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And the cool thing is –that “He’ll Be Back!”

To start the season off “right”, the Kingdom Knights Motorcycle Ministryand Akron Bible Church hosted a Bike Blessing and Ride this year with a special guest speaker –the Machine Gun Preacher(MGP) himself, Sam Childers. Thunder Roads Ohio was proud to help support this event and was able to catch up with Sam before the ride.

Sam Childers is an ex-con biker that re-dedicated his life to rescuing and protecting children in the war zone of South Sudan and Uganda, Africa. He and his family founded and manage Angels of East Africa –which operates several orphanages and now even a truck stop in one ofthe most challenging spots in the world. It’s an unbelievable story that is even more unique and impressive than his mustache.

 If you’re unfamiliar with Sam and his work –I’d encourage you to check out the movie that was made about him, The Machine Gun Preacher. It features Gerald Butler as Sam and can be found on several online services. There’s also a documentary and countless news articles and interviews that you can find online.

Not everyone likes Sam –or his methods –but there is one undeniable fact that even his detractors cannot challenge: Sam has made an AMAZING difference in the lives of THOUSANDS of CHILDREN.The Harmony Foundation awarded Sam the Mother Theresa International Awardfor Social Justice back in 2014 –an award that is endorsed by the Missionaries of Charity (the organization started by Mother Theresa) and also received bythe Dalai Lama and Nobel Peace Prize winners. Yup, the Dalai Lama and a hard core biker from the hills of Pennsylvania.

I had a chance to spend some timewith Sam years ago, when we first started the magazine.

It was about that time that NBC Nightline did a story on the horrors of Sudan and Northern Uganda –introducing us to the monster known as Joseph Kony and the biker turned preacher that decided someone needed to step up for the children. It was an incredible story then and when we heard that Sam was returning to Ohio –we jumped at the chance to catch up and see what the Machine Gun Preacher was doing now.

So, we rode down to Akron and met up with Sam.

The folks from Kingdom Knights hosted a great event and we were able to do an interview and catch up on what was going on with the Machine Gun Preacher and Angels of East Africa. We will be posting the interview video online (www.ThunderRoadsOhio.comand on our Facebook page –www.Facebook.com/ThunderRoadsOhio) along with more discussion; but the long and short of it is pretty simple –he’s still there and still fighting for the kids

It was a powerful discussion that really resonated with a lot of issues we’ve been wrestling with –both locally and as a nation. There are so many challenges out there –that life can certainly be overwhelming. These days especially, we are left wondering what can one man (or woman) do? The answer is A LOT –we just need to commit ourselves and actually get out and MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I’d encourage everyone to check out his story and see the interview video online–and then consider joining us at an MGP Event.We have one scheduled for the end of July and will be posting more. We will also be sharing more ways for you to help and join in. Follow us on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/ThunderRoadsOhio) for more updates.

BIKE NIGHT w/ Sam Childers, the Machine Gun PreacherSunday, July 25th4-7pmPresented by Armored Disciples M/M at Rocky River United Methodist Church19414 Detroit Rd, Rocky River OH 44116There will be Live Music by Billy Morris and The Sunset Strip, Smokin’ Rock n’ Roll BBQ, Ice Cream, Prizes and Giveaways!Thunder Roads Ohio will be onsite,and we hope to see you there!

I’d encourage everyone to check out his story and see the interview video online–and then consider joining us at an MGP Event.We have one scheduled for the end of July and will be posting more. We will also be sharing more ways for you to help and join in. Follow us on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/ThunderRoadsOhio) for more updates.BIKE NIGHT w/ Sam Childers, the Machine Gun PreacherSunday, July 25th4-7pmPresented by Armored Disciples M/M at Rocky River United Methodist Church19414 Detroit Rd, Rocky River OH 44116There will be Live Music by Billy Morris and The Sunset Strip, Smokin’ Rock n’ Roll BBQ, Ice Cream, Prizes and Giveaways!

Thunder Roads Ohio will be onsite,and we hope to see you there!

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