Dauntless Few Motorcycle Ministry officially launched on November 20, 2024, when its founding members presented their patch to the Confederation of Clubs in Southern California. Although Christian motorcycle ministries are not required to join the COC, the decision to do so was intentional. For Dauntless Few MM, affiliation represented respect for established motorcycle culture and opened the door for relationship-building within a community where trust is earned.
The ministry’s roots, however, go back much further. Founder Tom “Gladiator” Sheltraw, along with other original founding members, has been involved in ministry development for more than 20 years. In 2020, Tom launched GROW Ministries—Global Revival Outreach Work—an organization committed to strengthening communities through practical support and discipleship. The earliest projects centered in Nairobi, Kenya, where GROW partnered with Pastor Peter Maithya to rebuild and expand his local church. Their building had a leaking roof, dirt floors, and no electrical system. What began as a repair effort became a complete reconstruction, including concrete floors, structural improvements, lighting, and ceiling fans.
From that initial project, GROW’s work expanded significantly. Today, the ministry has assisted in the construction of 22 churches and two schools in Kenya, serving more than 85 students. These international efforts established the foundation that later shaped Dauntless Few MM: strengthening people and ministries so they can serve their communities with greater impact.
Tom’s involvement in motorcycle ministry intensified over the past five years, during which he paired long-distance riding with intentional outreach. In 2022, he logged over 44,900 miles across the United States. These trips were not recreational excursions; they were purposeful ministry journeys. Every event, stop, and encounter became an opportunity to encourage Christian riders, engage with motorcycle ministries, and offer discipleship support. His goal has consistently been unity—helping ministries grow stronger rather than simply attending events for social reasons.
After stepping away from the motorcycle ministry he previously served in March 2024, Tom spent several months preparing for the next phase of his calling. Later that year, Dauntless Few MM launched with a small group of founding members in Orange County, California. The ministry was formed with a clear purpose: to invest in riders and motorcycle ministries, helping them walk more fully in their calling, guided by Ephesians 4:11–13: “And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
Mission: Equip, encourage, and strengthen riders and ministries through discipleship, biblical teaching, and practical support.
Vision: Promote unity within the Body of Christ across motorcycle culture, fostering collaboration among ministries and clubs committed to faith and service.
Dauntless Few MM maintains a structured membership process. Prospective members complete a 4–6-month Hang-Around period followed by a 4–6-month Prospect phase, undergo a background check, submit references, and participate in a 24-week discipleship program. The ministry does not accept patch-overs or accelerate membership, emphasizing character, commitment, and the ability to lead and disciple others.
Women may participate in support roles and accompany the ministry at events. They wear a back patch reading “Entrusted and Covered by…” followed by their husband’s name, reflecting the ministry’s emphasis on family involvement while maintaining a male leadership structure for patch holders.
In its first year, Dauntless Few MM has participated in over 100 events across Orange County, San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, and beyond in Central and Southern California. The ministry is active within Christian MC and MM communities as well as broader motorcycle circles, including 1% environments, where members seek to represent their faith respectfully and consistently.
Tom also serves as founder and pastor of Warrior Biker Church, which meets weekly on Thursday nights. His background includes a bachelor’s degree in pastoral care and counseling, studies in psychology, and more than 33 years as a self-employed electrical contractor. This combination of ministry training and business experience allows him to support other clubs and ministries with organizational development, nonprofit setup, event structures, and communication strategies.
Through GROW Ministries, Tom provides a chaplaincy training program that licenses and ordains chaplains to serve within their own motorcycle organizations, offering biblically grounded pastoral care tailored to the biker community.
Internationally, Dauntless Few MM is preparing to launch its first chapter in Nairobi, Kenya, where twelve men—experienced riders already active in their local churches—are completing the mentorship and discipleship process. This expansion reflects the ministry’s commitment to strengthening leaders across cultures and countries.
Tom refers to his approach as “mile-marker ministry.” Every ride and every stop becomes an opportunity for outreach. Alongside this, he sends daily devotional messages to more than 150 people, covering themes such as discipleship, marriage, recovery, and spiritual growth.
Dauntless Few MM began as a small ministry with a defined purpose: discipleship, unity, and strengthening others. With a structured process, global partnerships, and intentional ministry on and off the road, the ministry continues to grow while remaining grounded in its original mission.
