what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith”( Philippians 3:7-9, NKJV).

These scriptures remind me that serving Jesus is not about me but about the One who called me. I am not my own; Jesus paid a price for me that I could not pay. I can only find the meaning and purpose of life as I am completely submitted to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Paul reminds us that the things that were gained by comparison are loss for Christ. I’ ve been part of conversations where I discussed the things I gave up to follow Christ and the sacrifices I made, which is a common thought that many of us have from time to time. When Jesus asks us to be a part of what He is doing, we have sacrificed nothing. It is the meaning and purpose of life to follow Jesus. It’ s not about the world that cared for us, but Jesus Himself. Paul refers to these scriptures. As we celebrate

50 years, I’ m reminded of the men and women who came before us and laid the foundation of following Jesus at all costs. It is their dedication, as well as ours, to lay everything at the foot of the cross and follow Jesus. It’ s not about material possessions; it’ s not about what we have but Who has us. This ministry was birthed from the heart of God to minister to the motorcycling world.

As the ministry started in 1975, Herb Shreve left the security of being a pastor to follow God; all he had was a word from God. All we need is a word from God. I recall the early days; if you thought God had called you to be an evangelist for CMA, you were required to travel for a year and minister with no financial support from the CMA ministry. That was Herb’ s way of determining if you were really called by God. These men and women have followed the call of God and set an example that no sacrifice was too great, no burden too heavy, and no path too difficult. This was the call of God and the heart of those that followed. I see this same commitment in various ways in the men and women of CMA today.

As Mrs. Becky and I have had the opportunity to travel hundreds of thousands of miles on motorcycles with two young boys,

John and Jeremy, in all kinds of conditions, we have gained insight into the heart of the pioneers of CMA that has brought us to this time of celebration. The DNA of the ministry has been protected and the call and purpose that God birthed in CMA have been strong for 50 years. As I think about the next generation and the commitment they are being called to by the Holy Spirit, it is important that they understand the uniqueness and the call of God on the ministry of CMA. It is our responsibility to ensure the vision that God birthed is clearly communicated and preserved for the next generation. CMA

John Sr and Becky Ogden, John serves as CEO / Chairman of the Board of Directors.

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