It’s not about the bikes, but the riders.
Those were the words of Tony Smith as he began the Blessing of the Bikes, leading a group of motorcycle riders in a prayer asking for the safety of the riders. Smith is chaplain of the Heartland Samaritan Riders, the local chapter of the Christian Motorcyclist Association.
This is the third year for the event, and a chilly morning breeze didn’t stop people from participating in the ceremony.
Lori Siebenaler, president of the Heartland Samaritan Riders, said in an earlier interview that the purpose of Biker Sunday is for the church to reach out to the community.
“The main thing it’s about is spreading the word and letting people hear the gospel,” Siebenaler said.
The event, sponsored by Emporia’s First Baptist Church, is part of an outreach ministry of the CMA, an organization whose purpose is to provide a Christian fellowship for motorcyclists. The group’s motto is “Change the world, one heart at a time.”
A special feature of this year’s Biker Sunday was the music and testimony of Dennis Michael Cox, an ex-convict who is now a recording artist and prison chaplain.
After the bike blessing was capped with an “amen,” Cox led the group in a chant: “Who’s number one? Jesus!”
The event also featured music by the church’s praise and worship band, some of whose members also make up the band Sweetwater.
After Cox’s testimony and the bike blessing, the crowd had a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs. After lunch, the bikes were viewed and judged, with awards being given out for best in show, first, second and third place.
The Heartland Samaritan Riders boasts a membership of more than 35 area motorcyclists.
“(Biker Sunday) is something our church really got behind,” Siebenaler said. “They enjoy bringing in the bikers and having an outreach ministry and being able to reach out to the community in a different way.”