Riders for a Cause

The SEMO Risen Riders are not your typical biker gang

Biker gangs: late nights, hardcore parties and questionable morals may come to mind. However, Poplar Bluff�s SEMO Risen Riders #1250 is a biker gang that doesn�t fit that mold.

�I�ve had people tell me, �You can�t be a Christian and be a motorcyclist,�� says Bill Scaggs, a member of SEMO Risen Riders.

This Poplar Bluff branch of the Christian Motorcycle Association is proving that theory wrong � these bikers focus on riding to salvation. Founded in 1975, the national headquarters of CMA are in Hatfield, Arkansas, with local chapters in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Marble Hill, Missouri. With over 167,000 members worldwide in over 225 countries, the CMA has led over 24 million people to salvation through its ministry.

Joining this motorcycle gang is pretty simple � just show up for a meeting. There are no dues; money is collected by donation only. For those interested, there is a ministry team training that can be completed online at www.cmausa.org. With monthly meetings at the Lemonade House Grill in Poplar Bluff, you don�t even have to have a bike to hang out with these folks. In fact, Marble Hill president Kevin Wolpers says roughly half of his chapter members don�t ride a bike.

Members can serve in a variety of ministries, including prison, children, mechanics, first aid, off-road, servant�s and prayer team ministries. These ministries are funded by an annual fundraiser, Run for the Son. It has raised over $69 million since its inception.

Some of this money is also used by the Jesus Film Project to translate the film �Jesus� into languages all over the world. To date, it has been translated into more than 1,500 languages and shown in more than 220 countries. For some indigenous tribes, this is the only film they have ever seen translated into their own language.

SEMO Risen Riders travel to both Christian and secular motorcycle rallies throughout the year. Christian rallies provide an opportunity to relax with other like-minded bikers. At secular rallies, the Risen Riders hand out water and coffee, and often lend a listening ear to other bikers.

�They�re hurting. They want someone to listen to them. That�s all they want, is someone to care about them,� says one member. �This is a case of learning to love the unloved � not look down your nose at them.�

SEMO Risen Riders travel to four or five rallies each year, depending on need. Some members have come to Christ from the more hardcore side of biking through SEMO Risen Riders. Others have always been on the Christian side of the road. No matter how they got to the group, they all enjoy the company of each other.

Poplar Bluff President Jerry Wawak says, �I love going on rides, but getting together and fellowship is the best thing.�