Motorcyclists and others have a new spiritual home at the Full Throttle Biker Campus. Located in the former St. Michael Lutheran Church at 805 S. County Line Rd., the building includes a worship center, fellowship hall, kitchen and classrooms for religious education.
“It’s going to be amazing to see what God is going to do in this place,” said the Rev. Phil Willingham, lead pastor at the church with campuses in Valparaiso, Wanatah and North Judson. “God has put in our hands another piece of property for his glory and for the good of his people.”
More than 30 motorcycles lined the paved parking lot Thursday evening at Full Throttle. Some riders, already members of the congregation, came from the area. Others had a longer ride.
Heartland purchased the former Lutheran church in January. The property sits on 18.5 acres. The original church was built in 1977, with a hall and education center added in the early 1990s.
Executive Pastor John Kilavos called the response to this project incredible. “The phone calls have all been positive. People are excited to see changes being made and seeing the place come to life,” Kilavos said. “The big thing is that, do you need to ride a motorcycle? No. Families are welcome. This is an opportunity for families to come together, motorcycle themed.”
A motorcyclist himself for more than 30 years, Willingham said his church has always had a biker ministry and has been a biker-friendly church. The pastor estimated there are 15 to 20 motorcycles in the parking lot at any given service.
According to Statista, in 2018 Indiana ranked 11th nationally with 250,904 registered motorcycles.
Full Throttle Biker Campus can seat 120, but social distancing will be observed.
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You can read the full story here: Kokomo Perspective by Steve Euvino