A number of motorcyclists participated in a “Chaplaincy Ride” Aug. 7, raising awareness for the Todd County Chaplaincy Program. The ride started at the Motley Free Methodist Church and continued on throughout the day, with stops at other area churches. Pictured above, from left, are Carla Leehy of Bertha, member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (Damascus Way Chapter); Mike Meagher of Grey Eagle; and Todd County Chaplain Rev. David Greaver. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) At least a dozen motorcyclists

participated in a ‘Chaplaincy Ride’ Aug. 7,

raising awareness and finances for the Todd County Chaplaincy.

Driving Harleys, Goldwings and a host of other cycles, the leather and denim clad bikers gathered at the Free Methodist Church in Motley; and proceeded to spend the afternoon biking around the area.

“We’ll be stopping at a few of the churches that support the chaplaincy program. There’s a short presentation that we’ll give and I’ll try to answer some questions,” said Todd County Chaplain David Greaver. “Basically, we just want to raise awareness about this program.”

Prior to beginning their “Chaplaincy Ride” (to raise money and awareness for the Todd County Chaplaincy Program) motorcyclists met at the Motley Free Methodist Church where they talked over the day’s itinerary and spent some time in prayer, led by Pastor Jim Johnson. The group also made stops at churches in Baxter, Long Prairie and Staples, where Chaplain David Greaver gave a presentation about the chaplaincy program and time was spent in prayer. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) Stops included the Staples Assembly of God Church, Lakewood Free Church in Baxter, a Lutheran church in Long Prairie; and a drive through Little Falls.

Many of the riders were members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (Damascus Way Chapter). They wanted to ride, they said, because they believed in the mission of the chaplaincy program.

And at least one person wanted to ride because he had been a recipient of Chaplain Dave’s services.

“I’ll do anything in my power to keep this program

going,” said biker Mike

Meagher of Grey Eagle. “Chaplain Dave was a Godsend

to me. I don’t think I could have made it without his help.”

Meagher went on to explain that 18 weeks ago his wife, Char, committed suicide.

“The chaplain was there an hour after a call had been made to my priest,

who happened to be out of

town,” Meagher shared. “Right away he started talking

to me so I wouldn’t go into shock. He told me to just breathe in and breathe out. He prayed with me.”

Since that time, Chaplain Dave has stopped by on occasion to check on him, Meagher said. “I think he talked with me for about five hours the other day.”

The Chaplaincy Ride was the first time he’d been on his bike without Char, Meagher shared. “I got on it today and of course I thought of her. We rode together all the time.”

Although it was sometimes difficult, Meagher said he wouldn’t have missed this opportunity to help support a program that offered him help at his darkest hour.

It’s not always easy to know what to say, Chaplain Dave said. “I have to listen to God’s voice in the midst of these tragedies.”

He recalled meeting a woman whose daughter was killed by a drunk

driver.

“She kept asking me, ‘Why?’” the Chaplain said. “I told her I didn’t know

why; but I believed that if she trusted God, He would reveal himself to her.”

Shortly after that, the woman called Chaplain Dave to tell him that she had stopped by the scene of the accident to place flowers where her daughter had died.

“She looked up, and right above where she had placed the flowers was a cross shape in the clouds. A revelation. She knew that only through the cross could she get through this crises,” the Chaplain said.

This is a full time job for Chaplain Dave; and although he has a desk at the Todd County Sheriff’s Office, he mainly works out of his vehicle. He raises all of his own support through individuals, churches and fundraisers.

“This has been the wildest ride of my ministry,” Dave said of his work as a chaplain. “I started out in Crow Wing County, then we started a chaplaincy in Morrison County in 2003 where Chaplain Gregg Valentine is the chaplain. I’ve been in Todd County since July of 2006.”

His duties as a chaplain include providing emotional support and encouragement; critical incident stress debriefings; and management and crises support and training.

He is often at the scene of an accident, along with other first responders.

“I can’t go unless I’m invited, though,” Chaplain Dave said.

He also provides chap- laincy services to first responders and law enforcement workers, including police offi cers and dispatchers.

“We’re losing more and more officers to suicide every year in the U.S.,” the Chaplain said. “These people need to be able to talk with someone about a tragic event they’ve just encountered. Often, they just bottle it up because they don’t think they should talk about it at home or even with their fellow officers.”

He’s been amazed at the number of younger officers who are seeking him out, Chaplain Dave said. “One guy said to me, ‘I don’t want to be a casualty. I want to be assured that when I go home at night I can be a dad to my kids, that I can be focused on my wife.’”

Older officers, as well, have expressed their appreciation for the chaplaincy program.

“An officer who’s now retiring went through his first de-briefing,” Chaplain Dave shared. “He told me afterwards that he had finally processed the first girl who died in his arms.”

Yes, they’re seeing positive results, the chaplain says. “I hope we’ll be able to keep helping people for a long, long time.”