Church has rally ministry

Every state and numerous foreign countries and continents were represented at the motorcycle rally in Custer this year, according to an estimated 2,000 colored pins that were stuck in a U.S. and world map at the Mountainview Baptist Church booth on vendor row.

Each year, as they have since Custer Cruisin’ started in 2000, Mountainview Baptist Church members carried on a motorcycle ministry during the annual Sturgis rally.

“Church members take turns handing out free literature promoting the gospel and serving complimentary lemonade, water and homemade cookies to motorcyclists,” said Pastor Matt Furse of Custer. This year they went through 2,000 styrofoam cups, he said.

“After the first three days, we had pins in every state, including Hawaii and Alaska,” Furse said.

“We promote the gospel and not our church, since most of the people who come by are not from here. This year we had a Titanic theme since this is the 100th anniversary year of the tragedy,” he said.

One of the passengers on the doomed ship resented his aunt always talking to him about Jesus and salvation. He was only interested in making money and meeting people with financial influence on the voyage. He died when the ship sank and never did get to know Jesus as his personal savior.