'Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons For Christ' Gather In Lake Elsinore For Annual Summit

Nearly 400 "Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ" members from around the world rode into Lake Elsinore Thursday for the club's International Leadership Summit at The Lamb's Fellowship church.

The venue was fitting. The "club's" motto is this: "Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ is more than just a motorcycle club. It’s a motorcycle ministry of men and women that ride for Jesus ..."

The daylong summit at Lamb's was designed as an educational forum, explained Denny Coggins, a founding member of the Temecula Black Sheep chapter that began in December 2000 and was the brainchild of Marty "Slow Dog" Edwards, himself a motorcyclist and pastor who founded Lamb's Fellowship in Murrieta, now called Centerpoint Church.

"This is where Black Sheep come to learn ministry," Coggins said.

The Black Sheep mission is to introduce Christ to H.O.G. members around the world, Coggins continued. H.O.G. -- Harley Owners Group -- is more than 1 million strong and includes people from all walks of life.

Now with nearly, 1,100 Black Sheep members internationally -- including Australia and Mexico -- the Christian riders are spreading the word ... and getting support. During Thursday's summit, California Highway Patrol spokesman Nathan Baer was on hand providing safety demonstrations. Himself a motorcycle license holder, Baer donned his CHP uniform while he joked with Black Sheep members outfitted in black leather and do-rags.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Station #94 also showed up to provide safety and first-aid tips to Black Sheep.

The ambiance at Thursday's event was quiet, respectful and very sober.

"We're just a bunch of yuppies," Coggins said.

Catch the Black Sheep Friday night as they host a motorcycle show at Tom's located at 18492 Dexter Avenue in Lake Elsinore. The event is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.