LYNCHBURG, Va. — On the first weekend in October, the roar of throbbing motorcycles pierced the stillness of the gorgeous fall weather as bikers converged on Eagle Eyrie, Virginia Baptists’ conference center in Lynchburg.
Randy Ashcraft (left) and Jim Denton get organized before the Saturday morning ride.
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Hell’s Angels, they’re not. Their focus is on the heavenly realms. But the 70 Virginia Baptist motorcyclists who assembled for the first annual “Thunder in the Hills,” Christian motorcycle rally Oct. 1-3, share with their rowdy counterparts a love of riding their pulsating two-wheel beasts.
Organizer Randy Ashcraft, pastor in residence with the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, said of the event, “Thunder in the Hills was born out of my notion that those who ride bikes are passionate about the riding experience and have a unique perspective to offer to the Christian faith. Virginia Baptists are all about new ‘networks’ and this network has the potential to grow exponentially.”
Evidence supports his optimism. Nearly 20 chapters of the Christian Motorcyclists Association have spread throughout Virginia and a dozen churches have identified themselves as “biker friendly.” One new church, Biker Church of Roanoke, Va., was established specifically to reach bikers.
Steve Lalk, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Richmond, poses beside the Honda Gold Wing he reconditioned himself.
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But the event was more than just about riding motorcycles. Although they got in plenty of riding, they also spent time in worship and in missions. One project for the weekend was to package meals for hungry Haitians.
In fact, Billy Burford, administrative pastor at Richmond’s First Baptist Church, and a 36-year rider, remarked, “So many wonderful and memorable components of the weekend blended into a fantastic experience. Participating in packaging 10,000 meals for the hungry of Haiti, the time of worship, the beauty of the Blue Ridge on a fall weekend, the fellowship—pick one.”
Although Ashcraft initially anticipated a larger crowd of bikers at the event, he reported that when he discovered the number of conflicting events scheduled, he was thrilled with the turnout.
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Randy Ashcraft (left) and Jim Denton get organized before the Saturday morning ride.
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“We had 55 people register and about 70 people participate,” he said. “We feel this is a healthy start for what promises to be a growing event. We want more spouses to attend as well.”
For years, Jim Denton, pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Richlands, Va., and his wife Angie, both Harley-Davidson riders, had been advocating for a biker event in Virginia.
Craig Sherouse, pastor of Richmond's Second Baptist Church and an avid biker, addresses motorcyclists during the Friday evening worship.
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“We began to talk,” recalls Ashcraft, “and then added others to the team like Billy Burford at First Baptist in Richmond, Dan Hough a pastor in Northern Virginia and Randy Lynn at Bon Air [Richmond]. Craig Sherouse the pastor of Second Baptist [Richmond] is a lifelong rider and also supported the event.”
Sherouse, who spoke at the Friday evening worship service, said of the weekend, “It was my first rally. The setting was beautiful, the bikes impressive, the fellowship genuine and the worship inspiring.”
Tim Boschen agreed and added, “There are few opportunities for Christian motorcycle riders to be together in a setting of faith and peace. Eagle Eyrie offered the peace and our fellowship with each other and our Lord raised up our faith.”
By the end of the weekend, every participant hoped the experience would be repeated next year—a hope Ashcraft had anticipated.
Religious Herald editor Jim White is ready for the Saturday morning ride.
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Kay “Motorcycle Mama” McMeniman, a Virginia Baptist Mission Board staffer, bums a ride with Don Durham for her first motorcycle adventure.
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“We plan to create a ‘biker network’ in Virginia with a steering committee,” he reported. “We also hope to see more ‘biker’ churches in the state. The event next year is scheduled for the first weekend in October at Eagle Eyrie. We are hoping that anyone who is interested will come. It is our desire to reach out to the non-Baptist world as well as the non-Christian participant. You do not have to ride in order to enjoy the weekend. The music will be creative, the speakers encouraging, and the scenery is spectacular.”
In addition to biker weekends, Ashcraft, who has been with the VBMB for 10 months, is also planning events aimed at other interest groups.
“Part of my role is to develop new and creative offerings through our Virginia retreat centers. We are also working on a new Creative Arts Week at Eagle Eyrie as well as a Health and Wellness emphasis for Virginia Baptists. Also, Eagle Eyrie plans to host a theologian in residence once a year. Eugene Peterson has been invited to be our first. Parker Palmer and John Ortburg are on the invitation list as well.
“We also have plans for the Hoover Center [a facility at Eagle Eyrie] to become a home for ministerial refreshment and renewal. Mid-week offerings are being developed and will include a little fun and learning. Plans are in the works for fly fishing and journaling retreats, for instance.”