Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1303633
The Motorcycle Missionary Marty Edwards My seminary work was done at The School of World Mission, one of three schools at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. It was the most exciting education I have ever participated in! The Black Sheep "pledge" (i.e. a vow, an oath, promise, or word of honor) begins with, "I am compelled by the Spirit of God..." To be "compelled" is to be "drawn, pulled, with a deep sense of obligation or duty." The next line reads, "I understand this is a mission and that I am now a missionary." How many of us truly understand what a missionary is – and goes through. My first thoughts are of a small man or woman wearing khaki shorts and a pith helmet covered with a mosquito net!(I know too many good missionaries to believe that.) A Christian missionary is someone who has dedicated their life to in one way or another fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) to preach the Gospel, baptize and make disciples. Most missionaries will spread the Gospel while performing a practical service, such as working at an orphanage or providing medical care. My friend Don Rogers (Empowering Lives International) teaches the poor in Africa how start small businesses so they don't have to brew alcohol or sell themselves in prostitution. Another friend, Steve Fitch, started "Eden Project" where he show people how to plant trees by the thousands in deforested wastelands. Both understand, however, that the Great Commission is at the heart of all they do. Missionaries are usually thought to move to other countries, some staying for a few years, some staying for a life time, but in today's fast moving electronic age, missionaries can visit cultures AND sub-cultures through television, the radio and the internet. Some just get on a motorcycle. Whatever their support function, the primary job of a missionary is to draw people closer to Jesus. In the case of Black Sheep HDFC, the people that we are trying to draw closer to Jesus are bikers; not people who simply own a motorcycle, but those who embrace the motorcycle lifestyle. A sub-culture is defined as "a group of people within a culture that differentiates itself from the parent culture. Subcultures develop their own norms and values regarding cultural." Missionaries start by becoming familiar with the people and the (sub)culture, embracing whatever elements of the lifestyle that they truly align with and are amoral. A Christian missionary reaching out to cannibals doesn't adapt to eating human flesh and Christian motorcycle missions have to tread carefully to remain in the biker world while obey Christian doctrine. Once locals become believers, they must be discipled, trained, and even educated to become pastors in their community. In some cultures, this can happen in a few years, but in many, it takes several generations to see any change. The strategy for Black Sheep HDFC is to be "fishers of men" (Mat 4:19) and direct our converts to the local church for discipleship. The life of a missionary can be a difficult one. First come years of training that cover theology, local culture, and whatever secondary job they'll be responsible for. For BSHDFC we have "mentorship" which is only ten lessons, a few books to read and a few months of observation and then we "hit the road." Perhaps that is why some are calling for "Mentorship II....and the III and then..." Missionaries face danger, as well as not being welcomed by the local. (Sounds like motorcycle ministry.) Missionaries can get ignored in Denmark or killed in India. Most of the perils in motorcycle ministry are found on the highway.) Nevertheless, Jesus told His disciples, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matthew 10). It takes a very special kind of person who is willing to spend their own time and money going to school, training for the skills necessary to reach out to those who desperately need Jesus. The traditional missionary often leaves their country, their home, their family and friends to work for very little money in a foreign and sometimes hostile country, often for an entire lifetime. Not so with motorcycle missionaries. While there is some training, a few weekends a year away from the family and an occasional rude comment from a drunk or angry biker, mostly we just ride beautiful motorcycle to interesting places. Sometimes we shine boots or hand out cold water and if we are really fortunate, we have the opportunity to pray with someone or even lead them to Christ. The cost? A motorcycle, patches, $15 a month dues (less for a couple), insurance, fuel.... Truth is motorcycle ministry cost SO MUCH less that uprooting a family and traveling overseas. So, does that make us any less worthy to be called "missionaries?" Not if we put our whole heart in it like foreign missionaries do. Not if we EMBRACE the hidden cost and sacrifice like they do. Not if we truly believe the importance of and eternal ramifications of us doing a good job or a poor one – because we do what we do for an audience one. Are you compelled by the Spirit of God?