Atlas Township- The weather’s warming and the Hogs are out.
Harley Davidson ‘Hogs? that is.
Rider Dan Gould of Flint, motor-bikes to Atlas Community Baptist Church on warm Sundays to teach an eight week course known as ‘Change Book Discipleship Training,? through a group called Hogs In Ministry. Gould is co-leader with H.I.M member Dave Carey.
‘The study session is two fold. One is to get Christians grounded. Once they are, some have the question, what do I do now? We hope to help them on that journey,? said Gould.
The idea of H.I.M is essentially to get motorcyclists to discover their Christian faith, and spread the word to Christians, secular riders and just people in general. The program is related with the Christian Motorcycle Association, a nationwide group.
The program was started eight years ago by Pastor Jim Combs through the Faith Baptist Church in Waterford, while much involvement stems from the director of H.I.M, Pastor Mark Daly. Combs performed a funeral service for a member of the Jokers Motorcycle Club and was inspired to start H.I.M.
Once the riders complete the eight week study session, they are given a patch proclaiming their faith is out on the table, that they are practicing Christians and proud to be so.
Atlas Twp. resident and motorcyclist Jim Walls and said he thinks H.I.M is an awesome program. He and his wife joined in February and both have received patches signifying their faith.
‘We’ve been attending Atlas Community Baptist Church for years and found ourselves wanting to do more than just go to church every Sunday. We wanted to be involved. It’s a way to connect with people,? said Walls. ‘It’s a chance for my wife and I to be togehter, it’s great for us. Sometimes people get the wrong idea about the Lord. They just may not understand what it is to let Him into your heart.?
‘The patch states that they are no longer undercover Christians,? said Gould.
Atlas Community Baptist Church, is a motorcycle friendly church and for other churches to be involved with H.I.M, they have to be the same. Not necessarily the same religion, but stereotypes cannot exist.
‘God doesn’t care what you wear when you come through His doors, He cares about your faith. Some people have to ask themselves who are ‘saved? what they would do if someone wearing leather, had tatoos and piercings came to their church? Would they be accepted?? said Gould.
While Gould would like to see many more members, statewide, the program has about 130 members including six at the Atlas Community Baptist Church.
In an effort to ease other riders into finding their faith, Gould and others provide House-to-House Biker Bible studies throughout the community.
‘Some riders may not be comfortable at first in a big group. This is a way to ease them into it and make them feel comfortable. Some are just hesitant to dive into church.?
Gould stresses the fact that old natures need to be put away, and new ones must emerge in order to be involved with H.I.M or church in general.
‘We cannot deny that we will sin, but it shouldn’t be an excuse for us to continue doing so,? said Gould, who stressed that H.I.M does not care what type of motorcycle they ride. ‘When people come to our church, we don’t care what they wear. Most Sundays, I’ve got jeans and sandals on.?
The word CHANGE in the study session stands for conversion, holiness, addition, new nature, godliness and example.
‘We attend secular and non-secular motorcycle events and fund-raisers. When someone is bearing the patch and leading by example, they are saying, ‘I serve God.? Some are scrutinized by the secular world, but for others, these riders may be the only bible they have ever seen.?
‘Practicing the Christian faith is like riding a motorcycle. Once you learn, you will keep riding. It just becomes part of you. At the end of the eight week course, the attitudes are phenomenal. It fills a void that you can’t understand until you believe.?
H.I.M members and other motorcyclists are involved with events year round. On May 10, 2003 H.I.M will be riding in Flint for Biking for Burns. Proceeds go toward the Hurley Burn Unit. There is also the Holly Bike Blessing in Crapo Park. Bikes and bikers will attend the sermon and receive blessings.
‘Biker Sunday, that takes place yearly, is an awesome event. Close to 1,000 riders attend.? That event will be July 6 at Springfield Oaks Activity Center.
Details (810) 845-7588 or (810) 252-3361.