Azusa StreetRiders International
The Apostolic Motorcycle Ministry of Jesus Christ ~ Official Site
Bind the Strong Man will be held at 4 Locations on March 1st, 2024. Flyers with times for each location and Hotel information will be forthcoming.
A Humble Beginning
2 Kings 5:1-15Chaplain’s Corner
5 Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. 2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. 3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. 4 And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. 5 And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. 6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. 7 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. 8 And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. 9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. 10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. 11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? 14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
It can be very humiliating to admit that we are powerless, especially if we are used to being into control. We may be powerless in some areas of our life, but out of control in terms of our addictive/compulsive behaviors. If we refuse to admit our powerlessness, we may lose everything. That one unmanageable part of our life may infect and destroy everything else.
The experiences of Syrian army mander Naaman illustrate how this is true. He was a powerful military and political figure, a man of wealth, position, and power. He also had leprosy, which promised to bring about the loss of everything he held dear. Lepers were made outcasts from their families, and from society. ultimately, they faced a slow, painful, and disgraceful death.
Naaman heard about a prophet in Isreal who could heal him. He found the prophet, and the prophet told him that in order to be healed he needed to dip himself seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman went away outraged, having expected that his power would buy him an instant and easy cure. In the end, however, he acknowledged his powerlessness, followed the instructions, and recovered completely.
Our “diseases” are as life-threatening as the leprosy of NAaman’s day. They slowly separate us from our family and lead toward the destruction of everything important to us. There is no instant or easy cure. The only answer is to admit our powerlessness, humble ourselves, and submit to the process that will eventually bring recovery.
People who are hurting deeply enough will try almost anything to find relief. For Naaman, the commander of the Syrian Army, looking for help from a prophet in Isreal was a desperate long shot. Naaman was willing to sacrifice prestige and wealth to find healing for his terrible disease. Naaman was healed of his leprosy, but not because he was willing to offer a reward. The real issue was not how much it cost, it was more important that he went to the only one who could really help him — The one true God.
Let’s Welcome Our New ASR Members.
Praise the Lord all hope all is well with everyone. It has been a busy ASR traveling month in September and coming up in October for me. I can’t believe we are winding down with events. I look forward to these events. With that said, now is a good time to start your planning for your 2024 events. The board has been busy adding a few more state coordinators.
Don Wallace– Ohio
Austin Seaton– Illinois
Todd Colosimo –South Carolina
Johnny Carr –Louisiana
The board has also been busy selecting regions for 2024 Bind The Strong Man. We we will have those locations set for you next month. So you can start planning on attending one of the BTSM locations.
Also, Brother Jeremiah Hayes and Brother Scott Culver are working together to add more state and regional Chaplains for us.
I will ask that you continue to pray for this board as we move forward. We are so excited to see what the Lord has for us in 2024.
Lastly, I want to thank all the chapters. All the membership with the awesome giving towards Motorcycles for Missionaries. We are able to purchase 15 motorcycles this year. Thank you, Tom Harding, for your hard work with this. Thank you, Robert Thompson, for seeing this, though. The total amount was $25,850. Thank you all. May the Lord truly bless you.
Michael Theodore (THEO)
International President
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
Psalm 51:17 KJV
There is a popular term used in the movie industry, mostly in action movies, where someone is shot or cut, and they make the statement, it’s only a flesh wound. It’s often not taken too seriously, and the hero of the movie is often able to continue his or her heroics within minutes of being wounded. Most times, a flesh wound doesn’t bring death, just some minor discomfort.
Some years ago, I went down on my bike on a two lane country road. I had just left work, and was out on a ride with my dad, wearing only my work uniform, when suddenly, in a right hand turn, my throttle grip came off the handlebar, causing my weight to shift, and down I went. They say it’s not the fall that hurts, just the sudden stop at the end. After jumping to my feet once I stopped sliding and rolling, the pain from the abundance of road rash became very prevalent. I thought that was the worst of it, until the nurse began to clean and disinfect the wound. Despite the discomfort from the disinfecting process, it was necessary to prevent infection.
In 1 Corinthians 15:31, Paul said, I die daily, meaning, he had to die out to his flesh every day. He had to place his flesh in subjection to Spirit of God. His fleshly desires and will did not live through that repentant moment, but it was a fatal blow to his flesh. Sometimes, we get too comfortable with skin deep repentance. When we get down in repentance, we become satisfied with a “flesh wound” moment. The flesh might get wounded, but it’s not fatal, and it lives to fight another day. “Now I lay me down to sleep” does nothing for the evils of this flesh. We have to crucify it and bring it under subjection to the Spirit of God. The flesh will say, it’s ok to do everything the world is doing. The flesh will say, it’s ok to live any way you want to, except on church night. The Word of God, says, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.
Can we trade in our “road rash repentance”, for a sincere, heartfelt, repentance that will bring certain death to this flesh? Can we follow Paul’s example, and make this flesh die out every day? I will strive to do so, and I hope you will to.
We have not cracked the surface of what God desires to do through this ministry. I once heard a minister say, the fire of God still falls on wet altars. If Elijah could call down the fire of God on a water soaked altar on Mt Carmel, imagine what could happen when the Apostolic Motorcycle Ministry of Jesus Christ makes the declaration, that my flesh will not dictate my future. My flesh will not be dominant in my life, and the altar is soaked from the tears of a people who decided that “road rash repentance” was no longer an option, but they would crucify this flesh until it was fatal so the will of God could be accomplished in their world! Lord, let Your fire fall on this ministry like never before, so we can change our world, one mile at a time.
God bless you all in Jesus Name!
Jeremiah Hayes (Bullfrog)
Vice President
Azusa Streetriders International
Genesis 16:1-15
16 Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. 3 And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. 4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee. But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thine hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. 7 And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. 9 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. 10 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. 12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.13 And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? 14 Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
Sometimes we are powerless because of our situations in life. We may be in a situation where other people have power over us. We may feel that we are trapped by the demands of others and that there’s no way to please them all. It’s a double bind: To please one is to disappoint another. Sometimes when we feel stuck or frustrated with our relationships, we look for a measure of control by escaping through addictive behaviors.
Hagar is a picture of powerlessness. She had no rights. As a girl, she was a servant to Sarai and Abram. When they were upset because Sarai could not bear children, Hagar was given to Abram as a surrogate. When she did become pregnant, as they had wanted, Sarai was so jealous that she beat Hagar, and Hagar ran away. All alone out in the wilderness, she was met by an angel who gave her an amazing message: “Return to thy mistress and submit thyself under her hands. And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.” (Genesis 16:9-11).
When we are caught in no win situations, it’s tempting to run away through our addictive/compulsive escape hatches. At times like these God is there, and he is listening to our woes. We need to learn to express our pain to God instead of just trying to escape it. He hears our cries and is willing to give us hope for the future.
Genesis 16: 1-4 Since God’s promise of a child had been given, about two years had passed without anything happening. Sometimes the hardest part of recovery is waiting. Here Abram and Sarai show us what not to do when things don’t progress as quickly as we might hope. Rather than accept God’s timing, they took matters into their own hands. They assigned a servant girl, Hagar, to be a surrogate mother to Abrams’s son. This “solution” has been a source of conflict to this day. Abram’s descendants through Hagar are the Arab nations whose conflicts with the Jews keep the Middle East in constant Turmoil.
Genesis 16:7-13 When Hagar could not help herself and recognized her powerlessness over her situation the angel of the Lord came and ministered to her. Until we recognize that our situation is hopeless without outside help, God waits and does not help us. But when we are ready to admit our need and cry out to him, he is ready to step in.
Even though my Ministry is focused on Addiction and recovery, this can help anyone in need of assistance with Mental Health or Substance use issues. This lesson can be linked to any aspect of our lives where we struggle and attempt to fix things ourselves. When we are struggling in any situation, we must realize that we are powerless over our flesh and turning to God is the answer to our struggles.
Scott Culver
International Chaplain
Azusa Streetriders International
LETS WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS
JOHNATHAN McGUIRE –MICHIGAN
TRACY & THOMAS HANK — TEXAS
DAVID & DARLA BOLENBAUCHER — TEXAS
From Rodante de Guzman
Victory!
A total of 997km journey, reached and Marked the Philippines highest highway system. The ASR Team with 7 determined riders took off from manila to Baguio city for a promotional invitation of UPC National World Mission Director Pastor Jimmy Sulit.
In an instant we saw our selves singing in the front of the E summit delegates while they taking their lunch.. thank you for the talented members of ASR Philippines. Great response from the attendees and crowded with inquiries how to join the ASR.
Thank you to our instant singers
Sir Jun Fabro, Sis Gev Fabro, Ptra Liezel Elardo singing “Dakilang katapatan” and the musicians who eveready to play the instruments for the Glory of God!
Ptr Denz our Drummer
Bro Jermiah Lazona Bassist
And yours truly as pianist.
After the event the team stayed in UPC Baguio courtesy of Rev Eugene Banez, a comfortable bed for us to prepare our body for the next mission. thank you Ptr Eugene!
We reached the top at 11am. What refreshing scenery! Beholding the wonders of nature and the amazing creations of God!
We continue our journey to Sagada spanning the Halsema high way” categorized as one of the most dangerous highway in the world” And thank God we’ve made it we arrived in one piece! We reached Sagada town at 5:30pm .. Another milestone as rider of ASR Philippines
At 7pm we still determined to reach our next mission in UPC Aglipay and UPC Maddela.. at exactly 3:30AM we reached UPC Aglipay to have a short meal and rest, thank you Ptr Macoy Prieto and Sis Rosan Prieto for accomodation and delicious food.
We proceed to Maddela church and take a rest for the next journey.
Saturday 1PM we offer prayer for God’s Blessings to Prieto Family together with Dad our ASR mentor who is in vacation on the same place.
Preparing for the next and final journey! Home bound Manila!
The team departed the UPC Maddela at exactly 2PM, travelling the Quirino-Aurora-Nueva Ecijah road. Driving on a twisty, bouncy, steep road is not a joke on a team running out of time.. we try as fast as we could but with strict safety to reach out home since its already sunday.
Touchdown Taguig
Finally we reached Taguig where we start our Journey at exactly 3AM.
Tired but our hearts overflowed with joy, satisfied as we completed the mission!
God Bless ASR TEAM!
Lead Bike – Bro Dante
2nd – Kuya Gary
3rd – DJ
4th – Aldrin
5th – Jeremiah
Tail Gunner – Min. Bernie
The Sweeper – BillJoe.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
I just wanted to take a moment and thank all of you that have supported not only myself but the two boards that I served with over the last six years. It has been an honor to have been your president and it has been an honor to serve you fine people, I pray that I have served you well I guess time will tell.
Moving forward I’m asking all the members of the Azusa StreetRiders ministry to get behind Brother Michael Theodore and this board and give them the support that they need in order to take this ministry to the next level. I ask all of you to keep them prayer this is God’s ministry ran by men and women who are Holy Ghost filled. That certainly does not make them perfect but it does make them willing to step up to the plate and to do a job that at times is not only difficult and unrewarding but also challenges us to the core of one’s own beliefs.
So therefor Keep the Faith, Stay the Course Jesus is coming back soon for his church and the Azusa StreetRiders is a unique niche within the church. Love and appreciate y’all with my whole heart.
God Bless and Keep each and everyone of you and yours. May the sun always be to your back and the wind in your face and I’ll see ya here, there or in the air.