MonticelloLive

Saturday was cold and dreary, but a promise is a promise, and when the men and women of ABATE (Arkansas Bikers Aiming Toward Education) District 18 and ABBA (Arkansas Baptist Bikers Association) Kingdom Riders promised the kids at the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home they’d be on campus to cook out and give motorcycle rides, they weren’t about to disappoint.

The folks from ABATE District 18 have been making runs to the Baptist Home semiannually for years. They make their annual Toy Run at Christmas (Christmas 2006 was their 6th), where they throw a big party and give gifts to all the children. Every spring they do a cookout. Weather permitting, they give motorcycle rides around the campus at each visit.

Chapter president Dennis Ellis, and V.P Todd Grubbs both say that the highlight of the day is seeing the kids having a good time and getting to ride them on the back of their bikes. This trip was special for one rider in particular: Terry Jackson, a founding member of District 18. He will be leaving the area to return to work for his former employer, traveling around the southeast U.S. The District 18 members consider themselves to be a big family and lament the loss of any member. In a show of appreciation and affection for both the children at the Home and for his fellow ABATE members, Mr. Jackson bought and donated all the food for Saturday’s cookout.

Helen Wesson, who serves as ABATE state treasurer, District 18 board representative and newsletter editor, explained the goals and ideals of the organization. Among them:

• Political education
• Motorcyclist rights
• Monitoring of laws and bills that affect riders statewide, and keeping members and citizens informed
• Eradication of negative stereotypes of motorcyclists and motorcycle organizations

ABATE is also heavily involved in charity causes throughout the state of Arkansas, including raising money in order to do the Toy Run and their spring trip to the Baptist Home. They also participate in charity events sponsored by other groups and organizations, including the upcoming Teddy Bear Run in Crossett, where motorcyclists will deliver stuffed animals to the sheriff’s department. Sheriff’s officers in turn will give them to children affected by incidents such as drug busts and car wrecks. ABATE District 18 will be having a bike show at Rough and Ready Days on May 12, which will help them raise funds for their civic and charitable efforts.

Joining ABATE at the Baptist Children’s Home this past Saturday was the Kingdom Riders chapter of Arkansas Baptist Bikers Association (ABBA). ABBA was formed approximately 3 years ago as a ministry outreach of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, and is partly funded by the Dixie Jackson offering for state missions.

The Kingdom Riders chapter, which covers southeast Arkansas, was chartered in September, 2006 at the annual meeting of the Bartholomew Baptist Association, held in Monticello. Shelby and Martha Huffman, Kingdom Riders president and secretary, stated that the ministry has experienced remarkable growth – from a founding membership of 12, to a current membership of 180. They exist to foster Christian outreach within the motorcycle community, and many ABBA members are also ABATE members. In fact, Shelby Huffman is chaplain for ABATE District 18, and Todd Grubbs and his wife Tinetha are ABATE officers and members of ABBA. Huffman said that the best part of the day at the Baptist Home was seeing the kids smile and have fun riding.

In addition to ministering at the Arkansas State Motorcycle Rally in Hot Springs, and the Bikes, Blues and BBQ Rally in Fayetteville, among other events, the Kingdom Riders will also have a presence at Rough and Ready Days, setting up right alongside the ABATE bike show.

Pictures from the Kingdom Riders web photo album.