Sometimes, things are born for the most unusual reasons. Have you ever been told by a church pastor that you could no longer wear jeans in your own church? And, this is after you arrived on your motorcycle? Well, this is a little of how Messiah's Messengers was started.

Founder and Director, "Pastor Tom" Provenzano has been riding motorcycles since his teens. He and his wife, Kathy bought their first motorcycle together in 1976 and began their Christian motorcycle riding experience as charter members of the Sarasota Christian Cycle Club. Tom described it as a "ride-to-eat" Christian fellowship club. "It was fun. It was a start."

In 1999, Tom and Kathy bought a used motorcycle. While they were searching for that bike in the motorcycle shops, they found a flyer posted for a Christian motorcycle association. A new chapter was forming in neighboring county and Tom became their first Road Captain. With what they felt was a clear calling to minister to bikers in Lee County, they left the Naples chapter and started a motorcycle ministry in the church they were members of. At first, things went well. Tom and Kathy sponsored the first Lee County Church Crash. It was done in conjunction with the church and the Christian motorcycle ministry they originally started with. A few years later, they were told they could no longer wear blue jeans in the church building.

In 2003, Tom called his friend and fellow biker, Scott "Road Rabbi" Blink, whom he hadn't seen in a number of months. With the past experience and lots of prayer, he laid out the vision for a new motorcycle ministry. Scott and his wife, Sue invited Tom and Kathy over for a Memorial Day Bar-B-Q at their home. Scott had become the Senior Pastor of Fort Myers Foursquare Church. Tom and Kathy entered the Blink's home to greet the entire congregation. Messiah's Messengers Motorcycle Ministry was born! In that same year, Tom became a licensed Foursquare Minister.

Tom and Kathy host a Biker Bible Café in their home, on the first Friday evening of every other month. They spend one hour relating motorcycle stories and riding principles to God's Word. Then, they have desserts and fellowship. Scott and Sue host a Biker's Home Gathering in their home every month. Many bikers who wouldn't walk into the "four walls" of a church, have no problem visiting in the warm atmosphere of their homes. Messiah's Messengers spend almost every weekend supporting runs/events of many motorcycling organizations. Sometimes, it involves bike blessings, praying and/or giving invocations. Messiah's Messengers officiate at many weddings and funerals for the motorcycling community. During a two year period, Tom officiated at more funerals than preaching in his home church. Tom says, "It was one of the most heart-wrenching periods of my life." Tom is the Chaplain for two ABATE Chapters. He writes articles for ABATE newsletters in addition as a guest writer in other publications. Messiah's Messengers spend countless hours with the members in prayer counseling and/or visiting bikers in the hospitals. Many hours have been spent by Messengers in the emergency rooms and/or the trauma unit, after bikers have been involved in accidents.

Fort Myers Foursquare Church and its Messiah's Messengers members put on the Lee County Church Crash, the last Sunday of every January. While there, you will hear a message, eat great food, participate in the Slow Race Championship of the Universe or trike games, and have your bike judged in the "Nice Bike" show. January 2009 was its 10th year. Messengers are active members of Meeting of the Minds, where 20+ motorcycle organizations meet every other month to help schedule events to prevent overlap.

Within the last year, Messiah's Messengers has expanded its outreach with Scott and Sue visiting inmates in prisons.

Website: www.messiahsmessengers.org
Email: tprovenz@comcast.net
Phone: 239-267-8641