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WheelsOfGrace.com | Volume 11 Issue 3 | 7 F. A. I. T. H. RIDERS No One Left Behind www.faithriders.com F. A . I . T. H . R i d e r s state convention to the motorcycle ministry which has chapters in more than 350 Southern Baptist churches. Morgan Medford (on the right with the hat), now retired from the Dakota convention, developed a 21-day prayer guide that is updated each year by Marty Youngblood of the Georgia convention. Youngblood also leads in a prayer and encouragement ministry to Sturgis vendors, first responders and city employees. "Like a chaplain, that encouragement can lead to a deeper conversation about their relationship with Christ," Youngblood said, noting, "As R.A. Torrey says, 'The most important human factor in effective evangelism is prayer.'" Volunteers came from across the nation each year to participate in the Sturgis outreach. Area churches housed and often fed them. In addition to Georgia Baptists, the North American Mission Board and Southern Baptist Convention of Texas were key sponsors, supplemented by donations from churches and individuals. Golden, in his last year as executive director, realized the need to redirect NAMB's support from the Sturgis rally toward churches in the Dakotas. Within a week of his letter to pastors announcing the end of the Sturgis outreach, F.A.I.T.H. Riders contacted Golden to say they would absorb it into their ministries. Stewart, speaking to the gathering in Spearfish, said he expects no changes in how the Sturgis ministry is coordinated. DBC missions director Buck Hill continued to provide hands-on leadership, with logistical support from Bob Clardy, a staff pastor at Whitefield Baptist Church in Belton, S.C., and registration led by Ed Wiebe of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. "The last 14 years have helped Dakotans see that God can use us in 'outside the box' ways," Golden said, "and it has helped us develop partnerships with several churches, associations and state conventions. "A lot of volunteers have combined to partner with churches here. Those partnerships started because of the rally, and God then led them to partner in other areas. "I'm grateful God gave us the opportunity to do this evangelism ministry at Sturgis," Golden said. "I'm grateful for the relationships we've built with people all over the nation and that we were able to train our replacements, F.A.I.T.H. Riders." by Karen L. Willoughby Photo by Karen L. Willoughby