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Rolling With God’s Glory
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Tracy Ahrens
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Neighbors
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31 July 2008
New Life Church notes in its vision statement, a desire to “creatively use” member’s “gifts to reach out to our community.” Church member Harry Sikma of Manhattan decided to creatively reach out with the word of God on two wheels - his Harley.
In May of 2007 Harry led the first motorcycle ministry out of the New Lenox house of worship.
Now New Life hopes to increase the number of motorcyclists who ride every other Sunday from the sanctuary, throughout the area, and back again for the 11 a.m. service.
“That bike,” Harry said, referring to his Harley Fat Boy, “is a gift from God and I wish to give back by using it in God’s glory.” When Harry presented the idea of a motorcycle ministry to New Life Church, it was received with open arms.
He used to attend Faith Church in South Holland and there, he and two friends created a motorcycle ministry in 2003 or 2004.
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“We invited ‘un-churched’ friends to ride before church, eat breakfast together and then go to the church service if they desired,” Harry said.
Faith Church moved to Dyer, Ind., Harry said, and one of his friends continued offering and promoting the motorcycle ministry there.
“At one point we had 30 to 35 bikes riding with us,” Harry said about the motorcycle ministry at Faith Church.
“People would see us, stop their cars and ask us what we were riding together for.” In February of 2005, Harry married his wife, Denise, and they ran the idea of a motorcycle ministry by the pastors at New Life Church.
“They thought it was an awesome idea,” Harry said.
So notices of the adult study ministry were placed in church bulletins.
Notices are also posted under “adult study ministries” on the New Life Web site, www.newlifenewlenox.org.
The first year, the motorcycle ministry was held every Sunday.
This year it is being offered every other Sunday from May through September.
“We meet at 8 a.m. at the church, in the front parking lot, along Gougar Road,” Harry said.
Members take turns each ride saying a scripture passage of their choice, then a prayer is given “asking God for a safe ride, to bless this ministry and to help us in our goal to reach others.”
By 8:20 a.m. members are riding, stopping at a cafe or donut shop for breakfast and fellowship, and gathering back at the church before the 11 a.m. service.
“Riders can stay for the service or not,” Harry said.
The most bikes they have gathered is 10, Harry said, with three bikes there every ride.
This year, Roger Visker, associate pastor at New Life, has been leading the ministry on wheels.
He needed to take control after Harry suffered a shoulder injury at work and was not allowed to ride.
“Ultimately, I’d like someone else to run the ministry again,” Roger said, noting he has many other duties at the church.
Roger said he started riding motorcycles when he was in his 20s, and he just started riding again in his 50s.
Today the Manhattan resident sports a flashy orange, Honda Shadow.
Harry started riding mini bikes when he was a child and continued to ride motorcycles throughout his adulthood.
“Our church mission statement notes that we are dedicated to connecting people to God for their new life in Christ,” Roger said.
“The riding part of this ministry is an opportunity, an opportunity for us to get to know each other and connect with other people in the communities around us,” he continued.
“In the future we’d like to have organized rides to places such as the Manteno Veterans’ Home where we can talk to folks and spread fellowship.” No doubt, motorcycle ministry is an “unusual form of worship,” Roger said.
But there are motorcycle ministries thriving at churches across the country.
The closest church to New Life that offers a similar motorcycle ministry is Parkview Motorcycle Club, a ministry of Parkview Christian Church, Orland Park.
“Sometime we may even try to connect with other church motorcycle ministries and learn what kind of outreach they do, and maybe, ride together,” Roger said.
New Life Church’s motorcycle ministry also participates in organized rides for charity.
On July 20 they traveled to Elgin Community College, Elgin and participated in the Chicagoland Ride for Kids, a ride for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States.
This organization provides research grants to the nation’s leading medical institutions, pertaining to pediatric brain tumors.
“Anyone who wants to ride with us, of any denomination, is welcome,” Roger said.
You don’t need a particular brand of motorcycle, and you can ride alone or with a partner.
Sometimes Harry’s wife rides with him, and Roger said his wife, Sue, has also joined in the rides.
And you don’t have to look like a “tough biker,” Harry and Roger said with a laugh.
“As you can see, we don’t look too tough.”
“It’s fun to ride as a group,” Harry said.
“The camaraderie is great, and it’s a nice way to meet people.” “More and more, churches are focusing on moving the church into communities around them,” Roger said.
“Our faith must be something more than simply going to church for two hours on a Sunday morning. Jesus said, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations.’”
New Life offers other inventive adult ministries such as First Place Weight Loss, transforming your life with the Bible’s way to weight loss; and a fishing ministry, taking a group to an area fishing spot, talking about Jesus, sharing fellowship and fishing.
Soon they may offer a car care ministry, providing minor car repairs and maintenance such as oil changes in the church’s parking lot once a month.
“Getting people in churches involved with the church life, makes members happier,” Harry said.
“I think of the saying, ‘What would Jesus do?’ I think Jesus is looking down on us and these different forms of adult ministry we offer, and saying, ‘Good job.’”
New Life Church is located at 500 South Gougar Road, New Lenox. Upcoming motorcycle ministry ride dates, departing from the church, are Aug. 10 and 24, and Sept. 7 and 21. If you’d like more information on New Life Church’s motorcycle ministry, contact Harry Sikma at 815-478-5703, or Roger Visker at New Life Church at 815-462-0202.
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