Motorcycle group reaches beyond traditional ministries

As Buddy Gilbert steered his motorcycle through the winding North Carolina mountains on Memorial Day weekend, admiring the beautiful landscape and streams around him, he knew he was doing what God had called him to do.

And that was enough.

“When I retired, my main objective was to spend more time with the church and doing what God wanted me to do,” he said. “When Faith Riders started here, it was a good fit because I have been riding motorcycles off and on my whole life.”

Gilbert is one of 23 members of Dothan Faith Riders, the local chapter of a national organization that combines motorcycles and ministry.

Gilbert was one of 13 who rode to Ridgecrest, N.C, for a retreat two months ago. Other activities the group participates in include a North Alabama Trail of Tears ride and Thunder Beach in Panama City, Fla. They also have organized rides throughout the month for all motorcycle enthusiasts.

But Faith Riders is about more than going places and enjoying the freedom of the open road. It’s about enjoying the freedom available to Christians through Jesus Christ, local members said.

“We are not just a riding club,” said Rodger Hall, director of the local chapter. “We are totally 100 percent evangelical in our approach. The reason we go is to share the gospel. The motorcycle is our tool — a lot of conversations have started over interest in a bike.”

Their approach appeals to a crowd that may be turned off by traditional church and ministry, and it seems to be working as new members are added at almost every meeting.

“We have one new member who accepted Christ under the overhang by Dothan Adventure Sports just three weeks ago,” Hall said.

Memphis Baptist Church, home base for the ministry, is reaping the results of the group’s efforts through added members and a new Bible study hour at 8:45 a.m. each Sunday, where bikers attend in their regular attire of jeans, T-shirts and vests.

“They are reaching out to people we may not have had a chance to reach otherwise,” associate pastor Rick Glenn said. “Our arms and our doors are wide open.”

Potential Faith Riders do not have to be members at Memphis. In fact, the group is a coalition of many churches such as Mount Gilead, First Baptist Church in Ashford and Southside Baptist Church. Also, members don’t have to ride a certain type motorcycle.

“We encourage different kinds of motorcycles,” Hall said. “In fact, we are looking to add even more sports bikes to attract some younger members.”

You don’t even have to own a motorcycle at all.

Steve and Sheila Scott were looking to join an exciting gospel ministry and were attracted to the casual style and motorcycle hook of Faith Riders. They rode with the group for more than a year before they bought their own motorcycle.

“They usually drove what we call the chase car that brings along supplies, coolers of cokes, whatever we need that we can’t fit on a bike,” Hall said. “Everybody has a role.”

Faith Riders started in Lakeland, Fla., at First Baptist Church on the Mall in 2002. The Dothan chapter started with only six members and was the 17th chapter commissioned in May 2007. Now there are more than 60 chapters nationwide, extending as far north as Indiana and as far west as Oklahoma, Hall said.

The first part of the name actually shortens a phrase: “Forgiveness,” which is “Available” to everyone, how “Impossible” it would be for God to allow sinners into heaven if they didn’t “Turn” to God and receive an eternity in “Heaven.”

Members occasionally get together with other nearby chapters — there are two in Crestview, Fla. — for events.

“The beauty of this ministry is that the more friends and contacts you make, the wider your circle of influence is for spreading the gospel,” Hall said.

The next big event planned is a trip to the largest bike rally in the U.S. in Sturgis, S.D., the first week of August. The trip, which will be made with motor homes and bikes, is 3,400 miles round trip, according to Gilbert, who is also the group’s road captain.

The North American Missions Board will be giving away a Harley Davidson to people who listen to a three-minute testimonial.

“It’s a short amount of time, but that three minutes could prove to be the turning point in someone’s life,” Hall said.

Locally, churches invite Faith Riders to conduct services including a speaker and music. Also, they minister monthly at Teen Challenge, a Christian boot camp for boys in Bonifay, Fla.

“We’ve been very blessed that our group has grown by leaps and bounds,” Hall said. “We also have a team representing our group at a state evangelism fair at Mount Gilead.”

Every third Thursday, Faith Riders host a fellowship called Thursday Night Thunder at Memphis Baptist Church. The meeting is open to anyone interested in motorcycles and spreading the gospel. This past Thursday three other motorcycle groups were in attendance including the Alabama Iron Horse Riders, God Wing Road Riders Association and the Patriot Guard.

“The great thing about this group is that it’s not about the patch or the type of motorcycle you ride,” said Faith Rider Allen Garner. “We’re open to everyone.”