Two wheels on highway to heaven

Some of God's children wear leather. The River Riders love the Lord and their bikes.

By GAIL HOLLENBECK
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 18, 2002

CRYSTAL RIVER -- They wear leather. They ride motorcycles. And they love to talk about Jesus. They're the River Riders, Citrus County's chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.

[Times photo: Maurice Rivenbark] Luther Willis, left, and Buzz Boyd hug before the group starts its recent ride to Orlando from Brooksville.

The nonprofit CMA is totally supported by bike enthusiasts who believe in Jesus Christ, want to share his love with other bikers, and give gifts to support the ministry. The Crystal River group, spawned from the Reborn Riders of New Port Richey, meets at 9:30 a.m. the third Saturday of each month at Oyster's Restaurant on U.S. 19.

Among the River Riders, you will find bikers of various descriptions and backgrounds. Vice president Buzz Boyd wears his hair long and has a full beard. He began riding at 14, when he left an abusive home, stole a Harley-Davidson and began riding with a gang.

"It was pretty much booze, drugs, fights and women," Boyd said. "It was a violent lifestyle."

Boyd thought he was beyond hope in God's eyes. He married Janette and had a daughter. Then 20 years ago he met a pastor who told him something that made him realize it was not too late for him.

"I was saved in 1981. Pastor told me that my wife, who was a straight type of a person, didn't get into trouble, was a good student in school and was a little naive about life, was just as sinful as I was in God's eyes. And that made me realize that there was hope for me to be accepted by God."

Boyd said his life changed.

"I got rid of the drugs, the alcohol, and it took away a lot of the worry that I used to have. I have someone that I can depend on that will always be there to provide my needs."

His heart was moved to reach out to bikers like himself.

"It made me want to go back out to witness to the bikers so that they would know that the Lord would accept them like he accepted me. There are a lot of bikers who think they are too sinful for God to even think about them, and that's not the case. Jesus loves them, too. A lot of them are looking for something, but they don't know that the something they are looking for is actually a someone: Jesus."

Boyd said his appearance helps him in witnessing to "hard-core bikers."

"They see me as one of them and will readily talk with me. They tend to be intimidated by a clean-shaven, suit-wearing person."

Janette Boyd is one of several wives who ride with the group.

Laurie Eubanks serves as secretary for the group and rides a Yamaha Virago. Her husband, John, is the road captain for the club, which means he plans the routes and leads the group in travel. Their 17-year-old son, Ryan, rides his own bike along with them.

"It was so amazing to us to be able to combine our love for motorcycling with our love for the Lord," Mrs. Eubanks said. "We are very privileged to be a part of an organization that provides so many opportunities to reach out to others. We are still active in our local church, though CMA is our main focus of ministry."

The Eubankses are involved in prison ministry and have routinely been invited to the Hernando County Jail for revival services. And any time there is a local benefit run for a biker who is ill or has been hurt in a biking accident, they try to participate and give support both financially and with prayers and visits.

"We participate in any and all biking events that we can, including bike shows, bike nights and toy runs," Mrs. Eubanks said.

Recently the group participated in the CMA's "Run for the Son," raising about $53,000 as part of the Central Florida group's contribution. The money will be used for helping to distribute Bibles to churches in other countries, for the Jesus Film Project, for providing motorcycles to "native pastors" through Missionary Ventures ministry, and to reach out to motorcyclists.

CMA helps at the ProStar Drag Races in Gainesville and annual events such as the bike rally at the Sertoma Youth Ranch in October.

"CMA has gained the respect of secular bikers over the years as a result," Mrs. Eubanks said.

Biker pastors can perform weddings or funerals, Buzz Boyd said. And the group can help in the case of accidents or domestic problems.

"The River Riders are a family who care about and love each other in Christ."

Club president Luther Willis said anyone is welcome to ride along.

"Just show up for the meeting and see what we are about."

To learn more

For information on the River Riders, call Luther Willis at 795-6328.

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