IN the spring of 1987, we met with several bikers to make a ride up to Talihina Mountain. One of the bikers was George Wormington, a local Baptist minister. He reached into his Harley tour pack and gave me a buff-colored membership application to the Christian Motorcyclists Association. He said,β Hale, youβ re a Christian and a biker; you might look into this group.β I filled out the application with Charles and JoAnn Haleβ s names and mailed it in with $ 5.00. JoAnn and I received a membership card( 29213 / 29214) and the old newspaper-type newsletter.
As we attended secular MC rallies( approximately 20 a year), we often ran into Curtis Clements( National Evangelist). That October, we rode up to Hatfield to check this group out. Wow, we
were hooked. The fellowship, love, and preaching were awesome. We got our back patch and began an incredible adventure, Riding for the Son.
Although the Colors Rally was the only CMA event we did till the early 90s, we continued to run into Curtis and other CMAβ ers at the secular events. We were very active in the Harley Owners Group and a couple of other secular clubs, which gave us great favor in sharing the Gospel and building relationships we cherish very much today. One of those relationships is the local chapter of a one-percenter club. God has honored me with the opportunity to pray with, officiate funerals, and fellowship with some wonderful, loving folks.
In the fall of 1992, Herbie Shreve visited, had lunch, and asked if I would consider becoming a Board Member. This really surprised me, and I almost said no right then, but God. After praying, we accepted the position and attended our first board meeting in January 1993. In 1994, the Victory Riders chapter of CMA was formed, and we were blessed to be president for seven years. Needless to say, we became much more involved with CMA events( state rallies, SOR, and National rallies).
JoAnn,β Nanner,β and I have been so truly blessed to have traveled across this great nation of ours, meeting some of the most wonderful people in the world, CMAβ ers! We were blessed to have our two little Yorkies who rode with us in 28 states, over 100,000 miles, opening doors to share the Gospel with many folks along the way. Some couldnβ t believe that they had ridden on the back of the Harley from east Texas to the top of Pikes Peak.
It has been an incredible journey, beginning with the Herb Shreve days to Herbie and now with John Sr( shoe box to computer). We love CMA and Godβ s family, which we have gained through this organization. CMA
09 www. cmausa. org