EVENT: Faith Riders For Christ Motorcycle Ministry Rally/Revival

What amazing things God has been doing at both the Faith Riders Fellowship Church and the Faith Riders For Christ Motorcycle Ministry in Aiken. Each of our services are extraordinary. No one can top our singers and musicians who bring the Church family to it's feet at each service. Our Pastors give us the true Bible. They don't "sugar coat" their message. If you get your feelings hurt, sorry, that apparently means something still needs sorting out in your life, and they're here to help those in need of spiritual counseling.

Auction Barn - January

We have had a lot to celebrate during this new year as both the Church and the Ministry are growing. At the first meeting of the Motorcycle Ministry this year we discussed getting out into the public and showing them just who the Faith Riders are and what we're all about.

In January, it was the Auction Barn and in February the DAV Hut for evenings of fellowship and fun between the riders and community. Also in February Rich Parr Ministries did an interview with Leon at the Church which can be seen here: Rich Parr on Location with Leon Everette
Instead of getting out into the public in March we brought the community to us.

DAV Hall - February

First up was Pastor Sam Childers, also known as the "Machine Gun Preacher" who brought an inspirational message to all in attendance. This was followed the next morning by the Trash and Treasures yard sale in the Church parking lot. From Thursday through Sunday, March 16th -19th we had our dear friend Pastor Eddie B bring music, testimony and God's word to a filled house for each service. In the midst of all this activity we have still had "get-togethers." There were meetings of the Ladies of Faith, dinners, Church leaders’ meetings, deacons’ meetings and just a few people getting together whenever and wherever they could to help those in the CSRA community and spend time with each other. This weekend we had the opportunity to celebrate the birthdays of Manjaree Aguilar and Annette Dickert by having lunch at Habanero's Mexican Grill. We are not only a Church, we are friends. We are also family.

Eddie B

Sam Childers AKA Machine Gun Preacher

Tony & Diane helping Ann
Distribute blanket rolls for homeless

Ladies of Faith
Enjoying a day together

As a family we have also seen tragedy befall us as we lost a close family member this month, Charlie Newton. Charlie loved everyone and everyone loved him in return. He never met a stranger and was proud of his Church and Ministry. He will be sorely missed but we know he is now "Riding with the King." We love you Brother and look forward to the day we ride together again.

Charlie Newton

As deeply involved as Charlie was in the Church and Motorcycle Ministry I believe the thing he enjoyed most was always our upcoming Faith Riders For Christ Motorcycle Ministry Annual Motorcycle Rally and Revival. Although he had left the Marine Corps many years earlier, the Marine Corps had never left him. At the first rally Diane and I attended, everyone, including us, were setting up their tents, campers and motor homes on the nice, smooth, freshly cut lawns of the Church and I had to laugh as Charlie, in true Marine fashion, went behind our tent about 50 yards into the woods and cleared himself a campsite and set up there. You will truly be missed this year my friend.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

If you have never attended this event, you don't know what you have been missing. Each year seems to get better and larger. This year's event promises to be the best ever.

Thursday, April 27th - People who plan on camping with us will start arriving and setting up their tents, campers, and motor homes. There are no electrical nor sewage hook-ups on site but self-contained campers and motor homes are welcomed and encouraged. Tent camping is also welcomed and there are restrooms and bath houses on site. There is no charge for camping. This is a FREE event.

Myself and a couple of other people try to be there early on Thursday morning to help any newcomers find a spot and set up. We will be there throughout so there is no certain times to get there and we know some people can't take time off work so you are free to come in at any time and on any day of the event. We have people come in early and set up then head off to work, joining us again when they get off.

Thursday evening at 7:00 pm we will kick of the official festivities with Leon Everette and the Faith Riders Band playing followed by Pastor John Aguilar bringing the Word of God to us.

Friday April, 28th.  Fridays are a special day as we have nothing scheduled until 7:00 that evening. We will have more people showing up throughout the day to visit and some to camp and we will be helping those who need it. During the day we have the opportunity to just relax and enjoy each other's company and fellowship. This is where we really seem to get to know each other as we laugh, talk and just hang out together. Some will help with setting up for that evening and helping with the cooking or whatever needs doing and some of us may take a leisurely ride through the Aiken country side.

That evening we will be truly blessed by The Shireys. For those who do not know them and have not heard them before, The Shireys are a full time traveling, vocal, family group consisting of Wayne and Darlene Shirey and their daughter Rachael. They will lift you spiritually through their message filled combination of music and testimony. Their music includes everything from "Camp Meeting" style through progressive. There is something for every taste and age.

Immediately following The Shireys will be Pastor Michael Bowen. Michael is a true Minister of God's Word. Pastor Bowen is the Senior Pastor at East Lumberton Baptist Church and travels each year with his lovely wife, Jennifer, to be with us and deliver a wonderful service. He has always brought us incredible messages and this year promises to be no different.






Saturday, April 29th. You had better start out with a full stomach at the free breakfast because today will be exceptionally busy. As I said we will start out with breakfast under the awning followed by registration for the ride at 8:30 with kickstands up at 9:30. Registration and the ride are also free. The ride is scheduled to be back at the Church by 12:00 or 12:30 in time for lunch.

At 1:00 it's time to be prepared for a great show by the Carolina Skydiver's team. This is their "bird's eye" view from their jump last year. We had such a great time with them as they stayed around and talked with us after the show, even helping with the chili cook-off judging afterwards.

Chili cook off winners and judges last year

Speaking of the Chili Cook-Off, the judging will start immediately after the skydiving as these guys will have been preparing and cooking all morning. They will have enough left over for samples so make sure you try them all.

The Aiken Horsepower Association Car Club will host a Cruise-In to the event beginning at 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. For those of us who love muscle cars, from yesterday and today, this is a must see. As a professed "Gearhead" I can't wait to see what will be there and meet the men and women who go to such lengths to save, restore, and maintain these vehicles. They have supported the Cumbee Center for Abused Persons since 2004 and will accept donations of cell phones, linens and toys to help those in need and any help for their mission would be appreciated.

The bike games will be starting as close to 2:00 as possible seeing everything else will be going on close to this time. The games are always a favorite with both riders and the crowd. It will be a lot of laughs as we will all be gunning to knock last year's winners of the podium We will be worn out by the evening but we be quickly reawakened at 7:00 PM as we start services with another annointed group in The Diplomats music and testimony followed by Pastor Brad Jay. They will both bring you to your feet in music and praise.

Sunday, April 30th will feature Leon Everette and the Faith Riders Band followed by our Senior Pastor Jack Atkinson bringing the true word of God once again and closing out what I know will have been a truly blessed Rally and Revival.

Please Support Our Many Vendors

Buckwheat Bar-B-Que

Kona Ice

We ask you to please help our vendors by supporting them, both while at the event and before and after.

I'm afraid I won't be able to fit in my clothes after this event. I know I love me some Bar B Que and there's none better than Buckwheat's. Then we have the Kona Ice Truck where I can let the kid in me out. This doesn't include the free lunch and all the chili at the cook-off.

Looking for a new pet? The Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare with be here with dogs and cats needing adoption. I know I'll have to keep the wife away from this area or she'll want to bring them all home.

W.L.J. Angel Gowns. If their mission doesn't get to you, you don't have a heart. They will take your old prom dresses and wedding dresses and turn them into gowns for newborns and infants who have been called home to soon. If you have these items, please bring them as they will bring some light into the families at this terrible time.

For more information contact Doug Cohen 803-507-4932 or Tony Taylor 803-270-3633

The following are links to the websites for our participants and vendors:

The Shireys

The Diplomats

Sky Dive Carolina

Buckwheats' Bar-B-Que

Kona-Ice

The Pampered Chef

Albrecht Center For Animal Welfare

W.L.J Angel Gowns

Aiken Horsepower Association

Rider Spotlight - Ann Storey

Ann Storey talking with one of the many
homeless we encontered

"Turn around...turn around. There are two back there. They're back there by that wall." "Okay let me try to find a way around there," I told her as I pulled up behind a business on 15th street near the intersection of Broad Street in Augusta. "Do you think there's a hole in the fence we could squeeze through?" she asked. I had to laugh to myself at her perseverance to get back to those who she felt needed help, a smile, and a prayer. You also had to worry about her determination to wade into these troubled people to try to help in any way she can. Her child-like enthusiasm for doing God's work is contagious. I turned the car around and went back to an empty lot on Broad Street where I was able to stop outside of the traffic. She was out of the car and waiting at the trunk before I could hit the switch to open it. Once it was open she was grabbing blanket rolls and headed across the street where there were actually three men hanging around behind a low wall trying to keep the cold wind away from them. She was talking with them and asking questions as if she had met new friends. We learned at least two of these men had recently been released from prison, one of them doing an 18 year sentence. After speaking for several minutes she began to pray with, and for, them. As we walked back to the car I had to think of Psalms 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

"Over there, over there. There's a woman who looks like she needs help." I circled around and parked in the road, just off Walton Way near where an elderly woman was sitting on the curb. "Do you need help to stay warm tonight?" Ann asked her. "No mam, I have a place to stay tonight." "Well, is there anything you need we can pray about?" "No mam, I'm okay." After speaking with her for awhile, trying to comfort her and let her know that Jesus loves her and and will watch over her, Ann just 'matter-of-fact' manner told her, "Well I'm going to pray for you anyway, if you don't mind." We held hands as Ann led us in prayer for this woman who had little, but was thankful just to be alive another day.

Ann Storey and Jason Cotton

Since none us had eaten we drove to Old Tyme Burgers on Walton Way where we had lunch. Ann, Diane, and I sat and talked. Mostly Diane and Ann talked while I listened. As I said before, Ann's enthusiasm was contagious and she didn't want to slow down, even long enough to eat. It also made us especially thankful to be able to sit, talk, and eat, without wondering where our next meal would come from. Throughout the day I watched as she laughed, talked, and prayed with the different people we encountered. As we would drive off the smiles would turn to concern and she would get near tears as she wondered about what put each of them in the situations where they lived day to day and prayed that they would be okay. I was reluctant to see her go as we finally had to end our day and dropped her off at her business, Curves, in North Augusta. I couldn't possibly begin tell her how she not only helped the homeless we dealt with, but how much she had helped Diane and I with our walk.

If you've ever even visited Faith Riders Fellowship Church you've couldn't help but meet our fearless, Harley riding, Ann Storey. Ann doesn't meet a stranger, as she showed wading into the homeless, introducing herself, offering whatever she had to give and telling them about God and offering to pray with them. As she would leave she took their troubles into her heart remembering each and every one of them. She treats everyone she meets at Church the same way. She is relentless telling people about what Jesus can do in their lives.

She loves the Church and the Motorcycle Ministry and is instrumental in giving ideas and helping to see them through. She always has a smile on her face and shares that smile with everyone, brightening their day and raising their spirits. She is truly a gift from God to all of us.

Ann does her mission for the homeless with donations where ever she can get them. Please keep her in mind when you have old blankets, left over toiletries, and anything else you feel could help with. She can take donations at her business: Curves, 1764 Knox Avenue, North Augusta, SC.

God Bless You Ann.

One Man Can Make A Difference - What Are You Doing?

Pastor Sam Childers, AKA Machine Gun Preacher

This has been one of the hardest articles I have written and I really don't know why. I have written and re-written it. I have changed it, deleted it and started it over and over and just couldn't get it in my mind where it was supposed to go. I knew what I was supposed to say, I just couldn't put it into words until last night. Pastor John Aguilar finally brought it into perspective during his sermon, once again, talking about "What are we doing?" Thank you Pastor for reinforcing my vision.

As a retired police Detective/Investigator, I am, by nature, skeptical. I couldn't decide if the man I was here to listen to was full of bluster and ego or if the myth had overtaken the true man. Or, on some weird chance, could all this be true? I had watched the movie Machine Gun Preacher and had learned as much as possible about him by searching the internet. None of these seemed to answer my questions. The only way I would truly know was to listen to his story as he tells it.

Diane and I try to be at the Church early to help out in anyway we can, especially to those first time visitors. Last night Diane was sick at home and I arrived exceptionally early. This gave me a unique opportunity to meet and speak with Sam, one on one, for quite some time just after I arrived. I didn't know what to expect of him but before I could get a read on this man, he had turned it around on me. I was the one listening and answering his questions as he became the interviewer. He didn't want to talk about himself, but to learn about our Church, the leaders, the founders, and how it had come from being one of the largest nightclubs in the southeast to a church and ministry reaching out to bikers, and others in the community. He wanted to know about me, Leon, the Pastors and the members. It wasn't him just making small talk, he was truly interested. Where was that ego I had been expecting? I did finally get to ask a few questions of him, and yes, he was proud of the work he was doing but there was a matter of fact way he talked of it. No boasting, no swagger, no fanfare. Not the man I had pre-conceived notions of in my mind. He was quick to give the glory to God. His devotion to his mission is all a gift from God. The more I had the opportunity to speak with him, the more intrigued I became by this man who was willing to use himself, and every resource he has, to further the work God has bestowed upon him. As much as I wanted to keep the conversation going I knew I couldn't monopolize his time and I really needed to get into the crowd and visit with our newcomers. That was my only disappointment, that neither or us had more time. The writer in me didn't want to stop my inquiries and I wished there had been more time to get in-depth with him. I also enjoyed the opening he gave me to brag about our Church and it's members. I purchased his book, Another Man's War, to try to gain more personal insight.

I walked throughout the parking lot introducing myself and answering questions from our visitors. I got to meet several more people with interesting testimonies about where the Lord was leading them. I had a wonderful time walking and talking to an assortment of people, some of whom didn't even know our ministry existed before learning of this event. I was amazed at the number of Pastors who had been drawn to the Church for this.

Leon and the Faith Riders Band started the service playing and I watched the crowd as they got lost in the uplifting music. By this time my mind was racing. I was still intrigued by Sam and several others I had met while in the crowd speaking with different people. Another of those people was Pastor Danny Kizer of the Living Gospel Bible Church in Lexington, SC. On top of his pastor duties he spends his time at hospitals in the area as the staff Chaplin. He does this on a volunteer basis, without compensation, ministering to those in need at a particularly trying time in their lives. He explained that his compensation comes from doing God's work. He knew where his God given talents were and knew what God wanted him to do with them. There were other compelling stories people shared with me about how the Lord has worked in their lives. Some being uprooted from family and friends, having moved across the country because God wanted them there. Some, for reasons they still did not know.

As I watched the people in the congregation singing, dancing, clapping, and offering praise I looked at each and wondered what talents God had given to each of them. I believe the good Lord has given us each special talents and we just have to listen and follow his lead to find them. Did they even know they had a special talent God had given them to carry out his work? If so, are they using it as God wanted? I watched as Leon, Allen, Tony, Kathy, Chris, and Pastor John lit up the Church with their musical talents that God has bestowed on each one. Each of them know the talent God has given them and they know how to use it to draw people into the front door of our Church. That gives us the opportunity to Minister to them and keep them coming back. They also use that talent outside the Church to tell the world about the things God has done, and is doing, in their lives.

I looked around and watched our other members and realized just how much talent we really do have in the Church from our musicians, to our Pastors, our ushers, teachers, and too many others to mention. They make this Church function and keep it doing God's work. As I sat there I began to think about myself. What am I doing? What talents do I have that I could be using more effectively? Do I do everything I can, or should?

I do believe everything I did in my past was placed there by God. Although I didn't know it was God leading me, I felt there were things I had to do and I followed along and did them. I'm proud of what I have done in the past and feel I really made a difference in this world and people's lives. I retired from Law Enforcement in 2002. What have I done since? Have I touched anyone? Have I made a difference? What talents do I have to offer now? I felt like my work was done when I retired. What little I've been doing with the church since finding them doesn't feel that I'm pulling my weight. Where am I needed Lord? Lead me and I'll go.

I continued with my mind going ninety miles an hour as the band finished and Pastor Sam Childers started speaking. He started off speaking about his Ministry and what it was doing in Africa and then asked what are we doing? What...is he a mind reader also?

Again I looked around the congregation wondering what are we doing, not only as a church but, individually. Are we using what God has given us to continue his work? Do we reach out and try to touch those who need us? What more can we do?

Last night as I listened to Pastor John he again brought up the subject, "What are we doing?" His sermon told me where to go with this article. I spoke with him after the service and he bolstered my vision of where my talent lies.

What can I do? I can try to reach as many people as possible through my writing and help them look to find where they belong and what talent God has given them.

Where do your individual talents lie? I have no idea. Where can you get the answers you need? Get down on your knees and ask God. Talk to him. Listen to him. He may not answer immediately. He may be taking you in a roundabout way to get where he wants you, as he did with me. As I have said before, without my past, I wouldn't have the testimonies to bring to you. It took 40 years for my eyes to open and see where the Lord was leading me.

It took two sermons for the Lord to smack me and tell me what I needed to write. Thanks to the Machine Gun Preacher, Pastor Sam Childers, and Pastor John Aguilar for helping pound it into my head what to bring to you. I listened, did you?

We have been brought together as a Church to reach out to our community. We have done a good job through the Motorcycle Ministry by getting out into the public as a group and letting them know who we are and what an awesome God we serve. We need to continue this, both as a group, and individually. We can do it. We have Faith on our side and we have shown during the past few months that nothing can stop us when we collectively fight the enemy that moves against us.

We know as what our talents are as a Church. Now let's get down on our knees and find those talents the Lord has given each of us and let them shine to work in his Glory.