Hundreds Pack First Church of the Nazarene for Annual 'Biker Sunday'

The shiny chrome on 200 decked-out motorcycles glinted in the sun this weekend at eighth annual Biker Sunday in Lemont.

Members of the church, 12725 Bell Road, held up hand-painted signs welcoming the bikers to a day of rocking music, a barbecue, a motorcycle show and a 60-mile ride.

Church members Jeff Anderson and his wife, Brenda, said the event was one of the church’s many outreach ministries.

Biker John “Easy Rider” Cunningham, a church member, was praised more than once by participants who said he helped lead them away from their wild lifestyle and toward Christianity.

Dean Metcalf and his friends wore large patches on the back of their vests, declaring their affiliation with the Christian Motorcyle Association.

Metcalf said he had “lived the life of partying and women and all that goes with it.”  Now an evangelist, Metcalf said he is “not worried about anything anymore and no longer in pain” because of his conversion.

“There’s no life without Christ,” he said.

The Christian motorcycle group has members and chapters across the United States and worldwide, Metcalf said.

Other bikers never give the Christian group flak, Metcalf said.

“They respect us," he said. "They ask us to bless them and pray over them if they are going on a special run. We say we give better protection than [any insurance company]."

Group member “Chewy” said he and his friends don’t want to just show up at an event. “We want to be of service,” he said.

The group participates in Toys for Tots and other events for charity.

Biker Larry Ford said it was his first time at the Nazarene church event.

“I know a lot of people here,” he said.

By the time the special service began at 11 a.m., three rows of motorcycles were lined up on the wide driveway in front of the church.

Church member Marge Mydom handed out programs at a door to the sanctuary. 
She described the rock music being played at the front of the church “as kind of wild,” but noted that the musical selection was for Biker Sunday.

The program started with a funny video, “Wild Nazarenes,” put together with clips of church staff dressed as bikers interspersed with movie stars in biker roles.

Next, Cunningham revved up his bike and drove into the church sanctuary with Senior Pastor Kevin Ulmet on the back.

Cunningham, a member of the  church for 30 years, said he “was saved right here in 1981.”