Stories

Evangelism On Two Wheels

By Michelle Miracle

Don and Elaine Wood aren’t your average bikers. Sure they like to travel around to beautiful locations on their Harleys, but they have a bigger goal than collecting pictures for their scrapbook. The Woods are members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) as well as Sedalia Church in Missouri.

The Woods have combined their love of biking and their love of the Lord to provide a unique ministry to inmates and residents of nursing and group homes. They conduct Bible studies in the local county jail on a regular basis as well as visit larger maximum security prisons.

“Our visits are kind of set up as a bike show,” said Don. “We are allowed to take our motorcycles into the facility. Many of the inmates are more interested in our bikes than hearing about Jesus, but at least it’s a way in for us.”

Last year at a women’s prison in Vandalia, Missouri, an inmate struck up a conversation with Elaine about the new sticker she had on her bike. “I remember you from last year. I have a tattoo of Betty Boop on my leg like you have on your bike,” said the female prisoner. “I’ve read the whole Bible since I saw you last, and I have a some questions for you.” Elaine had offered the woman a Bible the previous year, which she reluctantly accepted.

“Serving a life sentence, she said she feels like she’s there to be a witness to her fellow inmates and the guards,” said Elaine of the prisoner.

Don and Elaine have been married 36 years, most of that time as Baptists. Being longtime friends of some members from Sedalia Church, the Woods knew of Adventists but were not convinced that Saturday was the Sabbath. In early 2008 the Woods attended an evangelistic series hosted by Sedalia Church and led by Amazing Facts evangelist Lowell Hargreaves.

“The subject of the Sabbath was so clear to me in those meetings that I now can’t comprehend why all of the other churches, especially the pastors, don’t see the truth. I mean it’s written in the Bible,” said Don.

“For 58 years I was led to believe that Sunday was the day to worship,” said Don. “Then lo and behold, in 30 days of meetings I was shown the light, and now I’m excited about it.” The Woods hold bi-weekly Bible studies at their house to share the light with fellow CMA members.