F.A.I.T.H. Riders established its 100th chapter this year at Brookwood Baptist Church in Shreveport.
SHREVEPORT – F.A.I.T.H. Riders established its 100th chapter this year at Brookwood Baptist Church in Shreveport.
Not too long ago Pine Grove Baptist in Ruby became the first chapter in Louisiana. Already Brookwood makes the fourth in the state, showing the rapid growth of the F.A.I.T.H. Riders ministry.
F.A.I.T.H. Riders is a national organization and ministry that serves the motorcycle community. The organization takes its name from the F.A.I.T.H. salvation program. Their website makes it clear the doors are open for any and all who are interested.
“The F.A.I.T.H. Riders are made up of people from all areas of life, but we do have a common interest – enjoyment and enthusiasm for motorcycles, all makes and models,” the website reads. “ No matter what you ride – or even if you don’t – all are welcome…”
Rick Clem, Brookwood’s chapter director, said he had been looking into starting F.A.I.T.H Riders for a few years. It wasn’t until someone mentioned in passing they had a Sunday school class full of motorcycle riders that he realized the possibility of starting the chapter at Brookwood.
He went to Pastor Mark Sutton, who immediately supported the idea. April 14, 2009, Brookwood had its first F.A.I.T.H. Riders meeting with about 30 people in attendance.
Clem said he’s been riding since 1977. His wife, Betsy, began riding three years ago. They both agreed it wasn’t only the bikes they loved.
A large part of riding is the community involvement, Betsy said.
“With bikes we can reach so many thousands of bikers, most of whom are unsaved,” she said. “We have a conversation starter, something to talk about. We can ride up in street clothes and helmets to a group of hardcore bikers, and they talk to us.”
Some of the bikers are afraid of the church, Clem said. They’ve been taught that you can’t go to church and ride a bike. But F.A.I.T.H. Riders is showing them they can do both.
“We’re trying to get them into church, no matter what church.” Clem said.
To encourage fellowship, and have a good time, the chapter holds a ride each month, he said. Every third Saturday bikers gather at the church to ride together.
The first ride they had, more riders appeared, simply because they had heard through word of mouth about the ride. They hadn’t come to a meeting, and some didn’t know what F.A.I.T.H. Riders was, but they came because they heard about the ride.
Each meeting takes place on the second Thursday of the month at Brookwood; included are a devotional, business meeting, and rider education, Clem said. The rider education focuses on motorcycle safety, something Clem said he feels is very important.
Clem said he hopes more riders will come in the future, and that the growth of F.A.I.T.H. Riders will be good for spreading the gospel, and showing the community that bikers “are not all bad guys. There are good sides to everyone, just like other people.”