CMA is not a club, but a ministry.  Our ministry team program is designed to make ministers of our members.  We are involved in motorcycling events all across the country and in taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ into America's Prisons.  

      ="44" height="69">   History of CMA 

Beginnings

When Herb Shreve began riding a motorcycle in the early seventies to reach out to his son and restore their relationship through a common interest, no one could have realized what God had in mind. A father's simple steps toward his son opened the heavenly Father's plan to reach out into the highways and byways to draw those He loved into an eternal relationship. Now, twenty years later, that love has spread around the world and motorcycles are still being used as tools to take God's message of love, forgiveness and hope.

A Step Of Faith

As Herb began riding, a common bridge was built in the family relationship. Quickly, he began to see that the motorcycle introduced him to the multitudes who were not coming to the church he pastored. He sensed the need for someone to go to the motorcycle events and share the love Jesus had for them. In a giant step of faith, he resigned his church and left his comforts and securities with nothing more than a bike, a vision, and a love for those who had not received the message of salvation.

He formed the Christian Motorcyclists Association which would serve as a non-profit organization offering a way for others to financially support his outreach. His concept of the ministry was simple - one man on his bike taking the good news of eternal life to anyone who would listen.

God's favor was on the ministry and soon ten, fifty, one hundred, then one thousand people wanted to be a part of this organization. In the world of motorcycling, more opportunity was there than one man could handle. So, Tom Pitman, a long time friend, joined the staff.

God's vision was great and within a few years, the United States was divided into five regions with five regional evangelists being placed to oversee both the evangelistic outreach and the new chapters that were beginning to spring up everywhere.

As the opportunities grew, so did the challenges. This ministry was set up for the purpose of evangelism. The message was Jesus. Through the years, CMA has maintained the pure message of salvation in spite of periodic pressures that come from being a non-denominational ministry. CMA has become a key voice for evangelism and has united the body of Christ by encouraging its members to set aside doctrinal differences and focus on the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

A Step Of Integrity

Another challenge that faced the ministry was how to finance taking the ministry to the world. CMA has financed the ministry by handling its financial affairs with the highest of integrity. Offerings are not taken at rallies or motorcycle events. CMA members are not bombarded by financial appeal letters. The ministry simply states the vision and the Lord provides as the membership obeys His leading.

As the ministry has grown, state coordinators have been appointed to each state. With the help of area representatives, they oversee the ministry opportunities in their area. Lay evangelists help to spread the Gospel at the vast number of events. The CMA members themselves, "weekend warriors," have been faithful to get involved. They have "earned the right to speak", thereby covering the motorcycling community with a witness.

In 1988, the first Run For The Son was held in which CMA members all across the country collected sponsors to support them on a 100 mile run with the proceeds going towards CMA's work in the U.S., motorcycles to native pastors around the world and Bibles to believers in restricted access countries. Since that time, millions of dollars have been invested in the Lord's work around the world.

A couple of lay evangelists developed the Ministry Team Program. This was designed to give purpose to CMArs as they attend rallies and motorcycle events. A ministry team member commits to one ministry team for a year. He or she then goes through a training program which develops talents, skills, or abilities and shows them how to serve at motorcycle events. Many have found themselves to be effective in evangelism through this program.

When Herb Shreve first rode down the road with his son, he never dreamed it would travel so far. Now with over 600 chapters chartered in the United States and over 80,000 members, the dream of one man's heart has been multiplied and many lives have been changed!

The CMA International Coalition has been formed to unite the Christian motorcyclists around the world and enhance the worldwide vision with training, prayer, and communication.

CMA's message and vision for the future have not changed. We will go forward into the highways and byways as a collective group of individuals on our motorcycles to where the lost and lonely are and tell them about Jesus!