There is Students for Life, Democrats for Life, Nurses for Life, Black Americans for Life, and Lutherans for Life. But have you heard of Pro Bikers for Life?
One Saturday morning a few years ago I happened to be alone at Women First Pregnancy Options where I am a counselor. This was before the attacks on pregnancy help centers started and we were forced to begin keeping our doors locked.
A big guy walked through the door.
As at any pregnancy center, we have plenty of young women who come in by themselves, but guys only come in with a woman, never alone.
At least 6'4," this guy was wearing all black including a leather jacket with various emblems and pins on it. He was an intimidating sight and I wondered what he could possibly want.
It turned out that Tom prays regularly at the Planned Parenthood a few doors up the street, and he wanted some of our fliers to hand out.
As we got talking, he explained that he's a Pro Biker for Life, a pro-life group I'd never heard of.
Pro Bikers for Life is a group of motorcycle-enthusiast men who are committed to pro-life causes. Back in 2009, the Sisters of Life in New York City (a Catholic order of nuns devoted to the pro-life cause) encouraged a few guys who had been helping out with their maternity homes and sidewalk counseling to form a group to try and reach young men.
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Since then, the Pro Bikers for Life have been participating in helping men and women in unplanned pregnancies by praying in front of abortion centers, holding baby showers, delivering cribs and material items, and speaking to church, school, student or retreat groups, as well as doing painting and repair work at maternity homes and pregnancy care centers.
They participate in the national March for Life in Washington D.C., 40 Days for Life, and accompany the hearse from the church to the cemetery on their motorcycles for the burial of deceased abandoned babies.
Their motto is, "We ride with Jesus Christ into those dark places for the victory of life."
I learned that Tom and his biker friends pray at the Planned Parenthood nearby on Saturdays as a group, and here and there during the week.
Most of these men work fulltime but give their time because it makes a difference.
Because of their gentle and friendly approach, dozens of young moms and dads have been intercepted on their way to end the life of their child and were encouraged to walk over to our pregnancy center instead.
Quite often one of them will walk the client right over to our door, introduce her or them to us and leave, saying, “You’re in good hands here. God bless you!”
The leather jackets they wear are emblazoned with a beautiful image on the back of an unborn baby on a shield, under a cross and surrounded by eagles’ wings.
Their website explains their emblem:
Cross
REVELATION 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
Eagle Wings
EXODUS 19:3-4 “And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.”
Eagle Talons
LUKE 10:19 “Behold! I have given you authority and power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.”
Shield
EPHESIANS 6:16 “In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows amid at you by Satan.”
Embryo
JEREMIAH 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
With their big bikes parked at the curb and their jeans and leather jackets, the Pro Bikers for Life may be more approachable to the boyfriends and husbands heading into Planned Parenthood than say, an elderly woman. Their presence is at the abortion center is unexpected. Eye contact and a simple, ‘Hi, can I talk to you? can lead to the saving of a baby
What’s even more interesting is that a number of the bikers are themselves post-abortive.
I’ve seen these bikers stand alongside a car for a half-an-hour sharing the truth of abortion and the reality of what it feels like five, 10, or 20 years later to still miss that child.
I’ve been at the center when Tom or another biker brought in a young couple who planned to abort that day.
Through learning the truth of abortion, seeing their ultrasound, and finding out ways we can support them, couples have been spared the heartbreak of abortion and their babies have been saved - by guys who love motorcycles!
Tweet This: "We ride with Jesus Christ into those dark places for the victory of life" - Pro Bikers for Life motto
I was there one day recently when Lou, another biker, brought over a young father whose girlfriend was at Planned Parenthood right then for an abortion.
My co-worker and I had tears in our eyes as we heard Lou plead with this man to go get his girlfriend and rescue his baby from Planned Parenthood.
Lou is the father of an aborted child and sharing his story of regret has led to the saving of many babies. Sadly, that day the man turned down the urging and the offer of assistance or adoption help.
As more bikers have been attracted to the work of Pro Bikers for Life, chapters have popped up in Connecticut, Kansas, Colorado, New Jersey, Florida, Maine, and California. They’ve been invited to World Youth Day in Germany and as a result, a Pro Bikers for Life chapter now ministers there.
From the words of Tom Upshur, founder:
“We are a small but mighty group of God’s warriors against the darkness of abortion. That’s why it is so important to have a strong faith foundation; it is a must. Our mission is to preserve human life through counseling and prayerful presence at clinics where the abortions are taking place.
We pray: Dear Lord Jesus, may we see you in every unborn child. Grant us perseverance to protect them.”
“Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.” ~Psalm 127:3
