Bikes, Blues & BBQ – September 2009

What sounds like the continuous sound of thunder in Fayetteville for four days is actually millions of bikes rolling into town for our annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ. This is the 10 year anniversary of the event and the third year that UBC has engaged in outreach to the bikers.

This year, as in years past, we offered free biker parking in our lots. We also expanded our cookouts to both Thursday and Friday nights this year. Donnie Baker provided the grill and his grilling expertise, and we served approximately 250 bikers. Other areas of outreach included free Wi-Fi access and a cafe setup in our Student Activity Building at night. We are grateful for all the volunteers from UBC and Sigma Phi Lambda Sorority for helping to make this a huge success!

One of the neat opportunities in which we have partnered in each year is having a Christian Bikers Association, led by ‘Rude Dog,’ set up their ministry next to ours. Rudy and his team of bikers have been able to connect at an even deeper level with the bikers who pass through our lot. He provided Bibles, tracts and other Christian material.

We pray that through all of these avenues of outreach that the Gospel was planted both through word and deed. We are thankful to God for the unique opportunity to reach out to a different culture that has come to our Jerusalem right here in Fayetteville.

Written by Ryan Martin

Bikes, Blues, & BBQ – September ‘08

Every year over 350,000 motorcyle enthusiasts converge on NWA for Bikes Blues and BBQ.  The hub for this grand event is Dickson Street in Fayetteville, AR.  Due to our proximity to this location and available parking, UBC has chosen to minister to the men and women who attend this event every year.  The 4 day event includes a lot of activities but parking can be a challenge.  We opened up our SAC parking lot for FREE parking to all motorcyles for the 4 days.  It is estimated that approx. 1,500 bikes were parked on our lot during the week.  We had over 25 men volunteer their time in 2 hour shifts to cover the parking area for the entire event.  This allowed us to greet the visitors, invite them to church on Sunday, offer them water and most importantly show them the love of Christ.  In addition to the free water, free parking and “security” we also fed over 175 people on Thursday night. The appreciation of our “hospitality” was shown through many thank you’s, and donations to our reach ministry on site. 

Since the event has ended, UBC has received emails thanking us for our kindness and willingness to serve others without prejudice and judgement.  It was apparant throughout the event and afterwards, that we revealed Christ to others by opening our hearts and minds to those who may look and act differently than we do.  This all happens within 100 yards of our Sanctuary. 

We plan on making this a yearly event and we’ll continue to tweak things here and there.  The one thing we will not change is the love we show for our fellow man through meeting his physical needs and more importantly his spiritual needs. 

Join us next year as we seek to serve others through this unique opportunity!

Written by Mark Cloud