WINONA, Minn. (AP) — In 2000, Winona resident Dan Swartling had an idea: A motorcycle ministry.
The plan was to spread the vision of Christ by riding bikes. He got together with relatives and friends, and soon a nonprofit was born.
The group started with about seven or eight people and branded themselves with a name - Faith Riders of Winona. Chapters also started in Tennessee and Texas during that time. But it took a while for the group to gain traction. In 2006 Swartling moved to Tennessee, and by 2010, the Winona chapter was the only surviving chapter.
Enter Chris Parker.
In January 2014, after Parker became president, he and other members of the group worked with Swartling to come up with a new vision and plan for the group. They designed a new patch and realigned the direction of the organization with hopes of growth.
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In fall 2014, the Winona Faith Riders became an official chapter, and in 2015 Chippewa Falls became an officially recognized chapter of the Faith Riders ministry. There are also satellite members in Ashland, Sparta, Rochester and Mankato — all of which are on the verge of becoming official chapters.
"Our biggest goal with the refresh was getting more visibility and getting out on the road with the patch," Parker said.
Parker said the group is centered on brotherhood and fellowship, promoting the visibility of faith and Christ through rides and hosting or volunteering for events.
"We believe that fellowship is built on witnessing and serving (the community) where we're located," Parker said.
He said serving includes anything from helping with something that highlights or promotes Jesus, simply reaching out a hand and listening to someone in need, or going around and doing something that benefits the community.
They've done work with youth groups and prison ministries, speaking and sharing personal testimonies, hoping to lead more people to Christ.
Other work includes pay-it-forward events, like one they did at Midtown Foods before Christmas last year. Members stood at the end of checkout lines, picked people, and paid for their groceries.
"It was as enriching for our own souls as much as it was the people we helped," he said.
They also bought out all the turkeys at the store and handed out to people at random leaving the store.
The feedback they received after the event, Parker said, was unbelievable.
People reached out via Facebook and sent uplifting messages on how their act of kindness impacted them. Parker said a couple they purchased groceries for asked to pray with them before leaving the store, and a lot of people gave them hugs for their generous act.
"It was funny, in a good way, to watch and see how those people's days were changed by what we did," Parker said — noting that it's not often you see people dressed in biker attire standing at the end of grocery checkouts offering to pay for groceries.
"It's definitely something we'd like to do again."
An obligation each official chapter has is organizing and hosting one major event per year. This year the Winona chapter is hosting Faithfest, a day-long event full of live music, food, art and activities on Sept. 11 at the Lake Park bandshell. It's the first event of the motorcycle ministry's kind, and Parker said he hopes it's a success.
"We want people who come to have a good time . hopefully it's something we can do again next year."
Parker said they're just a tool of Christ, and their bikes are the vehicle, the gift, that enhances the visibility.
"It's all for Him and possible through Him, we're just the vehicle," he said.
One of the key Bible verses that represents the motorcycle ministry group, Parker said, is Luke 14:23:
"And the Lord said to the servant, 'go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."
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Information from: Winona Daily News, http://www.winonadailynews.com
