08

February HeartBeat

By TIM Weddle

and Eileen Upp , becoming member numbers 34957 and 34958 in 1991 , have served in the Christian Motorcyclists Association most of 34 years . As we look back over the 50-year history of CMA in 2025 , it is important to capture the recollections of dedicated longtime servants such as these .

Their initial involvement came through a fellow Havana , Illinois church goer whose brother was a member of the Jedediah Riders in Canton , Illinois . Accepting an invitation to ride with this group , Chet and Eileen were greeted with a friendly handshake , a potluck dinner , and an RFS packet . A perfect , but typical introduction to CMA !

After experiencing some rides , fellowship , and ministry activities they were convinced CMA was where God wanted them to be . The Upps jumped into the deep end , accomplishing the lengthy Member Training , and completing the Hospitality and Servants Ministry Team training . Less senior CMA members of the last 10-15 years should appreciate the more compact , stream-lined , and effective member training process of today . The Upps spent the first couple of years in CMA just learning the ropes and getting a genuine feel for the operations of the ministry . As most of the members were

older folks , their local chapter wasn ’ t as active at that time in outreach ministry , but they proved invaluable as mentors and provided a fertile background for Chet and Eileen to grow into chapter leadership positions , including Secretary , Vice-President and President and realize their overall calling in CMA . Chet and Eileen continued to enjoy CMA state and national rallies , including the 20th Anniversary in 1995 at Hatfield , and have made , as memory best serves , every national rally and Changing of the Colors rally since . As God called them into greater service to the Christian Motorcyclists Association , they became Illinois Area Reps and later Goodie Reps for the states of Illinois , Michigan , and Indiana . Their greatest honor came in 2002 when they were asked to take a seat on the CMA Board of Directors . As they tearfully and prayerfully considered the offer , God assured them He would be with them and enable them to complete the assignment .

The Upp ’ s first involvement with Run for the Son was in 1991 , but only when Chet had the opportunity to take an overseas mission trip , did the real magnitude of what God was doing through Run for the Son around the world hit home . As many CMA folks , including Chet and Eileen , have attested over the years , seeing God at work during a mission trip is a life-changing experience , but to witness a real God directed miracle is staggering . They had the honor to see a miracle first-hand as CMA ’ ers prayed and repeatedly spoke the name of Jesus , God drove out the evil spirits that were tormenting a demon possessed woman . Her young son was jubilant as his mother was restored to him . In that small Honduran village , much honor and praise was expressed to our Great God that day .

Continuing to ride with the local chapter , they searched for their niche in the ministry and God drew them to ABATE . Although a secular club that met mostly in bars , Chet convinced Eileen that his past problems with alcohol was indeed