Columbus, Ohio, USA

Bikers for Christ motorcycle ministry member Dennis O'Bryan poses for a portrait outside of the Rushing Wind Biker Church in Zanesville, Ohio, in June 2013. He has been involved in the ministry for about 10 years, he said.
From left: Geof Kimpel, Chris Goings, Jim Kannal, and Pastor Michael McGuire prepare to baptize Bill Aikey outside of the Rushing Wind Biker Church in September 2013. A number of bikers who attend the church in Zanesville, Ohio, come from backgrounds of drugs, crime, and violence, but have repented and started new lives.
Pastor Michael McGuire delivers a sermon at the Rushing Wind Biker Church in November 2012. The church is non-denominational, and welcomes bikers from a variety of Christian backgrounds. "We don't fight over it here," Pastor McGuire said.
"Loco" and other bikers participate in a worship service at the Rushing Wind Biker Church in September 2013.
Motorcycle and crucifix figurines adorn a ledge inside the Rushing Wind Biker Church. In their outreach efforts to the motorcycle community, the church and its affiliated ministries seamlessly blend Gospel messages with elements of biker culture.
Bob Friend finishes smoking a cigarette before attending a worship service at the Rushing Wind Biker Church in 2012. Worship services are typically preceded by a two-hour "hangaround", where bikers mingle, snack, and play pool. Vastly different in appearance from typical denominational churches, Rushing Wind occupies a 5,000-square foot warehouse directly adjacent to Interstate 70 East in Zanesville. Many learn of the church from a billboard that is visible from the highway.
Geof Kimpel and others pray for a biker named Danny at the Rushing Wind Biker Church in late 2012.
Bikers For Christ motorcycle ministry member Nick Buxton, 33, is reflected in a portrait of Jesus at the Salvation Army building in Zanesville in June 2013. Before joining the church and ministry, Nick faced felony charges for his involvement in a street gang. "Once you get that far down, you just don't have anywhere else to go but up after that," he said.
Members of the Rushing Wind Biker Church pray before an outreach ride in Zanesville in April 2013. After getting involved in the church and motorcycle ministry, many bikers have found a new reason to ride: to spread the Gospel and share their testimony with other members of the biker community. "That's my duty . . . to get on my two wheels, which is my pulpit, and go share the Gospel of Jesus Christ," Pastor McGuire said.
Scott Saxton sits in the pews of Meadow Farm Church in Zanesville in April 2013. The bikers attended a service at the traditional United Methodist establishment so they could educate parishioners there about Rushing Wind Biker Church. Bikers often feel unwelcome at conventional churches, where they say they feel judged for their tattoos, clothing, and appearance.
Pastor Michael McGuire greets Dorothy Bilderback during a Bikers For Christ ministry visit to a local nursing home in Zanesville.
From left: Bikers For Christ motorcycle ministry members Debra and Jeff Ackley, and waitress Jerri Wickham, react as Pastor Michael McGuire plants his face in an ice cream sundae at the Denny's in Zanesville in November 2012. The group had gone out for a late-night snack after Bible study at the Rushing Wind Biker Church. "We don't look pretty here, but we have a great time," Pastor McGuire said, of the church.
Christian bikers mingle outside of the Rushing Wind Biker Church in Zanesville in June 2013. They were attending the church's annual "BikerFest" event, which draws Christian bikers from across the country for three days of riding, food, and worship.
Pastor Michael McGuire and his wife, Lynn, participate in a group ride near Zanesville to support Relay for Life in June 2013.

Born Again Bikers

Many bikers say they feel unwelcome at traditional churches, where the say they are judged for their appearance, including their tattoos, leather, and long hair. Numerous evangelical biker ministries are now trying to reach this “unchurched” demographic, and to help bikers deal with pasts of crime, violence, and substance abuse. In Zanesville, Ohio, at least 100 people gather regularly for worship services at the Rushing Wind Biker Church, which was founded in 2010 by members of the local Bikers For Christ motorcycle ministry. The church seamlessly blends Christianity with elements of biker culture, and tries to make everyone feel welcome, said Pastor Michael McGuire. “We believe that the chains that bind some of these guys and gals that are coming here can be loosed, and be given hope and forgiveness,” he said.