Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1491406
Missionary or Social Worker? Marty Edwards Even though I am now retired from BSHDFC leadership, I continue to promote the ministry of Black Sheep: Harley-Davidsons for Christ with great enthusiasm! I love this ministry! I am very proud of this ministry and all of our members! I tell them about our boot shines, our blessing of the bikes, our hospital visits and the rides that raise money for children, etc. And then I tell them about the trips we take and the beautiful places we have seen. They listen patiently and there's always one who asks, "Aren't you afraid of getting into a motorcycle accident?" I assure them that we ride safe and sober and obey the traffic laws (sort of) and that God is always with us and that we have only had one fatality in 23 years and quickly add that it was caused by a thoughtless person while talking on their cell phone. A lot of people ask, "But what do you actually do? You know, in terms of sharing the Gospel." Over the years I have had a lot of time to ponder that question and I have always relied on the answer, "We do boot shines and bless the motorcycles, pray for the riders' safety, visit those in the hospitals and , ya know....raise money for sick or under-privileged children...[uh] ya know!" And that's when I started honestly asking myself, "What's the difference between a social worker and a Christian [motorcycle] missionary?" The answer is, "Social workers help people, but Christian missionaries also tell people about Jesus." That's when I was reminded (and just about every day since) of Psalm 107:2, " Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story..." (NIV) Bike blessings and boot shines and visiting injured bikers is great...if it provides opportunity to pray for someone AND tell them (at least) that God loves them and that Jesus Christ died for our sins. Space here doesn't allow for me to share even a fraction of what the Bible has to say about the command that we share Jesus with others. Most Christians would never think of breaking the commandments of drunkenness, lying or adultery...but what about the commandment that Jesus gave to his disciples? "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 What about, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:16-17 or "Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord..." 2 Timothy 1:8 or "I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last..." John 15:16 or "...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 What about, "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." 2 Cor5:20 Whoa! That's a big one. Listen...I get it! It's hard....harder for some than for others, but there is a way to be a Christ witnessing missionary without getting out on the streets with a big JESUS LOVES YOU sign (...and there's nothing wrong with that either.) You could type out your testimony of (a) how you came to Jesus and (b) what a difference He has made in your life. You could send it to your friends, hand it out to people that you meet and say something like, "Hey, I'm not much of a speaker, but I'd like to give you something from me that I wrote." If they are your friend...or even a close acquaintance, they'll read it! And there will be an opportunity for you later to follow up with them. You could share your testimony in a video on Facebook. You could even share your testimony on Black Sheep's Face Book Live! (I've asked some of you many times but you just don't respond. Why?) Here's a successful Facebook Live format that I have used with others: 1. You give me a list of questions to ask you about your pre-Christian life and how you came to follow Christ and then (2) I will ask you those questions for which you have prepared (or even written down) answers. I believe, in time, by taking these smaller baby steps and praying for the Holy Spirit to calm your fears and open up your mouth, HE will give you the ability to share your faith with others! Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew: "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities [and any other scary people], do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." (Matthew 12:11-13) Do not say, "That's not my gift!" That's a cop-out! To be perfectly honest, it's not my gift either. Oh I can (and have) preach in front of hundreds, or even thousands about the love of Jesus and the need for salvation and then give an invitation for people to come forward...but that's much easier than looking someone in the eye. So, how do I get over the jitters? Sometimes I just "go for it" and God honors me blesses my courage. Sometimes I "bomb" and well, at least I tried. But in the end, I know that I want and have been called to be more than a social worker. I am a missionary for the cause of my LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. It's what we do. It's a commandment. a