The faster pastor: Tom Cohick's love of racing endured after he left his drinking days behind and accelerated his career as a preacher.

Byline: Marty O'Brien

Jun. 24--GLOUCESTER -- On a rainy Sunday morning at Beulah Baptist, Pastor Tom Cohick preaches about the Exodus. Moses, he says, is telling God that he's not the right man to lead Hebrew slaves from Egypt. God is having none of it.

"When God calls, it's not an invitation and it's not debatable," Cohick tells a congregation of about 80 inside the one-story white church nestled in the woods near the North River in Gloucester.

"You might not think you're the person for the job, but if God calls, you are."

Eleven years ago, Cohick might have questioned God as fervently as Moses did. Back then, hearing the Lord over the roar of his race-car engine or a cold-beer-buzz might have been difficult anyway.

Cohick's beer-drinking days are behind him now. But he still races and is good enough that his nickname, "The Faster Pastor," is more than hype.

The night before the Exodus sermon, Cohick won his second race of the season in the Late Model Division at Virginia Motor Speedway near Saluda. He is the only driver in the half-mile dirt track's premier classification with two victories this season.

Racing stock cars is the bridge between the middle-aged Baptist minister and the self-professed wild youth. Prayer in convalescent homes have replaced Coors Light in bars.

"God doesn't work on credit," Cohick, 46, tells the congregation. "He gives you what you need when you need it."

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