Impacting a Community

by Rachel DeLago, RFC Board Member

(PHOTO – Rachel, Husband Tommy & kids Jack and Kenley)

For a little over 200 days out of the year, NHRA crew members travel across the country to perform some of the most crucial jobs that make their teams successful. When you include the travels of the drivers and support staff, you have teams who sacrifice time at home to do what they love. Spending so much time on the road creates a bond, not only with those on their own team, but with other teams as well, creating a community of fraternal members, who understand the challenges they each face. Just as in any community, the presence of God is needed. Filling this “God-sized” void is where Racers For Christ® steps in. I was fortunate enough to travel with the circuit in some form for almost 20 years and can attest to both the tight-knit community of the NHRA as well as the powerful things God has done through RFC and its chaplains. There are the easily visible things:

Chapel Service – RFC chaplains provide two different services to allow options for those whose Sundays are jammed pack with race preparation and bring worship to those who can’t leave the track. Thousands of crew members, drivers, track workers, NHRA officials, and fans have been touched by the messages of the chaplains all-across the country.

Support during life altering events – There’s no doubt that what drag racers do is dangerous, which presents some scary situations in which prayer is crucial.

Prayer support for drivers – As I mentioned previously, there’s great risk involved in driving machines at top speed. Some drivers find comfort in a prayer with a chaplain minutes before heading down the track.

But what may go unnoticed are the “behind-the-scenes” things that might not be as evident if you’re not looking closely enough. God’s light can be seen shining just as brightly through the relationships built between RFC and this racing community. He uses those things I listed above to show the community He is there with them, while using each individual member of RFC, He extends Himself to reach those who may not know Him. Through a smile, a hello, and even a joke or two, I’ve witnessed RFC members break down walls of those who are afraid that they aren’t worthy enough for God’s love. They build relationships of trust which in turn allows the door to open to ask the questions about who God is or provide a source of prayer for their troubles when they would normally turn to a lesser, more worldly solution.

RFC is bringing that light to the track, going to where they are and where it is so needed. While the thought of creating a church in the drag racing community may seem unconventional, it’s perfect if you think about it. God is everywhere. He doesn’t limit his reach to only traditional communities, but everywhere He is needed. And that requirement has no boundaries.