Mostly though, it’s a history of God’s faithfulness to a motley community of bikers and others who have searched and found purpose, belonging, deep need and transformation together at the margins of societies across the globe.  

From its early Australian beginning in Sydney in 1971, to the flying of colours in Melbourne in 1972, to the establishment of its now 40 chapters in 17 countries across the world, God’s Squad CMC has established itself as a missional movement and international community brought to life by the love and teaching of Jesus. 

Inspired by the revolutionary counterculture of the Jesus movement in the late 1960s, God’s Squad’s call was always to people on the fringes, particularly in the motorcycle club scene. 

Whether connecting through motorcycle clubs, prison chaplaincy, music festivals, youth missions, weekly Bible studies and Club open nights, schools ministry, homeless shelters, drop-in centres or faith communities, and whether through best or worst of times, God’s Squad members and companions have been and continue to be there, sharing and showing the love of Christ to those they meet along the way. 

This project gathers stories, images and prayers of blessing from chapters, members and former members from all over the world, each giving insight into the impacts of God’s Squad’s ministry and of God’s faithfulness to individuals and the Club itself over five decades.

The many accounts of solidarity with people often forgotten in their poverty, homelessness, addiction or imprisonment, healing and reconciliation between broken people, personal and communal transformation and miraculous and timely answers to prayer all point to a clear sense of divine presence and possibility in the life of the Club and its mission. 

Some of the names of people in this book have been changed to protect their identities but these are nevertheless reflections on real encounters and relationships and on joys and hurts shared and endured together in key moments and points in time. And while the ever-presence of God runs true and deep through God’s Squad’s history, another truth is that the road has not always been smooth: leaders have come and gone, chapters have formed and, at times, fractured, and much-loved members and friends have moved or passed away. 

But, as the stories and images gathered here show, God has remained faithful in ‘the beautiful chaos’ of life and ministry on the road and at its edges. In the end, it’s a story that returns us to the heart and welcome of Christ: God’s love and life for all.