HENRICO, Va.—Twice a year a 1,000-acre plot of land in Henrico County, Va., becomes the fifth largest city in Virginia as approximately 200,000 race fans descend on the Richmond International Raceway for three days of NASCAR racing.
For the 12th year the Central Virginia Raceway Ministries, a shared ministry of the Richmond, Dover and Middle District Baptist associations, becomes the “church for the city,” says Steve Allsbrook, director of missions for Dover Baptist Association.
CVRM partners with the guest services branch of the Richmond International Raceway to provide volunteers to serve as ambassadors of goodwill for race attendees, offering practical information about the complex and its services and, most importantly, being a witness of Christ’s love.
Jim and Sally Wright, Virginia Baptist disaster relief volunteers and members of Mechanicsville (Va.) Baptist Church, bake cookies for Central Virginia Raceway Ministries.
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The ministry got its start through a partnership with Motor Racing Outreach, based in Charlotte, N.C., says Billy Davis, volunteer coordinator for CVRM. For the first three years ministries were provided for race car drivers, their families and crew members inside the track. Sunday services were held and churches sent volunteers to assist with child care. The track allowed Davis to serve as chaplain at its care center.
In 2005 the door to a full-fledged ministry opened, he reports, when the International Speedway Corporation, a leading promoter of motorsports activities in the U.S., became involved at the track and RIR guest services contacted him. “God made the way straight,” shares Davis. “He placed strategic people connected with strategic places at RIR to enable us to become more involved in ministry.”
An estimated 60,000 or more fans passed by the Central Virginia Raceway Ministries tent during last month’s race weekend. Volunteers answer questions, offer rides and give directions to attendees. They also offer a cold cup of water with homemade cookies and an opportunity for fans to rest while sitting under the tent and enjoying Christian musicians or an inspiring video. A Family Fun Carnival takes place on Saturday with games and entertainment for children.
The Virginia Baptist disaster relief unit is on hand to provide meals for volunteers. And while thousands of homemade cookies are donated by churches in the three associations, the aroma of cookies baking in the disaster relief unit brings many visitors to the tent.
A motor home owned by Stu and Eleanor Dodson becomes the chapel for CVRM on race weekends.
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Hospitality packs with information on the Richmond area and a variety of Christian tracts are distributed. “We see this as a witness that will speak to the heart of the gospel and invite participants to ask Jesus to come into their lives,” says Davis.
Located beside CVRM’s tent is a large motor home that serves as its chapel, providing a quiet place for trained chaplains to talk with people and offer crisis counseling on personal and life issues. It’s also home that weekend for Stu and Eleanor Dodson, members of First Baptist Church in Richmond, who have been involved from the outset of the tent ministry.
Stu Dodson says they purchased the motor home in retirement for mission trips and travel. At the suggestion a Sunday school teacher, the couple dedicated the motor home to the Lord and named it “Ebenezer,” referencing the memorial set up to commemorate God’s assistance in 1 Samuel 7.
The Dodsons are trained Virginia Baptist disaster relief volunteers and tell that Ebenezer has carried them to Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and West Virginia in response to diasters.
“It enables us to stay for a longer period of time if needed,” explains Eleanor.
They’ve traveled in their motor home to the Mathew House, a refugee shelter in Canada, for eight years in a row.
“We’ve always been mission-minded,” admits Stu. And while answering God’s call to mission has taken them to China, Honduras and Italy, they are committed to the raceway ministry. “We don’t know very much about racing,” adds Eleanor. “It’s the ministry that calls us here.”
“We see ourselves as the presence of Christ in a large complex,” says Todd Combee, pastor of New Bethesda Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, Va., and team leader for CVRM. Two chaplains are on duty throughout the weekend and if a serious incident occurs, they also assist emergency medical personnel deal with crises at the first aid/care center locations.
“The track invited us to expand our presence to three guest services sites this year,” reports Combee. CVRM was also able to place campers in three of the campgrounds surrounding the track for the weekend, allowing volunteers the opportunity to build relationships with many who come as early as Thursday.
Each spring and fall when NASCAR races turn the Richmond International Raceway into a city for the weekend, the track seeks to provide all of the facilities that a city needs. Central Virginia Raceway Ministries has become the church for the city.
“We want to show race fans that not only have we brought something sweet and good to share with them, but that we serve a sweet and wonderful Savior that we would like to share with them, too,” says Davis. Whether it’s a friendly smile or cookies or a helping hand, it’s a witness to the love of Christ.
Barbara Francis ([email protected]) is a staff writer for the Religious Herald.