Gloryteller

The new bell tower atop Iron Mountain.

I recently returned from camping on Iron Mountain. That won’t mean much to most of you, but to some folks the mention of Iron Mountain elicits great joy, and happy memories.
Located between Mena and Hatfield, Arkansas, Iron Mountain is the main gathering place in the nation, and really the world, for the CMA. Country Music Awards? No!  Don’t feel bad. That was my first thought too, when I first saw those three letters together. It turns out the CMA acronym I’m talking about stands for Christian Motorcyclist Association! And, in case you thought “Christian bikers” is an oxymoron, there are Christian bikers. A large number of them!
My first taste of CMA was over a year ago when my cousins invited me to the annual “Changing of the Colors” rally at Iron Mountain. My cousins promised good fellowship and worship with them and their fellow CMA-ers. I went expecting to visit with them and worship with maybe two-hundred other Christians, but when I walked into the large auditorium, I was surprised and overwhelmed to see at least ten times that many!
Worship was exuberant and meaningful. I knew the songs and could participate freely and joyfully. It was great to be in the middle of all that with my cousins. The speakers were good at what they are called to do and I learned a great deal about CMA. It is a worldwide organization and one of the most successful of its kind. The thing that captured me is their strong evangelistic goal – to bring the Good News of Jesus to a lost world. That is my calling too, so I was captivated – captured by all that they are “about”. Their fundraising events for world missions are called “Run for the Son”. Their motto is “Here if you need me.”
I quickly did the training and became a member with the indispensable help of my cousins.
I met many, many fine people; people who call me brother; people who call me “family”.
In my home church of about three-hundred, not everyone does that. I have, unfortunately, had people who have seen me in church for fifteen years walk right past without a sign of recognition or a greeting. Not so with CMA! There is no such thing as a stranger. Anywhere on the mountain, an encounter with another person will grant you a smile, a nod of greeting, a handshake, a good word, a pat on the shoulder, even a hug and the exclamation, “Brother”! It is truly one, big, loving family.
As I told a couple from Minnesota with whom I have become close friends, “You are very good at making people feel included. You make me feel like I truly belong!” My cousins A.H., D.H., and T.H. (Yes, you, T., honorary cousin! ) are that way as well. All the CMA is that way!
We all love Jesus and also one another. That is The Great Commandment! We all want to do our part to take the Good News out to the world and make believers. That is The Great Commission!
I’m feelin’ it and I hope they feel it from me.
The presence of Love is all over Iron Mountain, and through the CMA, He radiates outward to the ends of the earth! 
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