My Two Cents Regarding The Church & Racing
Man, I am so glad Jeff wrote a post on his blog regarding funding for the race car. You can view it here.
It has been on my heart the past few weeks to share more about racing but I haven't made the time. I have always answered questions regarding race funding straight up when asked, yet it seems like people are more comfortable attacking my wife or questioning our integrity when I'm not around. I'm passionate about people understanding the vision of why I race as well and what is next for the Habich family.
For years people have asked how I pay for my racing, and recently, how Jeff pays for his racing. From family members to people at the track, they want to know where the money comes from. "Must be nice/He was born with a Silver Spoon in his mouth/His Daddy pays for everything." The questions/comments came in our ministock days in the early 90s and escalated once Jeff & Melinda became our business partners. I wanted to touch on a few of Jeff's points.
Q: How did The Rock Church get involved with racing?
Jeff's Answer: The Rock Church first found its name on a race car when Roger Habich approached The Rock Church and myself, as pastor, about sponsorship. At the time The Rock Church leadership board was not comfortable with the sponsorship of racing, so Melinda and I personally helped Roger with income from the closing of a real estate transaction we had. I bought out Roger’s partner Nathan and became 50% owner. Instead of putting my name on the car Melinda and I thought, “This would be a great way to let people know that The Rock Church cares about people who love racing." That was 2001.
My input: When I first approached The Rock Church regarding sponsorship, the answer from the church was a resounding no. I had spent two years building a new race car and out of the blue my partner Nathan was relocated to another state for work, and needed to sell his ownership in the car. I wanted to race so I was calling all over town 'dialing for dollars' trying to find funding for the 2001 season. We were not attending church, and did not have a relationship with Jesus, yet God had a bigger plan for our family. That phone call rekindled a 20 year friendship that had grown apart over the years. It was Jeff and Melinda that believed in me, and got on board. We started attending The Rock Church the Sunday after 9/11 and several families from the race track followed. I am thankful we knew where we were to be planted and the seeds were already sown.
Jeff's Answer: The Rock Church first found its name on a race car when Roger Habich approached The Rock Church and myself, as pastor, about sponsorship. At the time The Rock Church leadership board was not comfortable with the sponsorship of racing, so Melinda and I personally helped Roger with income from the closing of a real estate transaction we had. I bought out Roger’s partner Nathan and became 50% owner. Instead of putting my name on the car Melinda and I thought, “This would be a great way to let people know that The Rock Church cares about people who love racing." That was 2001.
My input: When I first approached The Rock Church regarding sponsorship, the answer from the church was a resounding no. I had spent two years building a new race car and out of the blue my partner Nathan was relocated to another state for work, and needed to sell his ownership in the car. I wanted to race so I was calling all over town 'dialing for dollars' trying to find funding for the 2001 season. We were not attending church, and did not have a relationship with Jesus, yet God had a bigger plan for our family. That phone call rekindled a 20 year friendship that had grown apart over the years. It was Jeff and Melinda that believed in me, and got on board. We started attending The Rock Church the Sunday after 9/11 and several families from the race track followed. I am thankful we knew where we were to be planted and the seeds were already sown.
Q: I heard Roger is stepping back from racing, does this mean you are driving The Rock Church race car?
Jeff's Answer: NO, I have never and will not drive The Rock Church race car in competition at this time.
My input: True, and believe me, I've tried to get Jeff to race The Rock Church car for the last five years. He won't do it. My goal since we've started as always been to have Jeff drive. I knew all along that Jeff has the natural ability required to be competitive at the super stock level and I love sharing my passion of racing with someone who 'gets it.'
Jeff's Answer: NO, I have never and will not drive The Rock Church race car in competition at this time.
My input: True, and believe me, I've tried to get Jeff to race The Rock Church car for the last five years. He won't do it. My goal since we've started as always been to have Jeff drive. I knew all along that Jeff has the natural ability required to be competitive at the super stock level and I love sharing my passion of racing with someone who 'gets it.'
Yes, I am taking this year off from driving The Rock Church race car at Evergreen Speedway for the 2008 season. That doesn't mean I am done racing forever. I have been racing since 1987 and I have taken years off from racing in the past. The decision to step back from racing was my decision and while I discussed it with my wife for a couple of years, ultimately the choice was mine. I love racing. I love working on race cars. I love helping people go fast.
Q: Yeah but, I've seen The Rock Church logo on many cars?
Jeff's Answer: It's awesome when people who love Jesus and their church want to sport the logo. There is nothing like word of mouth and free advertising.
My input: I am one of those people too. I put The Rock Church logo on the Stude when we raced in Mexico last year for La Carerra Panamericana because of nothing more than this; The Rock Church is my church and I am proud of the people of The Rock that are changing the world. No money ever exchanged hands.
Jeff's Answer: It's awesome when people who love Jesus and their church want to sport the logo. There is nothing like word of mouth and free advertising.
My input: I am one of those people too. I put The Rock Church logo on the Stude when we raced in Mexico last year for La Carerra Panamericana because of nothing more than this; The Rock Church is my church and I am proud of the people of The Rock that are changing the world. No money ever exchanged hands.
Q: Does the church take special offerings for race cars?
Jeff's Answer: NO, never has, never will. When I started racing (2007) the pastors of our church took an offering for my racing on Father's Day. I declined to use those funds for my racing and sowed them into our missions giving for the year. I will not conflict my personal interests with that of our church.
My input: Ha! This is funny to me because when Jeff and Melinda first came to the track, and people found out that they Pastor a church, the whole "pass the plate racing" rumor kicked into high gear. Honestly. This question is asked by people who know the truth, they just listen to stupid comments made by people who don't know the truth. We never have, and never will, use tithes and offerings as a way to fund any hobby, racing or otherwise.
Jeff's Answer: NO, never has, never will. When I started racing (2007) the pastors of our church took an offering for my racing on Father's Day. I declined to use those funds for my racing and sowed them into our missions giving for the year. I will not conflict my personal interests with that of our church.
My input: Ha! This is funny to me because when Jeff and Melinda first came to the track, and people found out that they Pastor a church, the whole "pass the plate racing" rumor kicked into high gear. Honestly. This question is asked by people who know the truth, they just listen to stupid comments made by people who don't know the truth. We never have, and never will, use tithes and offerings as a way to fund any hobby, racing or otherwise.
Q: Shouldn’t that money be used to help the needy and other people?
Jeff's Answer: In 7 years being involved at Evergreen Speedway The Rock Church has seen scores of people directly connected to racing find Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Our mission is, “Connecting People to Life.” Racers are people also, and we use our budget to reach people every weekend at The Rock Church, we are not limited by race, gender, income level or subculture.
My input: Go into all the world and preach the gospel. All the world. Simple as that.
Here's a question I'm not asked often enough,
Q: "Jeff, What's your end-game?"
Jeff's Answer: I want racers to know the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Before I started in this racing thing I don't think there was one racer attending The Rock Church, I don't think we reached a single person at the largest venue in our city. Today there has been dozens, and on most Sundays you can meet some of them if you want. They are some of the most fun passionate people around. On the track we are competitors having a blast; at church I am their pastor. I count it a blessing to see racers at TRC every weekend. What is that worth to me, as a pastor? More than I've ever spent on a race car part.
My input: Racing is exciting, that is why scores of people fill the stands every weekend to be entertained, join a race team, or drive a race car. For some of them their life is a mess, and the come to the track as a distraction, to watch the competition and destruction. What they don't expect is a message of hope and a team of people in the pits and in the grandstands dedicated to the mission statement of The Rock Church; Connecting People to Life.
Jeff's Answer: In 7 years being involved at Evergreen Speedway The Rock Church has seen scores of people directly connected to racing find Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Our mission is, “Connecting People to Life.” Racers are people also, and we use our budget to reach people every weekend at The Rock Church, we are not limited by race, gender, income level or subculture.
My input: Go into all the world and preach the gospel. All the world. Simple as that.
Here's a question I'm not asked often enough,
Q: "Jeff, What's your end-game?"
Jeff's Answer: I want racers to know the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Before I started in this racing thing I don't think there was one racer attending The Rock Church, I don't think we reached a single person at the largest venue in our city. Today there has been dozens, and on most Sundays you can meet some of them if you want. They are some of the most fun passionate people around. On the track we are competitors having a blast; at church I am their pastor. I count it a blessing to see racers at TRC every weekend. What is that worth to me, as a pastor? More than I've ever spent on a race car part.
My input: Racing is exciting, that is why scores of people fill the stands every weekend to be entertained, join a race team, or drive a race car. For some of them their life is a mess, and the come to the track as a distraction, to watch the competition and destruction. What they don't expect is a message of hope and a team of people in the pits and in the grandstands dedicated to the mission statement of The Rock Church; Connecting People to Life.
Comments
Good Job Rog....interesting how some people are in the spot light while others are not...some people have to answer the "Why, When & Where" while others do not... Is it really any ones business? Have I been asked "how are we able to buy our business"? NO why would they? Really....who cares..As long as you have fun doing what you're doing and not hurting or bothering anyone...WHO CARES.... I just don't get it... If people got involved more they would learn more of what's going on..
Great post....
IF YOU ARE DOING AS THE LORD LEADS YOU.KEEP IT UP. NOTHING WRONG WITH WITNESSING AND HAVING A MISSION FOR RACERS AND THIER FANS. THE LORD KNOWS THEY NEED IT.NASCAR IS ONE OF THE FEW SPORTS THAT PUTS GOD FIRST ON A NATIONAL LEVEL. NOTHING WRONG WITH HAVING THE LOCAL TRACK DO THE SAME. DONT BACK DOWN BROTHER,YOUVE GOT LOTS OF SUPPORT...BOBBY D
Hey Roger
I'm so with you brother. I hope youa re having a great weekend.
Cris