Pat and Toria in Oregon enjoying the mountains!!!
Some days I wonder if I am losing my mind? I clearly remember starting out in ministry back in 1987 determined to make a difference in this world. I was unleashed out of Bible College armed with a burgundy Ryrie NASB study Bible, a new suit, and wing tips that matched. I was driving a new 1987 Ford Escort and I thought that I was God’s gift to the world. I mean whatever church got me…well…they were in for a great blessing.
Yeah, I know. I had yet to read Andrew Murray’s book on “Humility,” but even then I was in for the ride of my life. Who knew that allowing God to break you and shape you would hurt so much and take so long. I, for one, had signed up for the get right with God quick plan, but God knew that I had lots of work to do and He was in no rush.
He started my refining process by sending me to the Mission field of Japan with my lovely new bride, Toria. It was a tough time and eventually we ended up spending some time apart and even in that…God was still working and would not leave me alone. Our journey took us out of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination and into a pastoral journey with the independent Christian Churches. It began with the little Atwood Christian Church and soon moved on to the Loogootee Christian Church. I cannot thank the incredible people enough who allowed God to shape me through them. I can still remember baptizing 50 people in our new church plant in Sultan, Washington and what a blessing.
I wish I could tell you that with each church I served I got more mature but I am not sure that was the case. What I do know is that God was patiently working on my heart, my will, my stubbornness. I had to learn to let go of my fear and embrace a life of faith, trust, and simplicity. Yet, as many of you are aware, I had a stubborn will and a checkered past. My dad was in Federal prison and I was a kid that had seen more than my share of despair and heartache.
BUT…God was determined.
My journey took me to Central Florida where I had the honor of serving at the Safeharbor Christian Church. It was while I was serving at that church that the seeds were sown to begin a motorcycle outreach. I had a Yamaha 250 that I had upgraded to a 650 at the time. I started telling people who had motorcycles that we should get together and ride and soon a small motley crew was assembled and I transitioned up to the Yamaha 1100. It was such a blessing to be able to feel the wind in my face and to fellowship, hang out, laugh and cry with my biker brothers and sisters.
The more time I spent on the motorcycle the more I realized the incredible need for a church that would be open to all. A place where everyone would be accepted and would still be challenged “in love” to become more like Jesus. As I became more enmeshed with those who shared a passion for motorcycles I started noticing the hunger and hopelessness that came along with the motorcycle world. You could take Mr. Prim and Proper and put him on a bike and he would transform into who he really was. I saw an authenticity that attracted me and an openness for the Gospel.
The seeds were planted but I still had much to learn.
I left my church in Sanford and started a journey to figure out what God was calling me to do. I knew that I was called to be a pastor but my incredible desire to reach out to those who do not know Jesus and my equally intense desire to disciple those who do know Jesus created this angst within me and I tried to figure out what to do with it. Eventually, I sensed that God was calling me to be a part of a motorcycle ministry. I joined the Christian Motorcyclist Association and came in contact with many a good fellow. Yet…it was not where God was leading.
I started SimpleHobo Ministries and fearfully started reaching out to motorcyclists and the outcasts of society. Perhaps a desire to reach the burned, bored, and bypassed was a good way of stating it.
As I grappled with starting this outreach with a half-hearted heart I learned some interesting facts.
- There are 300,000 registered motorcycle riders in Florida.
- 2 out of every 10 riders are female.
- And Central Florida holds some of the largest biker rallies in the world…
- Daytona Bike Week. In March of every year, for 10 days, some 600,000 people flood into Daytona.
- Daytona Biketoberfest. In October of every year, for 4 days, some 175,000 people come back to Daytona.
- Leesburg Bikefest takes place every April for 4 days and over 250,000 pour into that small city for the rally.
- Finally, in my own backyard, Sanford. Every October for 4 days some 70,000 people come to the Sanford Bikefest affectionately entitled, “thunder in the streets.”
What an opportunity to reach out to those who are looking for Jesus but just don’t know it!
I share this with each of you because I believe God is calling me to be a missionary to those who are connected with motorcycles and to the Central Florida area in general. I cannot shake the calling, the urgency. I feel as Paul must have felt in 1 Corinthians 9:16, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” I also resonate with Paul in Romans 15:20-21, “I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, ‘Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.’”
God has placed Toria and I in the Central Florida area and has blessed us with a house in Sanford, Florida. We believe that our base is to be here. I am presently bi-vocational in that I am a contract provider for a large Mental health center called, “Orlando Behavioral Healthcare” through our counseling ministry—Family4today, Inc.. I am also working at a local church in the area.
As a result of the jobs that God has brought my way I am able to meet the financial burdens of raising a family and helping Kylie attend her first year of college. I am very grateful for the resources that these jobs provide and know that by providing us with financial stability it allows us to reach out without accruing any additional debt, which we all know is a good thing.
At this season in my life I have written several key statements in the front of my Bible:
“Those whom God has invested with His presence have often been pilgrims without a home.”
“A warrior called to fulfill a sacred task.” Henri Nouwen
“My life is continuously in His hands. My homecoming will be at His election—not a second before, and not a moment after. I die to self. Each moment I live is a breath of life given to me to live for His purpose.” Bruchko missionary to South America
“I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Phil 3:8
I share this note with you so that you can prayerfully be a part of our unique journey and calling. We are moving forward in faith, trusting Him for the wisdom that we need to reach an untapped area in Central Florida. We seek to establish a place of community that will allow people who share a love of motorcycles and those who simply don’t feel as though they fit anywhere else…to come together to grow closer to Jesus and to radically serve our community and world.
We are not starting a "motorcycle church" but a community where anyone would feel welcome and would feel as though they have a place of support to encounter God and grow and be challenged.
If you are interested in getting on the mailing list for Simplehobo (Pat sends out a regular newsletter) or would like to have Pat come to speak...just let us know. A sample of some of his messages that were taught in a church context can be found at http://blog.simplehobo.com
You can also check out Pat's counseling ministry at http://family4today.org
Peace and grace,
Pat Nave
