An Outlaw Biker's New Life

Among the many opportunities that God brings our way each month to help folks, there is one story in particular that I thought you might enjoy hearing about. About two years ago I was asked to speak at an "outlaw biker's" funeral. As a result, quite a few of the decedent's club members who were in attendance accepted Jesus. One such fellow in particular whose name is Josh had been pursued by the police for almost two years for drug possession, assault and only God knows what else. Over the years he had developed the reputation for being one of the more ruthless members of the group. If for what ever reason, the leader of the club wanted someone roughed up and pretty much left for dead, he would call on Josh. A rather intimidating fellow, Josh is six foot five and weighs in at around 290 pounds of solid muscle. Two days after the funeral, I received a call from a close friend who was also at that funeral who shared with me what God had been doing in the hearts of quite a few of the bikers that were at the funeral. To make a long story short, my friend called to let me know that, as a result of the message that I had shared at the funeral, Josh repented of his sins and turned himself in to the police.

After several court cases, he was finally sentenced. Are you ready for this? For offenses that could have easily landed him in jail for fifteen years or more he walked out of the court room having to only serve six months. He was immediately taken into custody and started paying his debt to society. While he was in jail I received quite a few phone calls from him. These calls gave me a wonderful opportunity to encourage him on in the things of God. During one such phone call, Josh let me know that God had led him to a group of Spirit- filled believers that held daily Bible studies. He said that he was at the Bible studies every day and that the fellowship with the other believers was beginning to change him profoundly. Josh recently got out of jail and called me as soon as he had checked in to a local city shelter. After his ten day stay was up at the shelter he was faced with a dilemma. He was now on the street with no place to go and no money. After selling blood to get enough money to buy food for a few days, he called me again. Upon discovering that conditions were very bleak, I immediately asked him to meet me at a local restaurant. He told me that he had just the day before found a shelter but still desperately needed food and clothing.

Because of the faithful support of our wonderful ministry partners, I was able to help him get a great start on his new life. For example, he had no socks and was wearing a pair of old beat up riding boots that had cut his feet up to the point where blood covered the bottoms of them. It was terribly cold outside and all he was wearing was a light jacket, an old sweat shirt and a worn out pair of jeans. Again, thanks to our partners, I was able to take him to a shoe store, buy him a new pair of Reeboks and a large pack of socks. Boy, was he praising God! We then went to a local department store and got some thermal underwear and some other much needed things. After we I got him set up with everything he needed, I was also able to write him a nice sized check to live on while he was looking for work. He called me just a few days later praising God for a job that he received starting him at $16.00 an hour driving a fork lift for a local trucking company. He has now found a place to live. I am going to introduce him soon to a wonderful Christian brother who owns a used car dealership so he'll have his own car. God is so good. "Thank you partners" for all that you do to help enable me to help so many precious people just like Josh! It simply could not be done without your selfless generosity!