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(2-26)
The most recent Sunday morning service at Philippi’s Dadisman Road Christ Fellowship Church was better attended, thanks to a seasonal thaw. A meteorological blessing that seemed to reawaken local residents who had been huddled indoors during long weeks of winter. Also, members of the rural congregation knew that a guest speaker had been scheduled to appear. And that a church dinner was to take place, afterward.
Parker Redman, the unconventional, outlaw figure, would stand in their pulpit again.
This event was of particular interest to Krista Pearl and her relatives. She and the wandering biker had planned to rendezvous at the Mountaineer Travel Plaza, but found their connection interrupted by circumstance. So, with her cousins providing an escort, she came to participate in their weekly service. With hope of meeting her shaggy friend, afterward.
The order of worship was very familiar. A song leader called out numbers from a selection of sacred hymns, which included a favorite of her family. One written in 1912 by George Bennard.
“On a hill far away
Stood an old rugged Cross
The emblem of suff’ring and shame
And I love that old Cross
Where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain
So I’ll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown.”
Parker felt his chest tighten while singing those words aloud. They were an enduring part of his childhood, and growth to maturity. Even when in the saddle and riding at highway speeds, on his shovelhead chopper, he still thought of that song, sometimes. It provided an a cappella connection to the bloodline from which he came. One that he could not escape, by any means.
To begin his sermon, at the appropriate moment, he read a passage from the Bible for Bikers with dramatic flair.
Mark 16:14-20, “Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.’ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”
Upon finishing, he offered an explanation of choosing this scripture.
“Friends, this is another reflection of the great commission, in Matthew 28. ‘Go into all the world!’ Think about that task, about what it entails. We like to gather in places such as this, a sanctuary where we are safe and secure. It makes us feel good to sing and pray together, with our neighbors and fellow believers. But I ask you to ponder the meaning here, the kernel of truth and wisdom given as a challenge to us. Does it say to huddle up with our advocates, and echo the same teachings, over and over, for everyone to hear? Think about the message. ‘Go into all the world!’ That’s a big job to handle. There are many places where the good news of Christ is not necessarily welcome. Not only in foreign lands, but here at home, where people do not wear fine suits and dresses, or speak with confidence as the result of a proper education. There are citizens right here in this county, who are hungry, dirty, and dejected. Maybe even abandoned and alone. Do you know any of them? Do you acknowledge their presence when they pass on the street? Do you feel their need to be fed, not just with a hot meal, but with the Holy Word of God? We do well to worship in our churches, but I remind you that the gospel needs to be heard in spots that are not pretty to behold, or pleasant, or familiar. Those people need salvation just as we do. Just as I did, when traveling from state to state in search of my own identity...”
He stripped off his borrowed suit jacket, to reveal strong, tattooed arms that were colorful and covered with strange designs.
“i needed to hear the message. Even when I didn’t want to listen. Even when I thought that God’s grace was no longer available to me. Even when I thought that my own father had turned his back on my very existence. You see, we’ve done plenty of preaching to those in the pews here. We are very good at holding our own. But there has to be more in our walk of faith. We have been called to evangelize, to spread the good news. That can happen in a forum such as this, or maybe through providing an example to someone you know. We are all, potentially, ministers of the gospel. There is no need for titles and accolades. The one title that matters is this: Christian. To have the mind of Christ, the heart of Christ, and the manner of Christ. That is the goal for which we strive. And I struggle every day, brothers and sisters. I struggle and fall short, then get up and start over again...”
Parker paused for a moment, to collect his thoughts. Then closed his copy of the good book.
“With that in mind, I have a confession to make. Some of you have asked if I might take a position here with you, as a regular clergyman. But I’ve got to tell you that this call to carry the word is ringing in my ears. I belong out there, riding the roads. With a new kind of zeal in effect, however. Not to seek fun and adventure for myself, but to glorify our Heavenly Father. He is the reason I am still alive. He is the reason I did not end up in jail somewhere, or in a casket with old friends who refused to believe. He is speaking to all of us, today. Are you listening? I ask you to consider that thought as we stand and sing...”
There was a rush to the center aisle. Many who were in attendance came forward, for prayers, restorations, and baptisms. A chant went up from the crowd as they began the final song, one of invitation to receive the Holy Spirit.
“AMEN, BROTHER REDMAN! AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!”
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