|
| |
BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD
God Speed
Board of Directors
The board of
directors are the shoulders upon whose shoulders has been laid the mantel of
direction, guidance and accountability. They are Gary & Renee Bingham, Steve &
Brenda Corker, Steve & Mary Ann Earwood.
Board of Directors Meeting 2005
Sunday, December 11, 10:30 a.m.
Greensboro, NC
The Board of Directors met with all members present: Gary & Renee Bingham, Steve
& Brenda Corker, Steve & Mary Ann Earwood. Renee called the meeting to order and
opened with prayer.
Renee gave everyone a copy of the financial report and shared the story
of God’s provision for traveling expenses. When God Speed made the decision to
send Renee to cover the church service in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the
ministry did not have the needed funds. Within 3 days of that decision, Evan
Knolls of Torco Racing Fuels called Renee, not knowing of the need, and said
that God has woken him up that morning and laid on his heart to give a donation
of $5000.00 to the ministry. His last words of the sentence were: “…for
traveling expenses.” We had stepped out on faith and God had provided. The total
traveling expenses for the 2005 was $5,502.00. God indeed did supply our needs.
God Speed Ministry needs a divisional chaplain for Division 3. Matt Zapp
is moving to division 1 where he will replace Pastor Star Scott. We knew that
Pastor Star was temporary, just not how temporary. We offered Matt the
opportunity to stay in Division 3 or move to Division 1. With a new baby on the
way and a new job, Matt preferred the less traveling of Division 1.
Steve Corker recommended that we let people know that there is a need for a
chaplain in division 3. Renee will do a press release telling of Matt’s moving
and the vacancy in division 3. This will be posted on the web site, sent to
IHRA.com and Drag Review Magazine and to Competition Plus.com.
Christy Rice has been named as the national Children’s Chaplain. She has
put together a program of songs, scripture, Bible lessons and crafts that will
be a complete package. God Speed Ministry is now seeking divisional children’s
chaplains. Divisions 2 and 4 have persons who have shown an interest in this.
Renee will include this information and request for additional persons to apply
for the other 4 divisions.
Renee shared of having gone through Safe Sanctuaries in her local church as well
as the screening process that RFC and other ministries do which includes a
national background check on those who are in positions of leadership. In
the day and age in which we live, we must protect ourselves as best we can
against the possibility of lawsuits and protect our children as well. Steve
Earwood recommended the Board approve background checks on each existing
chaplain, board member, children’s chaplains and any new applicant to volunteer
or work with God Speed Ministry, INC. The cost per check is around $20.00. God
Speed Ministry should cover the cost of the background check. Mary Ann Earwood
pointed out that we should decide who needs to have a background check: everyone
working with children will need to have one but anyone volunteering to pass our
fliers or greet would not be subject to one. Mary Ann also suggested that we
give people the option to pay for their background check if they wished to help
the ministry in this way while Steve Corker said we should make it clear that
God Speed will cover the cost for every applicant’s background check.
At the chaplains meeting on Thursday, Rev. Bill Dickerson of Division 4 said
that people want to belong to and feel ownership in God Speed Ministry just as
they do in their local church. He suggested having a flier with a tear-away card
to join God Speed Ministry. He also suggested they get the decals and
some sort of apparel for a set fee.
The unanimous decision of the Board was not to charge a fee to be a part of God
Speed Ministry. Steve & Mary Ann Earwood told how they have given away Rock
t-shirts. Steve Corker suggested that we put together a membership package of
decals and a t-shirt. It was decided that we would have t-shirts with “I’m a God
Speeder…..My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You.”
Psalm 63:9
Also noted: All t-shirts God Speed produces will have scripture on them.
People are asking for videos and copies of the sermons as well as wanting to
listen to sermons on-line. Mark Walter of JAMA Racing has offered to host
the web site, put videos and/or audios on-line free of charge. We will need to
purchase a CD recorder to get the best quality of reproduction for listening.
These recorders run from $150 to $280 each. Steve Corker recommended that we
grow into this slowly instead of purchasing this equipment for each division. We
will start with the nationals and the 2 largest divisions – 4 and 9.
Renee asked the Board’s opinion on how is God Speed doing? Brenda Corker
says we are growing and overcoming previous obstacles. The feedback from the
racers is positive. Steve Earwood asked how IHRA is treating God Speed. Renee
reported that IHRA also has much to overcome from the past ministry and has
asked us to take baby steps. But they put our press releases on-line and in Drag
Review, even some sent as prayer request. They have allowed us to go from 1 to 2
services on Sunday mornings as well as having a children’s church during the
second service. Scooter Peaco has said that is it nice to have a “ministry of
integrity.” We have made many strides in the right direction. The one thing we
have been turned down on is getting a column in Drag Review called Cross Talk
(use of name permitted by Bob Brockmeyer of Compulink.)
How do we give accountability? Renee posed this question to the Board,
partly for our own reference and also because it is one of the major concerns of
the District Committee on Ministry that she is to go before on January 2, 2006
as she prepares to become a licensed pastor.
Our financial records are audited by an outside accounting firm. They are
available on-line. Each chaplain is required to fill out a Chapel Service Report
for each service they conduct and these are also placed on-line. There is a
Discipleship Page of requirements on the website. Steve Corker recommended
giving the DCOM our annual reports as well as copies of Renee’s Chapel Service
Reports and the liberty to contact the Board of Directors. Also let the DCOM
know that each chaplain, including Renee, is accountable to the Board.
What organizations should we tithe to? God Speed Ministry tithes 20% of
gross income to a Christian Relief Organization. Renee told of a request for
Bibles to Africa and the specifications they required. After doing some research
and seeking advice from Star & Greer Scott, most of those requests are scams.
Steve Corker said we need to make sure we give only to reputable organizations
and as much as possible to make it home missions. The Board also agreed to make
a love offering to JAMA Race Ministries for their support of the website and the
outreach this will provide.
God Speed Ministry has purchased a trailer to haul a golf cart and
equipment needed to minister at the races. It is almost impossible to minister
as needed without transportation at an event. This trailer will go to Rev. Floyd
& Diana West in Division 5. The Board decided that we should give($1 sale?) the
trailer to them and title it in their name. We need to check with a lawyer on
the possibility of a reverse sale. The board agreed that we need to
provide the equipment the chaplains need to minister adequately.
We should also check on an umbrella insurance policy for the Board of
Directors.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned after Renee closed with
prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Bingham, Secretary
A Word From Gary Bingham, VP of God Speed Ministry
When Renee asked me to write down my testimony to put on the
website, my first thoughts were that no one would want to hear what I have to
say. I don't have a earth shaking story to tell. I wasn't ever into drugs,
alcohol, or any of the terrible things that you hear from such great
testimonies.
I have been very fortunate in the fact that I was brought up
in a Christian home. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour at a very young
age.
But, as many of you know, just like everyone else, I haven't led the perfect
life. Only one person that ever walked this earth did that. I have had problems
with patience, temper, and many other things that have kept my walk with the
Lord far from where it should have been. I just Praise the Lord that he has kept
working with me over the years and that my walk is now closer to Him than it has
ever been.
It is really amazing sometimes how He does work. The Lord has been putting a
plan in action to put Renee and myself where we are at today for over twenty
years. In the late seventies, the partner I now have in my business, moved south
from
Buffalo,
New York and came to work in the same
dealership where I worked.
Now I had been involved in racing before this, but never in
drag racing. He had brought a drag car with him and he got me started into a
type of racing that has taken me to places I never thought possible.
I was enjoying success that was just unimaginable to me. We won races and
championships that brought us contacts and financing that kept moving us up the
ladder in racing to bigger and better things. The type of racing we were doing
was way above our means of finances. I didn't know why God was blessing us so.
But you see, He had a plan.
He put Renee in a situation to work for IHRA that did not suit her at all.
There were situations that she just didn't want to be around or be involved
with. But the Lord had other plans and she went to work for IHRA not knowing
why, but she knew that God had a plan for us.
We have gone many years in turmoil wondering why we were at the races.
Things just did not seem to be working out the way we thought that they should.
But you see God had a plan and it was in the works. God's plan is always perfect
and always right on time. Sometimes it is hard for us not to get in the way and
try to hurry things up. I know now, without a shadow of a doubt, why things have
gone the way they have for the last twenty years.
I know where we are at. I don't know what all He has in His plans for the
future, but I'm sure it is going to be a ride like I have never taken in a race
car. We need your prayers (lots of them) and we need your help.
Please remember that God loves you and we love you. I always want to be
there for you at the races or anywhere else. So if there is ever anything,
please don't hesitate to look up Renee or myself.
Thanks and Godspeed
Gary Bingham
• Arms & Hands • Backbone • Heart • Legs & Feet • Shoulders • Torso •
| |
1-888-NEED HIM
1-888-633-3446
1-704-473-4212
for prayer and
salvation
John 1:1-5
In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he
was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3He created everything
there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. 4Life itself was in
him, and this life gives light to everyone. 5The light shines
through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
Ephesians 4:3-6
3Make every effort to keep the
unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4There is one body and one Spirit–just
as you were called to one hope when you were called–
5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6one God and Father of all, who is over
all and through all and in all.
other race ministries:
|
Daily Bread
of Life
"You will show me the path of life; in Your
presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures
forevermore." Psalm 16:11
|
