Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/895972
are all in this thing called life together and do your best to not repeat the same dumb mistakes you have already done. There is not one person on this planet that is more important than another. W.O.G. Was there a profound moment in your life, a life- changing experience that made you believe in Jesus and have the personal rela onship you have with Him today? M.S. August 11th, 1979 while living at Mare Island, California someone loaned me a tape of a tes mony of Mike Wernke who had been a pre y bad actor, joined the Navy, became a Hospital Corpsman and served in Viet Nam with the Marines; his story related to me in a very deep and personal way because it was like he was telling my life story. I knew a er hearing that, that I could have a more meaningful life. I had been trying to live my life with me in control and was really messing it up. I gave Jesus control and everything changed. W.O.G. Let's talk about F.A.I.T.H. Riders. How did you get involved in F.A.I.T.H. Riders and how long have you been a part of this ministry? M.S. I have been involved in F.A.I.T.H. Riders since 2007. Started a chapter at my local church (Hibernia Bap st, Fleming Island, FL), and a er a couple of years was asked by Buddy Newsome to be the state coordinator for Florida and then about a year later was asked to be the assistant Na onal Director. Prior to that, my wife Diane and I were ac ve members of another very large Chris an Motorcycle Ministry for seven years. W.O.G. How long ago were you asked to be the Na onal Director? M.S. I was asked to step up from Assistant Na onal Director to become the President/Na onal Director in April 2016. W.O.G. I know that F.A.I.T.H. Riders is actually an acronym. What does F.A.I.T.H. Riders stand for and what is the F.A.I.T.H. Riders' mission? M.S. Forgiveness, Available, Impossible, Turn, and Heaven. Main mission is to be a motorcycle ministry passionate about sharing Christ with the world. Our main scripture is 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is pa ent with you, not wan ng anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance". We all call that: "No One Le Behind". W.O.G. I heard you have recently expanded F.A.I.T.H. Riders outside of the country. Is that true? M.S. Yes, we recently started a chapter in Cuba and are looking at star ng a second chapter there as well. W.O.G. And, in one of the most unusual countries for a motorcycle ministry and one that motorcycle ministries did not exist un l F.A.I.T.H. Riders. M.S. We will go anywhere and there are hur ng people in every country. Our chapters are an extension of the senior pastor of the local church to try and reach people with a message of hope. W.O.G. What age were you when you rode your first bike? M.S. Sophomore in high school. I didn't even have a kick stand and I had to push it to pop the clutch and start it everywhere I went, but loved it to death. W.O.G. What was the worse bike you owned? And why? M.S. It was not a bad bike but way too small and underpowered for me. It was a Yamaha Virago 535. W.O.G. How old were you when you read the Bible for the first me? M.S. Probably… late twen es. I was in a Catholic seminary for a me and thought I was going to be a priest. I do not remember ever reading the Bible while there though. First me I went to a Bible study I was scared to death because I knew absolutely nothing. A Navy chaplain showed me incredible pa ence and began to help me. W.O.G. What did that mean to you? For someone that is reading this interview and does not have a rela onship with God, what would you tell them about reading the Bible? M.S. I would say to not be in midated by it. It is a love le er wri en from God to you personally. I know an awful lot of people misquote it or try to use scripture as a weapon. I am sorry for that. It is a wonderful compila on of books (66 of them) to make up one book. I would say start with the book of John and read it about five mes from start to finish before anything else. Don't be afraid to ask someone to help you understand it before discoun ng it and giving up. W.O.G. How long have you been married and what is your secret to a happy marriage? M.S. My lovely wife Diane and I have been married for 28 years. It is not a secret but a pillar that can get you through anything is, forgiveness. Neither one of us is perfect. For every mistake she may make, I make ten more. We have also pledged to one another that we do not confess each other's faults to someone else. WheelsOfGrace.com Volume 9 Issue 4 27