Jeff’s testimony:

I’m a biker.  I’m the only one in my family.  I always was the black sheep of the family.  I was always the rebellious one and always the one that got the speech “why can’t you be more like your brother”.  Growing up as a child, I was never taken to church.  Don’t get me wrong, my parents are great and I love them dearly.  They taught me right from wrong and it helped get me to where I am, a saved Christian rider. 

 I didn’t accept Jesus Christ into my live as my Lord and Savior until I was in my mid 30’s and I was baptized at the same time as my second child. 

 Unfortunately, I suffered a back slide when I went through a divorce.  I say unfortunately because it was against my beliefs as a Christian and the vows I took with the Lord.  I had two young children that I loved dearly.  I had been married for 20 years when the Lord appeared and told me that what I was experiencing in my marriage was not considered a marriage and that “things were going to be ok for me”.  He stood before me as plain as my bike sitting in the garage.  The biggest hurt that came from the divorce was the lack of time I get to spend with my children and the hurt I felt I had caused them.  For that I am sorry.  The every other weekend thing just does not cut it as a dad.  To this day it hurts me to think about it and the things I’ve missed due to the circumstances of divorce.  It’s a terrible thing. 

 I have since remarried to a beautiful woman that I love dearly.  She has encouraged me and been there to support me in many decisions.  I am blessed the Lord placed her in my path. 

 During my younger days, I experienced the biker lifestyles.  From the parties with women running around half clothed and a pile of coke on the table, people shooting guns off the back porch, to all night binges, only to get up and throw my leg over the bike to ride home.  Many nights I had no clue how I got home.  I realize now it was by the grace of God that I managed. 

 I’ve tried many biker organizations throughout my days of riding only to end up in a bar with fellow riders ending up getting drunk.  I knew something in me was changing.  It was the Holy Spirit talking to me. 

 A couple of years ago I went to Sturgis.  What a great place.  However, while I was there the Lord was talking to me once again.  I was seeing all of the sinful ways being presented to me during my rides out there.  I realize what the Lord was doing to me now.  He was telling me I had to be part of a Christian motorcycle ministry.  I came back and pondered it for several months.  I kept saying “I’m a biker…that’s not for me”.  I would ask the Lord “why me”?  I would come up with excuses like “I don’t have time for this.”  You name it…I had the reason why NOT to do this. Much like when God spoke to Moses for the first time telling him HE would be the one to bring his people out of Egypt.  The Lord is patient.  He kept bringing this into my life.  I would get little hints and reminders from various sources.  I realize the things in my past experiences are what is part of the biker lifestyle and part of the culture.  The Lord was beginning to take hold of me to show me that there is a different way. 

 The summer of 2007, my wife and I took a bike trip to Great Smoky Mountain National Park with another couple I had met during the 100^th anniversary for HD in Milwaukee.  On our way to meet them (them riding from the east, us from the west) my wife and I stopped to fill the bikes.  Next thing I know, I have a guy from CMA witnessing to me giving me his testimony.  All of a sudden, some guy from on the other side of the pumps in a 4 wheeler sees us chatting and he wants to find out more about being a Christian rider because the Lord was weighing heavy in his heart. 

 Further down the road, we meet up with our friends.  One morning we see them huddled together.  We think something is wrong and ask them if things are ok?  It ends up, they always pray together before they ride. 

 Same trip, we get down to Knoxville, TN taking nothing but back roads, one of our bikes begins acting up.  So we decide before we get into the TN mountains, that we need to have it looked at.  It ends up being something minor, but during our 4 hour wait, in walks another CMA member.  We have a great time chatting, exchanging testimony and getting to know each other.  Throughout our entire trip we had encounters with Christian bikers and again, I finally realized what the Lord was trying to tell me.  He was reminding me about the motorcycle ministry. 

 I finally found Bikers for Christ and liked what their values were.  It was more my style.  Not so political and about spreading the gospel and being there when we are needed by fellow riders.  I approached my church Pastor and before I could get the whole question out of my mouth he said “YES”. 

 Bikers for Christ, Wisconsin chapter was formed in 2007 and it has been a true blessing.  We look forward to riding for HIM.  After all, Jesus saves Bikers Too!!

 Many Blessing,
Jeff