Christian Motorcycling Association

Mike’s Travels 1st July -18th November 2017

Following our last meeting in July I met with the West Midlands Branch for a barbecue and a chance to encourage everyone and meet new members. On Sunday morning I preached at Kingshurst Evangelical Church, Birmingham – our venue for the National Executive meetings, it was good to thank the fellowship for supporting us and I had the privilege of praying with a man convicted about the Lordship of Christ in his life, a great transformation.

Much of early July was dedicated to preparation of the National Rally – I’m very pleased that Les Jones has volunteered to take on a key role of managing future National Rallies and the 2019 EMC Rally. We are building a team to share the responsibilities.

The National Rally took place at Lenchwood Christian Centre between 20th-23rd July, we had a good attendance and welcomed friends from Netherlands CMA, Belgium CMA and Soldiers for Jesus Belgium. Patrick Couchment President of CMA Belgium spoke on Friday and I preached Saturday night and Sunday morning. Our Mission partners World Horizons and Open Doors attended, we presented financial gifts to purchase motorcycles for their workers worldwide.

A week after the National Rally Sandy and I met up with CMA UK members in Hanover, Germany to ride to the EMC Rally in Latvia hosted by CMA. The journey was a great success although we had long days and very hot weather (reaching 36-38 degrees). Sandy and I were invited to speak at the rally and we were encouraged by the response. Zig Atvars President of CMA Latvia was very pleased that we had taken the time to visit Latvia and inspire his members. Our journey incorporated Holland, Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. The EMC in 2018 will be in Holland and in 2019 CMA UK are the hosts.

Sandy and I took a week off in August

At the end of August I headed up the outreach team at the Motorcycle Action Group Rally, Stormin the Castle near Durham, we had a good team that worked hard and Holy Joes Café was blessed by one biker asking if the Biker Bible had anything to say to alcoholics, he took a bible and the next day he gave his heart to Christ. MAG gave CMA very positive feedback and one of the organisers said “Thank you for all the bikers you have saved this weekend.”

10th September I preached at Boston Spa Methodist Church the venue we use for the NE Regional Day, it was promoted as a Bikers Service and we received a very positive response. The Minister is a biker.

Between the 16th-26th September Sandy and I attended Le Pas Opton the Spring Harvest Holiday Centre in France we were the speakers at their Bikers week, between us we preached 12 times in six days. SH covered our expenses in full. We had an excellent turn out from CMA UK and engaged with the non-bikers on site too, this has helped to raise CMA’s profile with the Christian community.

30th September I led the South West Regional Day in Taunton, Somerset with members / supporters from Hampshire and North Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, South Wales and Gloucester. We had a positive day with plenty of feedback.

8th October I preached at The Open Door Church Norwich for a CMA service, a good turn out from local CMA branches and the church invited us all to have fellowship over lunch.

Tuesday 17th October I flew to Arkansas USA for the CMA International Leaders Conference at Iron Mountain, Mena. I received a very warm welcome from everyone especially the CMA USA members who were attending their Colors Rally – it amazed me how many people remembered me. I spent a great deal of time counselling and encouraging Leaders who were facing difficult situations and were unsure how to proceed. The countries represented were Albania, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Macedonia, Mexico, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zimbabwe. 40 in total!!

I flew back on the 27th October (my 60th birthday) and went straight to the CMA UK Ladies Conference in Derbyshire, I preached on Sunday morning the theme of my sermon was ‘If you only knew’ Jesus’ words from John 4 The woman at the well. I led the communion service after lunch and as I was praying with my eyes closed unbeknown to me around 30 CMA men sneaked into the room and then everyone sang happy birthday as Andy Hogan brought in a birthday cake. I will never experience a surprise like it, thank you everyone who could make it.

10th November Sandy and I travelled up to Kilmarnock to visit The Hub a meeting place in an industrial unit organised by the Rest of Scotland Branch, we had a good evening with local bikers, the facility is excellent and obviously works well. It is a great commitment.

11th November Sandy and I were the speakers for the Scottish Regional Day in Motherwell held at the Gospel Literature Organisation Centre, it was a good turn out, we had a very positive time together and met many new members and supporters, we left at 4pm and drove home to attend our own church the following morning.

Tuesday 7th November I had organised a presentation night at the NE Branch meeting by PLUGGZ a Teesside based moulded ear-plug company run by qualified audiologists, the invitation went out to the local bike community. The evening went very well.

Spring Harvest have invited Sandy and I to preach at their ‘Biker Week’ at Le Pas Opton between 17th-24th September 2018

Sandy and I are planning to attend the CMA Scottish House Party at The Windmill Centre, Arbroath again over the weekend of 1st-3rd December. I have been invited to speak at a local church on Sunday morning.