To 'gearheads' across the country, he’s known as “Hot Rod Rev,” the pastor, appropriately enough, of Restoration Hot Rod Church. The leader of the ministry, Pastor Joel Gilchrist, is a familiar — and welcome — face at speedways and local car shows. Restoration Hot Rod Church is a traveling ministry that brings people together by tying in their love for God and their love for cars.
PK's free online event is July 31 and August 1
Gilchrist believes more than ever, men need to band together to be spiritual leaders at home, at work, and in their communities.
It is no surprise that many gearheads are male and the passion Gilchrist has for ministering to men naturally led him to become involved with Promise Keepers, a Christian men’s ministry focused on helping men live with integrity as godly men, husbands, fathers and leaders. It was founded in 1990 by the University of Colorado football coach Bill McCartney.
Gilchrist found his enthusiasm for Promise Keepers when he attended a live event and was encouraged by the inspirational messages and uplifting worship designed to empower men to live a life of integrity and find their band of brothers. Gilchrist believes more than ever, men need to band together to be spiritual leaders at home, at work, and in their communities.
Gilchrist, eager to attend another live event, was sprang into action when Promise Keepers announced a live event with 80,000 men July 31 and Aug. 1, 2020, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Gilchrist knew the support men would feel, as he once did at a Promise Keepers live event and began to envision how to encourage men to attend this event.
He combined his love of cars and Jesus to organize a cruise and worship road trip to AT&T Stadium. The road trip was scheduled to make stops in North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas, adding men along the way. Participants were eager to visit each stop, including venues such as Atlanta Motorsports Park and Duck Commander. Each location planned to feature a cruise in and worship service, where attendees would be able to partake in a worship service, but also show off their cars.
When the pandemic in Texas prompted Promise Keepers to postpone the stadium event until 2021 and create a massive, free online event July 31 and Aug. 1 called “The Global Digital Experience,” Gilchrist seized on it right away, hosting a virtual site in his hometown and inviting gearheads everywhere to join him to participate in worship and teaching designed by men for men. And if you're a gearhead, know that the Hot Rod Rev is already mapping out a road trip to AT&T Stadium for the 2021 Promise Keepers event July 16 and 17, 2021 in Arlington.
It’s not too late for churches and individuals to sign up for the completely free Promise Keepers Global Digital Experience. It features speakers like Tony Evans, Bob Goff, Steve Arterburn and Mark Batterson, and musicians and worship leaders like Michael W. Smith, Danny Gokey and Phil Wickham.
For the full lineup of speakers and musicians for the 2020 Global Digital Experience, a map of simulcast sites near you, and to sign up for free, visit www.promisekeepersevent.com.
For more information on Restoration Hot Rod Church, visit www.facebook.com/hotrodrev.