IRL Ministry Golf Tournament - May 13th

The IRL Ministry will have a golf tournament that will be played at the Brickyard Crossing on Thursday, May 13th, 2010. The participant’s breakfast will begin at 7:30 AM at the Brickyard Resort in the room adjacent to the Brickyard Golf Shop. Registration will also open at 7:30 AM. Tee off will be at 9:00 AM. The traditional awards reception will immediately follow the day of golf. See www.irlministry.com for cost and payment due date!

USF2000 to race in Laguna Seca

USF2000 will be in Laguna Seca as a support race to the ALMS series the weekend of MAy 22-23. For more info see article link: http://usf2000.com/news/2010/series/USF2000LagunaAdvance.pdf
There is alos on open test that I will be attending at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis on May 5-6. This test is in preparation for the USF2000 race there the night before the Indy 500.

Continue to pray that God's work will contionue to be done in the Indy Car, Indy Lights, and USF2000 series!!

Reach up.........

What a great weekend.... God was present. God was near.....

With the second race (and first official weekend) complete for the USF2000 series this morning, I had a thought as I was praying with the drivers today..... As I approached one of the cars, the driver, who was strapped in the cockpit, reached his hand up when he saw me getting closer. That struck me.... How often do we reach up to God? Do we reach up when we are in need or when we are in trouble? Do we reach up to God when we are afraid or anxious?

James 4:8 tells us to "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." Are you waiting on God? God is waiting on you.... He wants you to come to Him. He wants to draw near to you. He wants a closer relationship with you. Draw near to God........ Reach up......

Thanks for prayin'........

Do you really pray with every driver?

That was the question I was asked when the USF2000 cars were on their pace lap.... I replied, "yes, every one" They said, "I have never seen that before!" Every one...... everyone. What if we were able to pray with everyone we came in contact with? What if we even thought that way? Something to think about...

The day went absolutely fabulous. The first USF2000 race and the first USF2000 Chapel both went very well. There were many moments where I saw the hand of God working. I met a lady and her husband that work for Cooper tires (the USF2000 tire supplier). They are Christians and she "happens" to sing. She also "happened" to have her guitar with her in the truck (she told me she did not know why she put it in her truck). I asked her if she wanted to sing at our chapel service. She wanted to know what songs I was thinking about. Well, I had already printed out the words to "Jesus Messiah" for an opening song. She "happened" to have just worked that one up! God is good, really good. She sang two songs for our chapel service. It was awesome, but so is God.....

The Lord provided safety for every one involved with the races. They were run very professionally. The series is off to a great start!

I had many people in the Indy Car Paddock area congratulate and encourage me today. Many people told me they were praying for me and the IRL Ministry. Thank you all your support. We appreciate your prayers more than you will ever know! Keep praying! Because after today, I know God is listening......

Making Your Hope a Reality

Below is an exerpt from my message in today's USF2000 chapel service. Read down the list. Are you missing any if these in your Christian walk?

How can we make our hope a reality?

1. Have faith in Christ and His resurrection.
1 Peter 1:3 - In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

2. Trust God in His plan for your life.
Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. Put confidence in the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Let God..........

Thanks for all your prayerful support! It was a great day of introductions and getting to know some of the owners, drivers, and crew members from the teams. I feel most of the time we worry WAY TOO MUCH about things that God has under control. That anxiousness and worry does not accomplish anything other than draining us mentally. Let God take control. Follow, don't lead. Wait on Him. Trust. Thank. Let. God.............

In St. Pete!!!

Made it safely to St. Pete this evening! I will be at the track tomorrow meeting with the USF2000 teams! Through some of shop visits, I have met a few of the teams and team owners already. Pray as I introduce the myself and the IRL Ministry to some of the teams for the first time.

I heard a verse this morning that I really liked. I wrote it on my hand so I would not forget it. Then I wrote it on a post it note and stuck it in my pocket. I was going to look it up today at work. It got busy at work and I forgot about it. Until I emptied my pockets tonight in the hotel room. There was the note with "Ps 18:39" scratched on it. I am not sure why God gave me this verse, this day and kept it with me..... but it says:

39For You have girded me with strength for battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

As Christians we enter a battle field every day. Most times the enemy cannot be seen. Praise God, that He is on our side! Another version says that He "armed me". With God adding to our "arsenal", we cannot loose!!

IRL Ministry on "Faith and the Law" broadcast 3/17 at noon on Indianapolis WHMB TV Channel 40

The broadcast of my interview on "Faith and the Law" is this week. It is on the Indianapolis Comcast channel 9 and "air" broadcast on Channel 40. We were able to get some good visibility on the IRL Ministry and the USF2000 & Indy Car series! Check it out!

http://faithandthelaw.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/filmed-four-more-faith-and-the-law-shows-on-monday/

Doc will be missed....

I was honored to officiate at Doc Kerr's funeral yesterday, 3/13. In your memories of Doc, there will be tears. There will be sorrow. There will be pain. Replace the pain with memories. Replace the sorrow with laughter. Replace the tears with hope.

Kerr, E. Hoyt Jr.
March 11, 2010
E. Hoyt "Doc" Kerr, Jr. 93, of Speedway, passed away at Westview Hospital in Indianapolis. He graduated from Miliken University in Decatur, Illinois and continues to be an avid supporter. He then graduated from McCormick Seminary and was later awarded a Doctorate of Divinity. Doc was a member of the HemelgarnJohnson Race Team. He was a crew member of the 1996 winning team of Buddy Lazier. Two years ago, on his 91st birthday, Doc became the oldest person to drive a race car around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, completing two laps! Doc was a Presbyterian minister and a real estate broker. He was a member of the Indianapolis Museum. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances "North" Kerr. Survivors include his son, David (Teresa) Kerr of Louisville, TN; three daughters, Judy (Kenneth) Breit of Hartland, MI, Patricia Winston of Los Angeles, CA, and Kathy (Scott) Cole of Troy, MI; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 13 at Conkle Funeral Home, Speedway Chapel. Calling will be at the funeral home from 5-8 p.m., Friday, March 12. In lieu of flowers, send memorials to the American Cancer Society, 5635 96th Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46248 or IRL Ministries, P.O. Box 24297, Speedway, IN 46224. Online condolences may be shared at conklefuneralhome.com

What if....

While it was very unfortunate that Vision Racing closed its doors a few weeks ago, most of the guys in the Bible study have found new positions with other teams. Since that time, I have had multiple conversations with these guys to possibly start new studies at some of these different shops! Please pray that God will work the logistics of these studies and these shops!

What if.... we trust God and let Him work....

Another Shop Visit 3/8

I will be traveling to Minnesota Monday for another shop visit. Pray that my message and the ministry will be well received.! Also pray for safe travels! Thanks!

That "Prayer Thing" Really Works....

I was talking with one of the guys from Vision Racing that recently lost his job. He was really worried about finding a job, etc. in this tough racing economy. I told him I would be praying specifically for him and his job search. He called me a few days ago and said, "that prayer thing really works, doesn't it". I agreed! He went on to tell me about his new position with another IRL team. With the new job, he will not have to travel (a big deal in the racing community). I told him that we are always to trust God's plan....

Pray specifically. Pray expectantly. Prayer works. Give it a try! God is waiting to hear from you....

Faith and The Law, WHMB TV, Channel 40

I will be attending a taping of Faith and The Law on Monday, 2/22/10, which airs on Wednesdays at 12 noon EST on WHMB TV, Channel 40 to represent the IRL Ministry. This will be a great opportunity to share about the ministry and to share Christ using this platform. Pray for me that I would continue to be an effective witness for Christ!

I will post the day and time the show will be airing! Stay tuned!

Shop Visits on Monday

I will be making a couple USF2000 shop visits on Monday. This will be a good opportunity to get to meet and talk to the team owners and crew guys face to face. This will also give me an opportunity to introduce them to the IRL Ministry and what they can expect from us at the track.

Pray that the minstry is well recieved and the Holy Spirit leads and guides me. Blessings!

Vision Racing Suspending Operations

Please pray for the owner and employees of Vision Racing as it was announced this week that they were suspending operations. Pray that they will find employment quickly. We are currently thinking of ways that we can keep the Bible Study going that we had been holding in that shop.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100129/SPORTS0107/1290369

New Year - New Series - New Oppotunites!

Happy New Year! I had a great Christmas celebrating Christ's birth with family and friends!

God has great things in store for 2010! The Indy Racing League announced before the end of the year that they will be the sanctioning body for a new series called the USF2000!http://www.indycar.com/news/index.php?story_id=15545

This series will be a feeder series that is part of the "Road to Indy" . It will give younger drivers a path through the Mazda series and Indy Lights to one day complete in the Indy Car series.

I am also excited to announce that I will be the Chaplain for the USF2000 series! I will be traveling to all of their events to provide a ministry presence from the IRL Ministry. There will be Chapel services, prayer support, and critical incident support at all of the venues.

Please pray for me as I prepare for this new challenge! Thanks for all your support! See link below for the USF2000 website.


http://www.usf2000.com/

Jesus Pizza

There were layoffs at Vision Racing over the past couple weeks. This affected many people in the organization including a few guys in our weekly Bible study. I received a call from one of the guys at the shop and he told me that the remaining guys in the study really wanted to keep it going although the numbers may be down a bit. I agreed that even if one person shows up we will keep it going!!!

When I asked if we should formally "re-invite" everyone else in the shop, he told me they know the day, time, and location in the shop where we have the study. They call it "Jesus Pizza"!!! So they refer to us guys in the conference room has having pizza with Jesus!! That is sooo awesome! Take a stand for Christ!

Homestead Pics!

Below are a few pics from the Homestead race! Thanks for all your prayerful support!

Miami Homestead Update!!!

The last race of the season always brings a wave of different emotions for everyone. Some are worried about a championship, some are worried about finishing the race, some are worried about their jobs in the off season, and some are even worried about getting paid at all. This weekend there were many conversations that ran the gamut. I had a father asking for prayer for his son that needed brain surgery, a crew member worried about his mother's immanent death, a crew chief wanting prayer for his decisions, a team wanting a sponsor to keep the doors open, and God being praised for His protection and blessings.

Most Indy Lights drivers were receptive to prayer before yesterday's race. Some of the Indy Car teams I prayed with today expressed their sincere appreciation that we pray with them before their races. Some still walked away. The food this weekend was donated to the Miami Community Outreach - stay tuned for year end totals!

I saw the IRL photographer for the first time since I took him to the airport in Richmond, Va. when his mother was taken to a hospital in Indiana. He immediately stood up and gave me a huge hug. He was able to spend a few hours with his mother before she passed. He was extremely grateful for the coordination efforts and prayerful support he received from the IRL Ministry that weekend. We sometimes don't always see how God works in all situations. Today, I saw firsthand how God worked in this man's life that day.

Thanks for all your prayers and support! Keep checking the blog for year end pics and food totals! God bless you all!

Homestead This Weekend!

Heading to Florida this Thursday for the last race of the year! We have an Indy Lights Chapel on Friday and two Chapel services and a mass on Saturday!

Pray that when people see us that they will see Christ in us! Thanks for your prayers and support!