Loud bikes, rowdy boys, biker babes and… worn Bibles?

This vibrant setting is the church of the Prayerborne Eagles, the Clarksville chapter of the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA). This worldwide motorcycle enthusiasts organization is 70,000 members strong and growing, with over 400 chapters in the United States, according to CMA literature.

Local chapter president Ricky Stanton said Prayerborne Eagles membership fluctuates with the military post at Fort Campbell, Ky. However, core membership is at 12 and five of these members are women.

Stanton 36, and his wife Tara, 33, of the Sango community, are active members of Prayerborne Eagles. According to Tara, their 11-year-old son is just as involved. In fact, she laughed, "I think we all have children."

Tara, along with Michelle Jerles, wife of former chapter president Tommy Jerles, leads a women’s Bible study once a month. The larger men’s studies gather every two weeks.

Michelle, 31, and Tommy, 32, live in St. Bethlehem with their three children. They both work outside the home, and according to Michelle, have had some tough times.

"There’s a lot of hurting people out there. A lot of people don’t accept bikers just the way that they are or they start out trying to change them," she said. "We just share the love of Jesus, so when you show them the love of God, they respect you for that."

CMA was founded by motorcycle enthusiast Herb Shreve. The tale goes that Shreve was a well liked biker who traveled many roads to secular events. He met so many people that held him as friend, but he wanted to give them the love of Jesus Christ to take on their journeys. His son Herbie, who resides in Arkansas, has been leading the way for CMA since 1992.

Today, the chapter is a inter-denominational Christian organization. Leaders like Stanton and Jerles see all events as a family affair. State chapter rallies provide camp-outs, games, music and devotions for the entire family. Stanton said many come for ride and just hang out and want to talk.

"Bikers come to us and we are open to them, so they open up to us," he said.

While some bikers are non-traditional Christians, Stanton points out that he and his family are part of a traditional church, as are other local chapter members. Prayerborne Eagles do go through ministry training, however the chapter leans on the church for baptisms and in bringing new Christians into the fold.

"Just in the past year, we’ve started visiting the churches to let them know we are here," Stanton said. "We want our new Christians to get the teachings they need and the church is very good at that. Also, the Bible speaks of Christians being in the fellowship of other Christians. The church is a full-time fellowship and it’s important to be a part of that."

Following any biker event, members of the chapter walk around asking each biker if he has a special prayer need. The Prayerborne Eagles offer the communion of prayer.

There are other motorcycle groups in the Clarksville-area, such as Bikers Who Care, that organize charitable events like Camp Rainbow fund-raisers and the Toy Run. Behind these notable events is the manpower of Prayerborne Eagles. They support motorcycle clubs in service such as working concessions stands, selling T-shirts, and tending the gate at rallies and motorcycle events.

Unlike other clubs, the brand of bike doesn’t matter in CMA. The group seeks more diversity among members, brands of bikes and Christian faiths.

While motorcycles are the common thread in this chapter, Stanton said the group’s mission is to bring Jesus to the biker who may not feel at home in the traditional church.

"If you are interested in becoming a member of CMA, the first thing we want you to realize is we are not in competition with motorcycle clubs. It’s a ministry and arm of Christ," Stanton said. "The ride is the common thrust."

All events are supported through members of the local chapter. Throughout the year, members contribute to a fund that is used to cover chapter expenses.