By Staff
BIKER SUNDAY The Rev. Clarence Tilghman, pastor of Cornerstone Church of God, will bless the bikes after the Biker Sunday church service at 10 a.m. Sunday. This will be the third year for Biker Sunday. After 80 bikes came last year, Tilghman hopes for 200 this time. PHOTO BY CARISA MCCAIN / THE MERIDIAN STAR
By Ida Brown / religion writer
July 20, 2002
Early Sunday, a convoy of 100 motorcycles will take to the streets of Meridian en route to a morning worship service at a local church.
The motorcade of Warriors for Christ Motorcycle Club will travel along Highway 39 North, headed to Cornerstone Church of God as part of the annual Biker Sunday.
Leading the way will be Mylon Le Fevre, a world-renowned Christian music songwriter and artist who overcame a longtime drug addition. Le Fevre, a minister who evangelizes the world as he continues to write Christian music, will give his testimony in song and word during morning worship at Cornerstone.
Now in its third year, Biker Sunday is the brainchild of Joe Deen.
In April 2000, Deen launched an outreach program for bikers, which resulted in the formation of the Warriors for Christ, a Christian motorcycle club whose members attend rallies and witness to secular bikers.
First Duffee Church of God in Chunky was the setting for the first Biker Sunday. Deen relocated and the event was moved to his current church home, Cornerstone.
Open bike ride
Biker Sunday kicks off today with an open bike ride to Louisville.
At 11 a.m., Warriors for Christ members and other bikers will meet at Chunky River Harley-Davidson/Buell to ride the Natchez Trace to lunch at the lake in Louisville.
The group will travel Highway 39 and Highway 495 to Louisville and return a different way. Le Fevre, who is a member of the Tribe of Judah Motorcycle Ministry based in Australia, will ride with the group
Biker Sunday
The service at Cornerstone Church of God will begin at 10 a.m. Cornerstone's praise and worship team will perform. Afterwards, Le Fevre will bring the morning message.
Born into a gospel singing family, Le Fevre's first song, "Without Him," was recorded when he was 17 by Elvis Presley. Over the next year, more than 120 artists recorded his songs and at age 19, he recorded his first album, one of many which have sold millions.
But with success also came failures.
An overdose of heroin proved to be a wake-up call for Le Fevre, who said he realized the life he had been living was hopeless without God. After hitting rock bottom while living in England, he accepted Christ as his personal savior.
Now a world-renowned gospel musician and evangelist, Le Fevre has continued to enjoy success in music.
Since being born again in 1980, he has released 11 albums, received a Grammy and two Dove awards and sold millions of records. His songs have been recorded by noted artists such as Eric Clapton, ZZ Top and Billy Joel.
And while his music remains dominant in his life, Le Fevre said worship and praise have been his main focus in recent years.
After the service, lunch will be served on the church grounds. A motorcycle judging contest will follow with awards presented in the following categories: Best of Show, People's Choice, Antique Bike and Custom Bike. Winners will receive a trophy. The day will culminate with a prayer for the bikers led by the Rev. Clarence Tilghman, pastor of Cornerstone.
A special offering will be collected to help defray expenses of
Le Fevre's trip.
Cornerstone Church of God is at 6102 Highway 39 North.