Transportation for Pastors

 (This post is part of a series on S4P's mission statement. Here's a link to introduce you to the series.)

We’ve been talking about all of the branches of the Sowers4Pastors ministry, and today we’re focusing on Transportation for Pastors. It is often referred to as the motorcycle ministry, but it does include horses and mules, too. This week, we’re going to hold the horses, but it is time for the latest batch of motorcycle distributions - and the current one is a doozy!

Motorcycles arriving at the S4P compound by truck - there was also a third truck that had already dropped off its load!

In 2006, Sowers4Pastors was approached by a group wanting to know if they’d be interested in distributing a few motorcycles to pastors. At the time, they had no idea what a huge blessing that would be.

It’s no secret that Allen is a big believer in giving a hand up instead of a hand out. That’s why, in order to be good stewards of their funds, Sowers4Pastors requires that the pastors who receive a motorcycle, horse, or mule pay for a portion of the total cost. Depending on the size of the motorcycle, a pastor might pay anywhere from 40-55%. Essentially, they are showing that they will be able to maintain a motorcycle and pay for the cost of fuel. Plus, this system allows Sowers4Pastors to help almost twice the number of pastors obtain transportation. 

This week, they handed out 33 motorcycles! This batch will bring the ministry’s total up to 328 motorcycles and 71 horses or mules. The motorcycles and four-legged modes of transportation are changing the lives of pastors and the communities they serve. In case you’re wondering why horses/mules are ever preferable, it’s because some pastors live and work in areas where the terrain is too rough for a motorcycle, even the ones that tend to be more like dirt bikes.

A single motorcycle lasts a pastor an average of 10 years and keeps him from walking 50,000 miles. Sowers4Pastors sees a lot of pastors who are able to go on and plant another church or two during that 10-year period. Let that sink in. For part of the cost of a motorcycle, your contributions to Sowers4Pastors can have a hand in planting a new church. 

Carter handing out helmets, while Russell does paperwork

Allen said, “Thank those people who have partnered with us! What a blessing it is. People don’t realize that in a place where most everybody walks everywhere that the motorcycle makes it possible for them to do so much more. They are like the circuit pastors in pioneer days who would ride around and teach in different towns. Some of these pastors do that on a weekly basis. With a motorcycle, they are able to reach another village or two. It has been very impactful. It is a blessing to pastors and to the communities who receive the benefit of having a pastor.”

Most of the motorcycles are going to denominational supervisors, church planters, evangelists, and some church leaders. A single supervisor can oversee 20 churches. On foot, they couldn’t reasonably visit each church more than once a month. Now, they know they can be wherever they are most needed on any given day. 

One of the things COVID changed is that a lot of pastors have put new emphasis on home visitations. Reliable transportation to visit members allows them to make sure needs are being met.

-posted by Christi.