Up & Coming Weekly

MARCH 10 - 16, 2010 UCW 23 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Leather, jeans, tattoos, rock music and the roar of Harleys may not be the first things that come to mind when you think of Sunday worship service. But at Freedom Biker Church they are welcome signs that the church is growing and reaching more bikers in the Fayetteville/ Cumberland County area. An offshoot of the origi- nal Freedom Biker Church in Angier, N.C., the Fayetteville church is up to around 85 folks in attendance on any given Sunday. Currently worshiping in a temporary lo- cation, known as "The Barn," the church is looking for a permanent home and knows that God has something bigger and better in store for it. "Right now we are meeting at our home, in the barn behind the house. It's a 1,400 square-foot facility. We're looking for a place in Cumberland County — a large warehouse facility or barn-type building," said JD Tew, pastor of the Freedom Biker Church of Fayetteville. The vision for the new location includes three to five acres of land with a worship center of 5,000 square feet. The church also envi- sions space for classrooms, a kitch- en and an office, as well as a pole barn that could be used for special events and cookouts. "We want to keep it raw and relative to the biker community," Tew said. In a re- cent interview, Tew explained the biker church and its vision for the future in Cumberland County. There are 6,000 registered motor- cyclists in the county and another 6,000 in surrounding counties, so he has no doubt that the church is on the grow. The Freedom Biker Church in Angier has 450 people in regular attendance. The church's core values include introducing bikers to a "real and personal" relationship with Jesus Christ in an atmosphere and environment that affirms the biker way of life. "It's an atmosphere where bikers can be themselves, but at the same time we are intro- ducing them to Jesus Christ," explained Tew. "We preach and share the Bible, but we're non-traditional, non-typical. Our main focus is on Christ and what he taught. Really, everyone is looking for four things — love, acceptance, significance and security. We look for those things in our jobs, relationships and through 'things.' But, if you peel that all back, you'll find that in a relationship with Jesus Christ."' Hangout time at the church starts at 10 a.m. on Sundays. It's a time to meet people and build relationships before the 11 a.m. wor- ship service. "What I want to bring to Fayetteville is a sense of belonging — you build relationships that can develop and grow into life long relationships where we help each other." Tew's wife Kellie added, "In that hangout hour there is a lot of interaction taking place, friendship and dialogue taking place. People bring desserts and we have coffee. The band will crank up and play ... it's just a real relaxed environment." The worship service starts at 11, complete with Bible lessons, a live band and baptisms in a horse trough. "We love live music, so we have the band. We share from the Bible and use a lot of testimonies, people's stories and life-changing ex- periences and how they met Christ," added Tew. "We are bikers reach- ing bikers. And we are open to all clubs, to everybody. Even non-bikers. There's a freedom associated with it — we have a great time and enjoy life. You can come and people aren't looking at you, there's no expectation to be what someone else expects you to be. The people are just genu- ine," said Tew when asked about the laid back atmosphere of the church. Members come from all walks of life, including many veterans and active-duty military, all with a passion for freedom and motorcycles. "When people share with me (about the church), they keep saying 'It's real,' 'There's no fluff,' 'It's honest,' 'People are gen- uine.' 'I can be myself.' We're all just hurting, broken people," continued Tew. "Jesus was in all kinds of places where he was meeting people, and that's what we are trying to do. God wired you to like the things you like to do — why not take those gifts and abilities and capitalize on that for the Lord. You live that lifestyle and live it for him." Tew's wife Kellie is also very involved with the church, handling admin- istrative and bookkeeping duties, and the organization of "Chopper Church." Chopper Church is children's church for 2- to 12-year-olds. It takes place during regular chuch hours, with real worship, Bible lessons and prayer, but in a kid-friendly manner. Kellie is quick to point out that the members of the church consider JD Tew more of a friend than a "pastor." "You're just one of them. You're a biker," she said, while reaffirming the family atmosphere of the church. "We really are a family. We really hold each other up. It's incredible." Several area motorcycle clubs are helping to spread the word about Freedom Biker Church. Special events — and even a few worship ser- vices — have been held at Poindexter's Saloon. Events to help promote the church and spread the word will take place this spring. For more information about Freedom Biker Church of Fayetteville, visit their web site at www.freedombikerchurchfayetteville.com or call (910) 624-0679. Riding For Christ's Sake at Freedom Biker Church by JOY KIRKPATRICK Freedom Biker Church of Fayetteville www.freedombikerchurchfayetteville.com Pastor JD Tew (910) 624-0679 Temporary location: 'The Barn' 659 Maxwell Rd. Autryville, NC Hangout Time - 10 a.m. Service - 11 a.m. Joy Kirkpatrick, Associate Publisher. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com Above: The laid back atmosphere of Freedom Biker Church at "The Barn" appeals to bikers and non-bikers alike. Left: Pastor JD Tew and his wife Kellie are spreading the word about Freedom Biker Church.

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