By Stan Friedman<\/p>\n
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (November 15, 2005) – Westmoore Community Covenant Church bills itself as “The Flock that Rocks.” Some of its members, however, might describe themselves more like the “Sheep that Roll.”<\/p>\n
They are part of a motorcycle ministry that calls itself the Iron Messengers. “It really started out and continues to be a common interest group,” says Betty Lowley, one of the group’s four coordinators.<\/p>\n
![\"Motorcycles](\"http:\/\/old.covchurch.org\/uploads\/m2\/1I\/m21Ip4Pp6F1OLTt7LHrG8Q\/1182.jpg\")
The Iron Messengers are more than just a common interest group, however. “We have reached families,” Lowley says. “We’ve reached husbands who have not attended the church who have started going to church. I’ve heard stories that we’ve helped save marriages.”<\/p>\n
Members have been able to discuss drug and alcohol prevention in local schools because the bikes capture the students’ interest, Lowley says. “They just love it.”<\/p>\n
The Iron Messengers have been noticed in places where other ministries might not be. During half-time of the city’s arena football games, they have escorted the cheerleaders onto the field.<\/p>\n
Lowley says one of the church’s pastors related the story of a person who was standing outside the church, seemingly unsure of what to do next. When the pastor asked the man if he needed any help, he replied that he wanted to go in but wasn’t sure whether he would be accepted because he was asked to leave his previous congregation due to his looking like a “typical biker.” The young man was able to be reassured that he would fit in just fine.<\/p>\n
There are no typical bikers among the Iron Messengers. “We have professional people and people of all types,” says Lowley, adding, “We do have some who do look like bikers.”<\/p>\n
The church has embraced the unusual ministry. “We have a special place at church for the bikes,” Lowley says proudly. “We have handicap parking and we have motorcycle parking.” She adds, “Because we are a casual come-as-you-are church, it’s not uncommon for us to come to church in our leathers.”<\/p>\n
![\"Iron](\"http:\/\/old.covchurch.org\/uploads\/AE\/au\/AEaulKQS647ioDIrjzikMQ\/1183.jpg\")
Barry Mayson, the former leader of the Hell’s Angels South Carolina chapter, has preached and given his testimony at the church.<\/p>\n
Iron Messengers began in 2004 and has been going strong from the first day, Lowley says. “We had 25 people in the first week without even advertising.” Among its members are two of the church’s three pastors.<\/p>\n
As often as four or five times a month, members of the group get together and embark on excursions or travel to a restaurant for dinner. Sometimes the group doesn’t know where they are going. “Sometimes we have a mystery ride,” says Lowley. A group member suggests a secret destination to Lowley and then leads the group.<\/p>\n
Although the church has embraced the group, there was one moment when it wasn’t as popular, says Lowley. During the beginning of the second service, the Iron Messengers were leaving the parking lot together for an afternoon trip. “Many of the bikes are very noisy, and Pastor Paul (Cunningham) was trying to pray,” Lowley recalls. The Iron Messengers sounded like heavy metal that was heard throughout the sanctuary. “We’ll just take off from a different location now,” says Lowley.<\/p>\n
To learn more about the Iron Messengers or other ministries of the church, contact the church staff at 405-378-0100.<\/p>\n