Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1508757
More Than A Boot Shine Marty Edwards When BSHDFC first started in 1999, it was just five guys and their wives looking for a way to connect with bikers to demonstrate the love and message of Christ. While other groups were focused on hosting biker church and handing out tracts at motorcycle events, we saw the obvious need to be the 400 HOG members at our Temecula , CA dealership. (Yeah, it was indeed that large in 1999). The flashpoint that started BSHDFC was when the original five responded to the tragic and sudden death of an employee at Temecula Valley HD. As Christians, we knew what to do: show up and listen and pray. In the years to come we would try all kinds of crazy ideas, like renting a stretch limo for cruising the Laughlin boulevard with balloons, strobe lights and magnet signs that said, "NOBODY PARTIES IN HELL BABY, but everybody parties in Heaven...and the party has begun!" Some cheered and applauded while others booed us. One guy even ran out into the middle of the road an mooned us! Like I said, we would try anything. (Though this may not have been our best idea ever!) We also offered two minute bike blessings in the casino parking lots as riders came and went. 50% of those we asked were more than happy for us to pray for them and their rides and to pray for any other things that might be going on in their lives. Then came the boot shine (years later)! It was a simple but GENIUS way to get bikers at an event to SIT DOWN and let us get to know them and them to know us...or better yet, Jesus! But if you're thinking, "What difference do shiny boots make?" you're missing the point. As we shined and buffed their dirty boots, we asked them the usual questions, like: "Where ya from?" and "What do you ride?" But during the next twenty minutes many would finally ask, "So what's Black Sheep all about?" That wasn't the time to POUNCE, but to humbly tell them what Jesus meant to us. My line was always, "Jesus has done so much for me...I'd just like to do something nice for you." When finished, it was an easy question to ask, "Is there anything going on in your life or your family's life that I can be praying for with you?" Many had requests while others politely responded, "Naw! We're ok." But every one of them walked away SEEING the actions of Christian bikers and HEARING one more time, "Hey, God love you man!" NOTE: I always pleaded with our members to NEVER ACCEPT TIPS! Don't put out a dish or a donation box and even if they try to shove it in your hand, simply say, "No thank-you! This was our gift to you." The point of this article is to never take your eye off of the mission. It was never about shining boots. It's never really about blessing bikes, or any other little thing we do for HOG or anyone else. It has ALWAYS been, "How can I get close enough to these men and women that they would see Jesus in me!" We hope they will have questions. We pray earnestly before the event that someone will give their heart to Christ, but we know...it's not about the blessing or the shine or whatever we might do. It's about them finding Jesus or walking away thinking about Him. a Photo: San Diego Chapter President: Age Sandoval