So, while we talked RVs and God, I quickly learned that this man is a brother in Christ. It didn't take long before we were discussing evangelism and the lack in many churches of a concentrated effort to go out and reach the world with the Gospel. I encouraged him that he was not alone.
Sadly, many churches are waiting for the unsaved to come into the meeting place(which is usually empty) and ask how to get to Heaven. I am sure that has happened a few times, but when we obey Jesus command to "go into all the world" we find a ton more people looking to hear about the Savior, but who never considered going to a church building to find out the answers. Most of the time, people are so caught up in their lives, they don't even think about it much unless there has been a death in the family or a cancer diagnosis. Sadly, the world is too busy to care about God, and so Godly people must go out and find these souls before their time on earth is over and they go to Hell as righteous judgement of their sin. If only we would think about this more often, we would not wait and hope, but go and tell.
In our discussion of what is and is not being done to reach the lost for Christ, we must be careful to identify problems, but not to complain and gossip. Together, in unity under Christ, we must seek to find ways that we can make our own lives an example to others of service and dedication to God. Brian is one such man that lives this example, avoiding complaints and getting directly to encouraging my heart as he shared what God has shown him as a means to get the Gospel out.
In that spirit, I asked Brian about how his church body looked at the idea of evangelism. He quickly recounted the tale of being a motorcycle enthusiast and how God was using that hobby to reach lost souls with the message of eternal life in Christ, forgiveness of sin, and the glory of a holy and righteous God that sent His Son to pay for the sin of even the hardest of Hell's angels* have been offered salvation by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.
Brian invited me to come out for the ride that was scheduled the following Saturday morning. Of course, this was the day of the Morrison/Harmon wedding, so I could not go on the ride, but did have a great time meeting Chris Conley and others that faithfully use their passion and hobby to get the Gospel message out. Chris and Brian both mentioned that there are other motorcycle clubs for Christians, and they were very supportive of them all. Still, F.A.I.T.H. riders was their association, and I had to ask what made them different from the others.
Brian and Chris chose to go with F.A.I.T.H. Riders because the specific ministry of that group is evangelism. Often, I see in churches that we have our fun groups dedicated to sports, hobbies, etc. that are targeting fellowship among Christians, but that is the end. This group intentionally goes into the public view, inviting bikers from other churches, non- churched folks, men and women alike. This group goes places that many would never consider hanging around, and not to try to fit in, but to be different, examples of God's grace to men and women that will bring life change, a lost sinner is transformed into a new creation in Christ when they repent and trust in Christ. What a marvelous way to get the Gospel out, and they enjoy their time of fellowship as they witness, too! The patches on their vests say things like "If God is your copilot, switch seats" and "Jesus Saves", and many other that slip my mind right now, but were overtly Christian. I did like the "These ARE my church clothes" which I am sure causes controversy, but reminds people they meet that it is not about how you dress, but about a relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior of their souls and Lord of their lives.
*Regarding Hell's Angels, I mean the motorcycle group. The demons, or angels that followed Lucifer, have chosen their fate of Hell forever. They have no chance of redemption. But the "Hells' Angels" group is full of people that have the choice to repent and be saved, or to continue in sin and reject Christ. Just wanted to clear that up.
Mark Cowperthwaite
