Rumblings

Is Facebook good or bad for our Azusa StreetRiders ministry?

Azusa StreetRiders never intended for members to post any and everything on Facebook as now seems to be the case. In our earlier years, we had a proprietary website where posts were confined to members-only and it had a—for lack of a better term—Facebook-like utility for all members to use. We could post and it wouldn’t get beyond our members. Unfortunately, we had to abandon its use because of spam-bot fake registrations which began to post all kinds of things; advertisements and even links to sketchy sites. As a result, we decided to go to Facebook itself and try to “monitor” all posts. Despite the tremendous efforts of moderators, it’s proven to be a difficult and tedious job that often finds posts lingering on our ASR pages for too long before being noticed and removed. Since there is not another viable alternative, we will continue to use Facebook and will continue to monitor as best as we can.

This being said, we as professing Oneness Apostolic believers who want to present ourselves acceptable to God (Rom 12:1) need to use both wisdom and constraint in what we post. Today, I believe the tongue has serious competition as thumbs and fingers are vying to be the most unruly members of the body. Many of us are too quick to post in response to someone else. Or negative, divisive posts are made that divide the body. Hate speech is not free speech.

For these reasons, I’m asking that all of us look at the intent of the two Facebook groups that Azusa StreetRiders have, “Friends” and “Members Only.”

On the “Members Only” group, just posts pertaining directly to ASR should be made. This is where our “family” should be corresponding with things that affect all members or would be of interest to all members. Questions and answers as to how to have outreach, thoughts about dates for Biker Sundays, and uplifting comments about events attended are but a few of the things that are appropriate. This page is no place to chastise individuals, make threats, or even criticize people. If you feel the necessity of posting these type things, I suggest you first read James 3:1-18, and then go directly to the individual and don’t spread dirty laundry and division.

In the “Friends” group, more general information pertaining to the ministry is acceptable. Here, we should post of upcoming events, tell of the results of past events, and encourage others to use their God-given talents to benefit all. This is not a place to post political thoughts, promotions from other businesses or organizations, controversial topics within ASR or even talk about other ministries negatively. This page was initially set up to create excitement so that other bikers would desire to join ASR and spread the gospel.

By being on Facebook, we all have a “personal” page for anything we wish to discuss, promote, or present. Please, let’s use our personal pages for things that don’t belong on ASR’s two pages. By doing so, we’ll make life much easier on the moderators and promote unity among the members instead of strife and division. Any post found to be questionable or divisive will be immediately taken down from both friends page and members only page and the one posting will be notified. But even on our personal pages, any ASR member found causing strife or division concerning ASR as a ministry or concerning negative comments about our members will be subject to reprimand or possibly expulsion from the ministry. Remember Jesus’ instruction about someone you have a problem with? It’s covered in Matthew 18:15-17.

So, is Facebook good or bad for ASR? The answer is, “It depends.” It depends on how it’s used. If you’re an Azusa StreetRider, you ARE a minister! “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14) I believe this passage completely answers the question!

Thank you and God bless…


Fred Beall

In Jeremiah 1:5-7, the Bible says this:
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
7 But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

In other words, God speaking through the prophet says that not only was he known before he was conceived but that God had a calling on his life before he ever took his first breath. Jeremiah begins to argue a bit and essentially tells God, I’m not your man. The Lord then politely but strongly informs him that he is the one, “you WILL go and you WILL speak whatsoever I command thee.

In Galatians 1:15-16, the Apostle Paul wrote:
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

The Apostle recognized that Jesus knew him before his birth and that he had “called” him by his grace to this glorious truth. He understood that a man, no matter what his past can be born again and filled with God’s own Spirit. The Apostle said that this new birth was to “reveal his Son” in him that he might preach the gospel. He then made a statement that “immediately” he did what he was called to do. He didn’t go looking for help or support, he simply did what God had called him to do.

Now if God can use one man on foot to take the gospel to the entire known world of his day what might he be able to accomplish with over 500 Holy Ghost filled, Bible believing, motorcycle riding Apostolics?

Do you want to know why Paul accomplished more on foot by himself than 500 Azusa StreetRiders on motorcycles? The truth is that Paul understood that God had a calling on his life and he made that calling a priority in his life and too many of us don’t.

Here’s the thing folks, too many of us view ASR as a side thing, just something I do with other like-minded brothers and sisters. You know, something I fit in when I feel like it and if I don’t, then it’s no big deal. After all, I’m faithful to church, pay my tithes and even went to prayer meeting and it’s not like ASR is all that important, right? Wrong!

1 Thessalonians 2:12 says
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

The fact is this: from the foundation of the world, before you were born you had a calling on your life. God knew you would have a love of riding and called you to this Ministry. ASR is a very big deal my friends, because it is God’s calling on your life! It may not be your only calling but I assure you that God has called you to this ministry.
Every time you put on that vest you are a rolling billboard for Jesus Christ. The word Apostolic means like the Apostles: Let’s be Apostolic, do what God has called us to do and take this message to the world. Let it be said of ASR that we “walk worthy of God, who has called us”

By the way, what do you think Paul could have accomplished if he had a bike???

Your brother in the Lord,
Pastor Bill Monk
VP Appalachian Chapter

Bro Terry Metheny has acquired on behalf of the Azusa StreetRiders Ministry a 2003 Harley Davidson 100th anniversary Fat Boy that has been donated for Motorcycles for Misionary. Just under 5600 miles with a street value of about $6500.
We will be auctioning up to 100 tickets at $100 each. Once they are sold the Raffle will be closed. Any or more information call Bro Terry @ 574-202-0294.

Let’s take a moment and WELCOME all our newest members to the Azusa StreetRiders Motorcycle Ministry. Also let’s greet our newest chapter –  The First Apostolic Church of Tallmadge,
Pastor Kenneth Bulgrin.

Indiana
Bro Joe Friend
South Whitley, IN
Victory Life Church
Pastor Greg Fries

Bro Tim & Sis Pauletta Preston
Defiance. OH
Victory Life Church
Pastor Greg Fries

Bro Mario Roguski
Lowell, IN
Victory Life Church
Pastor Greg Fries

Bro Joshua & Sis Kristen Gunter
Hobart, IN
The Rock Church
Pastor David Stovall

Ohio
Bro Gary & Sis Christina Fullen
Ravenna, OH
First Apostolic Church of Tallmadge
Pastor Kenneth Bulgrin

Bro Darin & Sis Shandenara Miller
Akron, OH
First Apostolic Church of Tallmadge
Pastor Kenneth Bulgrin

Bro David & Sis Carrie Johnson
Rootstown, OH
First Apostolic Church of Tallmadge
Pastor Kenneth Bulgrin

Sis Margaret Underwood
Lorain, OH
First Apostolic Church of Tallmadge
Pastor Kenneth Bulgrin

Bro Isaac Barnett
Akron, OH
First Apostolic Church of Tallmadge
Pastor Kenneth Bulgrin

Let’s all take a moment and welcome our newest chapter in Danville, IN Pastor Jermey VanLue

Indiana
Bro Jermey & Sis Michelle VanLue (Pastor)
Danville, IN
Abundant Life – The House of Mercy Church

Bro Mitch & Sis Angel Cooper
Danville, IN
Abundant Life – The House of Mercy Church
Pastor Jermey VanLue

Bro Bruce & Sis Tammy Rutledge
Indianpolis, IN
Abundant Life – The House of Mercy Church
Pastor Jermey VanLue

Bro Lee Trevor
Indianpolis, IN
Abundant Life – The House of Mercy Church
Pastor Jermey VanLue

Bro Spencer Coffey
Lebanon, IN
Abundant Life – The House of Mercy Church
Pastor Jermey VanLue

Bro Shane & Sis Sonja Coffey
Lebanon, IN
Abundant Life – The House of Mercy Church
Pastor Jermey VanLue

Bro Kirk & Andrea Coffey
Mooresville, IN
Abundant Life – The House of Mercy Church
Pastor Jermey VanLue

Bro Matthew & Sis Jennie Adame
Danville, IN
Abundant Life – The House of Mercy Church
Pastor Jermey VanLue

Bro Justin Cline
Plainfield, IN
Abundant Life – The House of Mercy Church
Pastor Jermey VanLue

Bro Justin & Sis Nicole Landon
Warsaw, IN
Community Life Center
Pastor Phil Chandler

Missouri
Bro Austin & Sis Lucky
Chillicothe, MO
New Life Church
Paster Jeff Keck

Tennessee
Bro Bobby Beechman
Lexington, TN
FPC Lexington
Pastor David Beechman

Texas
Bro Brad Burke
Henderson , TX
New Life United Pentecostal Church
Pastor Micah Jones

Washington
Bro Lance Nishiyama
Tacoma, WA
Apostolic Revival Center
Pastor Abraham Monterrsa