History of BFC
"Some wish to live within the sound of church or chapel bells, We want to run a rescue shop - within a yard of Hell!"
Bikers For Christ Motorcycle Ministry began in August 1990. It was founded in Marysville, California by Pastor Fred Zariczny (Fred Z).
Pastor Fred formed BFC under the conviction that it should be conducted under the church in order to be Biblically accountable.
Pastor Fred Z. was previously associated with non-Christian motorcycle clubs in Massachusetts, Arizona & Alaska before coming to Christ in 1977. After his conversion, he laid down his bike for awhile as he entered Bible college, got married and started a family. God opened the doors for Pastor Fred to pick up another scooter in 1979 which he used to start or help start at least four active motorcycle ministries. He was an elder in Christ's Motor Club in Los Angeles in the early eighties. He was also the Alaska state president of the I.C.B.A. (International Christian Biker Association) for four years.
Pastor Fred has also served as president of the California Chapter of Christ's Disciples & is a former senior pastor at a Calvary Chapel in Northern California.
Being involved in Christian motorcycle clubs & ministries for many years, he decided to start a new outreach ministry simply called; "Bikers For Christ". Fred states: "We also set forth to simplify our purpose & vision - without a lot of bylaws, constitutions, amendments, etc..." This ministry was carefully designed to be different than most clubs & ministries.
Some of the ways in which BFC is unique are:
- We are an International, inter-denominational ministry.
- We do not have lofty titles like: "president", "vice-president", "secretary", etc. which can lead to pride.
- We do not have a prospect process. You either are or aren't a member.
- We trust the Holy Spirit to keep the membership in line.
- Each person is on their honor and commitment with God to walk straight as a minister of the Gospel and to lay their own back patch down if they backslide.
- We do not act as "church police" and we do not shoot our wounded. We fully support other worthwhile motorcycle clubs and ministries.
- We support multiple club memberships.
- We do not have mandatory meetings.
Promotion of BFC in the first years occurred by word of mouth and by way of Fred's many travels on his bike, along with other dedicated members, to plant chapters. Even today, word of mouth seems to be the primary method of finding servants willing to help out in BFC.
Since that time BFC has grown to include chapters in 40 Western states including Alaska & Hawaii. Staying true to our original purpose, each BFC chapter operates under an elder and the local church. A national administrator oversees the regional elders, handles finances and merchandise as well as application filing and review.