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Open Road, Open Doors
“An empty highway, the sun and wind in your face, the smell of the earth and trees in the air … it’s all good,” offers Bishop Roger Haskins as he relates his and wife Ellen’s shared enjoyment of motorcycles. Soon after receiving their 1999 assignment to the western U.S., they saw that the open desert would be a great place to ride. But more than that, their immersion in the Americana of Harley-Davidson culture could provide a welcome opportunity to dwell (John 1:14) among an unchurched and pre-churched community. Haskins views the pre-churched with an optimism that comes from a belief that “God’s grace will use a relational investment in their lives for His purposes.” In the early days of his leadership position in the church, Bishop Haskins recognized that he had become a “professional administrator.” “The joy of living out my calling as pastor had been lost,” he says. “I had no relationships or friendships with unchurched and pre-churched people other than our immediate neighbors.” He set out to find new opportunities to invest in the community, “trying to have an incarnational and relational presence.” “What I love about the Harley culture is that if you have a bike (Harley, of course!), then you are in,” says Haskins. “People from all walks of life are accepted. Their Harley is their ticket in.” Among those in the Harley culture are various subgroups including “hard-core” bikers, the affluent and even a pastor here and there. Many bikers, burdened with struggles such as broken relationships, loneliness and addictions, find “strength of community in the fellowship of the ride.” The Pomona Valley HOG (Harley Owners Group) as well as the local chapter of Black Sheep Harley Davidsons for Christ* became the Haskins’ small group. It was a few weeks before anyone asked Haskins what he did for a living, but even after his title was known, the bishop was always treated as one of the gang. “Every once in a while they would call me ‘the Rev,’ but for the most part I was simply Roger – their friend and fellow biker.” Due to current travel responsibilities the Haskins have had to temporarily park their bike, but they continue to engage these friendships as well as intentionally “broaden the radius” around their own home complex. “Ellen and I love the church and could not live without our Christian community and brothers and sisters. But at the same time we have always felt that there was something missing if we had no interaction with those who need Jesus.” Energized by the opportunity to see the church become “more and more like the instrument of God’s grace in community,” Haskins seeks to continue his own one-on-one relationship with Christ. In Jeremiah 30:21 the Lord asks, “Who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?” Out of his own close connection with Christ, Haskins encourages all believers to pursue personal relationships with non-Christians, making the heart connections that lead to God’s saving grace and His caring communities. This is leadership. This is the Free Methodist Church. *Black Sheep Harley Davidsons for Christ, a national organization started by FM pastor Marty Edwards, is a motorcycle ministry of men and women who ride for Jesus, helping and serving HOG members and chapters across the country. Learn more about Black Sheep by visiting www.blacksheephdfc.org.
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