October 14, 2002
Driver puts gospel pedal to the
metal on nation's racetracks
___By John Hall
___Texas Baptist Communications
___FORT WORTH--While professional racecar drivers win televised races for national sponsors, Bret Shisler is driving to spiritual victories in the name of Jesus.
___Like an increasing number of people across the United States, Shisler hoped to prove he could be a great racecar driver. After graduating from college, he traveled the country as a member of several pit crews for various levels of racing.
___His need for speed was not quenched by merely working on cars, however. He climbed into the cockpit to fulfill a dream of being a top-notch driver, beginning a ride wilder than he imagined. He tasted success early, winning the first heat race in which he drove and several trophies soon afterward.
BRET SHISLER'S legends series racecar provides a focal point for sharing his faith.
___"It's a high," Shisler said. "For that period of time that we are racing, there is nothing else."
___His first victory would pale in comparison to the life-changing encounter he would meet at his next trip to the track, however. Don Schenck noticed a "racers for Christ" sticker on Shisler's car and introduced Shisler to the Texas Alliance Raceway Ministries, known as TxARM.
___TxARM, an effort started by Tarrant, Wise and Denton Baptist associations and supported by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, serves 1 million race fans who attend events at Texas Motor Speedway throughout the year. TxARM volunteers hand out evangelistic tracts and hold worship services and a children's carnival in the campground, as well as provide support to the raceway by giving water to workers and rides to the handicapped.
___At the invitation of TxARM, he began to bring his 1200-cc-powered racer to the ministry's tent on the Texas Motor Speedway campgrounds to attract more people. Children and adults gather to inspect the car throughout the day, allowing Shisler and the TxARM volunteers to minister to their needs.
___"It doesn't matter who you are, race fans love to talk to racecar drivers no matter what level, so that helps him out," said TxARM volunteer Tony Edwards. "It gives him an in with people."
___Inspired by TxARM, Shisler introduced a prayer before the start of the races in the Lone Star Legends Series in which he races.
___Other drivers were open to the idea and were comfortable with him delivering the prayer because they also knew him as a driver, he said. His guidance in prayer unexpectedly led him to become the series chaplain, where he has seen driver interest in Christianity increase under his cultivation.
___Shisler continues to race, but he sees the car as a "tool" of evangelism rather than a path to success. He fosters relationships with other drivers and fans in an effort to reach them and their families for Christ.
___"I thought I wanted to be Joe Speedracer, but I found out two things--No. 1, I probably wasn't good enough, and No. 2, I didn't have the money," he said. "So I decided to race for the fun of it and to make the connection with the drivers. This way I'm not just another pastor. I'm one of them."
___Shisler plans to drive for one more year before retiring to focus on providing a Christian presence at the track. He hopes the bonds he has built with fans and drivers alike will enable him to continue his ministry.
___"This is a mission," he said. "Some people don't think of racing as a mission, but I'm trying to touch someone out there. Hopefully, something I say or something I do will make them think about God."
___
Get printer-friendly version of this story
Send this story to a friend
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook
