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Saturday, Sep. 05, 2009

Bikers for Christ's revvin' reverend

One night recently at Lexington's Vineyard Community Church, Elder Barry Davis is leading a discussion about Jesus' biblical role as a shepherd.

Davis notes that Jesus stated in the book of John, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep ... I lay down my life for the sheep." Davis then draws some parallels with motorcycle clubs in which members support and protect each other.

The point goes over well with the dozen or so people in the audience, most of whom wear vests, leather jackets or other cycle gear. Davis himself sports a bushy goatee, jeans, boots and a vest with biker patches.

A typical church service this is not. It's the regular twice-monthly Bible study of Bikers for Christ Motorcycle Ministry, a non-denominational spiritual outreach for motorcyclists that recently arrived in Lexington.

Davis, the elder for the Lexington Chapter of Bikers for Christ, stresses that the organization is not a motorcycle club, but a true ministry in which members reach out to people who need God's help and who also happen to ride motorcycles.

"The one thing we have in common is a love for God and for motorcycles," he said.

Among those in the audience at the chapter's Bible study recently were Gary Parker and his wife, Susan, of Lexington. Parker said he liked what what he had heard, was impressed with the organization and "would like to be a part of it."

The one limitation: Parker was still working through some health issues before getting on a motorcycle.

Bikers for Christ's membership requirements are minimal, but not simple. You must be a "Bible-believing Christian;" have a desire to spread Christ's gospel; and make a covenant with God and fellow members to avoid , illegal drugs and immoral practices. And you also must own a motorcycle of 600cc or larger.

The organization was formed in California by Fred Zariczny, a onetime member of non-Christian biker groups in several states, who became a Christian in 1977. Zariczny gave up motorcycles for a while, enrolled in a Bible college, got married and started a family. But in 1990 he decided to launch a new outreach for motorcyclists and called it simply Bikers for Christ.

Today, there are about 3,000 members in the United States and overseas. Kentucky has 10 chapters, including the new one in Lexington.

Bikers is one of a number of Christian cycle organizations operating in the area, including Faith Riders and the Christian Motorcyclists Association.

Davis, 46, was a mainline pastor himself for about 18 years, mostly in Minnesota. But he also had been riding motorcycles since age 19, which is what ultimately brought him to Bikers for Christ.

"I was looking for a Christian group to ride with, and I was just drawn to Bikers for Christ," he said. "We go to places that some other groups may not go ... into clubhouses or parties, if people ask us. We don't get involved in what they are doing, but we will go into the midst of just about anything."

Davis adds that "Jesus went into some unpopular places too."

Each Bikers Vineyard Community Church, located on Winchester Road, sponsors the Lexington chapter.

Now, Davis is concentrating mainly on building up the new Lexington group's membership. He holds a Bible study at the Vineyard Church on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Audiences are small, often including members from other Christian biker organizations, but Davis thinks they'll grow as the weather turns cooler and bikers have fewer outdoor activities available.

In addition to regular Bible studies, Davis sometimes preaches at Vineyard Church, and chapter members gather to go on motorcycle runs or attend "bike nights" at restaurants and other establishments around the area.

Anyone who wants to learn more about the chapter can simply show up for Bible studies or other events, he says.

"Anybody is welcome to come out. They don't have to be Christians," Davis said.