Wheels Of Grace Magazine

Volume 11, Issue 4

Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/1235010

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 13 of 31

14 | WheelsOfGrace.com | Issue 50 A little apprehensive, perhaps hesitant, or even scared…these words might describe the feelings I had when I found myself in the presence of bikers. I will never forget my first experience with bikers as a child. The bikes were loud and the bikers were frightening. Needless to say, I learned my feelings from parents as they said, "Don't look at them and they might leave us alone." For all I knew, they could have been Christians; but the stereotype of mean and irreverent bikers overshadowed any possible thought that they might be Christian bikers. I got a feel of a bike in my hands when I was a teenager. A friend allowed me to ride his dirt bike around the farm. What a thrill! I never quite got over that feeling; and eventually, in adulthood I bought my first motorcycle and have never looked back. Actually, I have looked back, reminisced and reflected on my viewpoint of bikers. The compassion that God gave me for bikers started with an invitation to mingle with a group of radically changed individuals. A biker from my congregation asked me if I would like to meet a bikers' ministry in Dothan, Alabama. I agreed and soon met some of the roughest, yet loving group of Christian Bikers that one could ever meet. Yes, the bikes were loud and the beards were long, but the love I felt that day superseded any hesitancy. I learned that looks do not give a good description of the heart. Black leather, loud bikes and long hair can describe a Christian to the same extent as a suit, finely cut hair, and a meek countenance depicts a God-fearing person. The bikers took me in and made me feel at home. Soon, I found my erroneous, preconceived mind-set about bikers diminishing. Before long, I found myself seeking out any biker, regardless of their relationship with Christ. I was inclined to make conversation with bikers because I saw it as an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Sometimes I found they were believers but often they were not. Yet, because I had broken down the walls of prejudice, I could speak freely. In fact, God led me to begin my church's first B.A.D. Sunday (a.k.a. Biker Appreciation Day). The second year of the event we invited, now deceased, Barry Mason who was a former Hell's Angel who shared his life's story. On the front row of the sanctuary were a group of 1%ers. A biker by the name of Indian, who was their sergeant of arms, heard the Gospel message that day and in time accepted Christ into his life. Indian later shared that he was packing a pistol in church that Sunday! Not too long after his conversion, he was instrumental in leading a Buddhist female biker to Christ. Look at what can be accomplished when we put aside our intolerances. It was not long before I patched out with the Bikers For Christ and connected with this ministry that was concerned about their fellow bikers. These brothers and sisters had one goal in mind—"to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell." Isn't this what Christians are supposed to do? Of course! The Scriptures state in Mark 16:15, "…Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." The term "world" does not limit our ministry focus to foreign countries, but encompasses our own communities as well, which includes the world of bikers. According to this Scripture, we have just as much an obligation to minister to bikers as we do to persons who speak other languages. I am different now from when I was a child who huddled down in the back seat of our family car as bikers raced by in a thunderous roar. Now, when I hear a group of bikers coming next to the car my heart begins to pound as I picture myself riding with them. I pray for them and wonder what past life they might have lived or if anyone has told them about Jesus who saves us from a life of sin. And at the same time, I wonder if they just might be my brother or sister in Christ! Mark D. Berry, Ed.D is the district superintendent of the Alabama South District Church of the Nazarene and a member of the Bikers For Christ. Broken Down Walls Bikers for Christ M/M members rumble around the world on their motorcycles proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord to "all types of people" (especially Bikers), with an emphasis on living out the Great Commission. BFC M/M is also used as an evangelis c outreach of many local churches. If you're interested in knowing more, check out our website, read the ABOUT sec on, and our CHARTER, then you can email or call us for more informa on. * www.bikersforchrist.org * bfcintlhq@hotmail.com * (760) 940-0257 * Facebook: Bikers For Christ Interna onal Headquarters Bikers for Christ M/M began in 1990, founded by Pastor Fred Zariczny (who was a former outlaw biker & drug dealer). Bikers for Christ Motorcycle Ministry is an: an "ON-FIRE, LOVING, EVANGELISTIC, EXCITING, DYNAMIC, EFFECTIVE AND FUN MINISTRY" with members all over the United States and overseas in many other countries. May the Lord bless you, as you look to see if this might be a good fit, for you and your ministries. The membership of Bikers for Christ Motorcycle Ministry (BFC M/M) is made up of men and women who have answered God's call a calling on their lives to minister to those in the motorcycle community. BFC M/M is an evangelis c outreach ministry, an inter-denomina onal ministry of various Chris an churches. Contact us – we're always interested in bringing more solid Chris an men and women into our membership ranks, who want to turn their world right-side up. If you sense God leading you to minister as a member of BFC, we'd love to speak with you. Go to www.bikersforchrist.org and click on "Chapters" to find the BFC chapter nearest you, and call or email the leaders. You can also email us at: bfcintlhq@hotmail.com for more info. BIKERS FOR CHRIST Motorcycle Ministry -"Some Wish to Live Within the Sound of Church or Chapel Bells, We Want to Run a Rescue Shop Within a Yard of Hell" Dr. Mark Berry www.bikerforchrist.org

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Wheels Of Grace Magazine - Volume 11, Issue 4