CMA HeartBeat July 2025 | Page 9

50TH ANNIVERSARY

PEGGY

and I became members of CMA in May 1982. We had just purchased a new motorcycle, and a friend from church asked us if we would like to join the Christian Motorcyclists Association. We did and shortly after became members of Chapter # 85, the Cornerstone Cyclists in Bismarck, North Dakota. It was a nice fellowship group. We did not know the ministry potential or where the Lord would take us in this organization.
In 1983, we attended our first Dakotas CMA Rally in Jamestown, North Dakota. Greg Heinritz was the Evangelist, and Lynn and Karen McBride played music. In 1984, we attended the Dakotas Rally in Mitchell, South Dakota. I believe Tom Pitman was the Evangelist for that rally. After the rally, several of the North Dakota crew headed to Sturgis, South Dakota. It was the first time Peggy and I were in Sturgis. We just
stayed for the day. Several others stayed for the week to minister. In 1985, it was the 10th anniversary of CMA. We decided to attend. Peggy ' s brother was getting married in Lincoln, Nebraska. After attending his wedding, we went to Hatfield, Arkansas, the following week. That was quite an adventure as we had only been riding for a few years. It is 1200 miles from Mandan, North Dakota, to Hatfield, Arkansas.
We had a great mentor, Denny, who invited us to start attending secular rallies. In the late 80s, we started attending ABATE rallies. We continued to go to Sturgis and went on many weekend poker runs. It soon became evident that CMA was not only a social group. We were truly touching the world one heart at a time!
I served several officer positions in the chapter, eventually serving as president for three years. I took a year or so off when Jeremiah was born. Then, I was asked to be North Dakota State Coordinator and served in that role for ten years. In 2005, I was asked to serve on the Board of Directors.
This is the position that I currently hold.
Over the years, Peggy and I have had the opportunity to go on almost 15 mission trips, primarily in Central and South America. Each time returning home, we know that we were far more blessed than the blessings we gave!
Thinking back, one of my highlights was attending a Seasons of Refreshing in St Paul, Minnesota. North Dakota was too small to have our own, so several of us decided to go to the one in Minnesota. Herb Shreve was the presenter. At the end of one of the sessions, I asked Herb if he had time to visit. I was a chapter president and had some questions. He said, sure. We pulled a couple of chairs to a table and visited. He didn ' t say to do this or that. He listened and directed me to make my own decision. I was in awe that the founder and president of CMA would give me his time. Most importantly, I was able to work through that opportunity.
In May, we will have been members of CMA for 43 years. What a blessing it has been! We have met so many friends along the way. We have been able to minister to others, and we have also been ministered to. We have given many years of our lives to the ministry of CMA and agree that we would do it all over again! It is truly a blessing to serve alongside the members of this great organization called CMA!! CMA
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