Racing toward hope: Mansfield Speedway shifts gears for the Festival of Hope

MANSFIELD — Jessica Wilging said she never knew what to expect when she and a steering committee began planning the Festival of Hope.

“All I knew was that God put me and the steering committee on an assignment to host a gospel outreach so people could hear the eternal message of Jesus Christ that truly breathes hope into people,” said Wilging, a member of Fusion Lex and executive director of Godsfield.

Wilging said Matt Tifft, owner of Mansfield Speedway, contacted the steering committee halfway through the March of Prayer and said he felt God was leading him to host the Festival of Hope.

“At this point, that’s the second largest event we’d ever have at the Speedway, only second to July 4 and who knows, that day it might even become the largest,” Tifft said.

The event will bring churches, volunteers and community members together at Mansfield Speedway, 400 Crall Road E., on Aug. 22.

Gates will open at 3 p.m., and admission is free, with food and other items available for purchase.

“I feel honored and blessed to be in the position to host any kind of event at all. It’s always a super cool thing to do but then as a Christian, it’s a really unique thing to be able to hopefully change lives,” Tifft said.

A growing event at Mansfield Speedway

Since planning began, Wilging said the response has exceeded expectations through financial support, volunteer involvement and registrations.

“I serve a big, miraculous God, so I’m not overly surprised by these miracles when it comes to numbers,” Wilging said.

More than 6,300 people have already registered, and hundreds of volunteers from churches across the area are helping bring the event together.

It’s definitely going to be a special day and hopefully filled with a lot of happiness, joy and having people find God more in their lives.

matt tifft, owner of mansfield speedway

Wilging said she saw additional confirmation during the group’s vision casting night, when nearly all the money needed for the event came in during one evening.

A couple who has mentored Wilging through the planning process and helped organize gospel outreaches in other states also described the response as miraculous, she said.

“They told me every part of this event has been miraculous based on their experience,” Wilging said.

Tifft said his own experience with faith shapes what he hopes people take away from the event.

“You know, for myself, I was somebody who did not believe in God. My walk with faith was met with a lot of curiosity and a lot of skepticism at first, and this is not that many years ago,” he added.

He said the Speedway also considers the values and impact of events when deciding what it hosts.

“I want to feel like whenever we host an event for people at a racetrack or entertainment venue, it is a good event,” Tifft added. “What I mean by that is it’s positive, whether positive means fun, exciting, entertaining or something that aligns with our morals. That it’s actually doing good for the community.

“I truly believe that Mansfield Speedway is a place that’s open to everybody. But that being said, it has to be in a spot where when people come through those gates, they feel safe and welcome.”

Meeting physical needs while sharing a message of hope

One part of the event Wilging said she is especially excited about is the number of giveaways available to attendees.

“Last time I checked, it’s like $20,000 worth of giveaways,” she said.

The giveaways will include gas cards, gift cards to barber shops and salons, grand prize drawings and up to $500 toward September utility bills for six people.

Wilging said the goal is to help meet people’s physical needs, while also sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

Tifft said he hopes the Festival of Hope brings joy to those who already have faith while welcoming people who may be curious or skeptical about religion and encouraging them to ask questions.

“Whether it’s going to a church or going on YouTube and watching a sermon, just to start asking those questions,” Tifft said. “That’s where I think it starts.”

The event will also feature a live DJ, bounce houses, a Kids Zone area, food trucks and concessions. Organizers have 1,000 Bibles available, six baptism stations planned and a follow-up team ready to connect with individuals after the event.

Tifft will share his testimony. Richland County Juvenile Court Judge Steve McKinley will offer an encouraging word and evangelist Markus McFolling of Reach One Ministries will deliver a message.

Rides to the event will be available through Mansfield First Assembly and First English Lutheran Church from pickup locations downtown and the McPherson Street area.

Churches unite around prayer and the gospel

Wilging said one of the biggest impacts of the Festival of Hope has been seeing churches across the area come together.

She said local churches have united around prayer through events such as the March of Prayer and the National Day of Prayer Parade, but this marks the first time they have unified around a gospel outreach.

“I’m learning that with so many churches in our area, if we can keep the main thing, which is Jesus Christ being the Lord and Savior, then we can accomplish anything,” Wilging said.

The goal, she said, is not to change how churches worship, but to bring them together for a shared mission.

“We are not trying to make churches conform to a certain worship expression,” Wilging said. “We are just asking churches to unite in order to make a lasting impact on our community.”

People who register for the event can submit prayer requests. Wilging said the prayer requests have become one of the most meaningful parts of the process.

“We are getting thousands upon thousands of prayer requests as people register,” she added. “Those aren’t just being looked over. They are going to a prayer team that is designated to pray for these people.”

Wilging said the Festival of Hope represents the beginning of more outreach efforts in the future.

“Doing it at a big venue like this is cool, but I plan on doing more crusade styles where we travel around the community,” Wilging said.

Tifft said, “It’s definitely going to be a special day and hopefully filled with a lot of happiness, joy and having people find God more in their lives.”