Couple Marries Passions for Motorcycles and Ministry

Jerry and Jeune Coffey’s love for motorcycles is only eclipsed by their love for ministry. As members of the Carolina Faith Riders, the husband and wife from Forest City have married their passions so they can share the Gospel wherever their bikes carry them.

“It’s taken us places where we never thought we would be able to share God. We’ve spoken to the Hells Angels and the Outlaws,” Jeune says referring to the two infamous biker clubs.

Their ministry has brought the Coffeys in contact with some of the roughest personalities. It has also brought them alongside boys and girls who have lived through the roughest of times.

The Coffeys participated in last year’s inaugural “Ride for Clyde,” a charitable ride benefiting Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH). BCH serves many children who have experienced trauma from neglect, abuse and family dysfunction.

The couple are gearing up for this year’s second “Ride for Clyde” which takes place May 10 to May 13.

“Once both of us committed to last year’s ride, God gave us such a passion for it that I can’t explain it,” Jerry recalls.

Organized by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, “Ride for Clyde” brings together motorcyclists for a three-day, 460-mile ride that stretches from the east coast to the mountains of Clyde, NC. Along the way, participants visit three of BCH’s locations where they meet the boys and girls they are raising funds to help.

“I never realized how the children would affect me personally, especially the ones at Cameron Boys Camp,” Jerry says about BCH’s residential wilderness program in Moore County. “I had no idea the Baptists had that.”

“We fell in love with the children,” Jeune says. “Our church (Chase Baptist in Forest City) really got behind us. They dive in with anything that has to do with children.”

Like all of the participants, the Coffeys were challenged to raise at least $100 each in addition to their registration fee. They set an initial goal of $500, but according to Jerry, they were “floored” when their final tally