Over Memorial Day weekend, Ridgecrest hosted the 4th annual Rally to Ridgecrest. This event is for Christian motorcycle enthusiasts and, as you can imagine, tends to draw a pretty unique audience. Personally, just the thought of riding a motorcycle scares me to death. So to me, anyone attending this event is unique...or crazy. Not sure which, maybe both!
Anyway, for this year's event, our keynote speaker was Oliver North and he did a phenomenal job. The following is part of a first person account of the event sent to us by Dick Peterson, who was attending the rally from South Carolina. Regardless of whether or not you ride a motorcycle, I think you'll enjoy reading about how Col. North interacted with this unique group of Christian men and women.
For Lt. Col. Oliver North, speaking to a “motorcycle gang” was a first, but judging from the welcome he received, it probably won’t be his last.
North spoke during the Sunday morning worship service at Rally To Ridgecrest, LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center’s annual Memorial Day weekend invitation to bikers from around the country to gather in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. North talked about his faith in Jesus Christ, the senior officer God used to introduce him to Jesus, and how important it is to “know where you’re going and why you’re going there.”
The theme of commitment to purpose as followers of Jesus Christ permeated the talk, which resonated with the more than 600 motorcyclists who at times interrupted the speaker with applause, cheers and a scattering of “hoo-rah” for the retired Marine officer.
The bikers were there to encourage each other as they use their passion for motorcycles to tell other bikers about Jesus. North called them an “affinity group” that God could use to build relationships and ultimately win souls to Christ.
North’s keynote speech followed an early morning parade of motorcycles to the veterans’ 
cemetery in Black Mountain where he recognized the supreme sacrifice of men and women in service to their country. However, North's speech was hardly the only highlight of the four-day weekend. Perhaps the most rewarding opportunity of the rally was meeting bikers from as far away as Texas, Maine and Florida, who love to ride and love the Lord. They rode on virtually every kind of bike and shared the joys and heartaches of ministry on the road with other believers.
Our thanks go out to Dick for taking the time to send this to us!
Leave a comment