Australian bikers' club offers Jesus to those willing to accept him

Published: 2007-08-07

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- Ever since Marlon Brando popularized the stereotype of rebellious youth with the outlaw biker in the film "The Wild One" more than 50 years ago, leather-clad men on big noisy American bikes have been forming themselves into outlaw motorcycle clubs that exude menace at the edges of society. Known by their insignia or colors, about 35 outlaw bike clubs exist in Australia today. However, within the fraternity of bikers, one club rides another road entirely; it offers the promise of Jesus' redemption to any biker willing to accept it. God's Squad Christian Motorcycle Club has chapters in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania. Founded in Melbourne in 1972 by a Methodist minister, the club is a ministry of the nongovernmental charity organization Care Australia. Dave Hansen, 38, a Catholic member of the club and the Sydney chapter president, said the club is an active Christian ministry that puts itself in the bike scene as an "outreach of hope." "We feel we're doing the same mission that Jesus started when he went out to people at the very margins," said Hansen.

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