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 PrintableVersion Va Va Voom for Christ!Paul Harvey tells us of his Christian motorsport teamPaul the apostle wrote of his earnest desire that men and women should be saved (1 Corinthians 9.22). This is something that the Alpha and Omega Christian Motorsport Team has taken to heart. The founder, Paul Harvey, 37, of Occold, Suffolk, had a love for rally driving as a teenager, and, in 1989, at the age of 21, he had achieved the top grade in his group at a rally training school. God had intentions of training Paul as well! When Paul was 18 years old, he had begun attending a Grace Baptist Church in Suffolk, and became a Christian in 1987. Through his interest in rallying, God was preparing him to use his hobby as a means of evangelism. Two years later, in 1991, he bought a car and spent much time and money in mechanical improvements and bodywork. This was followed by the purchase of the much-needed service vehicle, painted in the same striking blue livery as the car. The teamPaul’s wife Pauline, who became a Christian in 1988, is a member of the team and looks after much of the administrative work. Paul’s younger brother, Mark, 35, a Christian from 1987, was keen on mechanics from a young age and took an interest in the work, and he now looks after the engineering and technical side. Mark is married to Claire and has one daughter, Elizabeth. The fourth member of the team is co-driver/navigator, Paul Spill, 47, a Christian since 1974, married to Jane, with a daughter Naomi. He is from Rumburgh, Suffolk, and a member of the church at Beccles. First carThe first car, a Ford Escort Mk.II, has been sold and a replacement car, a Ford Escort Cosworth 4WD (ex-Carlos Sainz world rally champion) recce (practice) car, has been resprayed and bears the same text emblazoned along both sides: ‘You must be born again’. The team has a large enthusiasm for the sport, but more than that, each member has a love for the Saviour, Jesus Christ, and a desire to witness to their faith. Paul said the text on the car prompts people to ask questions about Alpha & Omega CMT. This gives an opportunity for personal Christian witness plus the offer of a tract which clearly explains the gospel. Gospel and the Lord’s dayOver the years, the team has received several invitations to speak at churches and youth groups throughout East Anglia. Paul is keen for the team to receive invitations to go into schools, taking the car and service vehicle with them if possible — and through the interest generated by the car, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the things the team is keen to maintain is respect for the Lord’s Day, as many rally events are held on Sundays. Paul said: ‘Every member of the team holds firmly to the principles of our faith, and that includes no rallying on the Lord’s Day. There are still many events held on Saturdays that we can attend.’ He goes on to say that even maintenance and servicing of the vehicle is carried out on Saturdays and evenings during the week, because they believe Sundays should be kept free from that sort of work. AdvertisementsRegular prayer is a feature of the team’s work as they look to the Lord to give them opportunities to expand the witness outside East Anglia. They also trust the Lord for the financing of witness and acknowledge his providence for the sponsorship and gifts received from time to time. They thank Gordon Leggett of LeverPress, and Affinity, who are both advertised on the car. Paul said they also value people becoming prayer-partners with them, and they are looking for mechanics/engineers and a second navigator /co-driver. Rallies take place in the North & North East of England, as well as in Wales. Website under construction: http://www.alphaomega-cmt.org © Evangelicals Now - December 2005 |
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