Motorcycle…what is the image that comes to your mind when you think of their riders? Big burly fellows with long hair, unkept beard, lots of leather, and gruff behavior? The ‘unfavorable’ sort to lock your door when they are around. Would you want your daughter dating them? 

That is exactly the type of stigmatism we as Christians should be especially careful to guard against when we ‘love our neighbor as ourselves’. It is the type of stigmatism a special group has fun challenging! The Christian Motorcyclists Association sums it up in their vision statement: “Changing the world, one heart at a time. They accomplish this through an evangelistic outreach, through equipping members in ministry training, teaching a servant’s attitude, quality products to aid in outreach, a ‘Workcenter’ team, and ‘Run for the Son’. CMA is a non-profit, interdenominational organization, dedicated to reaching people for Christ in the highways and byways through motorcycling. Since it's beginning in the mid 70's, CMA now has had over 90,000 applicants for membership and over 700 chapters chartered in the United States. Also, through the CMA International Ministry, CMA is represented in other countries throughout the world. 

Run for the Son is a special fundraising project that contributes to special projects such as the Jesus Film, and other evangelistic projects. Over the past fifteen years, through the Christian Motorcyclists Association's Run for the Son, over $ 3 million worth of Bibles have been delievered into restricted access countries around the world, over $3 million has been used to provide motorcycles for native pastors in 79 countries, over $1 million has been used to show the Jesus Film in countries all over the world, and over $5 million has been put to work here on the highways and byways of our country to win motorcyclists to Christ. The successful efforts of the past fifteen years have raised over $12 million dollars to help present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to millions of people around the world. In 2003 over 2 million dollars were raised for the Lord!! The WorkCenter teams facilitate projects and ministries such as the many things you will find on their website at www.cmausa.org. On their site you will find a kids corner with tracts and fun activities for kids, an online devotional, and access to a ‘toolbox’ full of books, videos and music for Christ. 

Local chapters also have many rallies and outreaches, to find a chapter near you (or your daughter!), you can contact your state coordinator (whose name and number can be found on the State Coordinator page under the CMA National section of the website), and they will then direct you to the chapter president nearest your city. Take the time to visit their site and learn how to tear down the walls of judgment and prejudice in exchange for the unity of Christ!

Copyright 2003 by Michelle Blackmon