Violating the conventions of biker culture landed the United Kingdom Christian motorcycle club, God’s Squad, in hot water. With the help of its president Joseph (pseudonym), who is a member of the Anabaptist Network, they kept their cool and found a peaceful path to resolution.
Biker culture often operates with a military-style hierarchy. Rules and codes of conduct support the chain of command and ensure due respect is paid to members and clubs. Clubs are identified by vest patches that are closely regulated for colour, images and the territory governed.
When God’s Squad chose to identify itself by its home region in the U.K., it inadvertently offended another club that had already claimed that territory. As soon as God’s Squad realized its offence, it changed its region to “Pilgrim,” to avoid pointing to any specific geographic location, but the damage was done. The offended club spread word to biker clubs throughout the U.K. that God’s Squad was no longer welcome at its private events, suggesting that the issue could escalate into something much more drastic.
Joseph, who pastors a church in northern England that is also part of the Anabaptist Network, was convinced that God’s Squad should not react passively and step aside, or shrink from a situation that was difficult. The Christian club decided to engage with the wider biker community through public functions such as bike shows and swap meets. Members attended all public events organized by the offended club and through their peaceful, persistent presence, they gradually built relationships with its members.
Almost a year to the day after the offence, the president of the once-offended club dropped the disagreement and formally invited God’s Squad to participate in its private events too.
Mennonite Church Canada Witness workers Mike and Cheryl Nimz got to know the God’s Squad biker club through Mike’s role with the Mennonite Trust, a partner of MC Canada. In response to an invitation from the Anabaptist Network, Mike—and Cheryl, who works as a volunteer—help build connections among Anabaptist-related Christian communities in the UK.
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