Motorcyclists hit bottom before turning to Christ

Motorcyclists hit bottom before turning to Christ.

Independence Mo --- They consider themselves modern day disciples of Jesus Christ, but they wear cloth of a different kind.

T-Shirts, jeans, tattoos and Harley Davidson motorcycles are their priestly uniform and spreading the word of God to outlaw bikers is their mission.

Guy Girratono , Robert Kaps and the Rev. Dale Crofford have been bikers since their youth and each has had his share of trouble.

Girratono served time for armed bank robbery and assault with intent to kill; Kaps rode aimlessly around Oklahoma, moving from one job to another.
It wasn't until they reached the lowest point in thier lives that they "found God" they say through people who cared. In turn, they seek to bring Jesus into the hearts of motorcycle gangs.

" I just have a real heart for these people . I lived that life in my younger years and I got saved," said the bearded Crofford, dressed in a Harley Davidson T-shirt, jeans and heavy work boots - an outfit similar to what he wears when he preaches to his congregation at the Wellington Holy Christian Fellowship Church in Wellington Mo.

The Rev. Dale Crofford, Rhode Girratono, Guy Girratono and Bob Kaps, from left. take to the highways on motorcycles to spread the word of Christianity to fellow bikers.

By Melissa Conti
Associated press

"I believe that you can be a Christian and be you and this is what I am," said Crofford, 48. When not preaching, Crofford works in a motorcycle shop in the Kansas City area.

"I just believe that these guys and girls out there need to know that God loves them exactly where there're at," he said," .

" We can be Christians, ride motorcycles, love God and still dress this way."

For years, Crofford wore a suit and tie on the pulpit but felt awkward. " What does a preacher look like, anyway? I don't know," he said.

The three men spend many weekends attending bikers rallies across Missouri. They hold out-door services, each contributing his unique talent.

Crofford, knowledgeable about the bible, preaches the Gospel. Kaps, a baritone, sings the hymns. Girratono, a diplomat of sorts preaches and uses his contacts with gang leaders to give the three a safe heaven in the bikers' camps. Girratono, 51, said he has spent years cultivating the leaders of outlaw bikers clubs in Kansas City so the three can move freely with those circles. " I can move in their rallies, in their groups, in their festivities without a threat of reprisal of any kind," Girratono said. " They know me; they respect me and I have their blessing, so to speak."

Some biker gangs treat their ministry with indifference, others with curiosity.

"I've had some who have come to me and cried," Crofford said. "I've had some who have come to me and said " I want to change but I don't know how.' I've had some who've said ' I'm not going to go to a religious blankety-blank church." " The important thing is that we're there to help if they have a need."

During many biker rallies, club members often indulge in drugs and alcohol, Girratono said. " We want to introduce them to a better way of life - a life free from the bondage of alcohol or drugs."

Once a biker shows an interest in their message, the second part of their mission is to begins - preparing bikers to withstand persecution and getting mainstream churches to accept them, tattoos and all.

Even if a person comes to Christ from this biking community, for that man to walk into a church next Sunday morning and sit down and recieve the word od God like anybody else off the street is not going to happen in most cases, " Girratono said. We hope to give them a good enough grounding so they are not hurt. Their emotions are very delicate." The three also hope to convince mainline churches to receive these kinds of people.