Established 1973

While God was dealing with Pastor Caldwell, Ed Quattlebaum, was also feeling the call. He’d heard in 1974 about resort ministries. The races brought tourist to Darlington…so that was a type of resort crowd. Pastor Ed Quattlebaum, Director of Missions at WNBA felt that surely other associations had experience with a ministry like this. But after writing to all the associations with speedways in their area, not a single church had stepped out to reach the thousands of people coming to their backyards. In 1976 one tent on the Hwy 52 side, was rented from the Darlington Rescue Squad, Twelve or so churches sent volunteers, all churches pitched in through giving to the association to buy drinks, paper products, and snacks…. we were moving forward. As a mission project of the Welsh Neck Baptist Association in 1975, the call went out to the two mission branches of the Baptist churches, the Women’s Mission Union and the Men’s Brotherhood. By 1978 WNBA had a float in the Southern 500 parade seeking to give a spiritual message before the masses of spectators. Members moved about the crowd purposely looking for opportunities to share their faith. A tabloid style paper was produced with a history of the track, biographical tidbits about the drivers and racing, tying the BIG RACE to our individual search for God and abundant life. The tent was staffed around the clock. “It’s the highest single event in our state and it’s unthinkable that the Baptist would not be there with the Good News of Christ” Pastor Ed Quattlebaum.

1980’s

The schedule of events went from one hour of gospel singing and sermon to two hours…. then the First Family Puppets and Clowns from FBC Darlington and Puppet Love came to appeal to the children (of all ages). In 1985 a Sunday morning worship service was added…Volunteers were available to talk with the visitors and pray with them when asked. The race moved from September to April then May, then in 2015, back to Labor Day weekend, the track added lights for night racing. Raceway Ministry adapted to meet the changes in seasons and days. In the early days, Baptist had led the charge to prevent racing on Sunday. Part of the relationship building had to begin with the track administration. Another evangelical effort was begun in 1987. Bring-A-Boy Race Rally was the suggestion of Tommy DeWitt, a layman who worked with boys, many without fathers in the home. A ticket to the race, the raceway museum, entertainment, and food was provided for one price. The price included enough to pay for printing and mailing the promotional materials. That year over 800 attended.

During Labor Day weekend in 1990 more than 1,400 attended the rally. In 1990 DOM Rev. Ed Quatlebaum was asked to give the invocation at both the Rebel 500 in the spring and the Saturday race in September. By 1992 mothers and daughters were added, so Bring-A-Kid Race Rally welcomed adults and young people to the track. Gospel music and God’s word was presented before tickets were passed out. Testimonies from Miss Southern 500 and from several race drivers who had given their hearts to the Lord encouraged the fans and became a turning point in the attitude of the ‘race fan community.’ The event and the presence of the RACEWAY MINISTRY was making a difference and the track administration saw it. Rev. Quatlebaum worked with Rev. Max Helton, the chaplain for the NASCAR drivers and crews, and president of the Motor Racing Outreach. He lead Bible studies with drivers, their families, and crews, weekly. A number of the drivers were making open commitments to Christ and seeking sponsors other than beer companies when their contracts ran out. Drivers need our prayers. While the Chaplain for NASCAR works inside with the drivers/crews/families, Raceway Ministries concentrates on reaching the fans. Part of the relationship building had to begin with the track administration. Another evangelical effort was begun in 1987. Bring-A-Boy Race Rally was the suggestion of Tommy DeWitt, a layman who worked with boys, many without fathers in the home. A ticket to the race, the raceway museum, entertainment, and food was provided for one price. The price included enough to pay for printing and mailing the promotional materials. That year over 800 attended.

Over the years the names change. Minutes from the June 2006 meeting noted that the new chairman of Race Way Ministries as Rev. Grover Johnson. And the volunteers got new shirts. In 2007, Jimmy Sanderson became the chairman, working with purpose to reach out to meet the needs of the track administration… Jimmy’s attitude was ‘What can Race Way Ministries do for you?” Under his leadership the vision of what the ministry could be seemed endless. In 2013 Raceway Ministry minutes listed an organizational chart that noted Jimmy Sanderson-president, Rev. Daniel Henderson-entertainment, Tommy DeWitt-Bring-A-Kid, Rev. Randy Gulledge- tent 1, Daniel Brown-tent 2, Earl Marshall-tent 3, Rev. Mike Saunders-volunteers and supplies. Huge savings came when the track agreed to mail the brochures to the churches. In 2014 the track took on all the mailing and reservations for tickets. Another change has been that other Christian churches (Presbyterian, Seven Day Adventist, etc.) have joined the effort to share God’s love. By 2015 the Southern 500 Race was back on Labor Day Weekend, with the following opportunities for volunteers to minister to the race fans. Rev. Quatlebaum worked with Rev. Max Helton, the chaplain for the NASCAR drivers and crews, and president of the Motor Racing Outreach. He lead Bible studies with drivers, their families, and crews, weekly. A number of the drivers were making open commitments to Christ and seeking sponsors other than beer companies when their contracts ran out. Drivers need our prayers. While the Chaplain for NASCAR works inside with the drivers/crews/families, Raceway Ministries concentrates on reaching the fans. Part of the relationship building had to begin with the track administration. Another evangelical effort was begun in 1987. Bring-A-Boy Race Rally was the suggestion of Tommy DeWitt, a layman who worked with boys, many without fathers in the home. A ticket to the race, the raceway museum, entertainment, and food was provided for one price. The price included enough to pay for printing and mailing the promotional materials. That year over 800 attended.