Chaplains
Sam Ed Spence The Chaplain at Lone Star Park since the track opened in 1997, Sam, 66, Executive Director of Race Track Chaplaincy of Texas. Sam has previously held that same position with Race Track Chaplaincy of America, Quarter Racing Owners of America, and the American Paint Horse Assn., where he founded the Paint Horse Journal in 1966.
A graduate of Texas A&M University, Sam was the pastor of Calvary Christian Center, a non-denominational church in Keller, TX for 10 years, before becoming Chaplain at Trinity Meadows Raceway in Weatherford, TX, in 1995.
Sam and his wife, Margie, have four children -- Tonya, Tammy, Dondi, and David – and nine grandchildren. They make their home in Southlake, TX.
sams@lonestarpark.com
972.237-4818 Office
817.909-2850 Cell
Assistant Chaplain: Eddie Rodriguez
eddier@lonestarpark.com
972.237-1168 Office
214.908-8678
 John Shumaker John Shumaker came to Sam Houston Race Park in 1999 as the Chaplain's Assistant. His understanding of the program helped to ensure a smooth transition when he was promoted to Chaplain in September 2000. Shumaker has been involved with the racing industry since 1986. He became familiar with the people and horses in the racing industry while shoeing horses at the race tracks in Arizona.
In 1994, Shumaker became involved in the Race Track Chaplaincy Of America (RTCA) as a council member at Turf Paradise in Phoenix. In 1995, he was elected to the RTCA board and held that position until leaving his home state to join Sam Houston Race Park.
Shumaker loves and respects the people on the backside, and he has a unique understanding of the ups and downs of life at the racetrack. When he is not walking and talking with the people on the backside, you can find Shumaker shoeing a few horses on area farms or enjoying life with his family - wife Amy, two sons Travis and Jacob and daughter Casey Jo.
chaplainshu@aol.com
281.807-7236 Office
281.744-8864 Cell
Assistant Chaplain: Vincente Ruiz
vincente@LRhouston.com
281.802-3050 Cell
 Waverly Parsons Chaplain Waverly Parsons co-founded an organization called Cowboy Christian Fellowship over a decade ago. While hanging out with the Christian cowboys, strummin' his guitar and singin' like an ol' cowhand, Waverly heard about a ministry called Race Track Chaplaincy of America. Like so many people we see today, when Waverly first heard of a ministry at a racetrack, he was a bit skeptical. Little did he know that years later he would become a Race Track Chaplain himself.
When Trinity Meadows Race Track opened in Weatherford, Texas in 1991 and the horses started running, Waverly became the Assistant Chaplain under Chaplain Don Smith. Today at the same facility now called, Squaw Creek Downs Training Center, and also at the Gillespie County Fair, Waverly is the Chaplain. Waverly also pays visits to running horse farms in Parker, Wise, and Johnson counties.
Waverly and his wife Brenda have been married for 30 plus years and reside in Peaster, Texas. They have three children, Misti, Aaron and Trent. Trent helps his dad in a cedar business, making everything from saddle racks to crosses out of aromatic red cedar.
chaplainwaverly@hotmail.com
817.903-8279 Cell
Assistant Chaplain: Jaime G. Obregon
817.626-0288 Office
817.658-3349 Cell
Mike Bingaman The Chaplain at Retama Park since the track opened in 1995, Mike,51, also served as Chaplain at Bandera Downs and at Trinity Meadows. A native of the state of Washington, he was a volunteer Chaplain at Yakima Meadows in l982.
Later Mike became the fulltime Chaplain at Longacres Race Track in Seattle in 1986, where he served until the track closed in 1992.
Mike is a 1983 graduate of Northwest College of the Assemblies of God, and he received his Masters degree in professional counseling in 2001. He and his wife, Robin, reside in San Antonio and have three children, Joshua, Amy, and Tommy.
ponypastor@sbcglobal.net
210.651-7058 Office
210.887-5581 Cell
RTCT State Board of Directors
Exec. Director/Secretary: Sam Ed Spence
President: Eddie Rodriguez
Vice President: Daniel Reed
Treasurer: Terry Hobbs
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