The Bible Society's Jesus All About Life campaign received a blow last month when the Jesus Racing Team's 2008 V8 Supercar crashed at Bathurst's Mt Panorama.
The Jesus Racing Team is calling for support for their unique ministry, after a horror-smash during the second weekend in October.
Driver Andrew Fisher was racing his first ever Fujitsu V8 Supercar event when in Lap 4 of Race Two, Geoff Emery's Economy Bolts / NDD Holden spun out, then moved directly back across the track where he was T-boned by Fisher.
Neither driver was seriously hurt in the incident and race stewards found Emery to be at fault, however the Jesus Racing Team must pay for the damages to the Supercar which they had leased, with repairs expected to cost in excess of $40,000.
"My family, friends, wife and kids were there when the crash happened," says Fisher. "It really brought home the reality of how dangerous this sport and ministry is."
"Now, the only way we can continue in Supercars is for supporters to help pay for the repairs."
The Jesus V8 Supercar is primarily supported by the Bible Society's "Jesus. All about life' campaign, along with donations from Christian individuals and businesses.
Mr Fisher also drives the Jesus Ute in the Fujitsu V8 Ute Series, which is run in tandem with the Supercar events.
He has a replica racing car which he takes to schools around Australia, speaking to student groups about the importance of courage both on and off the racetrack.
In this capacity alone the Jesus Racing Team has had contact with over 30,000 students in the past year.
"It's an impact ministry," says Fisher. "We can use motorsport to reach the students and talk to them about the courage to have faith.
"We also give them a gospel of Luke with the Jesus racing car on the front. But we really need support now to keep the project going.
Mr Fisher says this is all part of the ministry's aim, to encourage young people to become Christians by breaking down the stereotypes associated with Christianity.
"People don't expect a race car driver to be a Christian," he says. "We want to show people that having faith doesn't mean you can't do certain things.
"Our ministry aims to break open the box that people often put Christians in, and take the name of Jesus to as many people as we can."
For more information visit the Jesus Racing Team website.
PHOTO: Courtesy of the Jesus Racing Team
