Cypress Magazine

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Blessing of the Bikes

In 2019, Casting Crowns (a contemporary Christian rock band) released their lead single, “Nobody,” off the album, “Only Jesus” (currently charting No. 1 on US Christian AC). The chorus says,  “I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody who saved my soul.” This refrain describes the ministry of Dale & Susan Berryman at the A.P.W. (All Patches Welcome) Biker Church of Munford, Tennessee. Dale and Susan Berryman have a burden to tell “everybody about somebody who saved their soul.” The Berrymans have a heart for people, specifically the Biker community. The Berrymans are not interested in good people or bad people, just people who need to be loved, encouraged, and uplifted.

The acrostic (A.P.W.) "All Patches Welcome" was launched in October of 2010. The mission of the A.P.W. Biker Church is as follows: "The A.P.W. is a motorcycle ministry. ALL are welcome! “We do our best to give our time, talents, and treasures through Bible Studies, fellowship, fundraising, and music to better serve the Lord," said Berryman. The A.P.W. biker church is known in the Tipton County community as a one-on-one people ministry. Dale and Susan Berryman eagerly seek ways to involve themselves in people’s lives. Sharing God’s love through personal relationships defines the heartbeat of the A.P.W. Biker ministry. Dale (A.K.A. “Bald Eagle”) and Susan (A.K.A. “Pebbles”) proudly proclaim the core value of A.P.W.: “We are all sinners. It is not our place to condemn anyone.” The Berryman’s hold Bible studies on Sunday evenings to teach the word of God. Each month, the A.P.W. Biker church conducts an open house with food, fellowship, music, and prayer to reach whomsoever and whosoever.  

Pastor Dale models service through sacrifice with tangible investments in families within our local community. Pastor Dale encourages the attendees of A.P.W. to consider others and love people. Assisting hurting families, helping people with medical bills, and loving children at Le Bonheur Hospital describes the passion and commitment of the A.P.W. Biker Church. "The BIKING community is a loyal band of brothers and sisters. If you are a part of them, you are family for life" said Pastor Dale. This brotherhood was demonstrated in September of 2013 when the A.P.W. Biker church held a benefit for Raegyn O'Brien, a young infant suffering from a rare medical condition. The ministry of A.P.W. Biker Church raised over $5,000.00 for Raegyn O'Brien in a single evening, and a local company doubled the amount to $10,000.00. Events like this are a regular part of the ministry of A.P.W. 

The A.P.W. sponsors a significant annual outreach called, "Bike Blessing" on the Saturday before Easter. It is held at the A.P.W. Biker Church on Quintin Dr, in Munford, Tennessee. Recently, Pastor Dale and Susan Berryman conducted Bike Blessing 2019 on Saturday, April 20. Together they witnessed over 350 motorcycles and riders attend this open-invitational outreach. Pastor Bald Eagle erects a special "Bike Blessing Archway" as bikers descend on Munford for this incredible annual event. Each biker in attendance receives personal prayer, a presentation of the gospel, and the unfeigned commitment of Dale and Susan Berryman and their team of committed workers. In October 2019, The A.P.W. Biker Church will celebrate nine years of existence doing God's work, reaching BIKERS for Jesus. We salute A.P.W. Biker Church of Tipton County for their unparalleled passion for everyone. Dale and Susan Berryman attend River of Life Church and it serves as their spiritual covering.