Motorcycle club travels rare path

     By Chris Jones
     View staff writer
      C.W. Van Hagen used to be hell on wheels.
      Now he's just trying to get to heaven -- while helping a few others along for the ride.
      Although he feels his journey is far from over, what a long, strange trip it's been. For years, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native lived his life from the seat of his Harley-Davidson, riding with what he terms "one of the country's most notorious outlaw biker organizations."
      While on his way to full-time membership in the gang, Van Hagen had a change of heart and tried to escape his rough lifestyle by joining the United States Army. It was during his years in the military that he met a friend who brought up the subject of Christianity and helped shift Van Hagen's outlook on life.
      "I was coming to the point where I really needed more than life, in itself, had to offer," Van Hagen said. "I had a career, cars, motorcycles, but I still had this emptiness in my heart."
      He filled his void by becoming a born-again Christian in 1995. Soon after, Van Hagen found a way to combine his new faith with his affinity for motorcycling through an organization called the Christian Motorcyclists Association.
      The non-denominational organization was founded in the early 1970s by Herb Shreve Sr., a Baptist minister who took up motorcycling as a means of spending more time with his then teen-aged son. While visiting with other bikers and observing their needs, Shreve saw the chance to launch what he called "a ministry designed to... (spread) the light of Jesus into the darkest areas" by using motorcycles as a form of common ground.
      "(Shreve) realized what a mission field there was among the bikers," Van Hagen said. "There were a lot of people (at biker rallies) who were burdened with everyday problems like drugs, alcohol, finances, relationships and life in general."
      Although Shreve is now retired, his son, Herb Jr., currently directs the efforts of CMA members across the globe. The organization boasts more than 60,000 members in 600 of its United States chapters alone. Several foreign chapters are also in place.
      Today, the 43-year-old Van Hagen works in a Henderson motorcycle shop and serves as president of the One Way Riders, one of two Southern Nevada CMA chapters. His group of approximately 15 active members raises funds to assist Christian missionary work around the globe, in addition to sharing their beliefs with the general public and other bikers at various events and gatherings.
      "The focus of CMA is presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ, by means of the highways and byways, to other motorcyclists," Van Hagen said. "I by no means try to overwhelm people with my beliefs. ... It's basically (sharing) my testimony to anyone who's willing to hear it."
      Getting in the door with members of the local biker organizations wasn't easy, but Van Hagen said his group's love of cycles -- as well as its down-to-earth approach -- gradually got the motorcycle missionaries in contact with others.
      "The One Way Riders was mainly focused on the outlaw organizations in this valley," Van Hagen said. "Through association, we got in the doors and throughout the years it became a slowly building ministry.
      "Rather than talk to a pastor in a suit and tie -- who is someone they'd probably never approach -- (bikers) will come to us. They know my background, so there is a certain level of respect and protocol."
      Van Hagen's group boasts one ordained pastor and its members have handled events such as weddings and funerals for members of the biker community. Still, the One Way Riders prefer to leave most religious ordinances to the area's established Christian churches.
      "We don't do communion or baptisms," Van Hagen said.
      Still, the fellowship has changed almost every aspect of Van Hagen's life -- including his affairs at home. He met his wife of two years, Cheryl, through CMA, and the two have continued to share their personal histories with the hope that they may somehow benefit others.
      "I was caught up in the drug scene for almost 20 years, but fortunately I was able to get my life together," Cheryl Van Hagen said. "There were a lot of other people who helped me when I was down, and God pointed me in the right direction. Now I try to show others how much God has done for my life."
      Those interested in CMA can call 593-4360.