STEP OUT ON FAITH

Devotional By Dennis Reynolds

Fifteen years ago, my pastor and I sat down for lunch at a local Chinese buffet. Little did I know how that meeting would change my life.

Our conversation was centered around differing ministries and how local people were using their hobbies and interests as tools to share the gospel. I mentioned that for the previous 13 years our motorcycle group had been doing a small motorcycle worship service in Washington DC during the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally. We discussed how many lives had been changed over the years, the Bibles we had given away, and how we had been blessed beyond measure because of those things. Then, he asked me a question…

“Why don’t you do that here in Greenwood?”

My answer was, “Because people won’t show up.”

He responded with, “Why not?”

Pondering his question, I really did not have a good answer.

At the time, our Lakelands Bikers for Christ Chapter was not even a year old. At our very next meeting, my freshly patched BFC brother and fellow church member Jay and I began discussing the possibility of holding a Blessing of the Bikes in Greenwood. Apparently, he had been considering this idea as well. No one in our area, nor in the surrounding areas, had ever done one of these events before, and we were totally clueless. We had no money, no plan, and no idea if anyone would even show up. One thing we prayerfully agreed upon was that the event needed to be totally free of charge. No vendors, no fees, and no one soliciting for their businesses. All we wanted was an opportunity to pray with people, hand them a Bible, and let them know we care.

We hit up the owner of a vacant parking lot where the Greenwood Hobby Lobby now sits to see if we could use it as the destination for our parade. After negotiations, and a $500 insurance deposit, he allowed the event to be held on his property. The ride would begin at the Greenwood Civic Center and end at the vacant lot.

The BFC Lakelands Chapter took up a collection from our membership to purchase a few cases of Bibles and some other things to give away. Our local Baptist Association provided an event trailer, and my brother-in-law loaned us a large flatbed trailer to use as a stage for a band. A band we did not have.

We asked around at some local clubs and bars for information on a band that may like to donate their services for our event. Nothing… Not even a nibble.

At our church we were blessed to have some very talented people. We asked if a few of them would be willing to help, and they agreed. So, for the first time ever, a band with no name, engineered to play one show, began practicing. They learned a few contemporary Christian songs, but mostly Southern Rock and Country music. They had never been on stage together, and after the event they never played together again.

The Bibles arrived on time, we had a starting point and a destination for the first Annual Greenwood Blessing of the Bikes, the forecast was for sunny skies, and a killer band was ready to play! All we needed was participants!

On the day of the ride, less than a hundred bikes showed up, but we were on cloud nine! Never in our wildest expectations did we foresee such an awesome turnout! The band was flawless, people had a great time, and God was glorified.

Now, here we are about to hold the 15th Annual Greenwood Blessing of the Bikes and much has changed.

We now begin our parade at that Hobby Lobby, ride right through the middle of town, and finish at First Mt Moriah Baptist Church. We have ballooned to over 900 motorcycles (about fifteen hundred people) on our biggest year, thousands of Bibles have been given out, people have stepped up and donated drinks, food, and money, and literally thousands of people have been blessed… Jay and I never imagined it would grow to this size! And, as it was that first year, everything at the event is still free!

As I think back over these past fifteen years, I smile. We were a brand-new chapter, we had no idea what we were doing, we just stepped out on faith, but God proved himself to be faithful. Over the years he has multiplied our blessings more than we ever thought possible.

Are you willing to prayerfully step out on faith and follow God’s lead? Real ministry is simply allowing God to show you a need, and then you attempting to meet that need. Just take a gamble and give it a try. It may not be easy, but it is amazingly rewarding.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

~Matthew 25:21 NIV

Ride on and stay safe, Dennis Reynolds

Mideast Regional Elder Bikers for Christ

M/M

As we gear up for Spring and the Myrtle Beach Spring Bike Rally, I feel it is important to to have a “refreasher” for some of us or the education from the article!;

For most of us, owning a motorcycle is nothing more than owning an expensive “Road Toy”. Some of us even have the problem of collecting these roaring but elegant “Road Toys”! Yes, ELEGANT; pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance! Your definition of pleasingly and stylish may differ a little from mine, lol! Anyways, at the end of the day, these “Road Toys” are ours! Our passion, our style and sometimes even our life line!

Knowledge is power and like I’ve always learned(the hard way): “Ignorance is No Excuse!”

So I want to expand on some tid-bits, I’ve learned personally, over the years through reading or experiencing!

Insurance is a necessary evil, so “know” what you need, want and how to interpret it!

Top Motorcycle Insurance Terms You Should Know

These are some of the most common Auto/Motorcycle insurance terms to get a firmer grasp on, especially NOW! Arranged in alphabetical order.

Actual Cash Value (ACV)

The amount it costs to replace damaged or stolen property, minus depreciation. You might also see it defined technically as “replacement cost less depreciation.” ACV doesn’t replace your property, but reimburses you for the item’s value at the time of loss.

Amendment

A change to the basic policy contract. An amendment alters the policy, not to be confused with an endorsement, which adds to it.

Anti-Theft Device

A device that deters auto theft. This is useful to know because these devices may entitle you to a discount on your insurance premiums. (EVEN MOTORCYCLES!)

Assured

Someone who has an insurance policy. Means the same as an insured or policyholder.

Binder

A temporary agreement that a policy is in effect; this is used to protect the policyholder when it is not possible to issue or endorse the policy immediately.

Collision Coverage

This pays for damages to your vehicle, no matter who is at fault. It’s a wise move but NOT mandatory in SC to get collision coverage, especially if you’re financing it.

Comprehensive Coverage

This pays for damage to your car outside the realm of a collision with another vehicle. Don’t get tripped up on the wording here—comprehensive coverage isn’t a description of your policy, but instead refers to a specific, optional coverage on an existing policy.

Comparative Negligence

This states that when an accident occurs, each party’s negligence is compared to the other’s in order to assign blame. This allows insurers pay insurance claims accordingly.

Deductible

Like with other types of insurance, this is the amount you pay out of pocket on a claim before your insurance covers the rest. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly payments.

Declarations Page

This is a summary of your coverage.

Full Coverage

Don’t get your hopes up full coverage isn’t as whole and complete as it sounds. “Full coverage” isn’t an actual type of coverage, but a general description used to describe a policy that combines liability, comprehensive, and collision coverages.

Gap Insurance

This type of insurance covers the difference (gap) between what a vehicle is currently worth and the amount you actually owe on it. Key to remember here is that value begins depreciating as soon as you drive it out of the dealership. Generally speaking, your policy is only going to cover a value lower than what it’s worth when you first bought it. If you’re making payments, then gap insurance is worth it!!

Liability Insurance

Covers damages and injuries to the other party in an accident of your fault, but it does not pay for what happens to you or your vehicle There are two kinds of liability insurance: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. This is the minimum amount of insurance you need.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Although SC law does not require it, all automobile insurance policies sold throughout South Carolina offer residents a form of coverage known as personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payment coverage (“med-pay”).

In general, PIP will cover medical expenses, lost wages, other accident-related expenses regardless of who caused the accident.

SR-22, Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR)

An SR-22 or CFR is a certificate mandated by the state to verify that an individual is maintaining auto insurance liability coverage. In other words, this is proof of insurance for someone who has had a suspended driver’s license for some reason. If you need one of these, you’ll be notified by SCDMV!

Subrogation

Called payment recovery or “subro,” this is when your insurance company requests reimbursement from the at-fault party after they’ve covered your claim.

Total Loss

When your vehicle cannot reasonably be repaired. RIP.

Underwriting

This is when an insurance provider evaluates whether or not they will approve an applicant for coverage.

UNinsured And UNDER-insured, KNOW The Difference!!

UNINSURED motorist coverage IS REQUIRED in South Carolina. Drivers in South Carolina must purchase at least $25,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person (up to $50,000 per accident), as well as $25,000 in uninsured motorist property damage insurance per accident. Also known as 25/50/25.

Estimated UNINSURED Drivers on Road: 9% In South Carolina, AUTO INSURERS are REQUIRED TO OFFER you UNDER-INSURED motorists coverage, but you ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PURCHASE IT.

So why is UNDER-INSURED coverage a good OPTION especially for motorcycle riders?? UNDER-insured motorists coverage PAYS for YOUR INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE if the AT-FAULT DRIVER DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH INSURANCE to cover your damages or medical bills.

So back to “us” owning an expensive “Road Toy”; $25,000 would go pretty fast considering 2023 motorcycles generally start around $20,000 and up! Some can go as high as $65,000 customized and even limited additions for up to $100,000.

This article was personally researched and written by Nicole CGW, Editor. My opinions are shared in this article and I am not endorsing any business or insurance coverage other then required by South Carolina. For more information and updates to SC Insurance Laws visit: www.doi.sc.gov/35/Insurers