Date: 10/11/2009
<br>Author: Devin
<br>Title: Lets Ride!
<br><br>Leather vests, tattoos, boots and Bibles – church biker ministries give riders a place where they have freedom to be who they are while sharing their faith.  “Even though we attend different churches and are members of different motorcycle ministries, we all have the same goal in mind, which is to share the love of Jesus Christ and introduce as many people as possible to him,” said Mike Gettys, who is president of the  Carolina Faith Riders Motorcycle Ministry.  The new biker ministry started by Gettys and his fellow Christian bikers held its first bike day in August and the event was attended by more than 200 people with more than 100 motorcycles.  Gettys said the ministry has energized the church.  “Our preacher (Scott Huffman) said our church needed to be able to see that we can do an event like this,” Gettys said. “There were a lot of people who jumped in and came out and helped. We have to get out of our comfort zones and get out of the walls of the church and let the community see that we care about them.  The initial reason we started the ministry was to reach out to the community and to bikers who may feel they are not accepted or welcome,” he said. “And it gives a sense of fellowship among church members who enjoy riding bikes.”  Greater Life Ministries sponsors an annual bike rally. It’s a free afternoon of food, games and music.  “We judge bikes and we do a local ride in the afternoon,” he said. “It’s exciting to me to see how it affects different people.”  His church sponsors major rides of 300-400 miles and small rides around the area. The major rides include times of devotion and a safety crew that follows the group of bikers in case there is any type of need such as a mechanical or medical emergency. <br> <br><br>Many local churches are finding that biker ministries not only reach bikers but have an impact on the community through benefit rides.  “The majority of the people who ride motorcycles are the nicest people and the most caring and genuine people you will meet,” Gettys said. “We are all on the same team, working together. Our ministry is to share the saving grace of  Jesus Christ with as many people as possible.  The fact that we ride motorcycles provides a common ground to share this with those who may be searching for that missing piece in their lives.”<br><br>(taken from “The Star” newspaper in Cleveland County, NC)<br><br><br>The third annual “Fairfield Church of Christ Biker Sunday” is now just a few days away.  We want to take this opportunity to invite one and all to this special day of worship and fellowship this coming Sunday, October 18.  It does not matter whether you ride in on two wheels or four ..... the main thing is that we want you to be here.  Worship begins at 9am with a free hamburger/hot dog lunch to follow shortly thereafter.  Once our belly's are full, we will hit the pavement for an afternoon of leisurely riding through the highways and byways of Middle Tennessee.  Please pray that we will have favorable riding weather and safety for all those who will be riding.  Biker Sunday has become a wonderful community outreach for the Fairfield Church of Christ and we would love for it to reach your biker friends this go around.  Invite them to come spend the day with us ..... then maybe, just maybe, they will think about inviting the Son of God to come be a part of their life.  And remember, for many, the last one can't happen until you make the first one happen.  Hope to see you Sunday!!<br>        <br><br> Ride the extra mile - Devin<br>