You may ask what does motocross bike riding have to do with Christianity? The answer can be found in the response that it is another vessel in which the gospel message can be shared. That is what the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) discovered, and they decided to use the sport to help them minister to another group of young people.
One local Christian was asked to participate in this year’s motocross camp. Through Scottie Baldwin’s experience at the camp, one will see how God works in many different venues.
FCA put on its motocross camp here in North Carolina. The camp activities were held at Park Springs Christian Camp and the training across the border in Virginia at Lake Sugar Tree.
The FCA vision for the motocross camp is to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the sport of motocross. Its mission — to present racers, and those they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, serving him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church.
FCA shares Jesus with those who do not have a personal relationship with him. They believe that salvation is only found in Jesus, and with great passion we desire to share the gospel with the world. “…the continued teaching and proclaiming the Good News that the messiah is Jesus.”Acts 5:42 serves as a motto for FCA.
Baldwin shared that he has been riding dirt bikes for over 30 years, the past 10 of which he has hosted a dirt bike safety ride in Harrells and every year they share the gospel.
“In February of this year, I raced at a motocross track called Hog Heaven. At this race I was able to share the word at a track side service, with over 40 people listening. After the service, I met Tex from FCA. A few months later I find myself helping train 70 young men at their motocross camp,” explained Baldwin.
“During the week, I was teamed up with 10 young men, 13-15 years old; we had devotions and small group time twice a day. I learned that four of the 10 had come to know Christ as their savior at the FCA motocross camp last year. After being at the camp I am reminded of Ephesians 2:10, ‘For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ God has prepared me form the time I learned to ride without training wheels to be able to use my love for dirt bikes to connect with others through a relationship that will hopefully bring them closer to God,” asserted Baldwin.
Clinton resident Taylor Futrell, a professional motocross racer, attended the FCA motocross camp as a guest speaker. Futrell is recovering from shoulder surgery and is taking some time off from racing.
“Training camps is something that I am very involved in. Getting an opportunity to share my life story and racing techniques with these kids at camp was just a wonderful opportunity for me. I was able to work with six other trainers during the week and helped them to learn more about racing while learning more about a relationship with Jesus Christ at the same time. FCA has addressed a completely different group of people as they have chosen to spread the gospel with motocross racers,” expressed Futrell.
“Many kids come to the camp to be racers and to learn better technique, but they sometimes leave with so much more through the staff that is brought together by God. Those he has prepared in advance. FCA gave away many prizes during the week. On day 2, Kyle McKee won a new riding outfit for standing out in his ability to maneuver through a cone course and he said he learned it from the Ride Safe event we host in Harrells,” remarked Baldwin. McKee is Baldwin’s nephew and attended the FCA motocross camp for the week.
This year’s FCA Motocross camp was held June 13-17. Racers from JGRMX have donated a day of their time to work with the campers. Billy Willian from Louisville, Ky. coordinated the training. Travis Preston was on hand for one full day and Jason Woods, 2009 XGAMES Bronze medalist joined the camp for the week. Woods is quite a rider and has an amazing story that he shared during the week.
The camp offered a lot more than motocross, too. After the days training campers had fun in a brand new pool, the lake or taking a ride on a 500 foot zip line.
Baldwin expressed that the FCA Motocross Camp was a wonderful way for the Christian group to spread the word and gospel to a group of people that might have been overlooked.
“It was a great opportunity to share my love for Jesus with so many young people. I hope to get to return again,” remarked Baldwin.
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