National Chairman CMA-UK (Christian Motorcyclists Association)

If I had to sum up my life before I met Christ in a single phrase it would have to be 'always running away'.

So many people are driven by the desire to be successful in business, gaining status, accumulating possessions, building their life's existence around personal achievements that they miss the one fundamental truth that God is trying to get their attention. In my case I was so intent on finding the 'answer' I didn't stand still long enough to understand the 'question'. Still with me? Let me try and explain.

I grew up in a small country village, which had a large church in the centre. It appeared old, cold and irrelevant to my life, but I always had a sense deep within my heart that there was something I had to discover and it would bring me the satisfaction I craved. I called it 'The Answer'. At sixteen I decided to travel round Europe drifting through nine different countries. I saw many amazing sights but none of it brought lasting satisfaction.

I had a brief encounter with a cult in Vienna based in a semi-derelict building. They offered me a meal if I answered a questionnaire based on their beliefs. When they found out I was sixteen they kicked me out.

The next brief but memorable meeting was with a YWAM worker (Youth With A Mission) in Amsterdam. He approached me to go to a Christian drop-in coffee bar called 'The Ark'. I still have the tract at home. I didn't take any notice of what he said but his eyes have stayed in my memory since 1975. He had something I longed for - at the time I didn't realise it was the Peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians Chapter 4 v.7).

I returned home disillusioned, and decided that I would find satisfaction in an exciting career, so I joined the police force to be involved in fights and car chases. I was hooked on adrenaline and needed a daily fix. I became involved in endurance sports always craving the next high. If I didn't get it I descended into the depths of depression. I pushed myself hard to succeed physically. Rock climbing, winter mountaineering alone in the Alps and Pyrenees (stupid in the extreme!!), canoeing, riding motorcycles, endurance backpacking and cycling became daily habits - sometimes climbing six hours a day until my arms wouldn't function any more. My police career was taking a downward spiral due to my frustration with authority (ironic, as I was in a position of authority) and a growing awareness that I was developing an often violent temper. Taking it out on someone else was too easy.

So I decided to move to Alaska - surely living beside the Yukon river in a cabin I had built in the ultimate wilderness would be the answer? But God had different plans.

In 1978 whilst I was on duty I met some Christians. Their house roof blew off in a storm and they invited me in for a cuppa. I was taken by a verse of scripture on their wall "If the Son will set you free, you will be free indeed" (John Chapter 8). I didn't realise at the time it was from the Bible, I was just in there to skive off work. I saw in their eyes the same Peace I had seen in the eyes of the YWAM worker in Amsterdam. Over the next eighteen months, as I skived off work in their home drinking tea, they taught me about Christ.

I attended a mission in the Wesley Chapel, Harrogate and heard a tough Welsh preacher, David Shepherd, speak about God loving me even though He knew all about my sin and violent temper. The first two nights of the mission I ran out panic stricken with a deep fear of losing control, I wanted to live my life my way, but the following day I was drawn back again to hear more.

The third night I realised that Jesus had died for my sin, and everything I had filled my life with just made me thirsty - I carried a burden of guilt bigger than any pack I had hauled around the mountains. I ran from problems and left a trail of hurting people in my wake. I wanted to stop running. That night I walked to the front of the packed church and surrendered my life and asked Jesus to change me. I walked out of the Church 'free indeed'.

Returning to work the following day began years of ridicule, but it was the best training ground for evangelism anyone could ask for. My colleagues must have thought I had swallowed a Bible overnight and knew all the answers, I had never read the Bible so I had to begin with the basics. Over the years God did a work of grace in my heart. In 1980 during a missionary meeting at Keswick Convention I knew very clearly that God called me to serve Him as an evangelist, twelve years passed by before that full-time call finally came about. I was injured in a large fight and it left me with a weak right shoulder. I lost my Police career but this opened wide God's door to ministry. I became a full-time youth and children's evangelist / development worker in the north of England for ten years.

I have led youth missions in Poland, and have been on short term mission in Spain. I spent two years as a full-time evangelist in the seaside town of Whitby.

God blessed my life in a mighty way when He brought my wife Sandy and me together - we met when I preached in her church, Whitby Christian Fellowship. We have an equal passion to reach out to those who don't know Jesus yet and to encourage God's people to go deeper with Him. My passion for evangelism and motorcycles led me to become involved with the Christian Motorcyclists Association (we ride a 1340cc Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic). Our mission is to make Jesus known amongst the biker community of the UK, to offer support and friendship to bikers and their families.

In June 2004 I was called to become the first full-time National Chairman of the CMA UK, an incredible privilege. I no longer run away - I no longer have to. Jesus is and always will be the answer to every question I could ever imagine.

So what drives you?

What are you running from?

Who are you running with!

What direction are you running in?

Let me finish by asking, "If God really existed and loved you even though He knew everything about you, would you want to know Him?" You would be crazy to say no.