2 congregations reach out to motorcyclists

‘Biker Sunday’ draws
visitors for preaching,
prayers, fellowship

Two Southwest Texas congregations blessed motorcyclists and their bikes March 13.
Nursery UMC and New Life UMC, Bloomington, both played host to “Biker Sunday.” New Life Pastor Mike Swearingen coordinated the events in conjunction with the Christian Motorcyclists Association.
About 55 people attended the morning service in Bloomington, Swearingen said. Seven bikers openly accepted Jesus Christ as lord and savior. Two came forth for laying on of hands and prayers of healing.
“Several bikers said they were encouraged at the interest in reaching out to them and hoped there would be more opportunities for this kind of worship in the future,” said Swearingen, a member of the motorcycle association.
Ray Roberson of Wharton, president of the association’s Christian Soldiers chapter, delivered his testimony at services in both Nursery and Bloomington.
“I was born again 22 years ago and had a horrible childhood,” the Victoria Advocate quoted Roberson as saying. “There was alcohol, drugs and fighting in my family.
“Now I go to prisons and boot camps, and people actually listen to me.”
Roberson said he specifically fights racism.
“I hate it with a passion,” he was quoted as saying. “If we could all just love the Lord and love thy neighbor, we could solve the world’s problems.”
After the service in Bloomington, Swearingen and other pastors blessed bikes all afternoon.
Richard Garcia of Victoria told the Advocate he felt wonderful after Roberson blessed his bike.



“We need more people to see what we bikers really are,” Garcia was quoted as saying.
After the Bloomington service participants shared a covered-dish lunch in the church fellowship hall, Swearingen said.
At 3 p.m. youths from several congregations gathered at New Life UMC to hear the Victory Christian Life Center praise band from Victoria and Roberson.
Afterward, teens looked at bikes and questioned riders.
“It was really a spirit-filled worship service as bikers offered up prayer concerns and then circled the sanctuary, holding each other’s hands, to lift up their prayer concerns to the Lord,” Swearingen said of the day.