The smile on Brian Davis’s face grew wide as motorcyclists pulled out of Mills Home in Thomasville and headed west. Davis had just received news that “Ride to Clyde” had raised nearly $54,500.
“Praise God!” Davis exclaimed as he stood in the street of Baptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH) oldest campus. “You may hear me shouting all the way up the road.”
In just three short years, the motorcycle charity ride organized by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) has raised more than $100,000 for BCH with this year’s final total of $55,000 exceeding the amount of the first two years combined.
Davis, the associate executive director-treasurer for the BSC, heads up the 460-mile, three-day ride that takes riders from Fort Caswell in Oak Island to their destination of BCH’s Broyhill Home in Clyde. Motorcyclists visit three ministry locations and interact with BCH’s boys and girls along the way. Participants raise funds in the weeks and months leading up to the ride.
“We started with about 40-something bikes in 2016. Now, here we are with more than 100 motorcycles on the 2018 ‘Ride to Clyde,’” explained Rit Varriale, pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Shelby who helped found the ride. “It’s been a real blessing to watch God go before us.”
For the first time, riders were introduced to BCH’s Developmental Disabilities Ministry as they heard songs and testimonies from the ladies who live at Asheboro Home and their caregivers.
“It’s a time to introduce people to what God is doing with North Carolina Baptists across the state,” Varriale said.
Bikers also made their first visit to Camp Duncan, the residential wilderness camp for girls in Aberdeen. They stopped at Cameron Boys Camp, also in Moore County, in previous years.
“The Children’s Homes is making a world of difference with these children,” said motorcyclist Tim Starling. “They are teaching them about Jesus.”
The ride ends in Clyde where bikers experience the Broyhill Home Barbecue Festival –– the 11th yearly event hosted by Ninevah Baptist Church in Waynesville that also raises thousands of dollars for the children.
Plans are already being discussed for next year.
“It’s a wonderful time to get together with other motorcyclists who are like minded, love the Lord, and want to minister in the Lord’s name,” Varriale said.
Keep up with Ride to Clyde 2019 updates at www.bchnc.org/ridetoclyde
Check out these videos from Ride to Clyde 2018
Ride to Clyde: Day One
Ride to Clyde: Day Two
Ride to Clyde: Day Three