Craig Francis

Name: Craig Francis
Nicknames: Craigy, Ripple
Birth: June 29, 1990
Hometown: Artesia, California
Favorite Driver: Jeff Gordon

I’m just an average person with unique and dynamic qualities, and gifts blessed by our Father in heaven. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at the age of 12 during my youth group’s camp in the summer of 2002. I’m a pretty quiet and shy person, and very laid back but can be outgoing at times. I graduated from Gahr High School on June 17, 2008. I was a varsity cross-country and distance track runner in high school. I am currently a college student studying to get my degree in Pastoral Ministry. God has a plan for me, and it’s His plan that I will fulfill in complete worship. I attend a Foursquare church in Norwalk, California called Lifestream Worship Center. I was born into the church, because I was blessed to be born to parents who have accepted and are following Christ faithfully to this day. I’m apart our youth ministry called UTURN, as a youth leader. I participate in our worship team as one of our church’s sound/media technicians and operator, and as a vocal. I do not affiliate with any church, church group, denomination, or any religion. I only represent the kingdom of heaven as a Christian, having a love relationship with my Father and living it as my daily lifestyle.

No one should despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.“ 1 Timothy 4:12

I believe in our risen king, Jesus Christ. I’m not afraid to proclaim and boast about his glory. My goal is to live my life everyday obsessed for my God and his love. I want to have that crazy love, just as Francis Chan expresses in his book, Crazy Love. I will boldly speak the Words of God; so that everyone will know God’s love for his children, as well his punishment for those who denounce the kingdom of heaven. I love my father, and that is why I will walk the narrow and tough road. Not so I can enter the gates of heaven, but because I love him so much that I will stress myself far to spend the rest of my life with him.

Craig’s Latest Mission Trip

Love is patient; love is kind. Love does not envy; is not boastful; is not conceited; does not act improperly; is not selfish; is not provoked; does not keep a record of wrongs; finds no joy in unrighteousness, rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all tings. Love never ends.“ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (HCSB)

My racing career began as a childhood dream at the age of 2. As soon as I was able to ask my mom to change to channel from Sesame Street to racing, I got hooked to it. My mom would put on NASCAR for me, and I would watch my favorite driver, Jeff Gordon, still the only driver I cheer for since I became a racing fan and enthusiast. Whenever I got the chance, I would go to local go-kart venues and tracks, and drive them around the little circuits. My addiction to cars continued to grow and was momentarily cured through my running career and as an auto mechanic student in high school. I started running distance races for my elementary track team. I continued my distance running career until my sophomore year in high school. I had to quit the team after cross-country season to work on grades and graduation. I had a difficult time coping with that, but God humbled me and gave me hope for a promised future that he has planned for me.

I started doing indoor karting as a hobby, but that still didn’t calm my desire to race. Through patience and prayer, God gifted me with a chance. I was slowly introduced to many people in the racing industry, even those who were dedicated followers of Jesus. They continued to give me tips and tried to give me guides, but couldn’t get a career started. After many years, I didn’t want to pursue it anymore, but later realized that I was going for it all wrong. God spoke to my heart, and showed me my selfish desire in my self-glory instead of using this gift to glorify him more. As soon as I started to move deeper with him, Christ gave me the opportunity to glorify my Father in the sport he gave me passion in.

In 2010, I’m going out to compete and grow my racing career. But I’m going to do it only glorifying and pleasing our Father. I hope to spread the Good News to everyone in racing community, not just in our hometowns or country, but around the world. No one will be deprived of hearing and experiencing his love. As well as, continuing studying and preparing in college for full-time ministry as a pastor.