What it means to be F.A.T. – Faithful. Available. Teachable.
By Alan Wexler
It wasn’t even my idea. One day my wife came home from work and said, “a friend and I are going to get our motorcycle licenses”. Wow, I thought. What a great idea. I asked if they’d mind if I joined them. They said sure. That was in 2007. That very same year not long after receiving my endorsement, while still very much a rookie rider, my wife mentioned that a friends husband, a retired Motorcycle Cop, here in Lakeland, FL wanted to know if I’d like to go out for a ride with him one day. I said “sure”. I figured we’d get in a few miles and that I’d pick up a few riding tips. The Lord was at work and I had no idea what He was planning for me.
Somewhere along our ride Chip Brown suggested we take a break and stop at a convenience store for a cold drink. While having casual conversation he asked me a question. He said, “do you know you can wear those clothes to church”. I said really that sounds interesting, what’s that all about? That was how I learned of the F.A.I.T.H. Riders Motorcycle Ministry. That Sunday I rode my bike to Church at the Mall in Lakeland, FL (now The Lakes church) and I’ve been faithfully attending there ever since that day.
The roads I traveled, the people I’ve met (like Peter and Stacy from Wheels Of Grace), the greasy spoon restaurants we’ve enjoyed, the many opportunities to share the Gospel have been a blessing. For the motorcycle while initially being purchased as a hobby was transformed into a tool to serve The Lord. My walk/ride, with Jesus took on a whole new purpose. To intentionally use the motorcycle to evangelize anywhere I went with anyone I encountered anytime I could.
Everyone of us has a story. Our story. Who we were, the change that occurred at a specific time in our life, who we’ve become and how we will finish. Without Him I am nothing. He will never leave me or forsake me. His words from His book. He get’s all the glory. To quote Buddy Newsome the founder of F.A.I.T.H. Riders, we must “keep braggin’ on Jesus”.
After being involved a number of years with F.A.I.T.H. Riders and having been on a number of Mission Trips through our church I was invited to join a Mission Team going to Jiguani, Cuba. I thought sure, why not. Cuba needs Jesus too. Of course they do. I asked our F.A.I.T.H. Rider class to support our team with prayer and I asked my Chapter Director, MD Smith how our class could help materially. He said, “you’re welcome to take those boxes of old worn, out of date, blemished F.A.I.T.H. Rider t-shirts.” “Yes, I’ll take them” I replied. Once we arrived at Inglesia Bautista en Jiguani, Cuba I placed the t-shirts in Pastor Daniels office along with the many other supplies and gifts from our church. About a day or two into our trip Pastor Daniel came out of his office with a t-shirt and sayid, “Faith Riders, what is, Faith Riders?” After my being there a week and sharing with him the history, purpose and meaning of what the F.A.I.T.H. Riders Mission Plan was he said, “I want to be a F.A.I.T.H. Rider”. He rode a Jawa with a sidecar. I had no idea. I was only there to serve on our Mission Team and bring them some old worn out t-shirts. Not my plans but He had a plan for me. All according to His plans. Pastor Daniel Suarez Cedeno’s church in Jiguani, Cuba became our Ministries first International Chapter. That was in 2016. In 2017 we commissioned our second chapter in Palma Soriano, Cuba. A third chapter is on the horizon.
Ministry outreach locally is one thing. Globally is another. In a Communist Country it is nothing short of miraculous. With the support of Mike Stewart our National Director and our vision of taking the Gospel to the world we are excited about what God has in store for us as we follow His lead. If you are F.A.T. (Faithful. Available. Teachable) check out www.FaithRiders.com.
A group of F.A.I.T.H. Riders is planning a trip to Cuba in October of 2020. We will be riding rented Harley-Davidson motorcycles from one end of the country to the other and back. It is an Evangelism Ministry Opportunity. We have reserved 10 bikes and 8 are still available. You do not have to be a F.A.I.T.H. Riders member to attend. All are welcome. Please contact Alan Wexler: lakelandbiker@yahoo.com for additional information.