Thursday, March 31, 2011

Why Use An Evangelist?

The Biblical office of evangelist is often one of the most overlooked and underutilized resources that God has presented in and through the local church to reach the world for Christ.  Why use evangelists?


  • Evangelists are called by God to specifically reach the lost.
  • Evangelists are able to communicate a direct Biblical message with a passion and zeal.
  • Evangelists cooperate with the ongoing work of local churches to reach their communities for Christ.
  • Evangelists encourage Christians in their daily zeal for soulwinning and discipleship.
  • Evangelists help churches culminate their long-term evangelistic efforts in harvesting the fields "white unto harvest".
  • Evangelists affirm the work of the local church pastor and the vision God has for his ministry through the local church.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV)

The James Croft Evangelistic Association (JCEA) led by 3'10" tall evangelist James Croft of Olustee, Florida is working to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.  This ministry utilizes various means to win lost souls, to stir revival fires in believers, to educate Christians on Biblical and social issues, and to be an encouragement to all.  These methods include James' preaching ministry, foreign and local missions, and use of the internet utilizing podcasting and videos.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Driving With The Giant

Take a "short" ride with 3'10" tall evangelist James Croft to a recent revival engagement.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Blog Poll: Bible Versions

Our latest Blog Poll (#31) is featured in the left-hand column of this site. The poll question asks, "What is your favorite version of the Bible?" Voting in the unscientific poll will end on Friday night.

NOTE: If you would like to share additional thoughts on this subject, just click "comments" below.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Evangelist Ralph Begins Revival Meetings in Tamale, Ghana

Evangelist Ralph
Evangelist Raphael (Ralph) Adjei Kingbi, Ghana Ministry Coordinator for James Croft Evangelistic Association, will be preaching revival services this week.  The five days of meetings will begin tonight at Ridge Presbyterian Church in Tamale, Ghana.  This will be Evangelist Ralph's first time preaching in the capital city of Ghana's Northern Region.  The theme for the services is "The Cross in today's contemporary world."  Please join us in praying for the Lord to move mightily in these services.

For more information about the Ghana ministry of James Croft Evangelistic Association visit these links:

JCEA Ghana Ministry
Ghana Ministry News
Evangelist Ralph on Facebook

You can assist the JCEA and Evangelist Ralph in this ministry by investing financially by credit card, PayPal, check or money order.
Ghana Ministry Donation
Click this button to make a donation to the JCEA Ghana Ministry.  Donations will be used to cover expenses in evangelism efforts, discipleship and children's programs.
 
To make a contribution by check or money order follow this link.

 “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”    Luke 6:38 (NKJV)

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Sign Of The Times?

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Olustee Revival Services 3-27-11

(Click image to enlarge)
I will be preaching a one-day revival meeting at First Baptist Church of Olustee, Florida on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 11am and 6pm. The services will also feature special music by Kevin Owen.  First Baptist Church is located at 23311 Lakeside Lane in Olustee, Florida. For more information call Pastor Mike Williams at (386) 438-9717.  Please be in prayer for these services.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

400th Anniversary of the King James Bible

A website celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Version Bible is now online. The anniversary of the KJV Bible is May 2nd.  The site includes information about the background and development of the translation, links to various resources, and a clock counting down to the anniversary.

What is your favorite translation of the Holy Bible?  Take our blog poll in the left column of this site.  My preference is the New King James Version (NKJV), and I usually read from it when preaching, but I also use the KJV.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Gospel Fest In April

I will be preaching during the 2nd annual Gospel Fest at Evergreen Baptist Church on Friday, April 29, 2011.  The service will begin at 7pm and will feature special music by Lisa Moore, owner of WGSG Christian Radio in Mayo, Florida.  The church is located at 2509 224th Street, just off SR247, south of Lake City, Florida.  For more information or directions call (386) 935-3497.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Double Foul

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

FBCLB Wednesday

I will be preaching in supply for my pastor, Jason Johns, at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler, Wednesday evening, March 23, 2011.  The service will begin at 6:30pm.  The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida.  For more information or directions call the church at (386) 496-3704.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

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Monday, March 21, 2011

Revival Services Sunday in Olustee

I will be preaching a one-day revival meeting at First Baptist Church of Olustee, Florida on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 11am and 6pm. The services will also feature special music by Kevin Owen.  First Baptist Church is located at 23311 Lakeside Lane in Olustee, Florida. For more information call Pastor Mike Williams at (386) 438-9717.  Please be in prayer for these services.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

March Madness


Ephesians 4:26 (NKJV)
“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Questions (& answers) about tithing

By: J. D. Greear
Posted on Mar 17, 2011 on Baptist Press

DURHAM, N.C. (BP)--Over the years I have gotten (and had myself) questions about whether or not the tithe (giving the first 10 percent of our income back to God as prescribed by the law) was biblical. Let me give you brief answers to some of those questions that demonstrate how I have learned to approach them.

1. Isn't tithing Old Testament law? Aren't we free of that?

Yes and no.

A. Tithing is a part of the law, and Jesus has definitely fulfilled it all in our place so that we are free from its bondage. However, the purposes of the law were (generally speaking) 3-fold:
-- to show us what God was like.

-- to reveal how far short we fall of God's character.

-- to show us how to thrive in the creation God has placed us in.

None of those 3 purposes faded with the death of Jesus. If anything, Jesus' coming intensified them. We saw more of what God was like, what holiness was like, and what a man acting in perfect harmony with creation was like. As it relates to the tithe, the law reveals the unchanging character of God and how He expects us to view the money HE has provided for us. A minimum of 10 percent that He has given to us, whether we are rich or poor, is to go back into His work. This is how He set up the world order. This is why the "tithe" principle (the first 10 percent of income going into God's work) is taught pre-law (Abraham), law (Moses), post-exile (Malachi), and even affirmed under Jesus (Matthew 23:23). God's purposes for creation haven't changed. We are no longer under the theocratic nation state of Israel, but how God has set up His economy for His people has not changed.

God doesn't lay the financial weight of the entire world on any of our shoulders, but He has given His people a plan whereby they do their part. The law was given to help people live in the shalom of God. That's what gives the law (principles like taking a Sabbath and the tithe) an enduring effect. Thus, the idea that 10 percent of all that God gives to you is given for you to give back to Him remains, I believe, as a good guide to our giving.

Now, let me be clear -- Jesus left us under NO PART of the law, not the tithe or anything else. But the law, in that it reflects God's character and His ordering of creation, is still good, and still functions as a guide to how we are to live under God in this world. Men and women of God throughout the Bible, including Abraham and Jesus, seemed to recognize that.

B. If anything, the Gospel raises the level of our response to God's laws. True obedience, Jesus says, goes much deeper than the behavior standards the law required. For example, the law said "don't murder," yet Jesus said the Gospel demanded we love our brother always and not hate him, not even our enemies. The law said "don't commit adultery," yet Jesus said that the Gospel demanded people not even "look on another woman with lust in our heart." So, if the law says "give 10 percent," what kind of generosity does the Gospel call for? Would it not be greater generosity than 10 percent, just as the other commands were also intensified in Christ? In other words, if the people who saw God's generosity in the Exodus responded with giving 10 percent, how much more should people who have seen the cross? This is why you see the early church giving far beyond 10 percent. So overwhelmed by the generosity of Christ, they wanted to pour out their possessions for those in need (2 Corinthians 8:9).

For Gospel-touched people, tithing should never be the ceiling of their giving, but it should be the floor.

Tithing, in and of itself, is not an iron-clad rule for Christians as it was for Israelites under the law. That said, "giving our firstfruits to God" most definitely is a biblical principle, true of God's people in all places and at all times. And 10 percent is a great place to start with that.

2. Should I give the tithe "pre-tax" or "post-tax"?

In the Old Testament, God called the tithe a "firstfruit" (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:2). This meant their giving to God came first before anything else. That teaches pretty clearly that our giving to God comes before Uncle Sam takes his share. God gets the firstfruits, not the second ones.

3. When during the month should I give?

The principle of "firstfruits" also shows you, in my opinion, that the tithe check should be written first, and not at the end of the month when you see how much left over you have. If you do the latter, you will inevitably never have enough to give God 10 percent. You're giving Him your scraps. But if you do the former, you will inevitably adjust your lifestyle around what you have left. And, God also will find a way to multiply His blessings to you. I've seen that happen in my own life multiple times. It's pretty exciting.

4. Should we give to the church, or other things?

In the Old Testament system, the tithe went to the work of God's institution, the temple. Caring for the poor beyond what the temple did, or funding an itinerant rabbi, etc, all came out beyond the tithe. I believe the implication is that tithing should go to God's new institution, the local church. Hopefully you have a church that you feel good about how they spend their money (not all on buildings, entitlement perks for members and pastors, etc.) and you see them working in the streets and unreached parts of the world. Give some grace here, of course ... it's always easy to play armchair quarterback and talk about how you'd do it differently. I'd say if you trust your pastor, however, you honor God by giving to the institution He ordained. Then, give like a Gospel-touched fool beyond that to all the things God has put in your heart.

5. How does this work out for your family, J.D.?

When my wife Veronica and I first got married, we had to stretch ourselves unbelievably thin to tithe. As God has increased our income over the years, we have yearly increased the percentage of what we give. We now give way above the tithe to our church, and then beyond that to ministries blessing the poor, carrying the Gospel to the world, and some to our church's expansion project, Believe. We love it. Veronica recently said, "This is so fun… giving." It really is more blessed to give than to receive. God really has multiplied what we have given to him and given it back to us "in every way" -- financially, in joy, in perspective, etc. (2 Corinthians 8-9). We love it.

J.D. Greear is lead pastor at the Summit Church in Durham, N.C. This column first appeared on his blog, JDGreear.com.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Leprechaun Reads To Over 600 Students

Leprechaun at Kindergarten Center
James Croft, 3'10" tall evangelist from Olustee, Florida, made appearances as a "real" leprechaun at two schools for St. Patrick's Day.  Approximately 600 students at Baker County Pre-K/Kindergarten Center heard the leprechaun read them a book, That's What Leprechauns Do, and answer their questions.  The questions covered a variety of topics.

When asked why he was so little, the leprechaun responded, "that's just the way God made me."

Students also wanted to know what leprechauns eat, why do they play tricks on people, and of course, where do they hide their gold?  The leprechaun held a gold plated 4-leaf clover paperweight as he talked about his gold.  This piece of gold was donated to the leprechaun for use in these presentations by Pastor Danny Garrett of Cudd Memorial Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  The leprechaun made a pre-St. Patrick's Day appearance at a daycare center in Boiling Springs with Pastor Garrett last week.  Photos from the event are viewable in the Spartanburg, SC 2011 photo album.

After leaving the kindergarten center, the leprechaun visited Keller Intermediate School to read to four 5th grade classes taught by Sonja St. John, Melissa Smith, Jennifer Hite and Amy Prescott.

Many of the questions asked by the 5th graders included: "Do you eat Lucky Charms", "where do you hide your gold" and "why don't you give your gold away?"

One student asked, "how fast can you run?"  The leprechaun demonstrated by running to the front office and back to the classroom.  Students were amazed because he was so fast it looked as though he didn't even move!  The leprechaun told students, "I am so fast... that I'm sudden!"

Croft has been reading to students as a leprechaun for several years on St. Patrick's Day.  The event is always a hit with students and much talked about afterward.  Croft says he often meets up with students from past reading sessions and they still call him "the leprechaun".  He often has to explain to parents why the children are referring to him by that name.

Jessie Thompson with leprechaun
In 2009 a video called "A Visit From The Leprechaun" was produced by Florida Times-Union photojournalist Jon M. Fletcher about the annual reading event.  This video is viewable on the James Croft Evangelist Association's YouTube channel.

After a long day of "leprechauning" around town, he visited with a couple of families before returning to his home located somewhere deep in the Osceola National Forest.

NOTE: View all of the leprechaun's St. Patrick's Day photos in the "Leprechaun 2011" photo gallery.

Praise Christian Assembly Sunday

I will be preaching at Praise Christian Assembly in Graham this Sunday morning, March 20, 2011.  The morning worship service begins at 10:30am.  Praise Christian Assembly is located on County Road 18 east of Graham, Florida.  Please be in prayer for this church as they search for a pastor.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

You Might Be A Leprechaun If...

You might be a leprechaun if... you are 3'10" tall, wear a big green hat, and make an appearance on St. Patrick's Day to read to students in local schools.  Yes, it's that time of year, when the "wee little man", not to be confused with Zacchaeus, reads a book about leprechauns to students in two Baker County, Florida schools.

The "real" leprechaun will visit Baker County Pre-K/Kindergarten Center and Keller Intermediate School in Macclenny, Florida today.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Simplified Tax Code

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Olustee FBC March 27th

I will be preaching in supply for Pastor Mike Williams at First Baptist Church of Olustee, Florida on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 11am and 6pm. First Baptist Church is located at 23311 Lakeside Lane in Olustee, Florida. Please be in prayer for these services.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Revival Security

Evangelist James Croft introduces revival security officers during a service at Cudd Memorial Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

A special thank you to Houston Garrett, Austin Walker and Matthew Davis for being good sports and good friends.

Yes, it is OK to laugh and have a good time in God's House.

Praise Christian Assembly This Sunday

I will be preaching at Praise Christian Assembly in Graham this Sunday morning, March 13, 2011.  The morning worship service begins at 10:30am.  Praise Christian Assembly is located on County Road 18 east of Graham, Florida.  Please be in prayer for this church as they search for a pastor.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Threshold Church Tomorrow

I will be speaking during a leadership summit at Threshold Baptist Church in Boiling Springs, South Carolina tomorrow, Friday, March 11th.  Pastor Ryan Bishop says the summit begins at 6pm at the church located at 1210 Boiling Springs Road.

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Leprechaun Appearances Scheduled

I have scheduled several appearances as a "real" leprechaun again this year.

Tuesday, March 8th:
Nana's Daycare, Boiling Springs, South Carolina.

Thursday, March 17th:
Baker County Pre-K/Kindergarten Center, Macclenny, Florida.
Keller Intermediate School, Macclenny, Florida.

In each of the appearances a book about leprechauns will be read to students and questions answered.

Monday, March 07, 2011

Airport Leprechaun, Youth Entourage, Christian Rap, and Cudd Meeting

My week leading up to this revival meeting has been interesting.  You may recall my posts last week about the kidney stone episode.  Then, as I prepared for the trip to the airport in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday I received news that my flight had been delayed by an hour.  I began wondering if this was a "sign" (term used very loosely here) of things to come on the trip to South Carolina.  Oh, come on now, you sometimes think that way too, right??

Airport Leprechaun
I decided to wear my leprechaun hat on the plane instead of trying to pack it in my luggage.  I guess I needed something to help set me apart from the other travelers, something that might help draw attention since I'm so ordinary looking and blend so well into the crowds.  Actually, I am almost invisible in the crowds, but I learned that a 3'10" tall man wearing a leprechaun hat WILL get a lot of attention!  I posed for pictures with two people in the airport and was the subject of at least one more, not to mention all of the conversations that it started.  This allowed me to share Jesus with a couple of folks too!

One of the gentlemen that requested a photo with me was beginning his spring break.  He told me later that he posted the photo on Facebook with a caption saying, "five minutes after clearing security I met a leprechaun, so I think it will be my lucky day."  I hope he doesn't totally depend on "luck".

On my first flight I was seated next to a lady returning home to Indiana.  As we began to talk and I mentioned where I lived, she said, "I know you!" and called my name.  Come to find out, I went to Baker County High School in Macclenny, Florida with two of her brothers.  She had come home to visit her dad for a week.  Small world isn't it?

Revival Security
Anyway, my luggage and I arrived safely in South Carolina where I was met by Pastor Danny Garrett of Cudd Memorial Baptist Church and my "entourage".  Three of the church's youth boys took care of my luggage and we joked they would be "revival security" for the week.  Of course we had to strike a pose for a photo.  We went on to have a wonderful time of fellowship.  They also informed me that some of the youth prepared a Christian Rap video with me as the subject.  You can view the video on my Facebook page.

Cudd Memorial Baptist
The revival meeting at Cudd Memorial Baptist Church in Spartanburg got underway yesterday morning with a full-house.  Chairs were even placed in the aisle for extra space.  Here's another exciting piece of information... we had another great crowd for the night service.  They must be coming for the music, which is really awesome!  Seriously the music is great.  God really moved in both services.  Praise the Lord!!  The revival services continue at 6:30pm nightly through Wednesday.  You can view more photos of this week's activities in the Spartanburg, SC 2011 photo gallery.  Additional photos will be added during the week.

I've spent today preparing for tonight's service and a special appearance at Nana's Daycare in Boiling Springs tomorrow.  Pastor Danny Garrett also treated me to lunch today at a Spartanburg tradition, the Beacon Drive-In.  Oh, my, the food was good and the tea was out-of-this-world good!!

Sunday, March 06, 2011

Friday, March 04, 2011

Living Stone Update

I went to the Urologist yesterday afternoon for a follow-up to my Sunday morning kidney stone episode.  An x-ray was taken, but it will not be analyzed until the first of next week.  Should the pain return, the doctor gave me a few pointers on what might alleviate it.  I was also presented with options for removing the stone when I return from my trip to South Carolina, or we could wait until another "flare-up" occurs... I'm not so sure about that option.  All of the options, including waiting, will involve some pain or discomfort.

This situation reminds me of the saying, "you will remain the same until the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain to change."  WOW!  Isn't this the way we often live our lives and even our walk with Christ?  We don't want to move from our comfort zone until it is no longer comfortable.  God is often leading us in a new direction that will decrease our pain and suffering, but we are more afraid of the pain that may come with the changes... even if we know it is temporary.  This often leads us to rebel (sin) against God.  I wonder if we really believe what the Bible says:

Romans 8:28 (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Even if this stone decides to move while I'm in South Carolina the Lord is in control, and hopefully I'll be faithful so He will work it for good and receive the glory!

Thursday, March 03, 2011

South Carolina to Include Revival, Leadership Summit and Leprechauns?

Click to enlarge
Evangelist James Croft will be traveling to Spartanburg, South Carolina on Saturday to begin a week of ministry opportunities.

The week will feature a first-time appearance for revival services at Cudd Memorial Baptist Church beginning on Sunday, March 6, 2011.  The Sunday services begin at 8:30am with breakfast instead of the normal early morning service.  Sunday School will begin at 9:45am followed by services at 11am and 6pm.  The revival meeting continues Monday-Wednesday, March 7-9, 2011 at 6:30pm.  The church is located at 1301 Boiling Springs Road in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  For more information call Pastor Danny Garrett at (864) 585-3113.

On Tuesday, March 8th James will be reading to students at Nana's Daycare in Boiling Springs at 10am.  This will be the first appearance this year of the "real" leprechaun James annually portrays around St. Patrick's Day in local schools.  Following this ministry opportunity, James and Pastor Danny Garrett will attend a pastor's luncheon hosted by Spartanburg County Baptist Network.

The week will end with James speaking during a leadership summit at Threshold Baptist Church in Boiling Springs.  Pastor Ryan Bishop says the summit begins at 6pm at the church located at 1210 Boiling Springs Road.

Please be in prayer for all of these opportunities, the travel, and James' health during the trip.  Updates on these activities will be posted on this site and on the JCEA Facebook page.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

A Living (Kidney) Stone

I had a "first" in my ministry on Sunday morning.  It was the first time I have arrived at a church to preach and was unable to do so due to a health issue.  The problem- a kidney stone.  Those of you that have experience with these powerful stones can appreciate what I was feeling.  I've been told the kidney stone experience for a man is similar to the pain felt by a woman giving birth.  I really feel for the mother's of our world.  Now, this is not my first experience with a kidney stone.  In 1984 I was rushed to the Emergency Room in Lake City, Florida thinking I was going to die and kind of wishing I could.  Fortunately, the problem "passed" while I was in the ER.

In 2008 when I was undergoing hip surgery.  A routine scan revealed I have a very large stone in my left kidney.  I was sent to a urologist after the surgery and learned that the stone is, indeed, quite large.  The doctor asked if I was familiar with a .22 caliber cartridge and said the size is similar.  He said this one will not "pass".  I hope not!!  It was decided to take no action as long as there was no pain and no movement of the stone.  This strategy has worked well until Sunday morning.

I awoke Sunday morning to prepare for a day of ministry at Morriston Baptist Church in Morriston, Florida feeling a dull ache in my left kidney area.  As I began the one-and-a-half hour drive the pain increased.  I began to call a few friends for prayer.  I also contacted the church of the development, but told them I still planned to preach.  At one point, I even had to stop on the side of the road.  I finally made it to the church in tremendous pain.  Please note the emphasis on "tremendous".  Ten minutes before the start of the 8:30am service I decided I needed to go the hospital.  One of the kind members of the church took me to the ER at Tri County Hospital in Williston.  The staff at the hospital were awesome and soon brought me some blessed relief via medication!  We returned to the church as the 11am service was closing much to the surprise of many of the members.  I was able to preach the 7pm service and drove back home, all pain free.

I really appreciate the prayers, concern, and assistance by the fine folks at Morriston Baptist.  I also thank the Lord for the dear brother that "was instant in season and out of season", and stepped in to handle the two services.  God's people are awesome, aren't they?!?!

I am scheduled to see my urologist on Thursday afternoon and I'm praying that I have no further problems.  I know there will be a point when a procedure will be required to remove the stone.  I would much rather the Lord perform a miraculous procedure to make it disappear, if it is His Will.

I would also appreciate your prayers, because I am scheduled to fly to Spartanburg, South Carolina on Saturday for a revival meeting at Cudd Memorial Baptist Church.

Did I happen to say that I would much appreciate your prayers?!?!

NOTE: I know believers are like "living stones", but I would prefer that not to include kidney stones!

4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  (1 Peter 2:4-5 NKJV)

Trevor Bayne, in spotlight after Daytona win, voices his goal

Posted on Feb 28, 2011 | by Tim Ellsworth

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Trevor Bayne's stunning win in the Daytona 500 propelled him immediately onto the national stage, where for the past week he has continued talking about the faithfulness of God in his life.

"The goal, this is going to sound weird, but it's not to be the best racecar driver, the most marketable, the most popular," Bayne said in a teleconference two days after his Feb. 20 Daytona win. "But it's to build a platform and let God use us on the platform that He's building, which might require me to become the best racecar driver or be the most marketable or most popular, whatever it is.

"I just want to stand on the platform He's putting under me," Bayne continued. "... If that's our goal, our highs and lows are going to be a lot more manageable."

The 20-year-old Bayne wrote his name in the record books by becoming the youngest driver ever to win the Daytona 500. The race was only Bayne's second Sprint Cup competition. However, he couldn't duplicate his Daytona success in the first race after his victory, crashing on the 50th lap of the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway Feb. 27 and finishing 40th overall.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.