Iron Horse Motorcycle Ministry

Iron Horse Ministries operates solely by the sovereign direction, loving provision and wonderful grace of God. We believe that the Bible is God's Word, therefore it is our final authority and our ultimate set of bylaws. That's why you won't see a whole lot of written rules and regulations. We are to have the freedom to go where God leads, when He leads and to do as He leads.

God set up this ministry to be operated and governed by Him, through the seven member Board of Directors that He has appointed. All decisions of policy, membership, and finances are prayerfully made by the board, as they are led by the Holy Spirit.

As rank and file patch holder members, we also submit ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit. In addition, we allow ourselves to be held accountable in all that we say and do (whether out on the highways and byways; in a local house of worship; or in our own homes), in order that we may bring honor and glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

We DO NOT "persuade", "prospect", or "proselytize" anyone into this ministry. This is God's ministry, and He wants to do the recruiting. It is He, and He alone that has been growing this ministry, planting the vision into the hearts of His people.

There are no membership dues, nor are there any initiation fees. This 501c3 non-profit ministry depends entirely upon the prayerful freewill love offerings of those who share in the vision of this ministry, whether they ride a motorcycle or not. All donations made to Iron Horse Ministries are gratefully and prayerfully handled with the greatest of care. That's because we consider every donation a gift of love, and an investment in this ministry. In addition, 10% of all donations that are not designated are given to other ministries in order to help spread the Gospel both locally and throughout the world.

Part of what we do at I.H.M. is to minister to the riders wherever they are; whether at various events or in their own homes; at a meeting or in a bar. Sometimes we'll just hang out and talk; and at other times we'll minister to their families. But no matter what it is that God has us doing, we're always looking for ways to simply share the good news of a hope, a new direction, and an unconditional love for them.

Sometimes God will call upon Iron Horse Ministries to help build a bridge between one ministry and another. At other times, He will use this ministry, to help grow other ministries. The purpose for this is unity; one effort, toward one goal, under one banner - Christ.

In addition, we work within and through local church bodies. In doing so, we work very hard to help shatter the myths, and bring about an understanding of the bikers and their machines. This is done by teaching, training and equipping the congregations in which we are serving. As a result, the church learns how to effectively reach out to, and love on, this sometimes feared and misunderstood group of people.

It's amazing to see what God has done with this ministry. I.H.M. is more than just another motorcycle ministry, it has become very multi-faceted. He has used I.H.M. to minister to many different people, with many different backgrounds, and in many different ways. In short, we just never know how He's going to use us. All we do know, is that He will always have us working quietly behind the scenes - building bridges to Christ.

If this kind of ministry is beginning to interest you, then please consider praying about it as you continue to read. There are more cool things in this web site to check out.

You may ask, "What can I do to reach out to bikers? How do I start?" The best way to start reaching out is to start praying and asking God what He wants you to do.

There are many ways to reach out to people that ride motorcycles. You can help to organize and work motorcycle events such as bike and rider blessings, poker style runs, toy runs, rallies, etc. Sometimes outreach is done through food and clothing; a visit to a hospital, jail or prison; through the death of a fallen rider; maybe through a quiet conversation; or sometimes all it takes is just a warm smile. No matter what it is, it needs to be done with love, so that above all, they may know that God really does love them. We need to meet them where Jesus met us - at their point of need. We are not to condemn or condone anyone's behavior; instead we are to show them unconditional love - just like Jesus has shown to us. Remember, they don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Then and only then can relationships be built. The kind of loving relationships that build bridges between church people who are afraid of bikers, and bikers who are afraid of church people. Ultimately leading them to a loving relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Do you feel that God Himself may be gently tugging at your heart to be actively involved in this ministry? If so, then we ask you to; 1) keep reading through the entire web site; and 2) take a moment right now and pray. Pray for discernment of God's will for you in this ministry and for an understanding of the seriousness and the commitment level required.

To this end, you might want to also attend a few of our meetings and/or events that we may be working or riding, and ask a lot of questions of our patch holders. That way you can confirm God's call for you, and capture the heart of this ministry for yourself. But, if that is not possible because there is no I.H.M. chapter in your area yet, then we encourage you to consider stepping out in faith, and prayerfully follow God's leading for you. Who knows? He may want you to start a chapter where you live. There's a little more on how to start one, later on in the web site.

There are many ways to be a part of this growing ministry. You can be involved through prayer and/or financial support; by working alongside us to help plan events; by attending events that God has led us to; and a whole lot more. If you have a motorcycle, and your license to operate is current, that's great. It doesn't matter what make or model the bike is - you can be involved. If you're between bikes, that's OK too. You don't have to own or ride a motorcycle, or even have a patch to be involved in this ministry; it's the heart that counts - not the machine or the piece material. Remember, God doesn't call the able, He enables the called. So don't be afraid to step out.

You may wonder "What about my past?" Everyone has a past, some more colorful than others. It doesn't matter what your past is, God can use you - and so can we. Our God is a God of redemption and restoration. This means that those who become a true born again Christian, become a new person. They are not the same anymore. The old life is gone, and a new life has begun (2 Corinthians 5:17). There is no limit, except the one that we put on God (Philippians 4:13). So come - dare to make a difference.

There are three levels of possible service within this ministry. Please read each one prayerfully and carefully to determine which level that God may want you to serve Him in.

The first level is as a prayer partner and/or financial supporter. This is ground zero. Without the faithful prayers and loving gifts from our partners, this ministry could not survive. You are our first line of defense, and a great encouragement to us all. By praying for, and building up this ministry, you are enabling us to continue to go out into the fields where God would have us go - building bridges to Christ. Remember, you don't even have to have a motorcycle, just a heart for those that do, and for those who minister to them.

The second level is as a supporter patch holder. This person not only supports the ministry as mentioned above, but is also actively involved, and is allowed to wear the supporter patch on the front of their vest or jacket. If you are reading this and you are already a fully patched member of another group of riders, and you feel that the supporter patch is for you, that's great. Most groups will allow you to wear a supporter or front patch to show an affiliation with another group. However, you must always honor the one who's back patch you're wearing. So please check with the powers that be first, to make sure that it's okay for you to wear this ministry's supporter patch.

Iron Horse Ministries is NOT a motorcycle club (MC) of any kind; nor are we a ride club (RC); a ride group (RG); nor a Christian motorcycle club (CMC) - we are a motorcycle ministry (MM). We do not want to take over any club, group, or organization; its members; or its territories. Our heart and mission is to come alongside of any and all motorcycle organizations and clubs (whether Christian or non-Christian); and with all motorcyclists - from the occasional rider, to the hard core 1%er, and everyone in between. We want to be a tool in everyone's toolbox of life, and we want to have the opportunity to love on, and to minister to, as many as we can.

The third level is as a "fully patched" member of this ministry. This person can wear both the small supporter patch on the upper left front portion of their vest or jacket, as well as the larger ministry patch on the back. Although supporter pins and patches of other organizations, as well as motorcycle events, can be worn on the front of the vest or jacket, traditionally, there should be no other pins or patches of any kind on the back - just the back patch alone. In the biker culture, your back patch shows your allegiance - the one you are willing to die for. Therefore, we ask that all fully patched members of Iron Horse Ministries honor that tradition. By wearing only the ministry's back patch on your back, you're showing the people that you're ministering to, that you are fully committed to the call of Christ in your life, and to His work through this ministry. That's a very powerful thing - never to be taken lightly.

Is God ringing your bell? If you feel that this ministry might be for you, and you would like to learn more about becoming a patch holder, then please keep on reading and praying. Thank you.

When most of us see a patch we haven't seen before, we're curious; who are they, where are they from, and what are they about? Since a patch is so important to the people that we are trying to minister to, we need to be aware of what the Iron Horse Ministries patch may represent to them. When they see you wearing the supporter patch and/or the back patch, or no patch at all for that matter, they should see in you as a born again believer, the fruit of the Spirit; which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). That's why you need to be prayed up (Ephesians 6:10-18), before you suit up. So with that in mind, if you still feel that God may want you to be a part of His ministry as an active patch holder, that's GREAT. All we ask, is that you would be willing to adhere to the following basic requirements:

1. You must be a born again believer in our Lord Jesus the Christ. And be ready and willing to share with anyone what happened to you, and about the hope that you now have.

2. You must be a discipled active member of a local Bible believing church body. You must not forsake their fellowship - it will strengthen you.

3. You must be spending time in prayer and in God's word daily. How will you know what He wants you to do, if you're not communicating with Him?

4. You must to be a self-starter. You must be willing to work quietly behind the scenes (by following the leading of God's Spirit alone), without someone holding your hand and without drawing any attention to yourself.

5. You must be willing to be held accountable to everyone, in all circumstances, and at all times. Remember, you are always being watched.

6. You must have a heart for people, especially for those that ride motorcycles. If they see your unconditional love for them, then hopefully, they'll see His.

7. Because of the nature of this kind of ministry, you must be a legal adult to be "fully patched". There are times when God will have you go to where the "leprosy" is, to bring to the captives His hope, His healing, and His love.

8. Finally, before you can become a patch holder of this ministry, you must complete the questionnaire/ application below. We use it to get to know you better, and to see if you have caught God's vision for this ministry.

Obviously, this kind of ministry is not for everyone. It is however for those who are called of God, and enjoy the rewards and challenges of working behind-the-scenes, building bridges to Christ and doing so, with integrity and open accountability. That's why we ask that you be in serious prayer about your part in this ministry, because no body will be holding your hand. Don't forget, this is a multi-faceted ministry, which means there are many ways that you can be involved. There's something here for almost everyone. So please, feel free to explore all of this ministry's possibilities. Thank you for taking the time.

The trade marked Iron Horse Ministries patch that God has designed, is full of symbolism. The person who wears it not only represents this ministry, but they also represent the One who started it all.

The large words "IRON HORSE MINISTRIES™" (in an old Wild West font) speaks of three basic things. 1) The old font represents a time when the powerful horse was the main form of transportation. The letters made to look like metal, signify that strength. 2) The words "Iron Horse" can apply to many things in the history of this country. In this case it speaks of a modern day mechanized horse, the motorcycle. 3) The word "Ministries" separates this group from any secular club or organization. We are a ministry - not a club.

The motorcycle in the foreground is the "Iron" - a modern form of transportation that represents freedom to so many. The old ghost behind it is the free spirited "Horse" of bygone days. And the old rugged cross behind that, with its empty draped cloth, represents the sacrifice Jesus made for us all so long ago - which gives purpose to the "Ministries" that we do today.

The black background represents the darkness of this world. Iron Horse Ministries is to lovingly, respectfully and quietly take the light of hope (which is the love of Christ Jesus), to those in spiritually dark places, so that those trapped there, may see the light and want to be rescued.

Finally, the phrase "Building Bridges To Christ™" is not only a slogan, it is what we do. Whether we're ministering to the bikers privately, or at various events, or whether we're helping a church to organize an outreach to bikers; it doesn't matter, our goal is still the same. It is to be quietly bridging the gap where we can, between people, and the love of Christ - that's the whole focus of this ministry.

On occasion we have been asked, "Why is it that you wear a patch in the first place?" We wear a patch for two reasons: 1) To show those around us who we stand for and who we serve - the King of Kings; and 2) so that we can be more easily found by those who may need us.

So the next time you see someone wearing this patch, it is our hope that you will take a moment right where you are and pray, not only for that person, but also for all of those who wear this patch. You just never know what might be happening at that very moment. We are protected and strengthened by your prayers and we count on them very much. Thank you again praying for us.

Becoming a patched member of Iron Horse Ministries is relatively simple. All you need to do is click on the button below, and then prayerfully and carefully follow the instructions.