GARDEN CITY, MI – Merriman Road Baptist Church F.A.I.T.H. Riders will host their Annual Biker Blessing on Saturday May 19th 2018.
This year is the 10th annual Biker Blessing. What's a Biker Blessing you may ask? In short, it's an opportunity to share the Gospel message with motorcyclists. 46 years ago a Catholic Church in Baldwin, Mi started a "Blessing of the Bikes", where they have a priest sprinkle holy water on your motorcycle, and say a prayer of blessing and safety over your bike. This has since evolved into a giant 3 day party. It's a great fundraiser for there food pantry, but not very evangelistic.
When the Garden City F.A.I.T.H. Riders chapter was commissioned in 2009 they wanted to offer an alternative. They wanted to be the free, family-friendly, Biblical alternative. Their goal was simply to invite bikers to the church parking lot for some free food, music, a bike wash, and a bike show. Then, they would tell them and show them they are loved by the church, and most importantly, Jesus Christ. There’s a short message and a prayer and blessing over the "Biker" not the bike. The chapter explains that the bike is just an inanimate object, and that God wants to bless them and have a relationship with them. They are then invited to accept that relationship. Since 2009 hundreds of bikers have come to hear the Gospel message.
In 2010, Darrel Manuel, chapter director, was diagnosed with throat cancer, two chapter members lost their brothers to lung cancer, and a young man in the church lost his battle with a brain tumor. From those experiences was born the Matthew Brotherton Memorial Cancer Ride. After the blessing and for a small fee of $20 ($25 with passenger) supporters go on a guided ride through beautiful S.E. Michigan. All the money raised goes to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Ride for Kids.
About 4 years ago a new feature was added, the 3 Minute Story. The 3 Minute Story is an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone in a one-on-one situation by giving an opportunity to enter them into a "raffle." The cost of the ticket? 3 minutes of your time in which we share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We do give out a prize, too. This year’s grand prize will be a $250 gift card.
The F.A.I.T.H. Riders chapter is inviting everyone to attend Saturday May 19th from 10a-2p at Merriman Road Baptist Church,2055 Merriman Road Garden City and to bring an unchurched friend. All are welcome no matter what they ride, or even if they ride.
F.A.I.T.H. Riders is an International Motorcycle Ministry with more than 300 chapters in North America and two in Cuba for more information about F.A.I.T.H. Riders go to: www.faithriders.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darrel Manuel is the Chaplain / Director of the Merriman Road Baptist Church Chapter of F.A.I.T.H. Riders he is an endorsed Chaplain through the North American Mission Board, a Millwright by vocation, a father and husband.