Track chaplain Mike Jackson thinks that if Jesus were in Alabama on race weekend, then He would be right there at Talladega Superspeedway among the people.
And that’s exactly why state Baptists have engaged race fans in Alabama Raceway Ministries (ARM) for 25 years, a milestone celebrated at Eastaboga Baptist Church in Coosa River Baptist Association Oct. 4.
“Ministry at the track wasn’t popular 25 years ago,” Jacky Morgan, pastor of Coldwater Baptist Church, Oxford, in Calhoun Baptist Association, told the 80 or so present at the celebration dinner. “There was uncertainty and fear — how were we going to make this happen?”
Then, he said a precious couple came on the scene with a passion for race fans — Frank and Betty Stark of Missouri, who decided the speedway needed a Christian presence.
“I don’t know much about fish, but I know you go where the fish are,” Frank Stark said. “And fishing season is open.”
When raceway ministry began 25 years ago, it was a meeting around a bonfire. Now ARM encompasses large tent-based ministries in the infield and at seven campsites, all of which hold worship services on Sunday morning in addition to various outreach efforts during the week prior to the races.
On race weekend in April, more than 200 volunteers gave out more than 5,000 bottles of water, distributed 55,000 evangelistic tracts and saw 450 attend worship services.
“We congratulate you … and thank you for your help,” said Patrick Barfield, director of administration for Talladega Superspeedway. “We look forward to 25 more years, and we will do our best to help you as you work here.”
Chet Roden, pastor of Southside Baptist Church, Talladega, in Coosa River Association, said it’s a natural place to do ministry.
“Twice a year, 200,000 people come to our town, so we make it a priority to get out here,” he said.
And local churches like Roden’s have a statewide effort backing them with volunteers coming from all over, said Richard Alford, ARM director.
“ARM definitely has room to grow and expand,” Alford said, noting that he hopes eventually ARM will have a presence at every local track in the state in addition to Talladega Superspeedway.
Also in the coming years, Alford said he hopes ARM can expand to have ministry sites not just at campgrounds owned by the speedway but also at the privately owned campgrounds in the area.
“We have a multitude of opportunities still available to us for ministry,” Alford said.
Jackson, ARM chaplains coordinator, said he hopes the chaplaincy program will continue to expand as well.
“The chaplaincy program got started several years ago when two race fans died and the track needed someone to help from a spiritual standpoint,” said Jackson, who also serves as director of the office of discipleship and family ministries for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
He said his dream now is to see chaplains scattered throughout the grandstands on race days, ready to respond to needs immediately as they arise. Chaplaincy training is available for anyone interested in that type of raceway ministry, Jackson added.
“We’re going to see this thing grow and be the best raceway ministry in our nation,” he said. “And as it evolves, we want to plug you in.”
For more information about ARM, contact Alford at 334-324-6392 or ralford@elmore.rr.com.
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