On any given Sunday morning in front of a former retail store on state Route 131 just west of Buckwheat Road passersby may notice a large collection of motorcycles. But instead of being remnants of late night revelry, the riders have come together for a late morning church service.
The Freedom in the Wind Church was started with bikers in mind, but its a place where absolutely anyone could feel welcome.
“A lot of churches say come as you are, but if somebody comes in with tattoos and leather they’re not made welcome,” Freedom in the Wind Pastor and founder Reverend Larry “Indian” Herald said. “What they mean is come as we are. We emphasize that it’s not about how you dress, its a relationship with Jesus, we want to be here to learn more about him.”
Walk in the door at Freedom in the Wind in a three piece suit or a tank top and cut-offs and several of the members will engage you in conversation and make you feel right at home. Herald said he emphasizes a nonjudgmental atmosphere but the size of the church helps regulars recognize new comers. The average attendance is about 65. He said Sunday mornings are more like a family reunion.
“It’s such a different culture than what some people are used to but still people try to go out of their way to make people feel welcome,” Herald said.
While anyone can feel welcome at the church, Herald said he is not about to preach a “feel good” sermon.
“We preach the Bible and we stick to it,” Herald said. “A sin is a sin. We’re not going to be judgmental but if you aren’t telling the truth you’re misleading them.”
The church still caters to the biker culture, the bathroom is painted in orange and black with black and white checkered floors, and many of the regular attendees ride their bike in for the 11 a.m. service then spend the afternoon riding together.
Tony Cole said he started coming after his parents invited him three or four years ago. He bought a bike a short time later.
“We go out riding after church about every Sunday,” Cole said. “It’s pretty cool.”
The last Saturday of every month is bike night and local riders gather in the church parking lot to grill, listen to live music, and look at and talk about bikes.
Herald said the bike nights are a great way to incorporate families into the biker culture.
“You can’t really take the whole family out on a ride so what you have is, dad goes out riding all day Saturday and never spends time with the family,” Herald said. “We try to strengthen the family; to create an environment where dad can go ride during the day and come together with his family in the evening at bike night. Bike night is not a preaching time, it’s a time to come hang out and not get hit over the head with the Bible.”
The church also has typical church activities like weekly Bible studies, kids programs, and Herald’s wife Jane leads the contemporary praise band.
Herald and a lot of the church members also go to bike nights at places like Quaker Steak and Lube and at field meets all over the area. They go to enjoy the biker scene, but they also talk to their fellow bikers.
“We’re not there to cause problems or judge people,” Herald said. “We’re just there to show the love of Christ and show that you can be a Christian and still enjoy riding.”
Herald said the ministry has had the most impact with older bikers.
“A lot of guys went to church as kids, took on the biker lifestyle, but now they’re getting older and there’s still an emptiness here,” Herald said, pointing to his chest. “They’re a little bit more open. Particularly when you come at them in a nonjudgmental way.”
Brenda Heines and her husband started coming to Freedom in the Wind two or three months ago.
“We’d not been to church for a long time,” Heines said. “But here you don’t have to dress up. You can wear jeans and a cut-off. It’s really laid back.”
“Indian” can be found at Freedom in the Wind every Sunday morning at 11 a.m. across the street from Betty Lane at 1232 state Route 131 east of Milford. The church’s web address is www.freedominthewind.com.
The next bike night is Saturday, July 30 at the church.