I had seen Andy in church before. We both rode, he a KTM, me a Triumph,
but both adventure bikes back when we called them dual sports. We had never
really talked much, but today he would share a story with me that changed my
attitude towards ministry. He had returned from a missions trip to Africa, and
when the group went up on stage to be recognized, he remained seated. When I
asked him why, this is what he told me. He really wasn’t part of the trip, even
though he went over with them, he had been quietly ostracized from the group.
It seems he had gone off on his own, as follows....
A bus was taking them into a small village along a main highway. Far
enough to be outside suburbia, but large enough the buses would stop. When the
bus stopped, he saw a group of men who had motorcycle shirts on, and he stopped
to talk with them. An instant bond was formed, we call it brotherhood among us
who ride, and they wanted to show him their motorcycles. But what he found was
not what he expected. Inside the building, were a dozen or so motorcycles, of
which none ran. It seems some missionaries had left them years before, but with
no instructions on how to maintain them. And when they quit running, were
stored inside this shed. In between the language barrier, he was able to find
the missionaries had also left parts, but again no instructions. And Andy had
stumbled into an unexpected missions field, one not on the schedule. Most of
the bikes needed just simple repairs, basic tune ups, brakes, spark plugs, or
cables. And all the parts were there. So he began to repair them, one by one,
using the tool kits from the bikes, while showing the men how to do the
repairs. He found that they had a supply of gas, used for their generators, and
when the first one fired up, they all cheered amongst the smoke, until the bike
settled into a smooth idle. And they took turns riding it, screaming with joy!
And for the next week, Andy missed most of the scheduled meetings, and was
chastised by the group for not passing out Bibles, teaching, or feeding those
who came to the church. He was visibly absent, and the church was mad at him.
If only they knew....
For as he worked on the bikes, he was able to converse with the men, and
got to know them. Men who would not have gone into the church, they wanted to
know “why was this American fixing their rides and not in church?” And he was
able to share Jesus with them one on one, to share his testimony, and be the
gospel in action rather than just words. And one by one, the men wanted to know
about this Jesus, and be like him. They wanted to be saved, and Andy led them
to the Lord, while changing plugs and adjusting clutches. Soon the group got
bigger, more riders who wanted to see these motorcycles that were being brought
back to life, and his evangelism effort through repairs, soon turned to
discipleship. He had taught the first men, they were teaching others. And
sharing the testimony of Jesus Christ brought to them via this motorcyclist.
But when one man asked, “can this man fix the generators that are broken, they
have motorcycle engines in them?” the blessings spread through homes. Lights
went on at night, radio and TV stations were reached, and all because this man
stopped to visit with some fellow bikers. The brotherhood having gone beyond
church rhetoric, and now back in the states, that same church he had gone over
representing had ostracized him. He didn’t fit in....and for awhile was bummed,
until a letter arrived just before church that week.
It was from the original group of riders he had met that first day on the
street. With pictures of them riding, sharing Jesus, and taking the gospel to
others who had been unreachable, but now could be by bike. This group of men,
and now their families were sharing Jesus as they went, and telling of the man
who started a revival by fixing their motorcycles. You see, they had the tools,
the parts, and the desire. It wasn’t until Andy stopped to visit with them, and
go to know them, and meeting their needs was able to share the love of Jesus
with them. How many chances do we miss while bench racing to reflect on Jesus
in our lives? To share our testimony? How many Lazaruses have you stepped over
today? The church had a plan, Andy had the spirit. And the pictures were a
testimony of how Jesus Christ changed their lives. And the many signatures on
the letter proof of how simple ministry is, seeing a need and filling it. And
how the church strays when not in the spirit. They had gone to do a good work,
as Andy had. But in his kindness, in his addressing a problem, he was the
gospel in action. It was the word of his testimony, and the blood of the lamb,
under the holy spirit that gave his words life. To many just a chance
encounter, but from seeing men in motorcycle shirts, had repaired bikes,
generators, and lives through Jesus Christ.
Not all ministering goes on within the confines of the church. Nor does
all teaching. Sometimes the best testimonies are found when we bring the gospel
outside the four walls, and live it. Share it by meeting a need, and earning
the right to share Jesus. That day, the gospel, the good news started with
fixing bikes, and ended up repairing lives. A group of men, the least of these,
who would never have darkened a church building, now were taking the gospel to
those along the road and roadside. He had taught them to teach others to teach
others. And gave them back the ride of their lives.
I look back at how the church folk were impressed with how many Bibles, how
many teachings, and the attendance. How many were saved, but not one word of
who was left to follow up and disciple. Who would fix their lives when they
broke down? Yet wanted nothing to do with the work the Lord had done through
Andy. No wonder the world looks at us differently, and avoids our invitations
to church. What good is a Bible if you don’t read it? Or have someone to share
it with? Where is the incentive to share Jesus with others? Maybe it is a
simple as fixing a man’s ride, so he can ride more and share with others. In
Colorado we heated with wood, and had a saying. He who cuts his own wood warms
himself twice. That’s the gospel, simple and effective. So easy a biker can
get it, with the only common language that of riding. A story told after church
in the parking lot, that needs to be repeated. If only the church could
understand the brotherhood of us bikers, like I always say, “if you need
something done, call a biker.” Wouldn’t it be nice if they said that about you
and your church? We are to be known as Christians by our love......aren’t
we?
A rumor of hope, what do you leave church with? Better yet, what do you
bring to others? An angel told them to “go tell Peter and the others” about the
empty grave and missing body. Peter had denied Christ a few days earlier, but
God had plans for him. It isn’t too late for you......to share God’s love.
Jesus is available to individuals not only to churches or groups. Andy saw it
in Africa, and I heard him repeat it in the parking lot. A little faith will
bring you to heaven, a larger faith will bring heaven to you. I think that calls
for a ride....
love with compassion,
Mike
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com