Photo by Heather Ziegler Wheeling Lions Club member, the Rev. Robert Romick, at left, greets guest speaker Bill Northcraft who represents the Christian Motorcyclist Association.

They may be dressed in leather and ride atop motorcycles, but beneath their outward appearances are hearts and souls steeped in Christianity. “They” are members of the Christian Motorcyclist Association who traverse the tri-state area, bringing their message of Jesus Christ to other bikers and to anyone interested in learning more about a wholesome, Christian life. And they do it via their two and three wheels. This week, Bill Northcraft of Wellsburg, a representative of CMA’s Soul Miners Chapter 917 of Wheeling, spoke to the Wheeling Lions Club, bringing a new perspective about bikers to the public arena. Northcraft is happy to speak to churches, clubs and organizations interested in learning about the Christian Motorcyclist Association’s work. Northcraft is a biker who also happens to be a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Wellsburg. His message dispels the negative perception often associated with the leather-clad bikers crowd. “Now there are some groups that you want to stay away from but we are doing our best to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to them at bike rallies and poker runs,” Northcraft explained. While there are some sordid happenings at the larger biker venues such as at Sturgiss, S.D., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., Northcraft said CMA members shy away from those things. But they don’t give up either. “We are an interdenominational organization reaching people on the highways and byways.