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Harleys, Heaven, and Him
An unusual Bible study brings Jesus to bikers and blesses all involved.

BY ROBERT OSTER

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The wonderful thing about Jesus is that He gives us infinite ways to reach out to people and share our light-when we live as a beacon for Christ we can't help drawing others to Him. Here is one way in which members are sharing their Savior with an unusual set of people. What opportunities do you have to shine for Jesus?--Editors.

'm not going to kill you, if that's what you mean," was Jerry's* answer to my question of what he thought about the study. Jerry is a six-foot-one ex-biker with long, braided red hair and a beard to match. He looks like one of pirate Long John Silver's best friends. I definitely felt better knowing I wasn't going to be spilling any blood on the carpet, but I did feel totally intimidated by Jerry and this new small group my wife and I had started studying with.

We had received a call asking if we'd be interested in starting a new small group made up of ex-bikers who were looking for something more in life than drugs and alcohol. The house where the study was located belonged to Don-an ex-biker himself who, after attending a few meetings of an evangelistic series, began to ask himself some serious questions about where he was headed. Don was living with a young woman and was interested in some premarital counseling and Bible studies. We agreed to give it a go, and it's been going for more than two years now. I used to tell people flippantly that the Lord leads in mysterious ways, but now I know for a fact that it's true. All He asks of us is to be willing to be led.

Our group, which averages five regulars, meets every Sunday night. The first meeting Jerry was there. Jerry had been in and out of prison since he was 17. His father is currently serving a life sentence for murder. Jerry had been riding with a group of bikers in Los Angeles, California, and while with the group had been shot, stabbed, and run over-all in the course of a few months. He felt Los Angeles wasn't the place for him, so he headed north. Jerry was an eye-opener for me-someone who had never ridden anything but a Honda. Of course, the other men in our group were "died and gone to heaven" Harley people, and they called everything else on two wheels rice grinders. In fact, they took great delight in throwing rice at anyone who wasn't riding a "Hog." In the summer when the weather was warm and the guys wore tank tops you could spend hours trying to decide which tattoo you found the most entertaining.

For a number of months Carla attended our group. She is an attractive woman about 25 years old with a young son. Carla works as an exotic dancer at one of the local strip clubs, but has been trying to get away from drugs. She has a good knowledge of Scripture. In fact, I've been shocked by the knowledge and literacy most of these guys have. Carla hasn't been attending for a few months-the devil has pulled her back into heavy drug use. We miss her and pray for her recovery.

Larry is an advertising executive who got into trouble with alcohol. He hasn't missed a group meeting except when he has been out of town on business. Larry's sister, Monica, has an alcohol problem too and has been in and out of jail a few times. She mentioned to Larry that she was at the end of her rope and really needed something solid in her life. Larry suggested that she come to the group. She's a regular now and is finding that a little Jesus in her life helps a lot.

Mike is a huge Viking type. He wears a black eye patch, has long hair and a beard, usually wears at least some of his leather gear, and rides his bike rain or shine. He is one of the most soft-spoken people I've met, and he also has a good understanding of the Scriptures. Mike enjoys the group so much that he brought his brother Dan and his wife, Mary.

This group just gets better every week. We never know from one week to the next what to expect. Nothing makes these guys laugh harder than the thought of wearing their colors and roaring up to our church on their Harleys on Sabbath morning to see what kind of reception they'd get. I'd love it-I hope the rest of the church members would too. Wouldn't that be cool?

I can't say enough about how much my wife and I have grown spiritually because of this group. They have done more for me than I've ever done for them. It's been wonderful watching the changes in their lives-and in mine. The Lord definitely leads in mysterious ways. Next time someone asks you to do something out of the ordinary, just remember it can turn out to be wacky and wonderful--that is, if you're willing to let the Lord lead.

* Names have been changed.

_________________________
Robert Oster writes from Nine Mile Falls, Washington.

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LATE-BREAKING NEWS | INSIDE THIS WEEK | WHAT'S UPCOMING | GET PAST ISSUES
ABOUT THE REVIEW | OUR PARTNERS | SUBSCRIBE ONLINE
CONTACT US | INDEX | LOCATE A CHURCH | SUNSET CALENDAR

© 2002, Adventist Review.