cooper.
Tell our readers how you first got into racing ministry. I started with Kentucky Raceway Ministries (KRM) as part of their fan outreach, covering a three-day NASCAR series in 2018. I served as the lead trauma response chaplain on a team that supported the medical staff and provided spiritual care for the injured and their families.
And how did you get connected to RFC? That same year, I became aware of Racers For Christ through a motorsports ministry summit held at Kentucky Speedway; RFC was among the groups represented. After the summit, it was decided that KRM would partner with RFC to go through their chaplaincy training and come on board with RFC where they were already established.
So what made you want to become a volunteer? Ken Webb, RFC’s field ministry director, shadowed me as part of that ministry summit, and we talked in detail about RFC and the various capacities in which they served. Once I completed their chaplain training in April 2019, my mind was made up to join RFC. I was sold on offering spiritual care and support to the racing community, and I couldn’t wait to serve at my first race!
Why is RFC’s work important? As chaplains, we shine the light of Christ with our words and actions. As the saying goes, I may be the only “Jesus” someone ever encounters. I enjoy coming alongside people and meeting them right where they are in their spiritual walk, showing authentic love and care. I always say people just want to be loved on and cared about, and that’s the heart of what RFC does. It’s about building relationships and demonstrating love. Sharing the Gospel then becomes a natural segue.
How do you feel you’re having an impact – in the motorsports community and as a regional director (RD) for RFC? I’m a consistent presence in the region where I serve. Working national, regional, and open races allows me to develop relationships that strengthen and deepen over time. People want to see you’re authentic and genuine, so consistency is key. Then they offer a genuineness in return, like in chapel services. I’m seeing more families attending chapel together: husbands & wives, adult racers with families, and junior racers & their parents. As an RD for the ministry, I’ve developed a good rapport with the other chaplains in my region, individually and as a group. Letting them know they’re appreciated makes a difference.
Kevin talks with Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Wesley Walls at the 2023 NHRA SRE Nationals.
Share one of your great stories! I had a very emotional experience with a driver at a divisional race in May. I’ve known this guy for several years and greeted him in the lanes to catch up. It was a good conversation. As I started his pre-race prayer, he asked me to also pray for a loved one who’d recently been diagnosed with stage-4 brain cancer. He began to cry as I prayed, and – when I finished – there were tears in my eyes, too. I told him we needed to pray for him to be focused and not emotional during his race! We bowed our heads once again and then shared a lengthy hug afterward. God’s presence was there with us, but it was as though we were in the lanes by ourselves.
What would you say to someone who’s considering volunteering? Come and see! Motorsports provide all kinds of opportunities to serve the Lord! It will strengthen your faith and your own personal prayer life. It will connect you with like-minded believers in the ministry and the racing community. Most importantly, service allows you to go forward in willing obedience to the Lord, accomplishing things in His strength that you couldn’t on your own.
Agreed! Anything else? “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Kevin talks with Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Wesley Walls at the 2023 NHRA SRE Nationals.
Ministering Over a Meal
Chaplains Tom and Heidi Bumgarner
We love how God can turn the seemingly ordinary into the extraordinary! We were taking a long-awaited lunch break at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Concord, NC, when a gentleman asked if he could share our table. We welcomed him to sit and began chatting. He was up from Florida and was so happy to see the RFC presence at the track. As we continued our conversation and then prayed together, the man shared he’d been a bit concerned about missing his AA meeting that day back home and said he was blessed to have eaten, fellowshipped, and prayed with us. He felt he hadn’t missed his “meeting” after all! God is awesome and always places us where we need to be when needed most. It’s always such a humbling experience serving Him.
Chaplains Rich and Terri Trimmer
In addition to our many and varied responsibilities at the racetrack, RFC chaplains make sure the people we serve in motorsports know that we’re available for them away from the track, too.
Asked to officiate a memorial service of a local racer, we met with his family at a restaurant in Knoxville, TN, to discuss the details of their dad’s service. How privileged we were to spend this sweet time with the family praying, crying, and laughing as we reminisced over D’s life and the impact he had on others.
RFCers aren’t only racing and car-show pastors; we’re God’s servants, doing life with the people we love and serve.
Serving My Racing “Ohana”
Chaplain Frank Castagnetti
From the staging lanes to the driver’s seat, RFC chaplains have a privileged and unique opportunity to spread the Good News. We have access to drivers, their ohana (Hawaiian for ‘family’), fans, spectators, and sponsors, and we can tend to the many needs at an event. Through our interactions, we can share the Gospel and demonstrate love to those with similar passions. Undoubtedly, we can take away as much encouragement and love as we give.
The Gospel is simple and powerful, and we are blessed to show up and let God guide us in loving people as we “get to” visit with others, clean restrooms, grab a tool and dive in to help the bottom-end guy or gal, pray in the staging lanes, assist after a crash, or check in at the hospital. Having a racetrack as my church and ministry is the perfect intersection of two great commissions – loving God and loving those who race.
As you probably know, Maui experienced devastating wildfires last fall. Centrally located, the track in Lahaina shut down for several months to provide a staging and logistics base for authorities and aid agencies. Several racers lost their racing operations and homes. The entire racing community across the island stood in solidarity, offering prayers and support, and contributing time, money, supplies, and manpower. During my visit to Maui a few days after the fire, I witnessed first-hand the quick and efficient response from the local community. It was evident the Lord was present and ministering to Maui’s residents.
Mahalo to God and RFC for the opportunities I have as a chaplain!
Hawaii resident Chaplain Frank Castagnetti
Heeding the Call
How are you fueling faith with RFC?
Prayer is vital to our efforts. All our funding comes from supporters’ donations. And if you’re looking to mix your love for Christ with your passion for racing/rodding, we’re always looking for new volunteers to serve as chaplains and ministry assistants!