Religious riders "Some people do ministry through song, some do ministry through sports, we do ministry through open road and revving engines," says Christian biker Jason Holm.
place faith on
2 wheels
The Christian Motorcycle
Alliance kicks off its first
ride with fellowship and
a lot of cruisin'By Lisa Asato
lasato@starbulletin.comHolm and his wife, Susan, were among the 40 bikers yesterday who rode along Oahu roadways, building fellowship, doing a little Christian outreach and enjoying their asphalt playground during the inaugural ride of The Christian Motorcycle Alliance.
The group describes itself as a "nonprofit motorcycle club for all interested motorcyclists with an open mind and a full tank of gas."
Many churches have motorcycle clubs, Holm said, noting that pastors and flyers were instrumental in spreading the word about the alliance. "We even had people on mo-peds asking if they could ride with us," said Holm, the club's founder.
Perhaps discouraged by Holm's response that "as long as (you) can keep up with us (you) can ride," no mo-ped riders showed yesterday. But about 25 bikes snaked two-by-two through Waikiki, around Oahu's southeast shore toward Sandy Beach and later through Waimanalo and Kailua.
The group included Larry Kiyabu of New Hope Christian Fellowship, who was riding solo on his 555-pound Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. Kiyabu said participation at his church's motorcycle club has been falling, and when he heard about The Christian Motorcycle Alliance, he and other riders were like, "Eh, let's go."
Cheryl Corrigal, who cruised along on a 2000 Honda GoldWing with her husband Garry, said she was concerned that people have the wrong idea about bike riders, and was doing her part to break the stereotype. Pulling the club's business card out of her pocket, she said, "I'm handing them out to anybody who'll take them."
"I wish we were more visibly Christian so people would know us as we drive by," she said.
Short of preaching, members passed out the cards and let curious food servers, car drivers and pedestrians know they were Christian bikers out having fun.
"It's kind of an odd blend to see a group of local guys from Waianae on Harleys (riding with) a couple of haole guys on racing bikes," Holm said. "It's just a unique mix. Anytime people see a group they try to determine what's the common bond. That was our job today to let people know what that was."
Although most motorcycle clubs ride on Sundays, church obligations make it logistically harder for the Christian Alliance to do so. Instead the club plans to hold monthly Saturday rides, Holm said.
Perry Alexander, senior pastor of Kailua Community Church, was one of two pastors riding with the club. He was riding a Yamaha. "Mine's not very exciting," he said. "I have a Harley on order."