STATE COORDINATORS
Alabama State Coordinator
RAY MARTIN
Being born and raised in a small town in Kansas, I found myself being a college
graduate looking for a career and found it in the trucking industry. I spent 30 years
being a salesman, buyer, manager and owner in that industry, mostly in Northwest
Arkansas.
After living in Arkansas 25 years and meeting my wife Anne there, work moved us to
Tuscaloosa, Alabama where we didn’t know a soul. After 3 years of riding alone we
started a Faith Rider chapter at Valley View Baptist Church with some like-minded
riders. From 2013 to 2023 God molded and shaped our chapter to focus on soul
winning through both local and national events. The Valley View chapter had grown to
nearly 20 active members doing around 15 events per year when I was asked to take
over the responsibilities of State Coordinator when Phillip Cook took over the reins of
the National Director.
Anne and I have 6 children, 14 Grandchildren and 5 great grands. Whew! What a
blessing they are and we feel the Faith Rider family is a blessing as well.
Arizona State Coordinator
ERNEST LAMERTHA
Florida State Coordinator
Pastor Benny Reynolds
Former Senior Pastor of Peniel Baptist Church Palatka, Florida from January 2003 to March 2023
Originally from Sylacauga, Alabama.
Married to Cara since June 13, 1980.
We have one son Andrew who is married to Dana and they have two daughters and live in Ft. Payne, Alabama
We have one daughter who is married to Ryan Emery and they have three daughters and they live in Bunnell, Florida.
I have served churches in Texas, Alabama and Florida since December 1978.
I met Buddy and Michelle Newsome in Jacksonville, FL in November 2004 at the Florida
Baptist State Convention.
Peniel Baptist Church and Academy was Commissioned on September 17, 2005
Peniel Baptist is the church where Rev. Billy Graham was baptized in 1938 and was ordained in 1939.
Georgia State Coordinator
Durwood Pollock
He was born in Bainbridge, GA on January 5, 1951. He grew up on a small farm in Mitchell County. After graduating from high school in 1969, he enlisted in the United State Air Force. After basic training, he was stationed at Chanute AFB, IL for his technical training on Ground Power Equipment. From there he went on to serve at Robins AFB, GA, U-Tapoa, Thailand, and Pope AFB, NC. After his military service he attended and graduated from Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, GA. After graduation he worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Crossett, AR and Titusville, FL., U.S. Postal Service in Albany, and the U.S. Marine Corp as a civilian employee in Albany. He retired in May 2010 as the LOGISTICS Command Safety Manager. He is married to Priscilla and they have two daughters and one grandson.
He received Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 10. But, while in the military, he did not follow his walk with Christ. All that changed after he married Priscilla while in college. They became involved in Sunday School and worship services at FBC Statesboro. The biggest change came as one the members, a retired Master Sargent, gave his testimony. Durwood rededicated his life to Jesus. His has served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Brotherhood Director, Vision Team Member, and F.A.I.T.H. Rider Director at Byne Memorial Baptist Church in Albany. Over the past 6 years, he has worked the tents in Daytona, Panama City Beach, and Sturgis.
Louisiana State Coordinator
Jody Stuckey
I was born in Jonesboro , Louisiana on August 3rd, 1958, the son of a self-taught auto mechanic. My dad cursed, drank and smoked, so I grew up doing the same thing. I was as lost, selfish, prideful and foul mouthed as they come. I raced motocross bikes all throughout my high school years, graduated from Jonesboro-Hodge High School in 1976, and started working for my father in his garage, repairing cars and trucks.
I married my wife, Cathy, in 1979. She was a Catholic and attended mass regularly. We had two daughters, Juliet and Jennifer. I never spent much time at home with the girls as they were growing up. I put my own desires first, and raced dirt track cars for years. I didn't stay with any job more that 3 years, jumping from one to another, never happy with anything very long, and searching for all the wrong things in the wrong places.
In 1997, Jennifer went to Vacation Bible School with some of her friends at Springhill Baptist Church. She told me she had been saved and asked me to come to see her get baptized. That Sunday, as I sat there listening to the pastor, I was hit between the eyes, and it made me mad enough to go back the next Sunday to see who else he was going to shame. Well. it was me again - go figure. So I went back the third time and when it happened again, I found myself at the altar giving my life to Christ. The date was 1997
I found myself so hungry for God's Word, and with a peace I never knew before. I began attending Springhill Baptist Church regularly. My wife continued to attend the Catholic church, and I prayed that God would work it all out. In August of 1999, God moved Cathy to leave the Catholic church and join me at Springhill. She joined the church and was baptized, and Julie followed soon afterwards.
In 1998, I applied for a job with the Jackson Parish Police Jury. The position required an engineering degree, which I didn't have. During the interview, I was asked what made me think I could handle the job. My response - "If God wants me to have this job, He'll see that I get the job." Well, I got the job, and will retire in August 2023 with 25 years of service - AIN'T GOD GOOD!
In 2014, we relocated to Choudrant, Louisiana and in 2015 we moved our membership to Calvary Baptist Church in Ruston. In 2016, I bought a motorcylce and began riding again and in 2019, God led me to start a Faith Riders Chapter through Calvary. We started the chapter with about 12 members and have grown to over 30 members. I can't wait to see what else God has in store for me and Cathy in the future.
God wants to do the same in your life, so trust Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
North Carolina State Coordinator
Oklahoma State Coordinator
Randall Medley
Born and raised in Oklahoma City. Accepted Jesus as his savior at age 13. Married his wife Debbie in 1980 and they have 2 sons and 4 grandchildren. He has been a Radiographer for the last 42 years and has worked at the hospital in Shawnee, Oklahoma for the last 39 years. Started riding motorcycles 12 years ago then was introduced to FAITH Riders soon after and was commissioned with the original members of Sharon Baptist church on Fathers Day 2010. He is the former Chapter Director. He has a passion for youth and sharing the gospel at local youth camps and events.
Tennessee State Coordinator
Daniel Holcomb
Born in north Georgia. My father was a Carpenter and Baptist Minister. Mom taught Sunday school. So early in life I learned about God and our need for a Savior to rescue us from our sins. I truly did not want to die and go to hell.
I remember as young boy riding in the car with my dad one day I asked him why he preached the gospel? Dad began to share with me that as I grew older that I would learn that this world is cursed with much pain and suffering. Dad wanted each of his kids to know that there was hope to be found in having a personal relationship with God. He also wanted to share that with others. He had a strong belief in the Christian responsibility to share Christ with others. At the age of 7, I walked down the aisle of our little country church and gave my heart to Jesus. I enjoyed being a part of the church. Loved the music, the worship. But as I grew into my teenage years I began to rebel against the church. It took me several years and a lot disappointment and pain before I truly saw the need to let Jesus be the Lord of my life. Also, seeing the importance of church fellowship remembering that we are all imperfect people. God had to teach me a hard lesson about pride. But, mercifully God never gave up on me.
At the age of 18 I entered the Air Force after receiving my draft notice. My brother was already in Vietnam. The Air Force decided to place me in the Minuteman Missile field and sent me to Cheyenne, Wyoming for the next 6 years. I trained as a missile technician with 5 other men and we worked together most of that time. I learned the value of team work. Each of us knew the other man’s job and could step in and take over as needed. I was then transferred back to Canute AFB in Illinois where I became a technical instructor for the next 3 years. Giving me the opportunity to take college classes at Eastern Illinois University in the evenings. Finishing later my studies at Mercer University in Macon, GA. This resulted in a job offer from Lockheed where I became a technical instructor for Lockheed’s foreign customers. Later moving to Nashville, TN. I worked in research and development at Nashville Auto Diesel College.
While in Wyoming, much to my mom’s dismay I began riding motorcycles. I quickly graduated to riding Z! Kawasaki 900 but, when I began a family I decided to not ride for a while. Riding in the Rocky Mountains was a wonderful experience.
In 2010 I suffered through one of those pains my dad warned me of early in life. My wife Cathy died of Colon Cancer. So for therapy I decided to ride again. That’s when I discovered F.A.I.T.H. Riders Motorcycle Ministry.
As I said, our God restores and now as many of you know God has blessed me with Nina who works and encouraged my walk with God. She also likes to ride a motorcycle.
God has richly blessed us and given us an opportunity to be a part of the F.A.I.T.H. Riders Motorcycle Ministry. We greatly enjoy traveling and witnessing to the lost. The fellowship and worship we enjoy with our F.A.I.T.H. Riders family is priceless. I thank God for this opportunity to serve my brother and sisters in Tennessee.
Virginia State Coordinator
PAT ASHLEY
Pat was born in Leitchfield, Kentucky on April 6, 1958. His family moved to Louisville, Kentucky while he was still an infant and eventually settled in New Albany, Indiana where he graduated from New Albany High School in 1976. That same year he joined the Navy. After twenty-five years, he retired as a Senior Chief completing his Bachelor’s Degree along the way. Currently, he works for the Department of the Navy.
He was baptized in January 1990 and shortly afterwards was off on another deployment not realizing the Lord was with him. While in the Navy, he did get to travel and see places many have only heard or read about in a magazine; but with no accountability partners, he was just trying to take on the world alone. He married the love of his life Bunny. Today, they have three grown children and three grandchildren. She was already a member of London Bridge Baptist Church when they married so when he moved to Virginia Beach, he joined the church. Plugging in, he still attends the same Saturday morning bible study to this day.
While at London Bridge, he has been involved with birthing several small groups, including two biker classes. He has also served on the Church Council, Finance Committees and been the Greeter and Parking Lot Coordinator. He is one of the founding members of the church’s FAITH Riders Chapter and has been the director since 2010.
Since the age of ten, when older bothers introduced him to motorcycles, they have been a part of his life. The love of Christ, a heart for the lost and interest in motorcycles, the FAITH Riders Ministry has been the ideal fit. FAITH Riders has been so many thing in his life since being introduced to the ministry. Today, he cherishes his immediate FAITH Rider accountability partners and holds them close. Along the way, the network of FAITH Riders across the nation has humbled him and been a blessing to his life.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Kentucky State Coordinator
Texas State Coordinator
Tom Fortner
Tom Fortner was born in Shreveport, La. and came to faith in Christ at age 15 during a revival at Calvary Baptist Church. He surrendered to God's call to preach about 6 months later. He began serving as a bus captain, mechanic and driver for Calvary Church before moving to Dallas, Tx to spend his senior year of high school with his dad, who had just returned from 7 1/2 years in Vietnam with the US Air Force. Tom met his high school sweetheart Doris at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, and they were married after Doris graduated from high school in 1976. They have one daughter, Katherine.
Tom completed his BA in Biblical Studies and MA in the History of Theology at Criswell Bible College in Dallas during the "Battle for the Bible" in the Southern Baptist Convention. Later, he completed his MDiv in Biblical Languages at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He was ordained to the ministry at First Baptist Church in Dallas at the height of the "Battle for the Bible" during Dr. Criswell's ministry. He has served as bus minister, youth minister, senior adult minister and has pastored 5 part-time churches, three in Texas. He currently serves as pastor of MHM Baptist Church in Sheffield, Texas.
Tom also trained in Information Technology and worked in computer networking, design and engineering, and security for 37 years while serving as pastor of the 5 churches to support his family. He retired from IT in 2016 after his second contract for Novartis Pharmaceuticals. He is a Microsoft Certified Professional and a Check Point Certified Master Architect. He was a charter member of the Electronic Bible Society, which provided the texts and early software for early computer Bible study programs. Logos, CD-Word library and other programs began with the foundation provided by the society. Over the years in IT, Tom traveled to 4 continents and shared the Gospel with computer engineers in Israel, Germany, Sweden, Brazil, India, Canada and Mexico.
Tom and Doris were members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association for 15 years, working as evangelists at the Black Hills Bike Classic in Sturgis, SD, and at the 105th, 110th and 115th anniversary parties for Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee. They also were evangelists at local events and rallies in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. Tom and Doris left CMA to become the founding director of the Faith Riders Chapter in Mill Creek, OK.
Tom and Doris love to ride their Harley-Davidson motorcycles together, target shoot together, travel together and read great books. Tom teaches school part-time in Iraan, Texas, and is the West Texas Area Manager for Promise Keepers.
When Doris was disagnosed with Meniere's disease and developed balance problems, Tom's Christmas present to Doris was to convert her Sportster to a trike to keep her riding with him. She still rides it today.
Copyright © 2002 - 2024. F.A.I.T.H Riders.
All Rights Reserved.
Web design: MagicAngel.net
Programming: DLillie