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Section TWO “Evangelism”
Understanding and Ministering to the 1% Motorcycle Club
biker.
Wheels of Faith is a Riding Fellowship. Discipleship and
Fellowship are two of the three mandates of our
ministry. Evangelism is the third. We evangelize
everyone we come into contact with, the barber, the
waitress, the store clerk, and even the 1%er. As bike
riders we have a natural point of contact with the 1%er.
This thread is a fragile one. Most 1%ers would say we
have nothing in common but perhaps that we ride
motorcycles. The following pages will open the door to
understanding the 1%er and how to share with them should
the opportunity present itself.
There is a
Nationwide ban
on new club patches by the outlaw world. No new
colors are accepted whether Christian or otherwise. If
you want to have a club, join one that is already in
existence. There are 300+ Christian motorcycle patches,
and the last thing that we need is another patch on the
street. New patches are banned, so if you want to ride
with a club or ministry, and you want to wear a patch,
join one that is already accepted, and do not make your
own patch.
Dan House wrote the
following article for the Motorcycle Club & Riding Club
Education website. (Reprinted here with
permission)
The "Biker" world has been mine for some thirty-five
years, from hardcore 1%er's to the new and improved
“Riding Clubs”. I've seen and encountered just about
everything you can pull from any movie. Being
knowledgeable of an element you might encounter is
always critical to your safety. Whether it is road rage
from a cager (driver of a car) or a robbery at your
local Seven-Eleven. You learn what parts of town to stay
out of because someone has told you or you learned the
hard way. You have the intelligence not to provoke a Pit
Bull or stand in the middle of a fire ant mound. You
learn to ride a motorcycle safely and so you must learn
about the world you have entered. Now, many of you have
entered the "Biker" or “Club” world and are not aware of
the issues that may affect you and only need a little
guidance. It would be my suggestion to do some research
on this issue because knowledge is power. It's hard to
convey the complete understanding of this culture in a
small article but it will help.
This information is to educate you on the outlaw 1%er
lifestyle, not to scare you away from riding. (And
remember, please think before you respond to anything,
don't do any bashing of anyone or any club on the
egroups, forums or at any bars.) First off, the
likelihood of anyone getting into a scrape with
outlaws/1%er”s is slim to none unless you frequent their
bars or hangouts. But make no mistake, this is very
real. Since most bike clubs are “NOT” outlaw clubs, they
will have no issue with you as long as you stay out of
their “business” and follow biker protocol. There is
rarely a problem at a public event or poker run but it
is always possible. So lets start with the "Rocker" you
hear about. The rocker is in the form of a half moon,
for lack of a better term. Similar to the bottom of a
rocking chair. If you think about it, you have all seen
photos of "Hells Angels" and the way the patches are
arched above and below the center patch. MC (Motorcycle
Club) patch and the 1% diamond will also be found on
their Cut (also referred to as Rags or Colors). There
are also many other patches some clubs wear that only
mean something to that particular club.
The 1% diamond is the key to identifying a 1%er. It is a
patch in the shape of a diamond with “1%” on it. That is
mostly worn on the left shoulder but is seen on the back
of their colors also. They, (1%er's) ride mostly
Harley's only, along with their support clubs and almost
all outlaw clubs, but that's another story. Flying a
certain style of patch on the back of colors is how the
outlaws identify who is or is not claiming territory.
Territory is a huge issue and they will fight and/or
kill over it if it comes to that. Its just “Business”.
The rocker or the bar style patch is not acceptable to
1%er's unless approved by them. And just because an M/C
club wears “Rocker” or “Bar” style patch's that doesn't
make them an outlaw club. You just have to learn who is
who but your officers should have some knowledge on
that.
As I said, most clubs are not outlaw clubs and don't
wear a top and bottom rocker. They may have a top rocker
but if they have a bottom patch it will not have State,
City or County wording on it, many times it will be the
member's road name. Any club in Texas (unless it's grand
fathered by the Bandido's) that's not affiliated with
Bandidos, (and other than a police club) are not allowed
to fly the "Texas" patch ("Bar"or "Rocker") on the back.
They have even forced some police clubs to remove the
Texas rocker. Also, 99% of Bandido support clubs cannot
wear Texas on the back. The Bandidos claim that right as
an MC (Motorcycle Club) and will aggressively approach
you if you are seen wearing it on the back of your
colors. Most states have its dominant 1% club where the
same rule applies. The Bandidos are the dominant club in
Texas as well as several other states. However, they are
headquartered in Galveston Texas.
A 1%er overall is also referred to as a 1%er as
opposed to an outlaw. Outlaws (not to be confused with
the 1% “OUTLAWS” Motorcycle Club) are hard-core clubs
NOT wearing a 1% patch but have very close ties with
1%er's. That would also include any 1% support clubs.
Appearance is important, it would be chaos if everyone
wore "Police" uniforms; identification of who you are is
imperative. You would surly be put in jail if you were
not a police officer but were wearing the uniform and
acting like a cop. So, on the other end of the spectrum,
you don't want to be mistaken for something you're not
for safety sake in all walks of life. Wearing an AMA
patch on the front of your colors/vest will identify you
(to outlaws) as a family club member and are of no
threat to them. 1%er's push the AMA patch to all clubs
because 1%er's and outlaws don't wear one. Some clubs
wear the AMA patch upside down in protest of being
forced by 1%er's to wear it.
1%er's and outlaws will have nothing to do with the AMA
(American Motorcyclist Association) and vise versa, and
will NEVER wear an AMA patch. The term 1% comes from the
AMA. In the 60's, the AMA labeled the "Hells Angels" and
the likes, as making up only 1% of all motorcyclists as
being "The Bad Boys". The Angels adapted that and became
an exclusive 1% club. And ANY club that tried to wear
that 1% diamond had better be able to back it up or
rival 1% clubs disbanded them. More often than not they
were disbanded, in many cases by death. The term “The
Big Four” is the four largest 1% clubs and the most
dangerous clubs in the world. 1.“Bandidos", established
1966 2. "Hells Angels", established 1948 3."Outlaws",
established 1935 4."Pagans" established 1959. The club
was formed in 1966 in Houston by Donald Eugene Chambers.
He saw a T.V. commercial with the Frito Bandido raising
hell to sell potato chips. Chambers calls his club the
Bandidos. He even adopts the fat Mexican, machete and
pistol welding cartoon cowboy as the club's colors. The
Bandidos, also called the Bandido Nation, is the fastest
growing outlaw motorcycle club in the U.S.
There are hundreds of smaller 1% clubs that can be just
as dangerous as the big ones on a smaller level. Just a
note. If you are ever around outlaw clubs when they
greet each other, you may see some of them kiss each
other on the lips. This started back in the 60's when
1%er's used it to shock people when they were around
them. It has since evolved into a ritual that is proof
of a very tight brotherhood.
To become a 1%er or an outlaw is not an easy task. Not
many will ever wear the 1% diamond, and only men can
join an outlaw or a 1% club. The prospecting process is
more than most men can take or will take. Thus
eliminating the possible club invasion of undercover or
"Feds" as best they can. It is not generally easy to
prospect for any M/C club, especially outlaw clubs. The
comment was made about numbers, that the citizen riders
out number them 50 to 1. That is true, but think what
you will, five average guys are sometimes no problem for
one hardcore 1%er. If you take on one, you take them all
on. For the most part, now days, outlaws will try to
stress their position very clearly before resorting to
violence.
The “Pagans” are the smallest but some consider the most
ruthless of the “Big Four” and located mostly along the
east coast mixing it up with “Hells Angels” from time to
time. “Pagans” are also known to have very close
connections with the Mafia just as many other 1% clubs
do. “Pagans” have a 50 to 1 rule. For every 1 of their
members you kill, they will kill 50 of yours. It don't
matter what club, chapter or state that member is from.
If they see club colors from the club they are after for
the killing of one of theirs, they will get their
revenge. That goes for any 1% club that is at war with
another club. 1%er's/outlaws have no boundaries, they
are very willing, and sometimes do, die or kill and go
to prison for their club. Although with the help of the
C.O.C (Confederation of Clubs) tensions have somewhat
softened over the years between clubs, occasionally
there is still a flair up that will cost some lives. War
can break out between clubs without notice.
Rival clubs have killed each for years over things like
territory and simple arguments over what seems to be
nothing to the average citizen. Outlaw/1%er clubs for
the most part keep the violence in the rival Motorcycle
Club circle. Unless you are involved with them or have a
death wish and chose to provoke hardcore bikers, the
violence rarely spills out into the general public. That
still goes on to this day. Declaring WAR is in their
eyes just what it means. Last one breathing wins,
nothing less, no exceptions, no rules. They have no fear
of the consequences, that's what makes them so dangerous
in a confrontation. Jail, prison, or death means nothing
to them and threats will actually encourage them to
strike.
And always be aware of a 1% or outlaw prospect. He will
be wearing a prospect patch or have no center patch, or
an armband depending on the club. Members and Prospects
are expected to behave in such a manner as to avoid
discrediting or dishonoring the club, especially, but
not only, when wearing colors. But 1% Prospects have
been known to provoke trouble. Recognition is important
for a prospect to “Patch Out”. But negative recognition
can sometimes work against a prospect. Their structure
is very much like the military and very political, they
earn their patch the HARD way and will defend it to the
death. If a 1% or outlaw club looses a members colors,
they will go to unbelievable lengths to recover them.
And God help the one that has them, especially if there
is no reason for having them. If the Police have them,
they will take the police department to court and get
their colors back if they need to. Usually the Police
just save themselves the hassle and give them back. They
always do get them back.
Until now, the outlaw element has been pretty much on
its own. (And as you know they seldom wave at anyone. It
is nothing personal and has nothing to do with the bike
you ride. They also seldom wave at another outlaw club,
and in some cases another chapter of their own.) The
reality is, however, that 1%er/outlaws aren't quite like
everyone else, it's best to recognize and admit that up
front. The outlaws are a society within a society, with
their own rules, own codes of conduct, own ways of
reacting to the world. It's kinda like the building of a
city further out into the wilderness areas. You are
going to encounter new forms of life you didn't know
existed this close to you until now. Many of you are
relatively new to the MC world and are just seeing it.
The big bike sales has increased 52% in the last two
years putting a tremendous amount of riders on the road,
at rally's, and on the web. Most riders paid no
attention to 1%ers till they started entering the
"Biker" world by flying colors just as 1%er's/outlaws
have since bike clubs began. Outlaws, 1%er's, and
motorcycle clubs in general have been around since the
30's with some non-outlaw clubs such as the "Gypsy M/C
International" that was established in 1932. It's also
been said that there was an all female M/C known as the
"Metermaids" that was established in 1931. The "Boozefighters"
Motorcycle Club was established in 1946.
Be as patient and as tolerant as you can when in a
situation where you are approached by outlaws. “RESPECT”
is what they expect from you and nothing less.
NEVER be macho or show disrespect to outlaws. “People
who don't understand the chemistry and the volatility
may get themselves into a situation way, way beyond
anything they're ready for." That will cause a very
explosive situation that no one wants to be in. Even if
you don't respect them, it would be in your best
interest to show respect at the time of the encounter.
Show respect to ANY club you encounter, outlaw or not.
There are some great clubs out there and not all the
outlaw clubs are bad. It sometimes comes down to a
particular member. Also try and be aware of where your
officers are in case something comes up. 1%er's
(outlaws) only respond to male Officers of any club.
Also, if outlaws are not on their bikes they will not
always be flying any colors; it's part of their laws.
That makes it difficult to know who is who unless they
are wearing a patch shirt that has the name of the club
they ride with. So if you are at a cycle event or a
biker bar, be careful what you say when talking to a
stranger. Even if they look like the kid next door, you
just never know.
An outlaw could care less if he goes to jail
particularly if he is prospecting. If you make him mad,
he will get your attention at any cost. And they don't
care WHO you are, an ex-1%er, a “Hells Angel”, a cop, an
attorney, a body builder or a CEO. It don't matter to
them how tough you are or think you are. If you have
ticked them off there will be trouble. I want to stress
again, it's not likely it will ever happen to you unless
you travel those circles or challenge them when they are
present. But at least you now have some type of
awareness on what to do or not to do, so you are in
control of your own actions. It is not always a good
idea to approach them even if you are just being
friendly. Outlaws are very suspicious of an approach by
a stranger. However, some can be very friendly provided
you don't ask questions about their “business”.
Outlaws can also be a lot of fun to be around, and MAN
can they party. Most clubs, including 1%er’s rarely give
anyone any trouble unless they are provoked, you
challenge them, or you show disrespect. I have acquired
many outlaw/1%er friends over the years that are great
guys and wouldn't cause anyone any trouble as long as
they or their brothers aren't messed with. They are the
kind of brothers you want beside you if the going gets
tough. Once club members consider you a good friend they
will try and recruit you to join their club.
The loyalty of brotherhood is the greatest strength of
any club or friendship, and the club loyalty's ALWAYS
come first. And they won't call the cops; they Take Care
Of Business themselves. (You may see that on a patch
that some earn.) In fact, history shows that outlaws or
1%er's are less likely to testify against each other
than the Mafia is. Not to mention they are certainly a
special breed, and the brotherhood is as tight, or
tighter than any Mafia. 1%er's have a death code for
snitches, if you snitch against the club you will be
hunted down. 1%er's are so successful at doing this just
recently after a federal agent had infiltrated one of
the “Big Four” clubs and gave the feds all the
incriminating evidence of murder and drug running
conducted by the elite portion of that club. He then
committed suicide knowing they would find him at any
cost and torture him to death.
“Riding clubs” are, for the most part, the new kids on
the block and no matter what anyone thinks, the
1%er's/outlaws will always be here, even when or if the
riding craze is over. The greatest law enforcement in
the world has had little effect on this type of
organization, so you can do little but try and work
things out and co-exist peacefully. I think we can ALL
co-exist if we keep doing what we are doing. Making
smart choices and having friends from all types of
clubs. I know there are plenty of “Rights” arguments and
debate in what I have written, but what you have read
here is very real like it or not. We all have at least
one thing in common, “Motorcycles” not to mention close
friends! I encourage you all to enjoy this life style by
being knowledgeable of it. Learn and realize how
dangerous this outlaw organization can be at times. This
article has only scratched the surface in regard to the
lifestyle or information that is available. And much
information is only available when you live in that
world. I have listed some clubs in Texas that “some”
consider being outlaw clubs. I will list the clubs
affiliated with the Bandidos in Texas as part of the
“Bandido Nation”, I may miss one or two.
(The focus of this article is for informing club members
or potential clubs of the outlaw lifestyle.)
Dallas / Fort Worth Outlaw Clubs
"Bandidos" 1% World Wide
Scorpions - Dallas / Detroit
Banshees - Dallas / Dennison
Winos Crew - Ft Worth
Rebel Riders - Ft Worth - Bandido Support
Hells Lovers - Dallas (Black Club)
Bandido Nation
(Texas Red and Gold Support Clubs)
Amigos M/C - Houston / Washington State
Hombres M/C - Austin / San Antonio
Campesinos M/C - San Antonio
Southsiders M/C - San Antonio
Hermanos M/C -
Regulators M/C
Pistoleros M/C
Rebel Riders M/C - DFW
Aces M/C - San Jacino Tx
Los Riders M/C - Plainview Tx
Hard Core - Austin Tx
Companeros M/C - Austin Tx “
Protocol Basics when dealing with Motorcycle Clubs
The following are things to consider if and when you are
going to be around motorcycle clubs:
1. Patchholders are people too. They have good and bad
days; they have jobs, families, and normal everyday
problems and concerns just like anyone else. There are
those who no matter what you say or do, it will not be
right with them. Just like with any group, you will find
both good and bad.
2. Protocol and Respect are primary rules when dealing
with a motorcycle club patchholder.
If you are introduced to a patchholder, make sure either
the person doing the introduction (or you) make sure
they know what club you belong to & if you are an
officer, what position you hold. Under no circumstances
do you interrupt to correct a mistake while that person
is introducing you or while they are talking. Wait till
the introduction is done & politely introduce your self
correctly. i.e.….
Joe Rider, xxxxxxxxxxxx Riding Club, 1st Officer,
Anytown Chapter.
Fred Spokes, Anystate Officer, xxxxxxxxxxxxx Riding Club
(Use your name - not your nickname. Nicknames may come
later.)
3. Greet them as you would meet anyone else & wait until
the offer is made to shake hands. DO NOT interrupt, wait
for them to recognize you. DO NOT be offended or make a
big deal if they do not offer to shake your hand. Many
times they want to get to know about you and your club a
little better before they will offer to shake your hand.
4. Never, Ever, Lie. You can refuse to answer a question
in a polite manner by saying something like, "That seems
like club business, and I would like to refer that to
one of our officers in order to get better information
for you." Be prepared to answer questions about what
your club is about. Such as:
A.) "We are a riding club & not a motorcycle club and
have no intention of ever trying to become a motorcycle
club".
B.) The Patch is bought & not earned.
C.) Dues are paid via donations.
D.) All makes and models of motorcycle are welcomed
in Wheels of Faith.
E.) We are a non-territorial club.
F.) We are a neutral club and do not wear any MC
support patches.
G.) Women riders are welcomed and in many cases are
club officers.
H.) We are a riding fellowship of Christian
motorcyclists.
J.) Do not offer forum links or web sites, It's
better to refer them to a club officer.
K.) Do NOT brag about how large the local or national
membership is.
L.) Do not volunteer club info. If they ask a
question about the local chapter answer it if you can.
If they start asking questions about the number of
members, or the National chain of organization refer
them to one of the club Officers.
5. Women in leadership positions or being a patchholder
in motorcycle clubs, while not totally unheard of, is
very rare. That's just the way it is. Most motorcycle
clubs would also rather deal with a man if there is
business to conduct. Most realize what a riding club is
about & will for the most part accept a woman as an
officer, and a woman officer will most likely be allowed
to attend any meeting. Whether or not they will deal
directly with a woman officer or not depends on the
individual motorcycle club/chapter. There is no set rule
for this and they will let you know if it's ok with them
or not. Many motorcycle clubs do not care to deal with
the National officers. They would prefer to deal with
the local or state representatives.
6. If anyone knows a patchholder, don't let him/her
throw the patchholders' name/nickname/club's name around
like you're a great buddy of theirs (even if you are).
Many clubs consider that as a major disrespect to the
whole club.
7. Watch where you are when speaking about them, and
never say anything about them in public because you
never know when that woman, man, or kid in regular
clothes standing near you might be one of them, or a
"support member". Patchholders do not always wear their
colors. By the time the story gets back to the top club
in your area, it will have been changed many times over
and could be blown up way out of proportion.
8. Anything said about them between club members is club
business ONLY. If comments, even those said in a joking
manner were to get out, problems could start. Discussion
outside the privacy of the chapter can start rumors
which could cause a lot of problems for not only the
chapter, but also for other chapters in and out of the
state.
9. If for some reason you have to say something while in
public about a motorcycle club, take the person you're
talking to aside, alone, and say ONLY what you need to
say to get your meaning across. Say as little as
possible so anyone else can't overhear it &
misunderstand what you're talking about.
10. Watch where you wear your patch (RFs don't wear
colors, colors are earned, not bought) and it's just
common sense to stay in numbers when wearing the patch.
(Some motorcycle clubs can be very territorial and some
clubs don't see any difference between a RIDING CLUB and
MOTORCYCLE CLUB, good or bad.) If you are unsure of the
areas or places normally frequented by motorcycle clubs,
find out from your club Officers. If you are planning on
traveling and are concerned about what the situation may
be in regard to the relationship with the local
motorcycle clubs in the areas you'll be traveling
through or staying in, talk to your local officer and
ask if they can find something out by contacting the
officers in the areas you will be in.
11. "SHOW THEM RESPECT." That's A #1 with them! (And
worth repeating).
12. If you already know a patchholder, or get to know
one in the future, don't just walk up to him/her and
interrupt when they are with other members. Wait till
he/she acknowledges you first and NEVER touch them or
put your arm around them like a buddy. Don't put your
hand out to shake theirs; wait for them to extend their
hand first. If for some reason you're not acknowledged
at all, just keep walking. If you need to talk to an
officer of a Motorcycle Club the proper way is to go
through the Sgt at Arms or one of the patchholders.
13. You have to decide whether or not you want to show
respect by going to any of their functions or if you
want to avoid all of them all together. If you do choose
to show respect and go, you can do this in a way that
may make you feel more at ease by going to one of their
"support's" functions instead of the top club's function
(if they have a support patch then you're still
indirectly showing the top club respect). But if you do
go, then you also have to go to their rival clubs'
function or you'll be telling everyone that you're not a
"NEUTRAL" club as you said you were. (Example: If you go
to the Club A's function then YOU HAVE TO GO to the Club
B's function, etc.) You have to decide how you want to
stay neutral, by going or not going and you have to let
all the other area chapters know if you're going too, so
they're not in the dark and we can ALL stay on top of
things.
**** NOTE ***** A better way to support them and still
give the appearance of being a neutral club is to attend
only "open to the public" events that a motorcycle club
may be sponsoring.
If you feel that you do want or need to go to a "limited
event", then you'll have to go representing yourself as
yourself, preferably without wearing any patches
identifying your club. Remember, if you're wearing your
club patch, you are considered by everyone to be
representing your whole club. If anything were to turn
sour, then your whole club could wind up with problems
down the road. Also, once the rivals of that club you
visited find out (and they will within a day or two),
then those rivals will see you as no longer being
neutral & you could be considered a rival of theirs too.
14. No CLB's (Chapter Location Bars), any territory
rockers, or anything giving the appearance of a rocker,
should be worn with the patch.
15. If someone from a motorcycle club requests that you
remove your vest/patch, don't argue. The best reply is,
"No Problem," and then politely take it off and let your
Club Officer know what motorcycle club it was so they
can deal with any potential problems. You normally will
only get asked once.
16. If an establishment has a sign indicating “No
Colors”, even though your patch is not considered
“colors”, the vest should be removed out of respect to
the other clubs and the policy of the establishment.
While you may just be a Riding Club, it's only
respectful to honor the house rules. Motorcycle clubs
that honored the "house rules" would probably be deeply
offended that you didn't. Also remember many
establishments choose to have this policy and it applies
to all clubs that use any kind of patch; they do not
distinguish between a MC and a RC. Be aware of the local
motorcycle club hangouts & it's best not to wear the RC
patch into them without an invitation.
17. Do not wear your Patch into a motorcycle club
clubhouse unless you have asked if it's ok to do so or
have been invited for a "sit down" with the officers of
the motorcycle club, or been invited As a Riding Club
Member, to attend a function there.
18. In regard to women who are with a MC club, but not
in the club: Old Lady is not a negative or derogatory
term; it's just a slang term commonly used. "Property
Of" patches are their way of showing support for their
man and the club he's in.
19. A patchholder may not, and many times will not,
acknowledge your wife or girlfriend, especially upon a
first meeting.
20. DO NOT touch or sit on a patchholder's bike unless
invited to do so. Do not expect the invitation.
21. A prospect can usually be identified by the back
patch they are wearing. There are many different ways
motorcycle clubs identify prospects. They can have the
rockers without the main patch. They can actually have a
patch saying "PROSPECT". Some do not wear any patch,
because all the Patchholders know who the prospects are.
You want to treat a prospect or even someone you suspect
is a prospect the same way you would treat a patchholder
- with respect and courtesy.
22. Have absolutely no doubt that a motorcycle club is
serious and many have been known to physically educate a
person who shows disrespect or displays a bad attitude.
23. Be aware of the behavior and attitude of the other
Therefore members who are with you at events. If
necessary, try to take action to avoid problems before
they happen. For example, if someone appears to be
getting too angry or loud and possibly disrespectful,
take them aside or suggest going somewhere else until
things settle down. You could also let one of the
officers of the club know about the situation. If an
incident should occur in spite of your efforts when no
Officers are present, make sure to let your officers
know as soon afterward as you can. If no club officers
happen to be there, then ALL of the RC members that are
there need to make the attempt to take that person
aside, and strongly suggest that the offending RC member
go somewhere else to settle down.
24. Be aware that problems created in one part of the
country by a RC member or issues with the RC in one area
have the potential to affect RC members in other areas
and states.
25. The term Brother or Bro has special meaning to a
Patchholder, do not call a Patchholder Brother or Bro.
Their Brothers are fellow Patchholders and those that
have earned that term.
26. Don't ever touch any part of another club member's
colors, which includes the vest or jacket it's sewn on.
That is considered serious disrespect, which could cause
them to aggressively educate the un-informed.
Witnessing to the 1%er.
The previous pages and painted a rather dark picture of
the 1%er. How is it possible to evangelize members of
this closed society? There are three distinct keys.
1. Relationship.
So much of the 1% community is based upon respect,
trust, and relationship that to attempt to minister in
any other way are to meet with immediate resistance. So,
how does one build relationship with a 1%er? By meeting
them and accepting them at face value. Over time a
casual relationship will develop into one of respect.
Maintaining your Christian testimony is crucial to this
respect. You are wearing a Christian patch. They will
have a very high expectation that you are a real
Christian. They are a 1%er and they wear their patch. It
identifies them and everyone knows what the patch means.
By wearing a Christian patch, they expect you to be a
true Christian. You have to walk the walk and talk the
talk. You do not gain respect or acceptance by sitting
with them and having a drink or by laughing at a crude
or dirty joke. Just the opposite will result. They will
instantly loose respect for you. In one case two men
wearing a Christian patch sat down in a biker bar and
had a few bears. Some 1%ers attacked the men, tore off
their vests, and sent them packing. Word quickly spread
through the biker community that their club was nothing
but hypocrites. You have to walk the walk and talk the
talk.
2. Love
How can you love a 1%er? What does that mean? You pray
for him. You don't judge him. You let the love of Jesus
shine through you. It might mean answering a phone call
in the night when that 1%er is in need. It will always
mean that you are sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
3. Testifying as opposed to Preaching
Many Christians want to preach instead of witness. What
is the difference? Preaching to someone about Jesus
usually involves arguments. For example: Don't you know
that drinking, smoking, doing drugs and being sexually
permissive is sin and that you are going to hell?
Although this statement is true, the 1%er will laugh.
After all, the Hells Angels are already expecting to go
there. So, that kind of confrontational approach will do
nothing but get the door slammed in your face.
What then, is witnessing? A witness is one who has
personally seen or experienced something. A witness can
be called upon to “testify” to what he has seen. When
you witness to a 1%er you share what God has done in
your life. You testify to how God's love has changed
your heart, healed your marriage, met your financial
needs etc. Testify to the fact that you have a
“relationship” with God. You won't get arguments back.
They may or may not believe you, but how can you argue
with a man's experience? The seeds you plant can take
years to mature. But, in the final analysis, you have
planted a seed that God is real in your life. Sometime,
someplace that the Holy Spirit will lead that 1%er to a
point where he will wonder if he could have what you
have. At that point he will be ready to accept Christ.
Remember, lead with love. Don't be pushy or
confrontational.
Sportbike Category
·
You need to be the real you on and off the bike.
Jesus didn’t become a divorcee to reach the woman at
the well and didn’t become a thief to reach the tax
collector Zacchaeus.
·
You must have the right equipment. Sportbike/street
fighter/hooligan/naked bike. (Not too many bikes
from the 80’s will cut it)
·
Must be connected to a group—find common ground.
Type of bike, brand or even ethnicity.
·
Must be instant in and out of season…know how to and
be ready to witness:
o
Have your testimony in 1-2 minute format and a
longer version (Christ-centered without glorifying
your past)
o
Know 1-verse evangelism or something like that to be
able to effectively lead someone to Christ or at
least present the salvation message in 5 minutes.
If time permits be ready with other verses.
o
Carry a Hope for the Highway or other pocket
testament to give away.
·
You must avoid participating in hooliganism. Be in
the world not of it.
·
Be ready to build relationships by making yourself
friendly (be genuine!).
o
Realize that you need to take and make opportunities
to witness.
o
Exchange cell phone numbers and if you tell them
they can call you anytime, mean it!
o
Ask questions that don’t have yes/no answers. Ask
about Bike/Work/Hobbies/Family/Friends.
§
Try something like: Hey love the bike; that looks
like a custom exhaust/tailsection etc.? How long
did it take you to modify that…etc.
·
Create witnessing opportunities by having leading
questions ready (look at questions like the EE two
questions)
·
Make sure that events that are hosted by your
ministry have a net mechanism built in to collect
info and do follow-ups with a place to plug them
in. Life groups etc.
·
Include women at the core of your ministry as they
are a vocal and growing part of motorcycling. To
ignore this will be to your ministry’s detriment
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