Strawberry Lake Motorcycle Rally

2010
A Time of fellowship and bridge-building among clubs, groups and individuals in the biker community 
 

A note about past years' rallies.    
         The 2009 rally went very well, especially considering the cool weather.  The change of date this year will put the rally at the tail end of Strugus.   The tone of the rally continued to show itself as "Biker Friendly" as well as 'family friendly'.
         My reflection of the 2009 rally was much like that of the guy from the movie “Field of Dreams.”   The efforts of those involved in the rally could be summed up in the words “build it and He will come.”   It can be a difficult task to try to blend such diverse group of people as those that showed up for the rally.  The range of people was amazing, from three piece patch club members to church folks in three piece suits and most everything in between.   I was delighted to see the respect and brotherhood that was formed as people sat around campfires at night, shared meals, listened to music, watched the kids swim and just spent time together.  I was thrilled that personal boundaries were deeply respected by my fellow church folks.  The event was one that I would be comfortable inviting anyone to attend, without the fear of having them accosted by well-meaning believers.  For those of you that attended, I would like to say “thanks” for making it a safe and fun event.   Given the tone of the rally, I would deeply encourage everyone to bring a friend or two with them this year. 
   
God Bless,        
Michael Walther

 

We have a committee of local folks that are coordinating the event, along with others from the region.   Reservations will be handled through Christian Retreat  http://www.strawberrylake.org  Phone 888-593-2882.
Contact info for other questions:  michael_walther@hotmail.com (218) 847-3429 (home) or (218) 841-3709 (cell).

Facilities

     This year all gatherings will be held at the lakeside portion of the camp.   Meals other than Saturday will be available across the road, in the camp's cafateria. 
       Strawberry Lake Christian Retreat is located about 25 miles north of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.  The camp is directed by Gerald Derstine and has been in existence for 50 years.  The camp has motel rooms, kitchenettes, cabins, camping and RV spaces available.   It is set in a wooded area with some lakefront spaces available.  There is also a large cafeteria.    Information can be found at www.strawberrylake.org  .  Prices are definitely family/biker-friendly.  Early registration is appreciated, so we can better prepare for a great rally.  

Tone and purpose of rally

I envision the event largely being a fairly loosely structure event that provides opportunity for interaction with others.   While it is a good time to fellowship with family and friends, keep in mind meeting folks you do not know.  “ If you come alone you fellowship with others, if you come with a group you bring your fellowship with you.”  Please come in a group, but also come alone.  

Be Respectful:

Please be respectful of others.  While one purpose of the event is that of a coming together of Christian people who desire to, or do serve in the motorcycle community.  We also want the event to be a safe place for people to bring their friends who may be considering a deeper walk with the Lord, or simply want to come to a motorcycle event that is alcohol/drug free and is family friendly.   So please…no button-holing  (cornering people to lay your favorite version of the four spiritual laws on them) , no tracts on peoples’ motorcycles, no promoting of your ministry.  Just be friendly and make room for God to touch hearts as he wishes.   Don’t be a big shot …just lighten up, give space to others and respect one another. 
 

Evening Meetings:

There will be evening meeting and the  good news of the Gospel will be shared.  The services will be about 90 minutes and no one will be accosted.   Our plan is to open the sides of the tent for those who wish to listen at a distance.  Music will be provided by the SkyBlues Band/Walther family.  Pastor Howard (Cambridge, MN) of the Fish House will be speaking in the tent Thrusday to Saturday Evening as well as Sunday Morning.  

 Family Camping:

The rally is a drug/alcohol free event that is intended to be geared toward the family.   The camp has lake front acreage on Strawberry Lake, which is particulary beautiful.  Christian Retreat is a very affordable and family-friendly facility.

Promotion of Unity/ Appreciation of Diversity
     The knitting of the body of Christ into a further functioning unit is a task that, at some level,defies the hands of man.   The event is not a teaching or a workshop activity, but rather a time to allow the Holy Spirit to promote goals like unity and respect for diversity.  While we do not intend to necessarily address it head-on in a teaching or as a theme of the rally, it is nonetheless a major thrust of what we believe God is calling us to seek.  As individuals and groups meet one another, we are believing God will knit us together. 

It is our prayer that as time is spent together, that the Holy Spirit will work to bring us together to reach deeper into one another’s hearts and  more deeply and effectively into the motorcycle community. 

Bring a friend:

The event is also intended to be a safe place to bring friends and family that may be interested in considering a deeper walk with the Lord, in a non-threatening and safe environment.  It should also be a safe place to bring friends and family that are simply interested in a drug/alcohol free biker-friendly andfamily-friendly environment.  
 

 For more information contact Michael Walther at 218-847-3429 or (218) 841-3709.