More than 70 people recently made professions of faith in Christ at a bicycle stunt show, an outreach event organised by the Missouri Baptist Convention’s LIFE Initiative.

Such events are planned months with pastors and church leaders determining costs, locale, prayer input, encourager training, promotion, worship, community involvement and other details.

Brad Bennett, the MBC’s Making Disciples director, is aware that events can too often be short-lived, but the LIFE initiative aims to a have long-term impact.

“We work with church leaders and pastor in a disciple-making structure and process. It’s a holistic approach, so it’s not a flash-in-the-pan event,” Bennett said.

However, before the event, Bennett made the purpose of the event clear — namely, to call people to follow Jesus.

“All our stunt guys love Jesus. I want you to stay afterwards, but there is no pressure to stay or make a decision.” Bennett told the crowd. Crowds are thrilled at the moxie of the riders.

At the end of the Outreach Event, Bennett asked people not to leave, and he shared how he came to faith at a motocross event at age 19 when a fellow motocross rider told him about Jesus.

After sharing his testimony, Bennett called people to faith. The crowd gathered for the event was estimated to be more than 1,000. From this crowd, scores of people came forward to make a decision for Christ.

“Let’s celebrate those who raised their hands to surrender to Christ,” Bennett said, as others applauded. Those making decisions were taken to tables and the previously-trained encouragers helped them discuss their decisions, pray with them and offer resources to them.

1. LIFE is an acronym that stands for Leading people to follow Christ, walking with them as they learn to Identify with Christ, teaching them to observe a life of Faithful obedience to Christ, where they are Equipped for the commission to lead people to Christ.

At a LIFE event like the one in Ewing, riders do jumps, flips, balance on an elevated platform and lift arms or legs away from airborne bicycles and motorcycles to thrill crowds, all from curved ramps.

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