Blessing bikes — and bikers

Published 11:42 am Sunday, December 3, 2006

The sights and smells of Meridian take on a whole new sense from the back of a motorcycle.

Some might even consider it a spiritual experience. A few bikers hope the experience is even better after Saturday’s Blessing of the Bikes at New Wine Ministries.

Terrence Roberts, pastor of New Wine Ministries and Billy Tisdale, president of the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) chapter in Meridian, worked together to bring about New Wine’s first bike blessing ceremony in Meridian.

“We are here to see what the Lord will do,” Tisdale said.

The group was catering to sport bike riders at Saturday’s ceremony, but all bikes were welcome — including Meridian’s finest who came to support the event.

The Meridian Police Department Motor Unit came to get their bikes blessed and enjoy the day.

“We need all the help we can get,” Bill Jenkins said when asked why he was there.

Another officer, John Griffith, said the group had been involved in the Jingle Bell Run early that morning, received a flyer and decided to join the festivities.

“We try to make as many Meridian events as we can,” Griffith said. Other officers included Tim Robinson and Tim Phillips.

The event included a short message by a representative from CMA Fast Lane from Halfield, Ark., and then the bikes were blessed.

The CMA state representative, Dwayne McRee, and the CMA area representative, Mark Ashley, were there for support and helped with the blessing.

A group of bikers and police alike joined together in prayer over the motorcycles and the bikers in humble unity.

Learning firsthand the dangers of cycling in town, bikers need every prayer they could receive and Tisdale chalked the day up as a success.