The Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) is an organisation dedicated to spreading the word of Christ through motorcycling.
”We go where no one else goes,” says Stan Wilson, president for the Pietermaritzburg CMA branch. ”Bikers are often considered as bad boys and no other organisation does ministry work among them because they are often considered to be a lost cause. Our aim is not to Bible-punch people. Our aim is to live a life of salvation and let it speak for itself.”
The CMA is not a club, but a ministry. Members of the CMA may become members of local chapters. The organisation’s mission is ”to share the love of Jesus Christ with all motorcyclists, their friends and family and to improve the image of motorcycling across the board,” says Willie van Greunen, Gauteng president for the CMA.
”Being a part of the CMA is a ministry and a calling,” says Roedolf Muller. He has been a member of the organisation’s Pietermaritzburg branch for three years.
”It is wonderful to work with bikers because they are genuine people. They often look rough and tough, but they are the most loyal people in the world,” his wife, Liezel, also a member of the CMA, says.
Rene and Delene Changuion established the CMA in South Africa in 1980. Since then the organisation has grown to 1 500 active members who are spread over eight regions. Twelve bikers’ churches have been established as part of the CMA’s ministry. The organisation has 130 000 members worldwide in 32 countries and was first established in 1975 in the United States.
The CMA has state, regional and national (usually divided between east and west) rallies. These rallies are times of ”fellowship, praise and worship”, bike games and support. The CMA takes part in 400 rallies a year with ”the sole purpose is to serve”, says Van Greunen.
Run for the Fun is a worldwide CMA initiative where money is collected for printing Bibles and to support other Christian organisations, such as Open Doors and Sportballs for Christ, which according to their website shares the gospel of Jesus Christ through rugby balls, soccer balls, golf balls — any type of ball.
Some of the chapters also participate in initiatives in which the organisation is involved, including ministry work at prisons and hospitals.
A national rally is being held this weekend from March 21 to 24 in Kroonstad. Members of all 106 chapters were expected to attend.