Sparta—Kentucky Raceway Ministries makes it a point every year to minister to NASCAR fans at Kentucky Speedway. They have a great opportunity to make contacts and change lives during a weekend of NASCAR racing, and this year they believe they saw their best so far.

“We distributed about 4,000 Bibles and 30,000 driver cards, which include God’s plan of salvation printed on each card,” said J.T. Marsh, executive director for Kentucky Raceway Ministries. “We did more ministry and made more contacts than I believe we ever have.”

Ministry volunteers were asked to follow up with at least three people with whom they had connected. During the NASCAR events, which began mid-week with practice and qualifying and ended Saturday night with the Sprint Cup race, KRM participated in an autograph session, face-painting and games for kids.

They also provided water and food for Speedway employees and vendors, helped repair, rebuild and reconstruct tents on the campground sites that had been damaged in a storm, and attended to other needs of Speedway employees and NASCAR fans.

“This year, we made an emphasis to make good contacts with people,” added Marsh. “We didn’t just want to hand them a Bible and send them on their way. We wanted to follow up and connect on a personal level.”

After the Sprint Cup series race on Saturday night, KRM hosted a “Checkered Flag Pancake” breakfast as a closing event. It was one last chance to make connections and evangelize before the end of the NASCAR festivities.

“We had about 100 people show up,” continued Marsh. “It was a very good event.”

Three Kentucky Baptist associations assisted KRM during the racing weekend. Representatives from the Owen, Ten Mile and Whites Run associations served the needs of fans and Speedway employees.

“We would give out small gift bags that included driver cards and Bibles to many Speedway employees, fans and even a couple of drivers who participated in the autograph sessions in the Kids Zone,” said Marsh.

KRM hopes years to come will bring as much, if not more, fruit and connections among the people whom they encounter. “The Lord absolutely was at work,” Marsh said. (WR)