Iowa Speedway Ministries
Welcome to Iowa Speedway Ministries
Welcome to Iowa Speedway Ministries serving at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. We provide various ministries to race fans, visiting sanctioning bodies, fire and safety personnel and Iowa Speedway Staff.
Iowa Speedway Ministries was formed in 2007 and the ministry has grown each year. More than 40 volunteers and chaplains typically minister inside the speedway during a race event. We provide ADA shuttle drivers, ushers, tram hosts and hostesses, and wherever we may be asked to serve at any moment.
Vermeer Corporation in Pella, Iowa, generously donated a 20'X40' ministry tent to be use for chapel services, concerts, a gathering place, and for other events. The ministry tent is located in the ADA grass parking lot.
On race days Iowa Speedway Ministry chaplains minister in a variety of ways. Chaplains are area clergy who donate their time to provide pastoral care on race weekends. Chaplains coordinate closely with Iowa Speedway Fire and Safety to offer spiritual counseling to the hurting and their families. They operate the Iowa Speedway 15 passenger van to transport family members and friends of patients to and from the hospital when appropriate. They also make follow-up calls when necessary. Our chaplains assist chaplains from each sanctioning body in whatever capacity they need. Our chaplains also work with EMS workers and First Aid stations in the grandstand and concourse areas inside the speedway.
Ambassadors are lay people who assist the ministry in various ways. Ambassadors provide golf cart transportation, hospital transportation, ushering, chapel assistance, tram and booth hosts, and wherever God calls us to serve.
Both Ambassadors and Chaplains agree to serve in the ministry under the authority and direction of the ministry leadership. Training is provided and required.
We have an Iowa Speedway Ministries booth on the concourse with information concerning our ministry. We have printed material available such as Bibles, tracts, Christian Motorsports Illustrated, and other brochures for race fans.
Iowa Speedway Ministries appreciates the support and help of the Iowa Speedway staff and the Iowa Speedway Foundation.
We are available to speak or present a program at your church, small group, Sunday School class, or civic organization. Please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 641-840-0574.
Support Our MinistryIowa Speedway Ministries is an independent ministry funded by donations from supporting churches, private individuals and local organizations. In addition to providing Iowa Speedway Ministries the wonderful opportunity to minister during races, Iowa Speedway is one of our corporate financial supporters. We welcome new financial supporters to enable the Iowa Speedway Ministries to enhance and extend our ministry capacity and quality. We have a number of specific projects and ministry opportunities that await funding. Please contact the Iowa Speedway Ministries Director, Mark Young, to learn more about our needs and opportunities at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You may send your tax deductible gift to Iowa Speedway Ministries, 1549 S 12 Ave W., Newton, Iowa 50208. Iowa Speedway Ministries is a 501C3 charitable tax-exempt organizaiton through Christian Motorsports International, Inc. PO Box 1208, Gilbert, AZ. 85299. Our HistoryThe staff of Iowa Speedway planned from its beginning to involve chaplains and volunteers from Newton and the surrounding area to have a ministry presence on race weekends. Our ministry has full support of Iowa Speedway staff as we work in harmony to provide the best overall family atmosphere possible. In 2007, Iowa Speedway invited Mark Young, pastor at First Christian Church in Newton to be the director of chaplains for Iowa Speedway. Mark had previously served as chaplain at I-35 Speedway in Mason City, Iowa. Aaron Loree, pastor of First Baptist Church in Newton, also helped during our first year at the Speedway. Team 316 chaplains assisted as well. Iowa Speedway Ministries was formed at the beginning of the 2008 race season. God has opened the doors to various ministries at the Speedway and more help was needed. In 2008, Chaplains Merle Smith and Kevin Glesener were added. That same year, Iowa Speedway Ambassadors became a vital part of our ministry driving the ADA shuttles and serving in other areas. Chaplain Audrey Young joined us in 2009. In 2009, Iowa Speedway partnered with Christian Motorsports International Inc. Family of Ministries in Gilbert, Arizona. This provides our ministry with accountability and non-profit status. You can read more about Christian Motorsports International at www.teamrfc.org. This organizaiton is also known as Racers for Christ. We look forward to an exciting year in 2012 as God continues to open many opportunities for ministry. Please contact us if you would like to join or support our work. |
Our StyleJesus calls us to go into all the world to share the good new of Jesus Christ. Jesus went to where people lived, worked, and played. He didn't wait for people to come to him. He went to them. We happen to go to the Speedway to be with people. We believe in the motto of Christian Motorsports International of "Bringing Inspiration to the world of motorsports." We serve at the invitation of Iowa Speedway and are a presence-based ministry. Iowa Speedway Ministries' philosophy of ministry is one of a low key, servant, relationship style. We believe in serving and being where the people are with consistency and availability. We remain sensitive to the needs of those we are called to minister to and with. Iowa Speedway Ministries reaches out to a number of church members who attend racing events. When possible we provide chapel services for those who are unable to attend their home church on race day. We provide spiritual care when asked. |