CMA in Naubinway

By Julie Freeman

Since 1993, Naubinway has seen many motorcyclists gather for a few days in July, across from the Larry and Lonnie Wyse residence. Riding by slowly, some on lookers wondered who and what was going on!

Lonnie Wyse, along with others, explained how the CMA (Christian Motorcyclist Associations) was started and how it came to Naubinway.

In 1975 a Pastor (at that time) in Arkansas started CMA, he was looking for a way to become closer to his teen-age son, because they were drifting apart. They discovered they both liked motorcycles, so they each purchased one and started going to events and rallies, which took place in the early 1970’s. At that time, there were few rallies, compared to now. While there they discovered a couple of things, first they weren’t wholesome family entertainment and second they discovered bikers there, who had never been in a church and were eager to hear the truth. Because Herb Shreve, who is the founder and world know biker, came to where they were, came onto their turf, they accepted and talked to him. He wasn’t wearing a suit and tie, he was wearing jeans! Herb began to wonder if there shouldn’t be an organization for Christians to belong to, riding motorcycles, so there could be fellowship, among the brothers and sisters, as well as ministry outreach to other bikers. So in 1975 CMA was founded.

Lee Shipman, state coordinator, explained “Everyone is welcome, CMA doesn’t have any dues and is not a club, but a ministry, anyone is encouraged to participate!” He added, “You don’t have to have a bike to participate, there are some in CMA that don’t, they just appreciated the fellowship and enjoy attending many of the functions!”

CMA has chapters of groups of people in some areas, which get together and meet. Lonnie added, “Sometimes they’ll go for an ice cream run, which means they’ll get on their bikes and go for ice-cream and come back again, or something similar, to just have a good time cycling together.” They also have other areas of ministry that they are involved with, there are several local chapters that help with special events or if it is a larger rally, several of the local chapter will work together to serve, like the Harley Davidson rallies. They will have booths, which will be anywhere from a medical, where they’ll have first aid people available, at no charge, if someone has a minor medical problem. Also hospitably areas, where people can come in out of the sun and women can care for their children. They also have mechanics, available, if someone is having trouble with their bike while at the rallies. At some rallies the Christian Motorcyclist Association are the only ones allowed to set up booths, because they are not venders, they have nothing to sell. They are just there to serve and offer themselves, whatever the need may be, they’re available! CMA also has rallies, themselves, which are times of fellowship, praise and worship, fun bike games, and encouragement.

They are a non-profit, interdenominational Christian organization, dedicated to reaching people for Christ in the highways and byways through motorcycling. Since the early 1970’s, CMA now has over 60,000 members and over 500 chapters here and other countries, around the world.

In 1988, the first “Run For The Son” was held in which CMA members all across the country collected sponsors to support them on a 100 mile run with the proceeds going towards CMA’s work in the U.S., bringing motorcycles to native pastors around the world and Bibles to people in the restricted access countries. Since that time, millions of dollars have been invested in the Lord’s work around the world.

When Herb Shreve first rode down the road with his son, he never dreamed this would travel so far. Now with so many chapters chartered in the United States and thousands of members, the dream of one man’s heart has been multiplied and many lives have been changed!

Lonnie Wyse explained how this became an annual gathering in Naubinway, “This was really funny, my husband, Larry, and I were riding, he noticed a group of people on motorcycles, so he decided to go talk to them. One of the ladies mentioned they were part of the CMA, he thought that was really neat and wanted to learn more. This lady told him she was scouting around the U.P looking for a place for people to just get together and sit around a campfire, put up some tents and have a nice time together, just get to know each other. So Larry said, ‘Why don’t you have it at our house!’ We didn’t know anything about the CMA, and he invites anyone, that would like to come, to our house!” Lonnie continued, “That the first one to show up was dressed in big black leather with a great big black stuffed gorilla, on the back of the bike, with a long braid, hanging from the back of the helmet. I thought, Larry what have you gotten us in to? But as this person took off the helmet, with our surprise, they noticed it was a lady, about 65 years of age standing there! The same women that Larry originally invited to their home.

Lonnie explained that only approximately 15 people showed up the first year they got together but it was a really nice time! She said, “Every year it’s just became bigger and bigger and bigger!” In 1997, 92 people showed up, 1998 they had 108 and this year, 1999 by 9:00 a.m. 187 people were estimated there! Lonnie said they only expected around 150, so she ran to her cupboards, to gather up more plates and silverware and Larry phoned for more fish, making a total order of 70 #’s of white fish fillets, which was the main coarse at the Saturday potluck dinner. Lonnie added, “Everyone is so wonderful, each year the ladies help me and the men help Larry prepare the dinner. We make sure all the fish, beverages, and tartar sauce are there, the rest of the food is supplied by the CMA’ers.”

People from age 2 to 82 travel with the CMA. The ones who are unable to ride on bikes traveled in sidecars or for the ones, who couldn’t ride as far on a motorcycle, came by motor home, pickup trucks or cars, some pulling a trailer with their cycle in them. There were also very special domestic companions, such as dogs, traveling along in either a sidecar or little basket built just for them on the back of the bike.

Along with the many people attending, was Herm Niewiek, who in 1949 purchased his first Harley, which was red, for $970. He has owned 19 since, but they weren’t red, 50 years later, he decided he was going to order a new red one, which he has had now for only a few months. The price was much different from his very first red Harley, but he couldn’t have been happier! Herm travels on the road, along with his dog Buster and lives in his trailer, he heads South in the winter, mainly because of health conditions. Herm had to have one lung removed, when he found out he had cancer. But with his last doctor’s visit, received a good report and is doing very well. Herm likes to have a little fun with his license plates, which is on his bike. He said “I’ll ride up to a group of bikes and ask if they have room for one more, they’ll say ya. Then somewhere down the line, they’ll notice my license plates read, 1 MORE.” They’ll say, “Dang, he ask if they had room for one more and his license plates read 1 MORE.” Herm added, “The Lord let us get through that last sharp curve safely, will they all end up that way, will we get through 1 MORE, if not are you ready.”

Herm is very proud of being a Christian Motorcyclists and has been with the CMA for 15 years; he’s been coming to Naubinway since 1993. Herb mentioned how he missed riding with a dear friend and CMA member, Andy Anderson, who passed away last year and who still enjoyed riding, even at the age of 82.

Another friend of Herm’s is Carol Costal, who never road a bike, until a year ago, but said she loves it! They both belong to “Loaners on Wheels” which is a trip for single people.

Norm Zingleman, of Point Main Ministries, helps with Viet Nam Vets, he dedicated his life to the Lord and has been working with Vet’s out of Traverse City, Cadillac, Mesik and surrounding areas. When they go to a rally, he has available a video and hands out literature to anyone that is having a hard time. He said “There is a lot of hurting guys and gals out there, that are just realizing what they went through”. For more information you can phone the Viet Nam Vets reaching center at 1-800-877-VETS.

Gordon and Leora Seefeldt, of Sheboygan, Wisc, added “We really look forward in coming here every year, because we meet new people, new friends and so often we pray together, share ideas and help build each other up.” Gordon added, “ Sometimes we’re hurting inside and sometimes there are people, at home, we just can’t talk to. We come here and talk to brothers and sisters and Christ.”

Lonnie Wyse added the CMA usually gathers in Naubinway the third week of July. It officially starts on a Friday evening, traditionally many come early to get together for pizza at a local restaurant. Friday evening, they go on an Ice Cream Run, which usually takes some of them into the Curtis Area, but this year they only traveled a few miles down the road and the rain started. They turned around and made it back to Naubinway, where a few were still able to enjoy ice cream, before the rain came down hard there.

Saturday morning they’ll go out for breakfast or enjoy making it themselves, with there own camping equipment. Around 10 a.m. they break up into groups so there’s not a whole bunch leaving at the same time, to disrupt traffic, and head out to various site-seeing places. This year some went to the Soo Locks, White Fish Point and the Munsing area. They’ll come back around 4:30-5:00, after riding for the day and prepare for the annual fish fry at 6:00 p.m. After enjoying a wonderful meal, they’ll build up the campfire. Near dusk, the traditional, hollow log is placed upright to burn, making this a unique site to see. This year Terry and Deb Baxter of Rudyard, who have been coming to Naubinway since the first year, brought the 6-foot old oak log, which was approximately two feet at the base, with 3-inch walls. Terry’s dad has 22 acres of hard woods. Last winter they took a load of veneer logs off but this one was hollow and couldn’t be used, so it was left in the woods. Terry found it, while tapping for maple syrup and knew just what it could be used for.

The log is placed upright, with notches cut into the base, a fire is built under it and gasses build up, then ignite at the top. The log will usually burn all night, lighting up the whole camp area, like a big torch, which is very impressive! Another, unexpected, tradition is the burning of an old chair. The first year, while sitting around the campfire, an old chair accidentally caught fire, so they tossed it onto the campfire. The next year, somebody brought another old chair, that they were going to get rid of anyway, and tossed it onto the fire, keeping the tradition, that was accidentally started in the first place, part of their group fun. As the group sits around the campfire, many share the experiences they’ve been having and how the Lord has been working in their lives.

Sunday morning a special Church Service starts at 9:30 a.m. Everyone dresses very casual. Lonnie added, “singing is not really traditional, we have a lot of fun songs!” Lee Shipman, leads the service. Last year, because the group was getting so large, Lee stood on top of a ladder, so the ones in the back could see him. Lonnie said, “This was a unique way of preaching!”

With the many people, young to old, that attend any of the CMA gatherings, they’ll all agree that it is good wholesome fun! There are many different denomination that attend, everyone learns about each other and enjoys him or herself very much!

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