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to read and pray. Something (which I now know as someone – the Holy Spirit) came over me and there was an incredible sense of both power and peace. It was like downshi ing on the bike. W.O.G. I would say that you and Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ have been responsible for bringing the Good News of the Gospel to hundreds if not thousands. You have had Black Sheep members or chapters in 35+ US states, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Mexico. It was the year 1999 God gave you the vision about star ng Black Sheep HDFC. I have heard the story of you pulling up on your Harley to the church you were pastoring and about the tow truck driver that towed your bike. Can you, in your own words, share with our readers a li le about that? M.E. I bought my first motorcycle in 1999. I was a pastor and I needed something to do on Mondays, my day off. A few weeks later I had a flat re and called the dealership to come get the bike. They sent a young guy named Michael Bu ers (19 years old). He was rugged and had rugged hair, like a biker. A er loading up the bike, I wanted to talk to him a bit on the ride back to the dealer, but he wasn't having it. He was hard and cold and I was (to be honest) a li le in midated. A few days later Michael was killed on his Harley. That hit me hard! I was likely the last Chris an to ever have an opportunity to talk to him and I was in midated. I suppose it was then that the Lord started working on my heart and so once again, I started doing ministry outside of the church. I started by going down to the dealership (a er Michael's death) to see if I could help in someway. I introduced myself to a sad and somber Rich Quaid (the owner at the me) and said, "Hey, I'm a local pastor and a new HOG member. I'm sorry to hear about Michael. Is there anything I can do?" He said, "Pastor, this place is so f-----up, you can do anything you want." I spent most of the day moving from the different departments talking to people and in some cases praying with them. I was surprised how recep ve some were. I started spending more and more me at the dealership and riding with HOG (that's where I met Denny and Donna Coggins). Soon I was doing weddings and funerals and leading people to Jesus. My church could see the difference in me and I'm not sure everyone liked it. We started Black Sheep that same year and a few years later I resigned and went into full- me motorcycle ministry. W.O.G. What was the first bike you owned? M.E. It was a 1997 Harley-Davidson Heritage So ail Classic. It had long nasty fishtails and 16" ape hangers! I have never wanted anything but a Harley-Davidson. W.O.G. What was the worse bike you owned? And why? M.E. I've had all So ails and loved every one of them! I decided I wanted a trike a few years ago but didn't like anything I saw. Jeff Hemm from TAZMO Customs, and a member of Black Sheep, built a trike for me that looked and sounded AWESOME! [photo]. It was very old school: flat black, classic flames, fish tails (of course!), ape hangers and red alligator seat and pin striping. Problem was…anything over 60mph it would start "tracking" back and forth. It was pre y scary so, a er a few years I broke down and bought my current ride, a 2014 Harley- Davidson Tri-Glide. I've never had a "bad" bike unless you want to count that 50cc Honda Express back in the early 80's. W.O.G. How old were you when you read the Bible for the first me? M.E. Well, I carried a Bible to church as soon as I was strong enough to carry one. It's just what I was taught to do. I'm sure I was reading it in elementary school, but I never studied it un l high school. 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.E. There isn't much of a rela onship with GOD without the Bible. The Bible is the Word of God! Yes, God's Spirit speaks to us all the me, but the human condi on o en confuses the Holy Spirit with "what seems right" or "what makes sense to me." The Bible keeps us tethered and true to God's Word. It is "a lamp unto my feet." W.O.G. What's the secret to being married for what seems like a life me? Almost half a century! M.E. OK buddy! It hasn't been "half a century" yet! LOL! Actually, it's been wonderful! Debbie Sandberg was born so that I might have the perfect partner and soul mate. Sure, we have had our share of arguments, but we know we were meant for each other. I love her more today than I did when we were teenagers. W.O.G. What would you say has been the biggest blessing being married and in ministry at the same me? M.E. I love telling people this because it's true: "There would be no Black Sheep or churches that I have planted without Debbie." She worked (and s ll does) as an R.N. all of those years so that I could be a youth pastor, a musician, a church planter and a biker pastor. She's just AWESOME! WheelsOfGrace.com Volume 9 Issue 2 25