Once each year, in late June, I help at a large tent sale for a car dealership for which I used to work. It’s a big deal with three dealership participating, music, clowns, and an announcer in a tuxedo.

On the opening day I met one of the new gals working in the office. While using her computer I noticed a couple of the websites that she had visited: NHRA.com and TheBibleExplained.com. I showed her my RFC chaplain identification and got to meet her husband as well.

I was struck by the irony of being in a tent in a dusty field, on a Friday, surrounded by 500 cars, and I wasn’t going around inviting people to a chapel service. I did not sleep well Friday night as the Lord spoke to me about the need for a chapel on Sunday morning.

The devil was actively whispering words of doubt but I told him to hit the road as I sought out the director for permission to hold a chapel Sunday morning in a side room of the tent. Without hesitation Jack said, “Absolutely!” Paulette put together a flier that we handed out to the other dealerships, wash crews, finance people, and posted around the site.

Sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful. I arranged chairs, played a Dennis Agajanian CD, and the announcer counted down, “Church will start in five minutes,” and “…two minutes.” We had ten in chapel and I shared a message that I had used at a race a few weeks back. Those attending all thanked me and the announcer shouted, “Now that’s the way to start a Sunday,” when chapel concluded.

There are tent sale staff with schedules not unlike some racers. Twenty to thirty times a year they take off from home on a Tuesday or Wednesday to set up for their event, then they work long hours through the weekend. Those who would like to attend church rarely can due to their schedule.

It’s amazing what happens when we listen to God’s voice and open ourselves up to His will.

Bob Hadidian
Region #7 Chaplain