For the past few years a relationship has been building between St. Michael’s by-the-Sea and a group called Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club (DCMC). You might recognize a few of these new faces as they attended the Palm Sunday Mass, and last August volunteered to provide security at the Carlsbad Music Festival.
I think it’s probably safe to say that this group of individuals is not what one would expect at St. Michael’s, or most religious organizations! However, DCMC is not the general run-of-the-mill motorcycle club.
DCMC was founded in 2009, by three men who sought to grow in their personal faith, and the faith of their brother, in Christ. To men who are seeking the same, the DCMC call is simple:
We are here to disciple men to have a daily word and prayer time and to support the one percent world * with prayer. That means to be closer to God, having brothers who help you get there, and having a unique ability to speak into the lives of men in the old school motorcycle clubs.
James Disciple Johnson, National President & Co-Founder
In this club, men from different walks of life unite under the same banner of ministry and brotherhood. Some of them are men who have stepped away from the one percent biker life or similar organizations, which give them a true understanding of this culture, this lifestyle and the draw it has for those who are in it.
In DCMC, men can come as they are to one another and share things transparently and openly. No matter what the issue – whether it’s an addiction (drugs, alcohol, food, sex, pornography, etc.), rage/anger, relationships, life – it doesn’t matter. There’s no judgement – only love and support.
My husband, Bryan Stanton, has prospected for DCMC since December 2015 and became a full patch member on Palm Sunday weekend. When he first talked to me about DCMC, I was a little skeptical and afraid. The first fear being that it was a motorcycle club. I was concerned that he might revert to the similar one percent lifestyle God had delivered him from. Second fear being that the one-percent environments DCMC is called to go can be very dangerous.
Before he sought membership with the club, we prayed about it and God gave me peace. The Lord showed me that where He sends my husband, He will also protect him. This is the work and call of the Lord; who am I to get in the way of that? I also found from the very beginning of Bryan’s participation in the club, his relationship with God has done nothing but grow stronger. Furthermore, a long-time desire has been satisfied being around like-minded and like-experienced men – discipleship and brotherhood.
Like my husband, the men in DCMC are standing in two places. They are Christians who love Jesus and have dedicated their lives to Him . . . But they also travel to very dark places to shine His light. There is much temptation and spiritual warfare they face for this sacrifice. For some, the enemy is constantly trying to pull them back to that lifestyle. But through brotherhood, accountability to one another, and their walk with God, they can stay the course.
If you come to the 2017 Carlsbad Music Festival in August, you’re likely to see a few of these men at St. Michael’s, as they will be serving to keep the campus secure. If you do, shake their hand and say hello! They might appear to be unsavory characters, but beyond appearances they are some of the most devoted, kind, and sincere men you could ever meet.
Written by Megan Stanton, Communications Coordinator.
*One percenter: Some outlaw motorcycle clubs can be distinguished by a “1%” patch worn on the colors. This is said to refer to a comment by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) that 99% of motorcyclists were law-abiding citizens, implying the last one percent were outlaws.
* Membership: Some “biker” clubs employ a process whereby members must pass several stages such as “friend of the club”, “hang-around”, and “prospect”, on their way to becoming full-patch (see explanation of ‘patching’ below) members. The actual stages and membership process can and often does vary widely from club to club. Oftentimes, an individual must pass a vote of the membership and swear some level of allegiance to the club.
