Flint Area Good News Riders #222 is a Chapter of the national organization, the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA). The mission of a CMA Chapter is to support the National CMA effort of “sharing and showing the love of Jesus Christ to motorcyclists,” according to Jim Flickinger, President of the Flint Chapter. Organized in 1935, the CMA is headquartered in Hatfield, AR. There are Chapters in 38 countries and 1,030 Chapters in the U.S. “The organization is nonprofit and non-denominational,” he explains. “Our goal is to save one soul at a time.”
The only requirement to join the Flint Chapter is to be a born again Christian and there are no membership dues. “Everybody is a volunteer and donates whatever they want,” he explains.” The Flint group participates in motorcycle rides to raise money for charity and to send a message of hope and talk about God. “We do a lot for charity,” says Flickinger, “usually two to three rides a week.” The group meets at 10am on the fourth Saturday of every month at the U.S. Family Restaurant in Burton. “The public is welcome to come and see what we are all about,” Flickinger shares.
On the first Saturday in May, the Flint Riders will ride to the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, “Run for the Son,” with motorcycle groups from all over the state. “We go to pray for our leadership,” Flickinger says.
Funds raised by the group go to four different recipients: 20 percent to the home mission, 20 percent for missionary ventures, 20 percent for a revival film, “The Jesus Film Project” and 20 percent to help evangelists in other countries around the world.
Another annual ride is with the Proud Veterans Motorcycle Club, when they ride to honor the fallen and the wounded. The group also volunteers at Carriage Town Ministries. “We haven’t been able to do much this year because of COVID,” the president reports. Once a month, the Flint Riders also participate in Bike Night at Vehicle City Harley-Davidson, among other monthly events.
Why did Flickinger get involved with the Flint Riders? “I have always been an avid motorcycle rider, but was also a drinker,” he shares. “I quit riding for a long time. I made the decision to quit drinking and decided to start riding again.” He got involved with a group of riders at a church in Lapeer, which was when his friend, Mike Shields, started the CMA Flint Area Good News Riders in May 1984. Now, Flickinger goes to bars, not to drink, but to talk to people about God. “I get a lot of enjoyment out of it,” he admits.
The Flint Area Good News Riders is always looking for new members, according to Flickinger. “You don’t need a motorcycle to join,” he says. “Most of our events you can drive a car to.” There are currently ten riders, down from the previous 25 members. “We are trying to pick up younger members to keep the group going,” he adds. For more information, visit cmaus.org.
