|
|
History
of Pennsylvania Racing Outreach
Y2K was all the rage as the people of the twentieth
century looked forward to the advent of a new millennium and everyone was
concerned in some degree as to “what will happen?” if the bug bites.
The internet was attracting new users by the millions and the
“dot.com” companies were flourishing and flush with money.
The last thing anyone thought of was starting a new ministry.
Will Fields was at the right place at the right time
to make a connection that has lead to the formation of Pennsylvania Racing
Outreach. In January , 2000 after a
church committee meeting, the possibility of a future ministry at the Pocono
International Raceway was discussed with the pastor. The pastor pulled out a letter from Rev. Jim McBride to the
North East Pennsylvania Baptist Association concerning interest and starting a
racing ministry at Pocono. He gave
the letter to Will to use as deemed beneficial.
Direct contact was made with Jim McBride who at the
time was President of the National Fellowship of Raceway Ministries.
Several other people who had tried to do ministry at Pocono were
contacted, including Rev. Frank Stark of Stafford, MO, who had served as a
chaplain to the ARCO racing circuit.
Rev. McBride brought five people from his ministry at
Dover Downs in Dover, Delaware to Hazleton, PA on March 11, 2000 for an initial
Question and Answer time with subsequent orientation of what to expect in a new
ministry.
Contact with Dennis McGowan and MRO was made and a
luncheon in Charlotte, NC was most helpful.
The Racing Fan Outreach mobile unit was scheduled to be at the June race.
What an awesome sight it was the first time it was
unfolded and setup. Even though there was a cold rain and the race postponed
until Monday, the rig was committed to come back for the July race. It rained
again in July on Friday but dried for the Saturday night concert with Tamara
Comstock and for the race on Sunday.
The first year effort resulted in six professions of
faith in Jesus Christ being recorded. The
staff, truck support team, the musicians, and local volunteers ministered
individually to a number of race fans by sharing personal life changing
testimonies, listening to hurting hearts, and offering up prayers to our Lord
for those personal needs.
A meeting to formally organize into the Pennsylvania
Racing Outreach was held on November 11, 2000 in Berwick, PA, with six
individuals committing themselves to the success of this ministry.
Will Fields was elected the first President.
One of the first acts of the new ministry was to request to be part of
the National Fellowship of Raceway Ministries and Motor Racing Outreach / Racing
Fans Outreach.
In January, 2001, Will and Caroline Fields,
representing PRO went to the annual meeting of the National Fellowship of
Raceway Ministries held at the Texas Motor Speedway near Fort Worth, TX.
PRO is now a part of the NFRM. Many
ideas and ministry tools were discussed and it was also a very inspirational
time for all the participants.
Will met with the management of MRO and asked for
exclusive endorsement to represent them at all racing venues in Pennsylvania.
A copy of that agreement is included in this manual.
The two events in 2001 were exciting.
The PRO leadership met every challenge hurled at them.
The June race was marked with rain, lots of it.
A large tent was provided by the Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania /
South Jersey, in Harrisburg, PA, to meet under.
A special stage measuring 16'x24' was constructed for all performances.
The Children’s program was launched with games and activities.
The puppet team from Christ Lutheran Church, Conyngham, PA, performed on
Saturday. For the concerts, a
gospel music group, March Forth from Mechanicsburg, PA sang both
evenings. A team of summer music ministry interns from Campus Crusade
for Christ, called Laredo, also entertained the race fans.
The Sunday Chapel service was conducted by a group called oneWordoneWay
from Saylorsburg, PA. Five
professions of faith in Jesus Christ were recorded by the Evangelism Team.
In July, another tent was used and oneWord
performed. PRO had its first
celebrity visitor. MRO arranged for
Jimmy Spencer to come speak to the fans. Over
two hundred fans came to hear him share his testimony about his new relationship
with God. Much of the program was
refined and went smoother. Again
five professions of faith were recorded. The
food program under the direction of Caroline Fields worked well and plenty of
food was available for everyone.
In November the annual meeting was held at Eagle Rock Resort, in Hazleton, PA to reflect on the year, elect officers and start planning for 2002.
The National Fellowship of Raceway Ministries had its
annual meeting at the Bristol Motor Speedway January 17-19,2002.
PRO was represented by four members.