Newsjournal of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan | September 2023 | Volume 67, Number 9
8TH ANNUAL BIKER BLESSING & MEMORIAL CANCER RIDE
Darrel Manuel – MRBC F.A.I.T.H. Riders
GARDEN CITY, MI – On Saturday May 21st the Merriman Road Baptist Church F.A.I.T.H. Riders will be hosting the 8th annual Biker Blessing and Memorial Cancer Ride. In 2008 three members of MRBC felt the calling of God to start a motorcycle ministry. After praying and seeking God's will in this, He led them to F.A.I.T.H. Riders, a national motorcycle ministry that was started in a Southern Baptist Church in Lakeland, FL. In the April of 2009, the chapter was commissioned and went to work. They held their first Biker Blessing in May of that year and had about 35 motorcyclists participate. In 2014 there were an estimated 258,413 registered motorcycles in the state, making Michigan the 9th largest in the country for registered bikes.
As Christian bikers, this chapter is reaching into this huge mission field that is right in their own backyard. Unlike other "Bike Blessings", Merriman Road Church focus is on the motorcyclist, not the motorcycle. “Our goal is to show the love of Jesus to each and everyone who steps foot on our parking lot that day. In addition to the 'biker blessing', we will have door prizes, food, music, a bike wash” said Darrel Manuel, Chaplain/director for the Merriman Road Baptist Church F.A.I.T.H. Riders. A 40" flat screen TV will be given away using the 3-Minute Story raffle. The 3-Minute Story raffle requires participants to sit through a three minute story to receive a raffle ticket. Those are a precious 3 minutes where we share the gospel presentation.
This annual event is part of the National F.A.I.T.H. Riders. After the Biker Blessing event, the Merriman Road Church Chapter will embark on a 105 mile round ride through Irish Hills, Michigan, a beautiful area full of lakes and rolling hills. The ride is a fundraiser in support of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Ride for Kids. In 2010 our Merriman Baptist and the chapter were rocked by cancer when two members lost brothers to lung cancer. One was the F.A.I.T.H. Chapter director who was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer, and the other was a sweet young boy named Matthew diagnosed with a
Motorcycles shining brightly in the morning sun at the 8th Annual Biker Blessing. (Photo courtesy Merriman Road Baptist Church)
terminal brain tumor. This inspired what is now called the Matthew Brotherton Memorial Cancer Ride, The ride cost is $20 single and $25 with a passenger. All the proceeds will go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Ride for Kids.
For further information you can visit the website at www.mrbcfaithriders.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mrbcfaithriders, follow us on twitter @MRBCFAITHRIDERS or you can email director Darrel Manuel at ChaplainD13@gmail.com.
Christian bikers begin to arrive for the annual ride.
(Photo courtesy Merriman Road Baptist Church)
Though rain moves in it can’t stop these bikers.
(Photo courtesy Merriman Road Baptist Church)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darrel Manuel was born and raised in Michigan, graduated Garden City High School in 1986, married his wife Theresa in the fall of 1994, has 2 sons - one 20 and one 17. Employee of Ford Mo.Co. (Millwright). Saved and baptized in the spring of 2001 at 32 years of age, at Merriman Rd Baptist Church, served in many capacities within the church, currently youth worker, and Chaplain/Director of the MRBC F.A.I.T.H. Riders Chapter, Commissioned as a SBC Chaplain in 2010, He is a LifeChangers board member, Mayors Committee for Underprivileged Children board member, Ride for Kids Task Force Member, Wolverine State Victory Riders Victory Motorcycle Club Chaplain, and Bambi Lake advisory team member.
