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.
But first, I need to take a moment here for a little background note: I first came to know Steve and Marlene Diaz just weeks after their conversion. God used me to disciple them, and He graciously 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 motorcycle 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 His provision alone, through His people alone, as His people are obedient, to Him alone. As such, they are called to serve as they say, ‘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. To make a long story short, ever since then, they have been active in the ministry of our Lord. And what's great about them, is that they've always been a team - if you see one, you'll surely see the other.
As the years passed, God Himself chose to prepare them for His call into deeper service. As a result of that call, in February 1991, Steve was licensed to preach, and in February 1992, was ordained as a minister. In July 1993, he began serving as the bi-vocational Senior Pastor of a church in Northern California, where he served until April 2000.
Now, in April of 1997 (while still in the pastorate), God planted them in the motorcycle ministry through Marlene's brother. At that time, neither one of them had ridden in years. In fact, they didn't even owned a motorcycle. However, as they became more involved, God led them to purchase a bike and to obtain their motorcycle licenses. They also formed a "Biker's Fellowship" at their church, and it was a blast. As things have turned out, they've been involved in motorcycle ministry ever since.
In June of 2000, Steve graduated from the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Academy, that God had lead him to attend. The things learned there have proven to be extremely valuable in the ministry. Especially in certain hard situations.
Speaking of the Chaplaincy, I think it might be in part, because of the training that Steve received in the Academy, that God has used him to serve as the Chaplain to many different secular motorcycle clubs, as well as other groups and organizations throughout the years.
Now that you know a bit of their background, in a manner of speaking, here's where the rubber meets the road. One day in April of 2000 (before Steve graduated from the Academy), he went out on the bike to talk out loud with God (which he loves to do). After a while, he stopped at an isolated place in the middle of ‘no-where', so he could continue to talk with his Lord, and enjoy His creation up close.
While Steve was there, he received an unexpected revelation from God. He said it was like a whoosh - it took only minutes, but the knowledge gained, felt like hours. This is basically the vision that God gave him:
A new assignment was being given - they were to be and live as full time missionaries to bikers.
They were to live totally by faith in God's loving provision (as mentioned earlier), and by His direction alone.
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. Steve 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.
Finally, Steve also said that God told him that He wanted to use the ministry to help unify His Bride (the Church). This was to be done by creating a network of "biker-friendly" churches throughout this nation and the world.
Wow! What a HUGE God sized vision. All I can say, is that it must have been very overwhelming that day.
Then after trying to take it all in, and talking with 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 ... as well. (That's because, when He calls the one, He also calls the spouse.)
So right then, they began to pray about it, wondering what they should do first. A couple of days later while at their computer, God gave them a design for the logo/patch, which you may have seen.
Then before they knew it, they were at a full gallop (so to speak), 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.
Now, isn't it funny, how a nickname can stick? Even though God has moved them on to be as missionaries, the names that they were given years before, have stuck - "Pastor Steve" and "Marlena". The thing is, 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 has done, and is still doing, in and through them, as they travel all over the place.
With that, Pastor Steve and Marlena are still out there somewhere, serving at the pleasure of the King. Watch for them. I know they would feel honored to meet up with you and answer any questions you may have. In fact, I just know they would love to sit down and talk with you for a while, about whatever is on your mind (they do a lot of that). They're good listeners.
Well, as Paul Harvey would say, "Now you know, the rest of the story". There are more details of course, but I'll let them, tell you about those.
In service to the King,
A long-time friend and brother in the Lord.