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Bikers on a holy mission
Sat, Jul 15, 2006
By TAMMY BARTHLETT The Brunswick NewsDan McFee enjoys the family atmosphere that the Christian Motorcycle Association provides. He also feels he has a mission to do while riding with the group."The point of CMA is to win people to Jesus one heart at a time," he said.McFee is president of the Brunswick chapter of CMA, which is known as the Judah Riders.
Dan McFee, president of the Brunswick chapter the Christian Motorcycle Association, along with other members will take part in a Biker Sunday event at the First Baptist Church on St. Simons Island starting at 5:30 p.m. (Bobby Haven/The Brunswick News)
| "We ride together for fellowship like other bike groups," he said. "But we do it to minister to other motorcyclists."One of their ministry events will be a Biker Sunday event at the First Baptist Church on St. Simons Island starting at 5:30 p.m.Eric Shumans, vice president of the Judah Riders, said the purpose of what they do is to witness and help out the local motorcycle community."We go to a secular rally and we do whatever they want us to do," he said.Shumans said he has done everything from clean toilets to take registration money.McFee said he didn't buy his motorcycle intending to be a part of CMA, but he welcomed the chance to be a witness."I knew that's what God meant for me to do," he said. "It's all about finding out where God is working, and go help out there."One big thing the Judah Riders organize is a coffee break at exit 1 on Interstate 95 the weekend after Daytona Bike Week. Thousands of bike riders come through the area on their way back from the bike rally every year."They stop outside of Florida to put on their helmets," he said, noting that Florida doesn't require motorcycle helmets.Members of the Judah Riders say bringing the message of truth to the biking community of the Golden Isles is their mission."The best way I can describe it is I'm allowed to do something I love to do and share Jesus Christ at the same time," Shumans said. "I'm good with people, but I love motorcycles and I love helping people."Jerrel Watkins, a member of the Waycross CMA group, sometimes joins the Judah Riders in the events they go to and put together. And he feels that God delivered him from a reckless lifestyle to help other bikers."God brought me out of it but I don't mind being around it (the lifestyle)," he said. Watkins also said it's like being in a big family with other bikers and they are just like other bikers."Secular people have clubs," he said. "And what we are is a ministry in what we do." There is a process to joining the Judah Riders ministry or any other branch of CMA. Besides loving motorcycles and Jesus, there are ministry courses prospective members must take. They include areas such as first aid, becoming prayer warriors and prison ministry.The Judah Rider meetings are held every second Thursday at Howard Coffin Park starting at 6:30 p.m.BREAKOUT:Biker Sunday will be held at the First Baptist Church at 729 Ocean Blvd. on St. Simons Island. A cookout will begin at 5:30 followed by fellowship time at 6:30. There will also be extra dessert for the bike group that brings the most people.
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