History of Motorcycles in Missions
Christian missionaries have been visiting the far corners of the earth for hundreds of years, spreading their message to indigenous populations wherever they may be found. Initially these pilgrimages were made on foot or by horseback, but with the mass production of motorcycles, things got just a little bit easier...
The photo above is actually not even a photo, but a hand panted glass slide for a "magic lantern", which was a precursor to the modern slide projector. This slide was part of a series which could be rented by Presbyterian Churches to educate their congregations on foreign missions and to help raise funds to support them. Taken in the 1920's somewhere in Cameroon, West Africa, the text accompanying this slide reads "Or if the road is not too bad, the missionary may make his trips in his motorcycle and side car."
This newspaper clipping from the British Middlesex Chronicle in 1937 shows the presentation of a BSA motorcycle and check to Father Owen McCoy by Sir Patrick Hannon, MP (Member of Parliament). Members of the Heston Parish raised money to purchase the motorcycle and to support Father McCoy on his mission to NAVRONGO, Gold Coast, British West Africa.
Astride his Harley-Davidson, this missionary from the Evangelical Lutheran Church prepares to head into the interior of India, ca. 1920.
Missionaries in South Africa heading to the bush to share the love of Jesus, 1939.
Here's a Scandinavian riding his 1917 Harley while on mission in Africa.
Walter & Ingrid Trobisch in Cameroon, West Africa from the Family Life Mission back in 1953.
Present Day
Pastor Vincent, Harvest Reach International,
Planting churches on his Honda, Western Province of Zambia. 2022.
Pastor Vic, Director Harvest Reach International India with his motorcycle.
Mark Mears founder and director, Harvest Reach International.
Motorcycles play a huge role in our ministry here in the US and abroad.
They have assisted missionaries in reaching the lost since their inception and so it is today.
Durable, economical and practical, it still remains the perfect tool to reach the nations, not to mention its a pleasure to ride.
Join hands with us to equip our indigenous missionaries with a motorcycle.
Buy a Bike plant a church.
Lord give us the Nations
We will ride!
Mark Mears
More About Upcoming Fundraiser for Motorcycles for Missions
https://www.harvestreach.org/upcomingevents/motorcyclesformissions
Click on Link Below to Donate Toward Motorcycles for Missions
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