Next Steps

By Mary Hopkins

I finished the course and was going to put off doing this paper because I have been watching other Chaplain training videos online. I changed my mind because I realized this is my next step in my journey. I have started a Youtube study program titled Community Chaplain Training.

The training consists of 12 videos. I have only completed 1 so far but it was very informative. I know my next steps include learning more, but also practicing what I have learned so far.

I do not have a “biker ministry”. I ride with a group of ladies who have allowed me to become the Chaplain of the group, but we are not a Christian riding group. There are several Christian riding groups in my area and I want to reach out to them and volunteer to assist and with the Blessings of the Bikes and other events they have, and possibly join their groups. I want to learn more by example. Maybe this sounds too passive for a biker Chaplain, but this is where I see myself beginning.

I have many ideas of ways I can serve by volunteering places, and though they would be filling my desire to serve, they would most likely not be biker related. In my life there are many people, including family members that have gone off track, do not believe, or have pushed Jesus to the back of the line. I’m hoping to bring them back to the Truth, the Light, and the Way.

I have made it my mission to keep Jesus in my grandchildren’s’ hearts, with stories, prayers, music, and answering questions, something, unfortunately, their parents do not do.

I want to serve. I want to be closer to Jesus and bring others with me. Being a biker Chaplain is a way to reach out to a group of people who may be closed off to God and His teachings. I hope to become more involved with this mission.

I find myself getting intimidated reading the works of the other amazing Chaplains on the Facebook page because they are all so far ahead on this journey and many have ministries already. But instead of feeling that I am not as worthy as they are of earning my certificate, I am going to acknowledge that I am on my own journey. I may never have my own biker ministry. My Chaplain journey may be assisting in other biker ministries while exploring other ways to serve.

Right now, my next step is to continue learning and keep believing that God’s will is leading me to where I need to be. I very much want to earn my certificate of completion. I hope my steps do not push me off the BBI path, as they are not specific to a biker ministry mission. All I can do is submit my paper with my honest truths and pray for the approval of my Chaplain completion of the course and certificate.

God Bless,

Mary Hopkins