■ THE MINISTRY OF CHAPLAINS
local church and, consequently, are
unable to build relationships with pastors
and other Christians. This is why he and
Marion’s ministry is so vital. They
become pastor to these people and their
families for the few short weeks they are
in town.
Because of the nature of the industry,
injuries happen regularly. When they do,
Chaplain Rick is there, ministering the
love of Christ—at the scene, in the hospi-
tal, and even in the funeral home. He
and Marion do counseling, teach English
to Hispanic immigrants, and conduct
weddings and funerals. They also plan
game nights and other activities for the
children and teenagers from the racetrack
families. The goal, as with any ministry,
is to lead people to Christ and make disci-
ples. With moist eyes, Rick tells about a
blacksmith—employed to shoe horses—
who, when Rick befriended him, declared
himself an atheist. Over time, Chaplain
Rick won his confidence, then his soul.
Today, that former blacksmith is also a
chaplain.
A few years ago, a group of Christian
business leaders from the greater Hot
Springs area formed an organization and
built a lovely multipurpose chapel behind
Shortly after arriving in Hot Springs, the stables at Oaklawn. It is here that■ by JAMES E. COSSEY
Chaplain Rick visited a local church (not Chaplain Rick conducts regular worship
D
ESPITE THE SUBTLE gray in his the local Church of God) only to hear the services at 10 a.m. on Sunday and on
hair, his mischievous smile and pastor refer to Oaklawn as “the hellhole Tuesday nights. Because races are held on
youthful attitude cause Rick of Hot Springs.” Doing a takeoff from the Sunday, the Tuesday night service is larg-
Mann to be perceived as much younger mantra “What would Jesus do?” Rick er, attracting 120 people. The con-
than his 60 years. Though only a few asked the pastor, “Where would Jesus stituents of this congregation are tellers,
months his senior, I find myself panting go?” If Jesus were to come in the flesh to security personnel, trainers, jockeys, vet-
to keep up as he escorts me across the Hot Springs, the chaplain asserted, He erinarians, and their families. Because
grounds of Oaklawn Racetrack in the city would most likely go to the places where many are Hispanic, services are conduct-
of my birth—Hot Springs, Arkansas. Rick sinners congregate and where needs are ed in both English and Spanish. Chaplain
Mann, a credentialed minister and certi- the greatest—just as He did while minis- Rick estimates that his ministry leads
fied Church of God chaplain, along with tering on the earth nearly 2,000 years from 20 to 25 men and women to Christ
his wife, Marion, serves as the full-time ago. The pastor conceded that he respect- each year.
chaplain at this world-renowned facility. ed Rick for the genuine evangelism in A native Minnesotan, Chaplain Mann
Formerly a Church of God pastor and which he is engaged. is a graduate of Mountain State Universi-
youth pastor, Chaplain Rick has served Although he is active in ministry all ty and holds a master’s degree in rehabili-
for the past 19 years as an institutional year long, the most demanding times are tation counseling from West Virginia
chaplain, recognized by the Church of during the months of the racing season University. He has served as racetrack
God Chaplain’s Commission, and serving when the jockeys and their crews are in chaplain in Kansas, Colorado, Texas, Vir-
at racetracks across America. My visit town. Chaplain Mann states that many ginia, and West Virginia before being
with Chaplain Rick is nostalgic; 35 years of the jockeys and crew members are assigned to Oaklawn. He and Marion are
ago, when I served as state youth and Christians, but because their job takes members of River of Life Church of God
Christian education director in Iowa, Rick them from city to city all year long, they in Hot Springs, where Pastor Ben Wiles
was on my board. are unable to become established in a serves as an adviser to his ministry.
18 EVANGEL • AUG 2009
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