Meet Rudy Davis
May 14, 2012 | 
Author 
Rudy is one of the chaplains here at BRM. During race weekend you will find Rudy standing at the gate handing out literature & Bibles, ministering to race fans that stop to chat at the BMN tent or sometimes speaking at The Chapel on Wheels that is provided for race fans staying at campsites.
During my discussion with Rudy, he shared his testimony. By his own admission, he was an alcoholic for 30+ years & spent time in jail. When his brother committed suicide, Rudy stopped drinking. That was his wake-up call. He knew he needed to make changes in his life. And change he did! Rudy invited Christ into his life in April of 1990 and he has committed himself to minster to others ever since then.
Rudy speaks highly of BRM and is excited to be a part of the team. In his words, BRM is a “Christ-centered ministry”. He greatly enjoys the opportunity that BRM gives him to reach others for Christ. He believes that Christ changed and saved his life and is anxious to share this with others.
Rudy is just one of the many volunteers that man BRM. I hope to chat with more volunteers and share their stories also.
Written by
Amy D. Blankenship
Dear Raceway Ministries Prayer Partners:
Dear Raceway Ministries Prayer Partners:
As we continue to move through the year, be sure to lift one another up to the Lord in prayer as we all engage in the task of sharing Christ in the motor sports world. This week, pray for all the weekly speedway chaplains and series chaplains as they continue to serve faithfully each week. And, pray for Raceway Ministries at the Darlington venue as they share Christ during the NASCAR weekend.
In addition, here are some prayer requests that have been passed along to us:
• From Alabama: Pray for Jenny Ellison, who may have experienced a ruptured disk in her lower back.
• From Georgia: Pray for the family of Larry Fleeman, major supporter of racing in North Georgia, whose son and grand-daughter raced at local raceways throughout the southeastern United States for years.
• From Texas: Pray for the family of Gene Alderson, who passed away last weekend; he was a Raceway Ministries team member who served at Texas Motor Speedway
• From Texas: Pray for Bruce Gant, Team TxARM member who fell and broke his hip
“You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more” (Psalm 10:17-18)
Together We’re Stronger in His Grace,
Dr. Roger Marsh
Executive Director
National Fellowship of Raceway Ministries
940.367.4940 (Cell)
817.255.6095 (Office)
www.racewayministries.com
Face Book = Roger Marsh
BRM Helps RAM
Raceway Ministries had a tremendous opportunity last weekend to serve during the Remote Area Medical (RAM) event at Bristol Motor Speedway. Volunteers and chaplains saw incredible needs among the masses of those who came for free dental, vision, hearing and medical care. Most “patients” had spent the night in their cars in the parking lot just to be able to get a ticket for their free healthcare. It really speaks to the importance of being Christ to the downtrodden, forgotten people. Wayne Estees is the Director of all Races and other events at BMS; his statement to Jay Lee (one of our chaplains) says it all: “RAM could not have happened without the work of Bristol Raceway Ministries (BRM) and furthermore, BRM performs a vital role at every race.”
Approximately 30 Raceway Ministries volunteers gave their time from 4AM Friday and Saturday to closing (approximately 9PM) and then again on Sunday from 4AM to closing at 3:30PM. The RAM assisted more than 2,500 individuals meaning our RM volunteers and chaplains made approximately 5,000 trips into and out of the track driving patients in RM golf carts.
The event was a lot of fun, too for those of us who participated. In my cart, we would sing (to the tune of “She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes”) that we’ll be coming round the racetrack when we come or we’ll be driving six white golf carts when we come… – ha! One man that I picked up had just gotten 15 teeth pulled at the dental station. He definitely needed a ride back to his car! There was a woman who was so happy as she exclaimed, “I’m finally going to get my hearing aid on May 16th!”
Second Harvest Food Bank was also at the event and set up tables with their mobile food pantry van outside the gates. People leaving the track area who had received their healthcare, were invited to take a free meal home at the end of their long day.
And many of our chaplains and RM volunteers were handing out gospel tracts and talking to people about Jesus. One chaplain driver asked every person she assisted with a ride if they knew Jesus. The people were very open and responsive to our witness. It was a true blessing and joy to represent Christ to the hurting and needy masses in our area.
Wanted to Thank You
I just want to thank you all for the service you give to others. While at the race yesterday I met two fine people associated with your ministry. I stopped by a booth and got some reading material and was blown away by the kindness of the young woman and man standing there. What a blessing! I picked up a book and started reading it during the race and have had a hard time putting it down since. Keep up the God work! Kristy Moody-Riddle
This message is from our Facebook Page
Raceway Ministries Prayer & Praise Report
Fishtales – March 22, 2012
Tom Elam began the meeting by asking for testimonies from chaplains and workers about their experiences during the March BMS race and campgrounds.
Nora shared that All American Campground had 44 volunteers working from Thursday to Sunday. They had 62 attend their Sunday morning worship service and 9 to 10 decisions were made for salvation…. Praise God!
Another campground, where vendors check in, reported giving away over 800 Bibles and they had 12 volunteers to help in that work.
From the Dale Earnhart Terrace, Janet found some out-of-town fans who had returned to the March race and they were hoping to see her again and asking for the latest materials and literature we had to give out. Some of the BMS workers also remembered her, like John, who came up and got copies of the special racing edition of “Our Daily Bread” and he was seen reading it throughout the race weekend on his breaks.
David Wilson reported that Raceway Ministries had 15 tents set up inside the track and 18 golf carts running outside and around the track. Over 6,000 Bibles were handed out during the March BMS race, along with 35K-37K race schedules, hundreds of Christian books, gospel tracts and Victory Weekend pamphlets.
The most important statistic for which we are grateful, is the number of people who made decisions for Christ during the race. In the Raceway training meeting back in February, it was reported that 71 decisions were made during the August 2011 BMS race and we were asked to pray that 75 would be saved during the March 2012 Race. Evangelist Steve Wingfield reported that over 100 people were saved during Victory Weekend. There were also 15 decisions made in written form on the prayer request sheets handed in during the race. And we know that 9 or 10 were saved at one campground (All American) on Sunday morning. The numbers are still coming in but we know that God spoke opened many doors and spoke to many hearts as they came into contact with Raceway Ministry chaplains and workers. We praise the Lord for faithful servants willing to be an instrument in God’s hands to the people He loves and cares about, but most of all we praise the Lord for His faithfulness to us and allowing us the privilege to see Him work in our midst as He draws the lost to His kingdom.
We rejoice with all the heavenly hosts over these that came to the knowledge and saving grace of our Lord Jesus!
Tom Elam brought approximately 50 prayer request sheets to the meeting and divided up the requests among those of us present. This is something that we as a ministry take very seriously and are dedicated to doing on behalf of those who have taken the time to write down a need or request on their heart. It was our privilege to lift up these people and their needs to the Father, out-loud and one by one. The prayer requests included those that came in through our website that Jim and Corey set up before the race so that we could take prayer requests online.
The meeting also involved some announcements and needs for upcoming Raceway Ministry events such as RAM on April 13-15th where golf cart drivers are needed. The 5K Walk, Run or Ride Fundraiser that will be on May 5th was mentioned as well and we were asked to be getting supporters lined up for us to participate in this event.
Posted in Prayer & Praise Reports, Race Track | 
Tags: Bristol Raceway Ministries, praise report | 
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Overview of Raceway Ministries Training – March 3, 2012
Host Facility: Virginia Avenue Baptist Church, Bristol, Tennessee
Who attended: 77 chaplains, volunteers (including some first-timers) and guest speakers.
Guest Speakers: Pastor Tiger Brooks, Evangelist Steve Wingfield, Dr. Charlie Davidson from Liberty University and Dr. Doug McCart – short track pastor.
Take Away Points from Speakers
Tiger Brooks: Raceway Ministries includes volunteers of many denominations of the faith but we are all one body, serving the One and Only Most High God. Jesus chose 12 disciples who were very different from one another – a zealot Jew and a Roman tax collector, but they were all following the same Lord and came together beyond their differences to learn from His teaching and serve as His body together.
Steve Wingfield: If we sow and don’t reap, somebody is going to reap after us. So be faithful to sow. If we reap, having not sown, thank God for those who have sown before us and be humble. An effective witness is someone who takes the initiative to present the claims of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaves the results to God. Have a strategy/methodology where you can present the gospel in about 3 minutes. We are ambassadors of Christ. If the president of the United States called you and asked you to represent America by being the U.S. ambassador to Europe, this would be a tremendous honor and privilege. We have all received the call from someone far higher than the president and we must be fully prepared to represent Christ because He has asked us to be His ambassadors to the world.
Dr. Charlie Davidson: The Strategic Plan for Raceway Ministries was outlined as a living, breathing document that will enable us to hit the target. The plan includes 7 phases: 1) Why do we exist; 2) Mission statement, vision and values; 3) Assess Bristol Raceway Ministries; 4) Agree on priorities; 5) Goals and objectives; 6) Implement the plan; and 7) Evaluate. We exist because there is an opportunity and need for customer service at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Our mission statement is “Exceeding Expectations”.
Our new vision statement is: To bring honor and glory to God impacting lives through positive change.
Our values are to reflect and serve without discrimination; to love all with the love of Jesus Christ; to be excellent in all we do and that we be church-based. In Phase 3 where we assess Bristol Raceway Ministries, this includes care for our Bristol Raceway Ministries team; qualifications and requirements for chaplains and volunteers; training for our Bristol Raceway Ministries team; what ministries do we provide to Bristol Motor Speedway; administrative concerns; governance of Bristol Raceway Ministries; and office space/equipment and storage concerns. Phase 4 covers our agreeing on priorities which include customer service; showing the love of God through prayer-walking (in the campgrounds, concourse and carts); pre and post prayer time; evangelism; and Bible and track distribution. Dr. Davidson shared that nothing of eternal significance will ever happen apart from prayer. Also in Phase 4, it is agreed that training will be offered in the areas of worship, counseling and ministry of presence. Phase 5 outlines the training required for all chaplains and volunteers. It will be suggested that all chaplains participate in 3 training sessions offered each year, 2 of which will be required. It is suggested that all volunteers participate in 3 training sessions per year, 1 of which will be required. All new volunteers must take the in-house/overview training.
The objectives for Raceway Ministries are to advertise the training through writing, email, phone, website, Facebook, etc. in an effort to notify all chaplains and volunteers when the training is taking place. Another goal is to develop new and better training that will help us do our mission, perhaps including taping of the training and posting that on our website.
The objectives and goals for campgrounds are to be intentional in the following areas: a) unify and build up existing campgrounds; b) conduct at least 10 visits inside each campground; c) that there be 5 decisions for salvation from each campground; that we pray and fast before and during the race events; that we develop a team to go to churches; and that we recruit and train – training, training, training! These goals and objectives carry over to the golf cart and other ministries where we seek to provide outstanding care to those we serve.
Phase 6 describes what services we are providing and addresses the financial side of the strategic plan to include budgets and a one-year operating plan. Phase 7 is where we monitor and evaluate all the above. A “hot-wash” will take place within 24 to 48 hours of each event. Written reports will be emailed to all Bristol Raceway Ministry chaplains and volunteers after each event as to how we measured up. The Strategic Plan will be evaluated 3 times per year.
Dr. Doug McCart: The message from Dr. McCart was about how Jesus had compassion on the masses and saw them as sheep having no shepherd. Dr. McCart reminded us how you don’t know who you’re talking to when you share the gospel. You just preach Jesus because people need the Lord. Loved how Dr. McCart did the double-stomp with is feet as he preached! His parting words were “sick em’, sick em’ sick em’” .
The afternoon portion of our training on March 3rd was used to review each segment of Raceway Ministries and leaders of these areas spoke and shared testimonies of the work, requirements, training, needs and ministry objectives for each. Specific requests from those leaders are from:
Jay Lee and Bobby Branch: Training and safety emphasized regarding the Golf Cart Ministry – take the training.
Steve Wingfiled: Pray for Victory Weekend
Jim Leinbach: Go to Facebook and “Like” us at Raceway Ministries. Looking for writers to submit articles during the race.
Dale Vaughn: Needs updates on campground information for website.
David Wilson: All volunteers meet at Gate 14 on Saturday, March 10 at 2pm for intense time of prayer and prayer-walking.
Gerry Witte/Earl Maddox: Ask your church to pray for tent volunteers and race fans. Summarize with your church, after the race, what went on and share testimonies along with number of decisions made, number of hours worked, number of tracks handed out, drinks served, etc.
Bob Cole: Please come out and support the other events happening now at Bristol Motor Speedway such as the Car Show on July 6th and 7th.
Goal of this March Race: 75 people saved through the campgrounds plus more through other services of Raceway Ministries.
PRN – PRAY RIGHT NOW!
Bristol Raceway Ministries
TRAINING MARCH 3, 8AM to 5PM
LOCATION: VA AVE BAPTIST CHURCH, 1401 Virginia Ave, Bristol, TN
(Nora Carrier will be our hostess for this training)
DATE: 3 MARCH 2012
COST: $15.00 per person; $25.00 per couple
EVENT: In-house training classes which will include:
Ministry inside the track
Hospital Ministry
Golf Cart Ministry
Ministry other than NASCAR
Special 1 hour Evangelism Training with Evangelist, Steve Wingfield
Bodacious Cookie discussion
And more…..
REGISTRATION must be completed by: Monday, 27 Feb. Payments will be accepted at the door. Or at www.bristolracewayministries.org
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST, 8AM START TIME: 8:30AM
Lunch will be provided which is included in your $15.00 registration fee
Race dates March 16 – 18.
Please plan to help us out. Thanks for all your help,
Call Tom Elam at (423) 383-9507 if any questions.
PRESS RELEASE – January 4, 2012
BMS Raceway Ministries Board of Directors member, Jim Leinbach, held a meeting with volunteers Corey Flowers, Dale Vaughn and Janet Chaney to form a Communications Committee to work and serve in all areas of media communications regarding BMS races, campground and ministry events prior to and during the races, continuous development of the Raceway Ministries website and blog, management of Twitter postings, promoting training opportunities for various aspects of service in and around the track, and processing prayer requests from the Raceway Ministries website and campgrounds.
The area of communications is not limited to the above, but rather the result of the first Communications Committee team meeting where ideas were discussed and priorities set for initial goals that will benefit Raceway Ministries; it’s staff, volunteers, churches, campground owners and race fans alike.
The communications and media management for BMS RM will present many challenges so we need YOUR help! The RMCC (Raceway Ministries Communications Committee) are looking for additional writers; volunteers (information gatherers or reporters) to canvas the campgrounds and ministries in and around the BMS track prior to and during Race weekends gathering information and stories from participants to feed back to the team for posting on Twitter, RM website , blog and for use in writing articles We need photographers to capture candid shots of the RM work being done in the name of Jesus in all areas of ministry. If you are interested in volunteering for any of these opportunities, please contact Jim Leinbach at jim@leinbachservices.com
The RMCC is looking forward to serving the Lord with gladness as we seek to enhance and expand all the opportunities for us to communicate what God is doing through Raceway Ministries at BMS!
My dear friends,
2012 will be a dynamite year for Raceway Ministries. We are privileged to bring the National Fellowship of Raceway Ministries team to Bristol Motor Speedway, February 4th 2012. Dr. Roger Marsh will be the leader of the training team. Here is why I and YOU need this training. Upon completion of this one day training experience the door will be open to be a Chaplain at any racetrack in North America and especially at the greatest track in NASCAR, Bristol Motor Speedway. Normally, you have to attend the National Fellowship Meeting a day early to take this training which costs $85.00 per person. We bring it to you for $50.00 with an extra $5.00 meal ticket. We are requesting that the payments be made up front – here is why – we set this up on a budget, someone says Yes I will be there and does not show up, the result of this causes our ministry to have to take money from other areas of the ministry to accomplish that payment. WE do not make money on training. The Bible instructs us to study to show ourselves approved. Where there is no training there is absolute failure. As your Executive Director, at age 75, I still need the training and YOU would be wise to make every effort to be prepared for such a time as this. Only God knows the future, our privilege is to be prepared. You show great wisdom and faithfulness when we together prepare to be called to represent Jesus in every aspect of our lives and church. If you have any questions about training, please call Tom (423) 383-9507. I have worked to be faithful in doing the ministry that I make available to you. For the great friendships I have in this ministry I give thanks to the Lord every day. Someday on Heaven’s Shore we will sit and give thanks for this great mission opportunity.
May the Lord Richly Bless you and your family
Sharing Jesus
Tom
“Effective Raceway Ministries Outreach”
by Dr. Roger Marsh
Executive Director, NFRM
roger@racewayministries.com
So, so many factors contribute to effectively reaching people with the good news of hope in Christ in the motor sports world. Prayer, empowerment by the Holy Spirit, building relationships, being able to share one’s own testimony of salvation–all of these are crucial. Based on my experiences and observations thus far in 2011, here are some additional tips that might encourage and help us all as we reach out to racers, fans and others with the gospel:
First, Learn from Them. Obviously, effective evangelism occurs as we gain some understanding of human nature and utilize all that we know about human behavior. And, when it comes to folks in the motor sports community, it is imperative that we learn all we can about who they are, how they think, what their current likes and dislikes might be, and to what approaches they will respond. For years, we all have been aware, for example, that literature stays in the hands of race fans if it is “racing” oriented–outlines based on race flags; testimonies of racing personalities; graphics and pictures that feature race cars, checkered flags, etc.; and use of racing terms and concepts. But, as we forge into the future, we need to continue to learn from racing people what is effective and what is not–styles of music; approaches to conversations; entertainment approaches and types of activities; ministry site setup; and apparel and appearance of ministry team members. To dig a little deeper into this point, we must ask ourselves, “Are we willing to adjust and make changes from what we previously have done to what we discover about current trends, response patterns and behavior of racers and fans? Learn from the motor sports folks and adjust your ministry approaches and methods to what you discover.
Second, Listen to Them. An old saying goes something like this–folks don’t care about your message unless they sense that you sincerely care for them. And, one of the best ways you can indicate that you sincerely care for them is to listen to them. And, that takes time, which is something that many of us are not willing to spend with people these days. We all know how race day or race week can go–there is much to do, deadlines to meet, places to be, schedules to follow, appointments to keep, etc. Rush, rush, rush. But, if we really want to gain a hearing in the presence of folks who need Christ, we need to take the time to listen to them. Hear their hearts; listen to their stories; comprehend their questions; tolerate their criticisms and disappointments with Christians and churches; show them that you are concerned about what is happening in their lives. Listen to them, and they might be more willing to listen to you.
Third, Love Them. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this–while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That means that Christ did not wait for us to get our act together before He was willing to express His unconditional love for us by dying for us on the cross. Nor should we expect for folks to be “loveable” before we express Christlike love for them. We all know that people can be very un-loveable. They can be downright obnoxious, and even repulsive. But, God loves them; Christ died for them; and we must love them, too. As we encounter motor sports folks at the racing venues of the world, we see some of them at their best and some at their worst. Usually they are very “real,” and much of the time they flaunt the worst aspects of their character. You take the time to listen to them per point two above, and suddenly you find yourself staring at them with your mouth wide open trying to not look shocked by what they are telling you. What do you do? You must love them!
Finally, Lead Them. Lead them to Christ. I have noticed in Raceway Ministries work that it is easy to fall short of leading people to Christ and still feel good about ministry effort. For example, we often are kind to folks at the speedway–giving them a ride on a golf cart; sharing a cup of coffee, a snack or even a meal with them; jumping a dead car battery; pulling someone’s stuck vehicle out of the mud; and other “good deeds” and acts of kindness–to the point that we feel that we have ministered adequately to them even if we never share Christ with them in any form or fashion. It’s even easy to move through an entire race event or race weekend staying busy with “good deeds” and acts of kindness without so much as handing to someone a printed piece that bears the gospel or mentioning God or Christ in any conversation or doing anything to share Christ with people. To do so, however, betrays the very reason we are there. Our calling and responsibility is to lead them to Christ. It might happen through “seed-sowing,” or “watering,” or “reaping a harvest.” It might be through handing out literature, through a conversation, or through a song or message in a concert or worship service. But, we must utilize all that we do in learning from them, listening to them and loving them with purpose–to lead them to Christ.
Effective Raceway Ministries Outreach” is, indeed, a multi-faceted task. Let’s lean totally upon the strength and power of the Lord and do all we can to be faithful stewards of this unique opportunity that is ours to share Christ with racers, race fans and others at the nation’s speedways!
In the Race by His Grace,
Roger Marsh
Posted in Adriano Medeiros, News and Notices
http://christiansinmotorsport.org/?p=189