was asked at the 2021 Changing of the Colors Rally what advice or recommendations I could give about CMA ' s School of Evangelism . My advice was , do not go and I gave a long pause and then said , “ Unless you are ready for your life as you know it to be changed .” Before I clarify this statement , I want to tell you a little about myself . I am an ordained pastor , and as of today , three classes away from having my Master ' s degree from Liberty University in Theology , with an emphasis in Evangelism and Church Planting . If you think this class was a waste of time for me ; because I know what to do and how to evangelize , you would be sorely mistaken . First , in America , very seldom , if at all , do churches teach their members how to evangelize . Some in the church do not want to learn how to evangelize . Many believe this falls into the duties of being a pastor , elder , or deacon . This class shook me to my core and gave a severe reality check . When it comes to evangelism , very few of us have ever truly been trained , taught , or mentored by someone from our church on the fine art of evangelism .

CMA taught this school from a biblical perspective , following the example Jesus used on Earth ; teach them , send them , discuss what went right and wrong , then repeat . Matthew 10:5-33 gives the example of sending them with instructions . Our daily classroom instructors were Jerod McPherson and John Ogden Jr . Zeke McPherson moderated our class . John Ogden Sr and Mrs . Becky attended the course daily , and John gave CMA insight and clarity .

Week one began Sunday night with dinner and time to get to know your classmates . Classes were Monday morning through Thursday morning . Then , Thursday afternoon , we headed to Louisiana for a bike night at 3 States Harley Davidson and then the Louisiana State Rally . The first big reality check for me was on day two of class when John Jr talked about the CMA bike blessings ; I have never pushed the person I am blessing to the point that they see through the urging or nudging of the Holy Spirit , the need to come to the family of Christ .

I have participated in many bike blessings , but I quickly move on as I finish praying with the biker . What I found is that I need to stay , once I am done praying for the biker , and ask again if there is anything I can pray with them about . John Jr taught that this is the point where we need to ask one more time , " Is there anything I can pray for you specifically about today ?" Their response will be your guide ; if they respond , they are ready , pray with them over whatever their request is , and at this point , you must be in tune with the Holy Spirit ’ s guidance . This might be a place for your 2 minute testimony and leading them to the Lord for their Salvation . John Jr also said , " When dealing with bikers , they know our vest and colors , they know what we do , so they are expecting us to talk to them about Jesus , so do not be afraid and do as we have been called to do , minister to bikers .”

During our first big test , God showed up in a big way and brought seventy to eighty bikers to the bike night ; talk about feeling overwhelmed . The only way anyone can be ready for a night like this is if you have earnestly sought the Lord in prayer and asked the Holy Spirit to begin working in the lives of the people you will be meeting . Then , God can prepare their hearts ; weeks or even months before the class beginning and the Holy Spirit can prepare you for the encounter .

Another important lesson learned is that the Holy Spirit is in control and we must be obedient and willing to be used as we listen to the promptings of the Spirit . The folks of Louisiana and Arkansas took us in as part of their family , and I loved everyone we met . Their love and examples aided in our spiritual growth .

Another lesson learned from our brothers and sisters in Louisiana is to develop relationships with the local bikers you work with . This is an important lesson they taught and one that I must develop back in my home state . It was easy to see the respect and love for the local CMA chapters in Louisiana while watching the interactions between the two very different groups .