Iron Horse Motorcycle Ministry

As a close and long-time friend of the family, and as a fellow believer in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I have been asked to write a little something about how Iron Horse Ministries got its start, and about the co-founders with Christ of this great ministry, Steve and Marlene Diaz.

But first, I need to take a moment here for a little background note: I first came to know Steve and Marlene just weeks after their conversion. God used me to disciple them and He allowed me to walk with them as they grew into maturity in the Lord. Even to this very day, He has allowed us to stay in touch with one another. So, with that having been said, this is basically how I saw their walk with the Lord, throughout the first fifteen years or so, and how God used them to start this growing nation wide ministry.

Rev. Steve Diaz (known as "Pastor Steve"), and his wife Marlene (known as "Marlena"), have both been called of God, to live BY FAITH in God's provision alone, through His people alone, as His people are obedient to Him alone. As such, they are called to serve at the pleasure of the King as full time missionaries to the motorcycling community wherever that may be.

It all got started in January 1986, when Steve with his colorful background, and Marlene with her own, and in their fifth year of marriage, became born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ever since, as Christians, they have been active in the ministry of our Lord. And what's great, is that they've always been a team - if you see one, you'll surely see the other. Steve was licensed to preach in February 1991, and was ordained as a minister in February 1992. In July 1993, he began serving as the bi-vocational Senior Pastor of a church in Northern California, where he served until April 2000.

In April of 1997 (while still pastoring), God planted them in the motorcycle ministry through Marlene's brother. At that time, neither one rode nor even owned a motorcycle. As they became more involved, God led them to purchase a bike and to obtain their motorcycle licenses. They have been involved in the motorcycle ministry ever since. They formed a "Biker's Fellowship" at their church, and it was a blast. Through the years, Steve has also served as the Chaplain to different secular motorcycle clubs.

Speaking of the Chaplaincy, in June of 2000, Steve graduated from the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Academy. The things learned there have proven to be extremely valuable in the ministry. Especially in certain hard situations.

One day in April of 2000 while Steve was out on the bike, and talking out loud to God (he loves to do that), he stopped at an isolated place in the middle of no-where, so he could continue to talk to his Lord, and enjoy His creation up close. While he was there, he received an unexpected revelation from God. He said it was like a whoosh - it took only seconds, but felt like hours. This is basically the vision that God gave him: 1) A new assignment was being given: they were to be full time missionaries to bikers. 2) They were to live totally by faith in God's loving provision and direction (as mentioned earlier). 3) A new ministry was to begin, and it was to be called Iron Horse Ministries. Its purpose is to work quietly behind-the-scenes building bridges to Christ, by bridging the gap between the bikers out on the highways and the churches in their area. In addition, God showed him that He wanted to use the ministry to help unify His church, by helping to create a network of "biker-friendly" churches throughout the nation. Steve also said that it was made very clear to him, that God alone is to grow His ministry and that He wants at least one ministering chapter in each state. Wow! What a HUGE God sized vision. It must have been very overwhelming that day.

After trying to take it all in, and talking to God about it for a little while, Steve decided to make it home as fast as he could to share what had happened to him with Marlene, only to find out that God had already spoken to her heart. (That's because when He calls the one, He also calls the spouse). So they began to pray about it, wondering what they should do first - and a couple of days later while at their computer, God gave them a design for the logo/patch which you may have seen. Before they knew it, they were at a full gallop - going about our Lord's business on two wheels, and it's been that way ever since. To see God going before them, constantly opening one door after another, is truly an awesome sight.

Isn't it funny how a nickname can stick? Even though God has moved them on to be missionaries, the names that they were given, have stuck - "Pastor Steve and Marlena". Now, they minister to many different sheep, in many different pastures, instead of one congregation in one place. Once a pastor, always a pastor I guess. It's really great to see what God is doing in, and through them.

And now you know, "... the rest of the story". There are more details of course, but, I'll let them tell you about those. Pastor Steve and Marlena are still out there, somewhere, always serving the Lord. Watch for them. They would love to meet up with you and answer any questions you may have, or just sit down and talk with you for a while about what's on your mind - they do that a lot. So please, feel free to contact them. I just know they would feel honored if you did.

Dear friend,

It never ceases to amaze us how our wonderful God uses the least likely people to do His most important work. We never would have thought that we of all people would be used of God to start a ministry - let alone, a motorcycle ministry.

Over the years we have been asked about, and have been given much praise for, "our" ministry. We would like to thank all of you for your sincere questions and your wonderful comments, we really appreciate them. However, even though God started this ministry through us, we do not consider I.H.M. to be our ministry. It is God's, and God's alone. It is He who has chosen to start and sustain it; it is He who has chosen to use folks like us; and it is us who are blessed by serving Him in it. And as such, we have the great joy of become lesser, as He becomes greater.

Because it is God, not us, that has touched your heart, we want to praise Him, and give Him thanks for your participation, your faithful prayers, and your financial support. Also, please know that everything you do on behalf of this His ministry, is used to help it keep growing and going strong. Thank you for all you do. You are such a blessing to God, this ministry, and to us.

With that, we would like to thank you for stopping by to check out this web-site. We are truly honored. It is our hope that your visit with us was both informative, and inspirational. The site is updated periodically with new information, so please feel free to come back and visit us on a regular basis. And don't forget to let us know how we may serve you.

Also if you would, please take a minute and save this web site to your "Favorites" or "Bookmark," so that the next time you're there looking for something, and you see Iron Horse Ministries drop down; you might take a moment and think of, and pray for, this ministry and all who wear the I.H.M. patch. We rely on your prayers heavily, as this can be a dangerous ministry at times. Thanks.

Finally, please accept this timeless blessing, from us, to you:

May God richly bless you.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the rain always fall gently on your fields.

And until we can meet and push the wind together,

May God hold you and yours, in the hollow of His hand.

Again, thank you so very much for taking the time to check out Iron Horse Ministries. Blessings to all, and we'll see you in the wind.