The Adventist Rodders Club (ARC) has celebrated its tenth anniversary. A handful of couples founded the club in June 1997 during Washington Conference Camp Meeting. They desired to network Seventh-day Adventists and other Christians to provide a way to share their hobby of special interest vehicles, such as street rods, classic cars, motorcycles, or convertibles, and God's love. The club membership has now grown to more than 450 families in ten countries.
An ARC flier encourages readers to consider that just like a car enthusiast recognizes value in a rusty piece of junk, Christ sees their potential and wishes to "restore" them to His image. "Christ Restores" is the club's motto, derived from 2 Cor. 5:17 which says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature ... behold all things are become new." The flier also includes the basic beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and an invitation to join the ARC club. Members often provide Christian fellowship for those who feel they do not really belong because they are car enthusiasts or ride Harleys.
ARC events bring together interested members to a central location. Sometimes the events dovetail with a major car show such as the NSRA Street Rod Nationals, Goodguys, or regional car shows. Since these secular events usually overlap the Sabbath, ARC events provide fellowship off-site for Sabbath-keepers on Sabbath. Often ARC members attend a local Seventh-day Adventist Church, where they offer to provide special music, teach the Sabbath school lesson, give the children's story, or preach the sermon. Local churches are often willing to coordinate a visible parking area for their cars so passersby are drawn to the church service.
The ARC message reaches around the world with an extensive website found at www.adventistroddersclub.com. There is an impressive photo gallery of club members' vehicles and many of the past ARC events. Join the club free at www.adventistroddersclub.com and follow links to the "Get on the ARC" section. For more information, you may e-mail info@adventistroddersclub.com.
Donn Leiske, Adventist Rodders Club president
