TESTIMONIES pulled up to him on her CBR80 . She wanted a bike blessing and prayer . Her friend ( Ava ) had gotten killed on a practice lap at the track two weeks earlier ( Ava was saved ). She said she wanted what Ava had . So , Rocket led her in prayer to accept Christ . Her tears of sadness for Ava turned into tears of joy for her newfound salvation .
Rocky , Bronson , and I were walking around doing bike blessings on that same day . As we walked to the back of the parking lot , this Italian kid , Vinnie ( about 10 years old ), was riding his BMX and shouted , “ What are you selling ?” I said , “ Eternal life , you buying ?” Vinnie repeated quizzically , “ What are you selling ?” When Rocky had finished telling him God ’ s promises for eternal life , eight of Vinnie ’ s friends gathered around Rocky to hear the Gospel , and all gave their hearts to Christ . We bumped into Vinnie several more times that day , and every time he saw us , he would make it a point to yell , wave , and say , “ I am wearing my beads .”
Later that day , some of us approached a toy hauler with six bikes out in front of it . We asked the father if anybody needed a bike blessing or prayer . They all said , “ Sure , it couldn ’ t hurt ,” but after the blessing , prayer , and hearing God ’ s plan of salvation , the mother , father , and all six sons were new believers . We stayed with them for an hour relating scripture and talking about the decision they had just made .
At our first event this season at
Capeway Rovers , Kat and I approached a young man standing near his two new bikes . We introduced ourselves and said the track ’ s owner had invited us to do bike blessings and that he was our first victim . We all chuckled . We followed the Holy Spirit ’ s leading , and he became a new believer . As his friend approached his bike and truck , parked next to Shane ’ s , Shane waved him over and emphatically said , “ You have to listen to what these people are saying ; it is life-changing ! Listen to them .” We prayed with his friend , and the Holy Spirit fell on him too .
We encountered a grandfather , a mother , and her two young boys a few vehicles over . The grandfather said he believed in God but doubted whether God would ever accept him because of his lifestyle . We asked the mom if we could do bike blessings for the boys . The mom , being a believer , was absolutely on board . After the bike blessing , we explained the plan of salvation . Those two boys , ages 10 and six , nodded understandingly through the whole explanation . The grandfather was listening intently as well . Finally , they all prayed the prayer of salvation . We feel confident the young boys sincerely meant that prayer . Let ’ s pray that the Holy Spirit grabbed the grandfather ’ s heart that day !
As we packed up for the day and gathered into a circle to pray up for all those who had just received Christ as Savior , an older gentleman approached us . He told us that he had wanted to bring his grandson over for a bike blessing , but his grandson ( who was 13yrs old ) said , “ I can go on my own .” So he rode over on his dirt bike to the tent and asked for a bike blessing . The grandfather told us that when his grandson returned , he said he received Jesus as his Savior and was starting to feel all warm inside . Praise God .
Our future vision is to be at the tracks whenever there is no other biker event scheduled . If possible , we would love to do both ministries when the chapter grows large enough . We are also looking forward to setting up a short chapel service at the track in the mornings before practices and possibly a devotional time in the evening .
“ You know the saying , ‘ Four months between planting and harvest .’ But I say , wake up and look around . The fields are already ripe for harvest . The harvesters are paid good wages , and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life . What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike ! You know the saying , ‘ One plants and another harvests .’ And it ’ s true . I sent you to harvest where you didn ’ t plant ; others had already done the work , and now you will get to gather the harvest ” ( John 4:35-38 , NLT ).
We go where we are called . May our hearts be sensitive to the Holy Spirit ’ s leading . CMA
Jim and Kathy Rusconi are members of Soldiers of the Cross # 950 , Middleboro , Massachusetts .
11⎪NOVEMBER 2022⎪www . cmausa . org