Sturgis, New Churches, and Death

I am writing this article from Superior, WI on Ken Andrs computer. Ken is our new church planter in Superior and I have been in a mentoring relationship with him as he walked through the process of becoming a Church Planter in the MWBC and as he moved to Superior to begin the new work.

I guess I have been getting pretty forgetful lately. I forgot about the deadline for the article and also forgot to bring my computer with me. But I have a good excuse. You see I was excited to get to Superior to meet with Ken. He and I were just in Sturgis, SD for the annual Black Hills Motorcycle rally. This rally is the largest motorcycle rally in the world.

From the time I bought my first motorcycle I have heard about the Sturgis Rally and wanted to attend. However, after hearing about all the craziness that happens there, I decided that it would not be prudent for me to go. However, for two years now the Dakota Southern Baptist Convention has been conducting an evangelistic event at the rally. It seemed like I needed to go and be a part of this ministry.

Each year they have set up a booth where they invite people to come in and register for a chance to win a free Harley Davidson motorcycle. The only catch is that they have to give us three minutes of their time to hear a Gospel presentation. This year we witnessed to 4,677 Sturgis attendees and God worked in a mighty way as we saw 870 people pray to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Ken and I had a great time leading people to the Lord. Not to mention seeing thousands of beautiful motorcycles and being able to ride our cycles over 1,600 miles there and back.

On another note, it is always a great joy to sit and talk to Ken and Naomi about what God is doing with the new church plant. This evening Ken and Naomi will be hosting an evangelistic cookout in their backyard. Ken is expecting fifty of his neighbors to show up. I wish I could stick around for the good food and to meet some of the people to whom the Andrs have been able to minister. However, I have another task tonight. I will be in Cloquet, MN at another barbeque to raise money for and minister to the Smith family.

Tom and Joyce Smith are friends of mine from the time I lived in Cloquet. I had the privilege of uniting them in marriage and sharing good times. Last year Tom developed cancer. A very aggressive type that the Doctors say will take his life within the next two months. It is amazing what a life threatening disease will do for you spiritually. Over the past few months I have seen Tom come to faith in Jesus Christ and focus his remaining time on earth to following Jesus. I also had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with Tom’s wife Joyce. In the beginning she was very cold to trusting Christ as her forgiver and the leader of her life. But today was different. As I shared with her today, she was open. She is still struggling with the decision but I do not think it will be long until she is ready to make the commitment.

So here I am in Superior rejoicing in how God works in our lives to bring Glory to Himself and fulfill His purposes. I have seen him work at Sturgis in one of the darkest and raunchiest places you can imagine. I have seen repentance and faith develop in the hearts of many who had no idea that they were going to meet God in a booth that was giving away a Harley. I have seen how God works with a man struggling with cancer to bring himself and ultimately his wife to faith. I have been able to see how God works in the lives of two committed church planters to open the door for evangelism and ministry. Today I feel blessed because God has opened my eyes to see how He is working to change the hearts of those who trust Him. I also feel blessed because I can see how God is working through me as I join him in what He is doing.


David Sundeen
Director of Evangelism
Minnesota Wisconsin Baptist Convention