Christian Motorcycling Association

1st December 2019 - 11th March 2020

1st December 2019 - 11th March 2020

Sandy and I hosted the NE and Tyne and Wear Branch Christmas Party, 45 attended and it proved a great success.

Sandy and I attended the CMA Scottish House Party at Arbroath – on the Sunday morning I was invited to preach at Hillbank Evangelical Church in Dundee.

During the lead up to Christmas my diary tends to be relaxed so I was invited into a few schools to share the Christmas Story.

7th January, I met a branch Chairman for lunch to discuss their way forward and share fellowship together.

14th January I met with Pete Walker from MAG to discuss this year’s rallies.

18th January I led the North East Regional Day at Boston Spa Methodist Church attended by 43 members/supporters from the NE, Tyne and Wear and West Yorkshire Branches. It was a great time together and very encouraging.

Straight after the Regional Day Sandy and I travelled to Loughborough to meet with the East Midlands Branch for a meal.

The weekend of the 31st January to the 2nd February Sandy and I flew to Northern Ireland to share the branch Regional Day based at Lisburn, on the Sunday I was privileged to preach at Lisburn Community Church.

On Friday 7th February I attended the funeral of Ray Trainor a great friend, member of Carlisle Branch and lifetime biker. Ray spent most of his life as an OM missionary with his wife Gill, the funeral service was broadcast live on the internet for those who loved Ray and remain on the mission field worldwide. I was honoured to be invited to share a few words on behalf of CMA. In 2018 Ray received the National Chairman’s Award at the National Rally.

11th February I met with a Christian Motorcyclists interested in the ministry of CMA, I always enjoy those meetings.

15th February I led the North West Regional Day based at St. James' Church, Chorley. The weather was very unpleasant with a major storm warning therefore numbers were low (approx. 25). The branches represented were from Lakes and Lancs, South Lancashire, North Cheshire and North Wales. It was good to see everyone and hear their contribution during the seminars. Catering was laid on and the fellowship was a great encouragement, well done everyone!

On my way home from Chorley I called in at Peat Rigg Outdoor Centre to visit the local CMA Fellowship Weekend. The weather was awful with localised flooding, I was glad to be travelling by car.

21st-23rd February Sandy and I travelled to Llanelli for the annual CMA National Executive and Trustees envisioning weekend hosted by our mission partners World Horizons, we were their guests at the mission base. It was a very positive time together.

28th February to 1st March we took a weekend away with our church to receive through the preaching, fellowship and prayer, I spoke on my favourite subject ‘I believe in sharing the Gospel’. We love our church (Whitby Christian Fellowship) and feel incredibly supported in the CMA ministry by everyone praying for us. It is a church that is noted for its love and seeks to see broken people made whole.

On the 4th March I met Dan Gower in Harrogate for lunch, he is our new CMA contact with Open Doors our second mission partner. I have invited Dan to speak at the National Rally in July at Lenchwood Christian Centre. Dan has passed his bike test but doesn’t currently have a bike!! Our great friend Roger Faulkner from OD is retiring shortly, after many years of faithful service we pray he will experience an even closer relationship with Jesus and inevitably make Jesus known to all those he meets in this new chapter of his life.

13th-15th March I am heading to Carlisle to lead the Northern Regional Day which incorporates the Carlisle / Isle of Man and Forth and Tay branches. I have been invited to preach at Carlisle Christian Fellowship on Sunday morning – home Sunday evening.

I am having surgery on the 21st March and will be incapacitated for a few weeks; being unable to drive or ride will not be easy for me. I’ve never understood the term ‘Patient’ …..

Inevitably the Coronavirus is a growing concern in the UK, we may face cancellations of motorcycle events that we regularly minister at, I have discussed this possibility with various representatives and informed them that we will support them in any way we can. How we act in a crisis will tell the world if our faith is real, God is in command and will lead us through if we keep our eyes on Him.

I have the following Regional Day dates confirmed for 2021:

North East– 16th January

Northern Ireland - 23rd January

North West - 6th February

God Bless you, Mike