Renee Bingham believed she had a higher calling at the drag strip than being one of the most efficient administrative data managers in the tower at IHRA events. Twenty years ago, her true calling became crystal clear. 

Bingham was the driving force behind God Speed Ministry, the official ministry for the then Norwalk, Ohio-based IHRA series. The drag race ministry has become more than just a church at the track by supporting various organizations and following God's call to impact lives worldwide. 

Joined by her husband Gary, a past IHRA Top Sportsman champion, the ministry started with a single 30-minute service at each IHRA event. The fledgling nonprofit quickly gained traction and grew to Saturday and Sunday services, kids and teen ministries, and dozens of chaplains and volunteers. 

“Bill Bader [then president of IHRA] wanted a ministry suited to the needs of IHRA racers,” said Renee Bingham. “God Speed Ministry was founded to provide a fresh, new ministry built on racer trust. It came together much more quickly than any of us expected. It was easy to see God in all the details. It’s His ministry, and we’re honored to steward it. The name was actually suggested by IHRA Vice President, Aaron Polburn. It was really the perfect fit.”

Their tiny outreach has grown beyond what the Binghams ever envisioned for God Speed Ministry. 

“We had been praying for five or six years about what God wanted us to do,” Gary Bingham added. “Little did we know that God was preparing us for the future, and His timing is perfect. As we look back now, we can see things that were changed in our lives to prepare us for the future.”

God Speed Ministry now has 39 chaplains and 36 volunteers with services held across the United States and in Canada. The impact of those services has resulted in life-changing moments. 

“There have been so many beautiful stories of God’s love and power touching people throughout the years,” Renee said. “One of my favorites is about a family who was able to attend church together for the first time ever at one of our services. The parents had different denominational backgrounds, so our non-denominational service provided the opportunity for them to worship together for the first time.”

As a result of the journey, God Speed Ministry has a forthcoming book in the works, intending to spread the gospel beyond what is offered at various drag racing events. This effort is led by author and God Speed Ministry Chaplain Rich Guy. The book will be available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target, and more.

Since the singular focus of IHRA in the beginning, the ministry has grown substantially and now covers seven racing series:  IHRA, PDRA, WDRA, Loose Rocker, SWJDA (Southwest Junior Dragster Association, CCRA (Carolina Class Racers Association), and Staging Light. Like most people and organizations across the globe, the 2020 pandemic disrupted the status quo for the primarily face-to-face ministry of GSM. GSM leadership, however, saw it as an opportunity to minister differently. 

“When the pandemic hit in 2020, we turned to digital ministry,” Renee explained. “In 2021, we reached over 250,000 people online and in person. In 2022, we reached over half a million in 11 countries.”

Bingham and God Speed Ministry chaplains continue to do weekly Bible studies that are live on the ministry’s Facebook page and YouTube channels. 

“I’m grateful to God and all who have supported God Speed Ministry these past 20 years,” she said. “The journey and growth of this ministry far exceeded my expectations. The prophet Isaiah said, ‘There will be no end to the increase of His government,’” Renee started, and Gary added, “God is the God of growth and multiplication. Hold on. The best is yet to come.”

Other plans for God Speed Ministry are a new website and a special edition commemorative 20th-anniversary t-shirt. 

The mission of the ministry, based on Isaiah 61:1-3, has been the organization’s heartbeat, and Renee believes that what God has done so far is just a drop in the bucket. 

“This ministry is truly a testament to God’s faithfulness,” Renee added. “I can’t wait to see what God will do next!”