Jesus Loves Bikers, Too
For the last three years, the streets of the tiny Kansas town of Pleasanton have been transformed into a one-day biker’s haven. An estimated 6,000 bikers from every corner of the motorcycle world (and the U.S.) flock to the tiny town for the now-annual event, “Thunder on the Street.”
The entire event is put on and planned by the Kansas City chapter of the motorcycle club, Soldiers for Jesus. Westsider, Greg Rempel known as "Obed" in the motorcycle community, is one of them. His story is one of how God nested within him a love for a sport that would provide an avenue to reach people. It was up to Greg to be open and take one step after the next.
This is the story of Westsider Greg Rempel and his brothers.
Get ready to recalibrate your mind, and the next time you see a group of black leather-clad bikers rumbling down the highway, pray for them.
“I was looking for a bike club with more ministry,” Greg recently commented while reflecting on his experience getting back into the motorcycle world. “I wanted a group that ministered to all the clubs, including the ‘one-percent’ or, as some people call them, outlaw clubs.”
In the motorcycle world, 99% of bikers are considered law-abiding citizens who share a passion for bikes and the bike culture. But there is 1% who are considered the toughest of the tough, can be violent, and just want to do what they want. They are called the “one-percenters,” a title they wear as a source of pride and identity.
From the world’s view, they are considered the last, the lost, and the least.
In 2020, Greg parted ways with a bike club he had been pursuing membership for some time. He was looking for a group with a more missional focus and decided to check out Soldiers for Jesus after meeting their president, “Pancho,” at a biker event. He was intrigued by the group’s Bible studies and quickly found himself challenged to recommit his heart to Jesus. As he developed a friendship with Pancho, Greg quickly began connecting the dots with a shared vision for broader motorcycle ministry.
Several years earlier, Greg says he distinctly remembers being out in his yard mowing the lawn when God gave him a vision of being involved with a biker group that put together events with concerts and activities that would lead people to Jesus. At the time, he didn’t know how or when it would happen, but he tucked it away and prayed about it from time to time. When he discovered Pancho had the same desire and had already gotten some things going, he knew he was about to enter God’s call on his life.
A few years prior to the pandemic, Pancho started an event in Paola with the help of his church (Living Proof). However, when the event got too big for the small town, the city canceled future motorcycle events, and Pancho started praying about another venue.
In 2021, the town of Pleasanton, Kansas (population 1,238) invited the group to take over downtown, and the Kansas City chapter got to work.
As word about the event spread, it quickly grew. Now in its third year, an estimated 6,000 bikers attended Thunder on the Street in June. Bike enthusiasts from multiple states, including California, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri, descended on the little town, representing a myriad of biker clubs – including several “outlaw clubs.”
“What’s unique about this event is that almost every club in Kansas is represented on the street that day, and they all get along,” Greg said. As Pancho always says, “You do not go fishing without bait. This motorcycle event is the bait. This event is all about Jesus.”
“The thing that gets me the most is that this group represents the lost, last, and the least because that’s really how the world views these guys,” Greg reflected. “Our colors as a club give us the opportunity to speak into these guys and show them that they are not the lost, the last or the least because Jesus loves and cares about them too.”
The one-day event included a charity ride, apparel and biker goods booths, food, bike stunt exhibitions, music, and more. But the hallmark of the event—at least for the Soldiers for Jesus—is the opportunity to introduce people to Jesus and offer baptism.
“We had five decisions for Christ and five baptisms at the event this year,” Greg said. “That was pretty exciting because the biker world is very private. They stay to themselves, and you have to really build the relationship with them first—then they will open up, and that’s where we bring Jesus in.”
Greg said God has used the Kansas club in an integral way as two outlaw club presidents who wore the “one-percenter” have made decisions for Christ. "God is really moving in the biker community,” he added.
During the event, Soldiers for Jesus extended an open invitation to check out Bible study every Tuesday evening. And that’s growing too. When Greg began attending the Soldiers for Jesus men’s study in 2020, there were about ten guys. Today, he says, they average about 30-35 every week. It is a mix of bikers and non-bikers, with a lot of diversity.
“It is real and raw and something I look forward to every Tuesday evening,” Greg said.
While he has no idea what the future holds for Thunder on the Street, knowing God has his hands all over it, Greg is confident all of it will glorify Jesus because it was God’s idea to begin with!
“Whether it’s Thunder on the Street or another way to minister, it’s amazing what God will do when you are obedient,” Greg said. "It’s all about glorifying God and God’s gangsters are here.”
If you’d like more information about Soldiers for Jesus MC or how you can support their mission, you can visit their website at https://www.sfjkc.com/ or their Facebook page.