This is the story of a father who was so caught up
in his "work for God" that he had little time for his
wife and sons. It is the story of an angry, rebellious, and troubled
teenage son, who felt like his father wasn't there for him. But
it is more than that. As Brother Andrew says in the forward to
the book, "It's a living record of the Lord's work in people
who are committed to a vision - God's vision of reaching a lost
world." It is the story of how the Christian Motorcyclists
Association (CMA) got started.
Herb Shreve, a sober and dignified
preacher, was driving down a lonely stretch of highway in rural
Arkansas. He was thinking about his rebellious sixteen year old
son, praying for a way to bridge the gap between them, when a
group of bikers passed him going the other direction. In his
mind, Herb saw an image of a father and son riding motorcycles
together. Was God speaking to him? Was this a way to get close
to his son? He felt it was. He wasn't thrilled over the idea
of motorcycling, but he was willing to do whatever it took to
rebuild his relationship with his son.
As Herb and his son Herbie
entered the world of motorcycling, Herb discovered a spiritually
needy group of people, untouched by the gospel and indifferent
to the church. He began to pray, "Please God, send someone
to help these people. But please … don't let it be me."
He shared his vision with many of his acquaintances, but few
felt these people were reachable and no one felt called to try
to reach them. Herb and Herbie took a cross-country trip by motorcycle,
and everywhere they went Herb met people who desperately needed
to know Jesus. Over a period of time and through a variety of
circumstances, God changed Herb's mind until he had a strong
desire to get out on the road and tell these people about Jesus.
And this was the beginning of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.
As I read of the early struggles
the Shreves experienced in beginning CMA, I could easily identify
with what they went through since we have been through similar
experiences in starting Top Secret Productions. Beginning this
ministry meant Herb had to resign his pastorate and move his
family out of the home provided by the church. It meant living
on very little money and depending on God to meet their needs.
It meant even less time with his family (until they later decided
to travel with him) as he attended motorcycle rallies in surrounding
states. Obeying God's call required sacrifice, but by the end
of the first month both Herb and his wife Shirley were convinced
that this new ministry was definitely operating under God's blessing.
As someone who has never had
an interest in motorcycling, I didn't expect to be very interested
in this book. But I learned that this isn't a book just about
motorcycling. It is a book about God's working in the lives of
two men, and about His work through these men to touch many for
Christ. The power of God to change lives is clearly illustrated.
The need to share the gospel with those who need to know Christ
is a message we all need to hear. The principles of evangelism
that are presented in this book are applicable to any evangelistic
ministry. This is a book that any Christian would benefit from
reading. It is a book I would highly recommend.
Riding The Crossroads
