Advocate photo by Carrie Dillard / Advocate Editor Biker’s For Christ always wear their “colors,” shown above, as a way to initiate conversation about Christ.
	Advocate photo by Carrie Dillard / Advocate Editor The Sturgis Chapter of Biker’s For Christ has eight members. Shown above: Rick and Brenda Wilson and Angie and Sonny Garrett. Not pictured: Mark and Masa Clunie, Jerry Seay, and Jeff Travis.

They might look like your average bikers in their riding boots and leathers, but look a little closer and you’ll get the message.

“Prayer Warrior.” “I ride with Jesus.” “These are my church clothes.”

These bikers are walking billboards for Christianity. They are Biker’s For Christ (BFC).

Sonny Garrett, Elder of the Sturgis BFC chapter, says these “colors” and patches on their jacket prompt a lot of questions while they are out on a ride or ministering at a rally. “It opens the door for conversation,” he said. “There are a lot of motorcycle clubs out there who love to ride, and we do too, but our main goal is to be out sharing Jesus with other bikers.”

Garrett is the Elder, or founding member of the chapter, which began in Sturgis only last summer. Garrett, who has been a member of the International BFC organization since 2006, joined first under the Mayfield chapter until there was more interest locally.

Every chapter must start with the blessing of a church, and every member is carefully selected by the others and approved by their pastor. “We are not a recruiting chapter,” he said. “Other Christian bikers are more than welcome to ride with us at any time, but (in our members) we are looking for those who are sincere and serious about the call to ministry.” Of the eight members of the Sturgis BFC chapter, most are members of Grace Fellowship Church in Morganfield.

“We are not a club,” he continued, “but another outreach program out of Grace Fellowship.” The group has both men and women, many who are married, who ride together promoting Christian life and sharing the word of God.

Biker’s For Christ members are often seen stopping by Custom Biker Wear, because it gets “filled up” with bikers on any given spring Saturday and Sunday when there is pretty weather, said Sturgis BFC member Rick Wilson. Wilson said they use the opportunity to spread the message in any way they can. On a sunny weekend in August 2008, the group passed out bottled water at the Sturgis retailer. “We called it a ‘Day of Refreshing,’” said Garrett, and they spoke about Christ.

This weekend, on Saturday, May 9, Biker’s for Christ is hosting a benefit ride for Ben’s Place Adult Daycare Facility, now underway and coming soon in Morganfield. Both Garrett and Wilson know Ben’s Place executives Mary Jo Adams and Betty Brady from church. “And we know Ben,” said Wilson, who he says is seldom without a smile despite his handicaps.

“We asked what BFC could do to help, and found that funding was a major issue for Ben’s Place,” Wilson continued. “There is no other facility like (Ben’s Place) here. The closest one is in Owensboro. Just because we are a smaller county doesn’t mean we can’t offer that here. Someday I might find myself in a position where I need Ben’s Place.”

The benefit ride Saturday will begin at the site of Ben’s Place, 1395 U.S. Hwy 60 West, across from Family Dollar. Registration starts at 10 a.m. with the first bike out at noon. For a $10 fee per person, riders will participate in an alphabet game at each stop, spelling J-E-S-U-S. The person to spell JESUS in all five stops wins a cash prize. A 50/50 drawing and other prizes, like giftcards, hats, handle bars, and more, are available.

“There will be a lot of other things going on Saturday, but I guarantee you’re not going to find a better charity than this right here,” Wilson stated. BFC invites bikes, cars and trucks to the ride, with all proceeds to benefit Ben’s Place.

“Biker’s Church” will be held at Grace Fellowship after the ride is complete and riders will receive a complimentary meal.

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