Tough Christian Bikers Ride for At-Risk Children

By Katherine T. Phan
Christian Post Reporter
Mon, Sep. 22 2008 01:56 PM EDT

With leather apparel, bandanas, and salt-and-pepper beards, thousands of bikers that rode throughout the streets in 12 cities on Saturday may have looked tough on the outside but inside they had a big heart for people who haven’t yet heard the message of Christ and for children whose parents are in prison.

On Saturday, Christian bikers teamed up with Prison Fellowship Ministries – the world’s largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families – for the third annual Unity Ride to collect Christmas gifts for children who have an incarcerated mother or father.

The Unity Ride was sponsored by national biker magazine Wheels of Grace and held in Atlanta, Carson City, Nev., Cleveland, Detroit, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Central Florida, Phoenix, Sacramento, Calif., and Southern California.

In Sacramento, hundreds of Christian bikers came out to show their support, each bringing a present to benefit PFM’s Angel Tree.

“We had a great turnout yesterday,” Rick Atchley, Sacramento-area director for Prison Fellowship, shared with The Christian Post.

“The Unity Ride participants bring a gift for a children of a prisoner that we use locally to serve families in the Sacramento area. This year we will serve over 34,000 kids in northern California.”

Sacramento riders gathered at Liberty Towers Church Saturday morning to join in a nationwide prayer rally that was streamed online to participating Unity Ride locations.

During the webcast prayer rally, hosted at Ocean Hills Church in Southern California, representatives from major fellowships of Christian motorcyclists expressed their sincere hope to reach non-Christians through their ride and solidarity with the 1.5 million children in America who have a parent behind bars.

Founder of Harley Davidson’s for Christ Marty Powell told bikers during the prayer meeting to “fix into your mind someone who does not know Jesus Christ and take their name to the cross with me.”

A representative from Azusa Street Riders said, “It’s all by God’s grace that this is happening.”

Since 1982, Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program has provided 16 million Christmas gifts to some 7.5 million children of prisoners nationwide.

Tree Planting

Global warming? Environmental degradation?

We care. CHRIST cares because God commanded us to take good care of the earth (Gen 1:28).

On 21 June 2008, CHRIST members joined a tree planting activity, which intends to rehabilitate the dying Sinocalan River of Sta Barbara, Pangasinan.

Spearheading the activity was the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and joined by the local government of Sta Barbara, the Probation and Parole office of the Department of Justice, the Full Gospel Business Mens Fellowship-Dagupan Chapter, the Assemblies of God, and the ABS-CBN Dagupan staff.

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Baguio Ride – Part 2

On 16 April 2008, the CHRIST members climbed again to Baguio City; this time to submit their “financial statement” with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Well, the riders didn’t have actually the finances to declare so to speak. But for purposes of compliance, and as responsible Christians, we had to abide what was being required by SEC. Of course, winding up ourselves by feeling the cold winds of Baguio and seeing the latest tech trends at SM Baguio, was the main purpose of the ride. Photos show the CHRIST members taking a pose at the Lions Park in Kennon Road.

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The Riders and the Lion

(L-R): Bro Rommel, Ptr Rico, Bro Amor, & Bro Rodolfo take a break at the Lion’s Park along Kenon Road in Baguio City. The Riders climbed to Baguio last 17 March 2008 to submit the annual “information sheet” of CHRIST to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CBC-CEC Motorcade

As part of its Founding Anniversary activities, Clark Bible College (CBC) and its sister school, CLark Educational Center (CEC), held a motorcade Last 27 February 2008 which CHRIST joined. CBC is one of the leading bible schools in Central Pangasinan to which many members of CHRIST are enrolled.

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PATMOS Motorcade

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Photos show the members of CHRIST and PATMOS who join the Bible Week motorcade held last 25 January 2008 in Sta Barbara Pangasinan. The activity, which aims to instill awareness and importance of the Holy Bible in the municipality, was organized by the Pastors and Teachers Ministerial Organization of Sta Barbara or PATMOS.

Lingayen Gulf Landing

Photo shows General Douglas Mac Arthur and the US forces landing at the Lingayen Gulf (Pangasinan) on 9 January 1945 which led to the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese occupation.

This and more photos are being exhibited by the Philippine Veterans Bank as a highlight of the 63rd Lingayen Guld Landing Anniversary. The photos are displayed at the Administration Building of Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen. Exhibit viewing time is 8AM to 5PM and will end on January 31, 2008.

Riders are invited to view this photo exhibit.

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Trivia Q: How do you know that the landing photo of General Mac Arthur was taken in Lingayen and not in Leyte? or vice versa?

Answer: Photo taken in Lingayen does not show the presence of Gen Carlos Romulo and President Sergio Osmeña.

Rider’s Night!

If you are a Rider and looking for place to visit (pasyal) during night time, I suggest you go to Lingayen (Pangasinan) and see for yourself the beautiful Capitol building decorated by christmas lights.

It’s frontage, which is now the Aguedo Agbayani Park, is well lighted also and now a favorite tambayan of people of all ages and nationalities.

A Son of Israel!

He is a Filipino, alright. But listening from his tunes and lyrics, Bro Mike Hanopol is like one of the sons of Israel. Most of his songs are a combination of English and Hebrew lyrics. In fact Bro Mike can recite the Lord’s prayer in full Hebrews. And he displays the flag of Israel everytime he performs.

Bro Mike who?

For those christians in the late 70’s, they know very well Mike Hanopol as a lead musician-singer who pioneered Filipino rock. A former member of the Juan dela Cruz Band, Mike broke away to establish his own band which popularized the song “Jeproks”!

In his short confession, Bro Mike admitted that he is a sinner especially during his “rock” days. But somehow, while in the United States, the Lord spoke in his heart and became a born-again christian. The rest is history.

At present, Bro Mike Hanopol tours the country (and Israel) proclaiming through his songs the goodness of the Lord in his life. Together with Steve Kuban, they held their concert in Dagupan last 14 December 2007.

New Life Worship!

Everybody knows the Hillsong worship band from Australia. And Hillsong London too.

Do I hear Hillsong USA?

I really dunno if Hillsong will establish one in US. But what I know is a US-based worship band who plays and sings like the Hillsong. Meet the New Life Worship band!

The video below is a favorite watched by many Christians (and non-Christians) in Youtube. Its entitled my Savior Lives.

Verse1:
Our God wil reign forever
And all the world will know His name
Everyone together
Sing the song of the redeemed

Chorus:
I know that my redeemer lives
And now I stand on what He did
My Saviour, my Saviour lives
Every day a brand new chance to say
“Jesus, You are the only way”
My Saviour, my Saviour lives

Verse2:
The King has come from Heaven
And darkness trembles at His name
Victory forever
Is the song of the redeemed

Chorus:
I know that my redeemer lives
And now I stand on what He did
My Saviour, my Saviour lives
Every day a brand new chance to say
“Jesus, You are the only way”
My Saviour, my Saviour lives

Bridge:
My Saviour lives
My Saviour lives
My Saviour lives

To know more about the New Life Worship band, visit their website at: http://www.nlbcworship.com/home.html