'Rumble' reaches bikers for Christ

Courtesy Photo

LAKELAND (FBW)-Twenty-nine motorcycles carrying 38 people traveled 1,416 miles across Florida March 20-27 to take the Gospel to people in hotels, restaurants, open fields, tents and even in prison.

The team, led by the Faith Riders Motorcycle Ministry of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, held "Rumble Across Florida" rallies that drew nearly 600 individuals on 400 bikes, witnessing a total of 68 decisions for Christ and nine dedications, according to a news release.

A number of other Florida Baptist churches hosting rallies in their cities were FBC, Daytona Beach; Hibernia Baptist Church, Orange Park; Celebration Baptist Church, Tallahassee; FBC, Ocala; FBC, New Port Rickey; and Flamingo Road Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale. The trip also spawned two new Faith Rider chapters--one at Hibernia Baptist, Orange Park, and the other at Flamingo Road Baptist, Fort Lauderdale.

The news release described the atmosphere at each rally as "electrifying," with the Gospel being shared amidst music, bike riding demonstrations and games, photos, food, and giveaways.

Buddy Newsome, director of the Faith Rider Ministry said the team also held a chapel service and distributed about 200 Bibles at the Florida State Prison at Lawtey where 27 inmates made a profession of faith. The team was invited to return to the prison April 24 to baptize new believers.

"The mission trip may be over, but the mission continues on," Newsome said in the release.