Borderland may hear the roar of holy hogs again soon.
Even with the International Falls Bass Championship going on, it was hard not to notice the No Borders Rally of the Christian Motorcyclists Association last month in International Falls. Around 87 of the earliest arrivals led the way in the championship’s kick-off event, the boat parade.
Approximately 335 CMA members made the trip to Borderland from around the country and Canada. They came from as far as Alaska, Florida and Georgia, and every Canadian province was represented, according to Robert Secrist, president of the Falls “Frozen Chozen” CMA chapter that hosted the event with support from the Hibbing chapter.
“It probably would have been bigger were it not that school had started already in some areas,” said Secrist.
The biannual event would rotate to Canada in 2010, but the north of the border chapters want to celebrate their own 25th anniversary in 2012 with a No Borders Rally. If an agreement is reached, the U.S. would host the rally again in 2010 to adjust the timing for the Canadian anniversary.
It helped that the Falls is centrally located on the continent, and that it was easy to find all of the restaurants, lakes and shops, said Secrist. Members toured area roads and parks and he said the natural area was captivating.
“The comments were that this place was absolutely beautiful,” he added. “A lot of them did their own exploring, and we provided a list of points of interest.”
Secrist credited the local support of business and individuals. One group put up privacy curtains in the gymnasium showers. A complete stranger donated wood for the bonfire. Businesses came out with restaurant coupons, ice cream and coffee. Coca Cola sponsored a welcome banner, something Secrist said they did not expect.
“Everyone wants to feel important and there are usually no accolades,” he added. “This town celebrated us and we really appreciate that.”
RRCC Provost Wayne Merrell said organizing the rally at a state school is not an easy process. The contract had to pass the Minnesota State Collegs and Universities legal department. The campus had to be assured that the grounds would be ready for the first day of fall semester classes the day following the rally.
“The CMA folks were amazing guests and left our campus absolutely as sparkling clean as it was when they first arrived,” said Merrell. “The entire campus would be delighted if they came back.”
Merrell, a motorcyclist himself, learned of CMA while living in Indiana. He said the bikers traditionally have their motorcycle at the center of their life, but that the element of Christianity in the CMA presents an interesting juxtaposition. He witnessed CMA members provide food, shelter and fellowship for distressed people at national biker events.
“One thinks of the biker as lawless, or the ‘one percenter’ of people that cannot follow social order,” he said. “But this group certainly tamed themselves and are model citizens.”
Mike Erwin, the CMA state coordinator, said that Rainy River Community College and the Falls community give the group all it needed to accommodate campers, workshops, speakers, music and fellowship.
“It is also a beautiful area and that definitely helps,” said Erwin. “It is also very convenient from the standpoint of the Canadian and U.S. participants.”
Erwin recalls that the members enjoyed interacting with the senior citizens. One highlight was at the Good Samaritan Center, where residents were offered rides around town on the bikes. Even the immobile residents with oxygen bottles could sit on the tricycle bikes with bigger seats and storage space. They also sat with the residents all day, to talk or to pray.
“The unique circumstances added more flavor to it and we through it really worked out well,” he said. “We are hoping that the town felt the same way about us as we do about them.”
The No Border Rally is a special national rally. The national rally is in Arkansas on odd years. There are two “east and west” rallies on even years. The 2009 state rally will be in Alexandrianext August.
Canada also has a national rally and collaborates with the border rally as a way to demonstrate that “there are no borders in the kingdom of God,” said Erwin.
Roger Wilson, a national Evangelical leader of the U.S. North Central region, came from Ottumwa, Iowa, and said he was overwhelmed with the interaction of Falls leaders and how well things “just fell into place.”
Wilson measured success in terms of the rally meeting its goal of bringing American and Canadian Christian motorcyclists together. Another measure is getting the word out to the local community that they are welcome to all events.
“It was an excellent rally,” said Wilson. “It was actually the best one we’ve had yet.
For information, contact Bob and Sharron Secrist at 285-7510, or visit online at www.cmausa.org.
