Back in 2005, David went to a church conference in Lisbon where he first encountered the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) and their local chapter leader, Pastor Eddie Fernandes. What was this postman’s impression of the bible bashing bikers? ‘To be honest, I thought they looked a bit rough…’

It happened again in 2009 when the Faro branch came to present at his local church. Feeling that his suit and tie was more appropriate in a house of God, David didn’t immediately gel with his leather-clad biker brethren. This, despite being a keen motorcyclist himself since owning a 50cc café racer at the tender age of 16.

If David was uncomfortable, God had other plans. He spoke clearly to him that he should join the CMA and go through its rigorous five step induction process. First and most obvious, you have to be a Christian who recognises the instruction from Jesus to go and tell the good news of the gospel to all nations.

Then, you complete a study course about the CMA, undertake a road safety course, sign a commitment and attend a national motorcycle rally to hand out ‘biker bibles’ to other riders. Yes, they have a special version of the New Testament aimed at two wheeled travellers and an astonishing 50,000 have been distributed here in Portugal over the years. Such is demand that a new batch of 10,000 has just been printed.

The CMA logo says it all

In order to raise funds for a previous batch of bibles in 2015, David was invited to join Pastor Eddie on a 22 day sponsored ride to Finland. By now he was president of the Faro chapter of CMA, but during the trip Eddie persuaded David that his real vocation was to lead a church in the Algarve. That church, Riverside Algarve in Ferreiras near Albufeira, has now been running for a decade and has just launched a second, English speaking service at 9:30am every Sunday. Learn more at riversidealgarve.com

You know the old saying, ‘if you want a job done give it to a busy person’? Well, David’s role has expanded to become national president of CMA Portugal where you may have seen him at the Faro Motorcycle Rally from 16 to 19 July.

Next time you see a bunch of bikers approaching, just remember that they may be Heaven’s Angels…

History of the CMA

Established in Arkansas in 1975 by pastor Herb Shreve, the CMA has expanded into 30 countries with their mission of ‘changing the world, one heart at a time’. They volunteer at events doing the jobs no one likes such as rubbish collection and their servant mentality is captured by their mantra ‘here if you need us’.

During 2026 their mission will take them to Nepal, Belize, Zambia and Honduras. Their ‘Run For The Son’ campaign raises funds to equip pastors in Africa with motorbikes so they can more easily reach their flock, with over $111 million raised to fund evangelism in the last 38 years. They estimate that over 41 million people in 194 countries have found salvation through their work.

Learn more at cmausa.org