Kentuckiana Motorsports Outreach

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Our Story

In 2002, I was invited to lead the Invocation for the races at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Track Manager, Jim Amstutz had asked me to lead the prayer and we discussed the possibility of me serving as the Track Chaplain. His instructions were clear…”You can do whatever you like at the track, just don’t try to convert me. God and I have an understanding.” I accepted the invitation, and the challenge, and began to investigate what motorsports ministry looked like. Later in the year, I attended a training session led by Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) for those interested in serving as Chaplains. MRO provides Chaplains and ministry to racing series such as NASCAR. In becoming an Associate Member, I had taken the next step into motorsports ministry. For the next 6 years, I continued to serve at the track, leading prayer in the pits with drivers and teams, holding Chapel services, leading the Invocation, and providing trauma support for those injured while racing. On occasion, Jim would stop and pray with us. He then started to “pop-in” on a Chapel service. Then a couple of years later, Jim was diagnosed with cancer. It was aggressive. We began to pray more together and he started asking me questions…spiritual, eternal questions. In September of 2005 while in the hospital, Jim and I prayed together and he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. The “understanding” had become much more. It became a relationship. One month later, Jim went home to be with the Lord. I had the honor of officiating his memorial service. As the procession left the funeral home, it proceeded to the speedway around the ½ mile track led by two Pace Cars and a long line of racecars as Jim took the checkered flag at the finish line. He had finished his race victoriously. Many believe that what I do at the track just fulfills my “need for speed” or love of racing. But it’s so much more than that. In the Gospels, we read about the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 when Jesus looked out upon the crowd and “had compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” As I look out at the crowds at the local tracks in our region, I see individuals who the church has forgotten about or never reached out to. It is my desire to reach out and show the compassion, love, mercy and message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this crowd. It is my mission field. It is why I founded Kentuckiana Motorsports Outreach. To point others to Jesus and develop outreach at tracks in our region in which it does not exist. To bridge the gap of the church and the racing family.

The philosophy of ministry, as a part of the Motor Racing Outreach Aspssociation, is one of a low key, relational style. It is an approach of being where the people are with consistency and availability. The Holy Spirit leads us into natural relationships in a non-aggressive way. It is a ministry centered on sensitivity to the needs of those to whom we are ministering.

The ministry of hanging out is very different than the current Bible College and seminary training. Relationships are established before a gospel presentation is given. Jesus modeled this with his ministry to the woman at the well (John 4). Paul, also modeling this philosophy in his ministry, often spent time building relationships and understanding existing culture before preaching (Acts 17). This style of ministry has been successful within the racing communities.

My desire is to introduce people to a personal faith in Christ and growth in Christ likeness. However, the hanging out style of ministry allows for those who aren’t yet receptive to be given time to develop a friendship that allows spiritual ministry to proceed at their pace. Building relationships is the most important part of ministering within KMO. We do not push our way into ministering to those who do not want it. We provide services of caring and availability in time of need. It is my prayer to further this ministry and outreach. In doing so, I’m asking for individuals and churches to prayerfully consider partnering with me on this mission. Would you and your church please pray for receptive hearts and minds of the leadership of the area tracks towards this ministry? Would you be willing to share with your church leadership about this ministry? #Godspeed – is the tagline of KMO. Godspeed is a term used when someone begins a new journey. It is my desire to point others to Jesus so that they may start a new journey in their lives, so that one day they may cross the finish line of life victoriously! Would you prayerfully consider becoming a part of their journey? Kentuckiana Motorsports Outreach serves at Salem, Kentucky, and Indianapolis Motor Speedways, and Paoli (IN) Fire and Rescue Station 14. Rob is a member and Chaplain with the Motor Racing Outreach Association and Chaplains Collective.