WHAT IS CRA ALL ABOUT?
With each New Year the nostalgia continues on for ‘car buffs’ traveling to various events across the country in their hot rods, custom cars, tricked-out trucks and yesterday’s classics. Their purpose: to go back in time when carhops on roller skates were ‘in’ and drive-ins were the place to hang out. For race car drivers, it’s a brand new day when old, abandoned air strips have now given way to 21st Century newly paved quarter-mile tracks. For most, yesterday’s fuzzy dice and fender skirts have been replaced with hi-tech billet aluminum wheels, high-gloss new-wave candy colored paint schemes, and dozens of add-on aftermarket items for today’s street rods. One fact still remains; California is synonymous with hot rodding. It has served as the hobby’s birthplace since before the ‘40’s. We also realize that California is no longer alone in being known for its beauties on wheels. Across the country in every corner of the U.S., we find street rods and street machines of every color, size and shape. We have passed the generation when hot rodders were thought of as greasy “bully” types who hung out on street corners and tore up local boulevards. Now street rodders and racers are viewed as a mainstream group of people with the desire to relive their younger days. Today’s hot rodders are moms, dads, doctors, lawyers, and yes, even preachers, all looking to have good clean fun.
But how does the most important factor of life fit in for these individuals? In the world of all this hi-tech paraphernalia, where does J-E-S-U-S fit? Where does the church fit into the street rodding and racing scene? For CRA it began like this...
Mr. Gary Meadors, owner and president of an organization called GOODGUYS, was in the beginning stages of conducting rodding events at various fairgrounds and racetracks across the U.S. These events afforded an opportunity for men and women who had invested time, talent, and money into rebuilding their 19?? through 19?? school dream car to join with others to show all how it was ‘back then’.
In 1988 CRA President Dale and Jeannie Daly saw an opportunity of ministry that would connect street rodding and racing events with what could be a life changing experience for individuals seeking direction in life. Dale presented the idea of Sunday morning family church/chapel services to Gary Meadors. Each GOODGUYS event would allow those traveling and/or away from their local church an opportunity to hear a basic, down-to-earth message from the Bible.
Dale and Jeannie would minister to those desiring a place to hear the Good News of the Gospel as well as those that possibly have not been in church for a long period of time (if ever). Each person in attendance would have an opportunity to hear afresh that God really does care and that no matter what the void in their life, it can be filled with the awesome plan that awaits those who turn their focus toward Jesus! Gary & Marilyn Meadors trustingly welcomed ministry from Dale and Jeannie into their events.
Christian Rodders & Racers Assoc. has since added new dimensions to its ministry with chapel services being conducted for numerous organizations. GOODGUYS Rod & Custom Assoc., Nostalgia Drag Racing, Right Coast Assoc., West Coast Hot Rod Assoc., Championship Auto Shows Inc., Mid-American Stock Car Series, Circle Track Racing, Cruise to the Fountain, as well as other independent events, be it large or small. CRA Hot Rod Camps are a huge addition which affords teenager young men an opportunity to ‘learn how Jesus can change their life’ while also having the opportunity of wrenching on and building ‘a ride’ which is valuable in keeping the hobby alive. In addition, CRA of Canada is incorporated with chapel services and local ministry being provided within the provinces. CRA also has an Int’l Prayer Connection led by two of its leaders. Another exciting area is that of the children’s ministry where programs that have been offered are puppets, ventriloquism, to power feats demonstrated by ‘strongmen’ of God.
From the early days of the ‘70’s, Dale has had the privilege of ministering to hundreds of thousands in the motorsports’ world; from asphalt drag racers, off-road racers, boat drags, offshore boaters, motorcycle dragsters and others. Many have experienced their life being changed for good! Dale and Jeannie say, “The world of motorsports is wonderful! However, the main focal point of life is to help others see that “some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Ps. 20:7; NIV).
CRA is blessed! From the small beginning of chapel services to the remarkable growth of over a hundred services per year across the U.S., Hawaii Islands, and Canada. CRA has associations as far away as Japan, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and Israel. CRA ministry is conducted at race tracks such as Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Indy Raceway Park, Fomosa Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway, Mobile Int’l Speedway, Sunny South Raceway in Grand Bay, AL as well as various other asphalt and dirt short tracks.
CRA is a Christian ministry with one mission . . . to bring glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ through motorsports. With this goal, the ministry is commissioned to take the Good News of the Gospel to those who are interested in rods and customs, classics, race cars, sand drags and more. This commission is being achieved through chapel services, committed Int'l CRA Ministry Leaders, Bible Studies, and local fellowship groups, and CRA Hot Rod Camps for young men. Depending on the size of an event, a chapel service may be attended by sixty-five to four hundred plus people!
Many occasions arise when the services of Pastor Dale and other CRA pastors/chaplains have been requested for counseling, marriage ceremonies, and those necessary times of funeral services, and family visitation. No matter what the need may be, every opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission is taken; even while sitting in the trunk of a street rod!
Dale has written many articles for various motorsports’ publications and since 1989 has written a monthly column in the GOODGUYS Goodtimes Gazette called 'Good News'. Through the years of his writings, many lives have been changed and impacted as the truth of God’s Word has been brought home in a fashion that street rodders, racers and their families can hear and apply to their daily walk of life. In addition, a book, “From Hot Rods to Heaven” has been written by Dale and Jeannie and is now available through CRA.
CRA is not underwritten by any major organization or church. The ministry is entirely supported by free-will, tax deductible gifts given by those who agree that there is a hurting world of motorsports enthusiasts consisting of singles, parents, and children who need to hear the truth of John 3:16. CRA is an interdenominational, non-profit, evangelical Christian organization.
It is our desire and the entire CRA Ministry Team that through CRA the Good News is always presented. There are exciting days ahead and we invite you to experience them with us. Feel free to contact the CRA office at 417.338.8537 or email at cra@integrity.com
To download a pdf file of our CRA Brochure click here.
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