It is with incredible sadness that IJSBA announces the passing of Brian O'Rourke a long time Personal Watercraft Racer and Christian Faith advocate. Brian has been involved with IJSBA's racing program since the early 1990s most often participating on a Sport class watercraft. Brian created a ministry he named "Team Faith" which brought his message to watercraft races, Supercross, and more. Always wanting to stay in the sport where he was passionate, Brian also operated a transportation service for competitors on the IJSBA National Tour, took over an aftermarket hood company renaming it "Faith Composites" and even organized a competition a time or two. His dedication to a position of the Bible being "the truth" saw him never wavering even when it faced opposition or inconvenience for him to put his message of faith first. Competitors who relied on his guidance for integrating spirituality into the sport will especially miss him. We send our condolences to his loved ones and colleagues at the Team Faith Ministry.
Managing Director Comments: On a personal note, I have known Brian in many different types of relationships. In 1998, I sent my watercraft on the Team Faith trailer throughout all of IJSBA's National Tour and participated in a few bible studies with him at various tour stops despite not being of the same faith. Often, I had Brian assume the official spiritual duties for World Finals for those who wished to participate. Brian and I had differences of opinion on religion and the role of it in society but these difference produced many late night discussions sharing viewpoints and frequently forming common ground on many ideas. Brian believed in the New Testament as absolute fundamental truth. His push for others to accept this is motivated by him believing that souls are legitimately saved and earning eternal salvation by accepting the same truth. He spent his life preaching this to the very end and wanted everyone he encountered to have the peace, joy, and contentment that came from a fellowship of the same beliefs. His dedication is to be celebrated. I will miss the debates, the talks, and most of all, the admiration I had for him whenever watching him follow his beliefs.
