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Local 'motorcycle minister' logs 100,000 miles on bike
"I never know what's around the next corner," said Pezent recently. "Wherever God leads me, He always reveals His plan." Pezent spent 161 days on the road in 2006, traveling 14,218 miles. An artist in his own right, he also began writing poetry, short stories and song lyrics on the trip, something he had never done before. "I pray that God is using me through my writing, to His honor and glory," he said, "and that He is beginning something that will speak out in the years to come for the homeless, hungry, sick and the prisoners in jails and prisons throughout our world." Pezent began his ministry in 2002 after purchasing his Harley-Davidson motorcycle as a way to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary. That year he became aware of the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) and took the written test for their prison ministry program. He began to visit jails and prisons to witness and hand out mission tracts, Bibles and Christian magazines. "At that time, I didn't know how big a plan God had for me," said Pezent. "Since then my mission trips have grown, with more connections being made with more people and organizations across the country." In 2003, he drove his Harley to Milwalkee, Wis., stopping at jails and prisons throughout the nation's heartland. He traveled approximately 225 miles each day during the 10,000-mile, 45-day trip. The next year Pezent chose to travel to the west coast, visiting Oregon and California. His mission expanded to include feeding homeless Americans. "I could see a growing mission and ministry, which God had chosen me for," he said. "I had heard my call by God Almighty to go out into the world and preach the Gospel." That year a national food franchise had a stamp collecting program in which a customer could get a free sandwich with eight of its stamps. Pezent began to ask people to donate their stamps to help feed the homeless. In two years, he fed 1,299 sandwiches using the program. The 2004 trip included visits to Mexico and Canada and covered 11,000 miles, averaged 195 miles traveled per day. The next year he traveled 16,756 miles, averaging 175 miles per day. "I could see that God had more and more for me to do each year," he said. "It seemed wherever He led me, there was someone in need of hearing my message." By the time Pezent's 2006 mission trip began he had the support of businesses, civic clubs, churches and individuals. He kicked off his trip at Jackson High School's Legion Field, displaying flags which represented organizations that had made donations to his cause. During last year's trip, he logged 100,000 miles on his Harley, traveling all over the Eastern U.S. This year, the traveling minister will kick off his trip at St. Stephens Park, with a celebration from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For a $30 donation, any biker is welcome to join in the charity ride, which will conclude at the Highway 90 Whataburger in Mobile. From there Pezent will begin his 180-day mission across the country. To help raise funds for his trip, Pezent has been taking donations from individuals, civic organizations and through his collection boxes placed at a number of businesses in the region. Those who wish to have a flag displayed during Saturday's kickoff can do so by making a donation of $135 to $165, depending on the cost of the flag. Another way Pezent has been raising funds is by selling raffle tickets for several of his oil paintings, which will be given away in January, 2008, following his return to Jackson. Last year, he raised $4,000 in this manner. Now a member of the CMA, Pezent was recently elected to the Prisoners of Faith Ministries board of directors. "God has filled up my schedule," he said. "Everywhere has become my home."
The public is invited to attend Saturday's send-off.
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