Mission Statement:
Journey Biker Church will follow Jesus’ example to live the Gospel, in the words we speak and by our lives actions – We will show God’s love. Sacrificing to serve those who have been beaten up and think their lives don’t count. JBC is here to say, “You matter to God – He knows you by name; and who sent us to find you.”
Standing behind a 1940’s retro gas pump pulpit, Pastor Jim O’Brien leads his congregation at 701 Bear Creek Pike located in Columbia, TN, 43 miles south of Nashville. Established in 2014 by Jim and his wife, Tammy, Journey Biker Church is known for it’s Faith, Hope and Love rides. Pastor Jim speaks of his passion to design and create a church specifically for following Jesus and setting an example to live the gospel in the words we speak and by our actions. With each 6:00pm, Saturday night church service, the sanctuary is open to anyone in need of God’s love and understanding. As the congregation of mostly bikers continues to grow, there are a multitude of different talents working together to help form a strong foundation for the church.
What led you to the decision to be a pastor of a biker church?
After being a Children’s Pastor for several years, I felt that God was leading me into a new direction. I thought this meant a new exciting job was soon to come, but I was mistaken. For three years there was no job and many struggles. With church as is, I spent much of my time wondering and asking God, “What was this all about?” Through this time, I started to study the church in Acts. It said there was no need or want that the church took care of each other. While looking at the modern church, this wasn’t always the case. With riding motorcycles for a long time, I saw this more in that community than in the church at times. Through all this, God brought much healing for me, and a clear understanding of what He wanted from me. I remember the day I told my wife, “I know this may sound crazy, but we are supposed to start a church.” In her wisdom she turned to me and said, “I know, I’ve been waiting for you!” In September 2013 with no money, no building, and no people we spent many nights praying, seeking, studying and looking to where God wanted us to start Journey Biker Church. In September 2014 the doors of JBC opened!
What is the future direction you would like to take JBC?
Interesting question at this time. God has really been showing me where JBC needs to go. The words I am continually hearing are “Deeper & Ownership.” Being almost four years old, I believe that God is asking us to take a step of faith and redefine who we are. This next year will be a time of growing spiritually individually and as a church, and growing as a church family. Several new programs will be started, people stepping up and using their God given talents. I’m really excited about where this year is taking us.
Talk a little about the Faith, Hope & Love rides
(purpose & how many rides JBC has done)
When there is a special need, you can find Journey Biker Church serving the community through Christ with their Faith, Hope and Love rides. Our FHL rides have been A M A Z I N G! We are committed to doing three a year for a need that we find in our community. The purpose is to bring bikers together and help those who may not be able to help themselves at this time. Last year while serving the local community, we completed three rides. The first: for a little boy who suffered from a rare form of epilepsy and needed a service dog. The second: for a food bank that needed money to keep their doors open. And the third, for a gentleman who had several medical issues and wasn’t able to work. All together we were able to raise over $5,000.00 for these three special causes! The one question we were continually asked was, “Why would you do this for people who don’t even go to your church?” My answer is always the same, “Because that’s who Jesus is!” We want to invest in our community and show who He is for those who don’t know Him.
List of future upcoming events for the next year.
We will have three Faith, Hope, Love Rides coming up, starting with the first for a food pantry, woman ministry is kicking off, a men’s ministry (meeting at a cigar shop), marriage seminar just to name a few. Plus lots of rides!
What are some other unique feature about JBC?
JBC has it’s own Women’s Ministry that is rock solid. These women are not only working to support JBC but are also supporting the community with local drives. In December, the Women’s Ministry collected 120 blankets for residents at a local health care facility. Meeting each month, JBCWM is a complete powerhouse within itself. They also help support the Kids Ministry, The Prospects. Last year, Pastor Jim baptized three kids and six teens at JBC. We are currently clearing the way for these kids to teach their own class. This will help them with ownership and responsibility to their ministries.
