HOPE. LOVE. COMMUNITY

Impact Racing Ministries is looking to accomplish our goal, through combining sporting events with educational and spiritual support for the children and their families. It is our desire to help the children and families of Kentucky Ave. to know and understand that God has a high calling for their lives and they do not have to surrender to the socio-economic and cultural pressures that surround them. God does not desire that we live and dwell in our “circumstances” but rather that we be bold and seek God’s calling for our lives.

The underlying purpose of all of our activity is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the children and families of this community and help them realize that God has created all of us to have a relationship with him. God has a special calling for each of us and he wants us to seek Him and not give in to our earthly circumstances!

Impact Racing Ministries was formed in September of 2009 as David Dodd felt a calling to minister to the families of North Griffin. Specifically, the community of Kentucky Avenue was chosen to begin reaching the children and families of this at-risk community. As a life-long runner, it was David’s desire to begin a ministry that would promote a variety of sporting activities and through those activities be able to share the love of Christ with his community.

In October of 2011, Impact Racing Ministries partnered with Square Foot Ministry out of Fayetteville, GA to build a building that would serve as a Community Center to host events that would accomplish the mission. Currently, the center hosts a Boy Scout troop and has been used for other outreach opportunities such as Bible studies, birthday parties, and other meetings. In the future, it is hoped that the center can be used for other important work such as counseling, job training, and educational support.

The starting point of Impact Racing Ministries involves establishing and supporting the “Kentucky Avenue Running Club.” This group of boys and girls aged 8 – 16 are committed to physical activity as a means to promote health and a sense of community. They meet every Monday and Thursday evening to run 2 – 3 miles each night and enjoy time together. After the run, a short devotion and prayer time is shared while recovering from the evening’s exercise. The children of the KARC have participated in several road races together including the Jack-O-Jog this past October and will be participating in several more in the future. From this start, we will be branching out into educational support through tutoring at the center and mentoring at the elementary schools. We will also be reaching out to parents and guardians to provide the support they need to be effective parents and supportive community members. The task before us is great, but we know that God will continue to bless our efforts as we keep Him at the center of our ministry.