Nevada | "Dirt Church" in the Nevada Desert

Greg Burns has been a believer for a long time. He and his wife were part of the Maranatha (Jesus) Movement in California in the 70s. He thought of evangelism and discipleship as the pastor’s job, until he encountered Novo at some events, went on a vision trip to witness Novo’s work in the Middle East, and participated in Novo’s Disciple-Making Cohort online. Greg was inspired to start leading Discovery Bible Studies (DBSs), learned how to move a conversation from casual to spiritual, and caught a vision for where God wanted him to engage with non-believers: the Motorcycle Racing Association of Northern Nevada (MRANN) that he’d been involved with for a long time.

Greg and some of his long-time friends who were believers in the motorcycle community decided to start a Christian club in the association. They called it “Moto Novo.” The club began with 12 members who were believers; today, there are about 60 members, and more than half aren’t Christian.

Motorcycle races take place in the Nevada desert on Sunday mornings. When Moto Novo sponsors a race, they prayer-walk along the race camping area at sunrise, praying for God to work. Then they share a gospel message over the PA system to the roughly 100 people who’ve shown up for the race, calling it “Dirt Church.” It’s the only church most of these folks have ever seen. Moto Novo club members also offer to pray for every participant prior to the race.

Greg says he’s discovering he’s surrounded by “peaceful people” with ears wide open to encounter God in the desert. The word of God is incredibly powerful to these people who would never step foot in a church. They are discovering Jesus and choosing to follow him! At this point there are 13 different DBSs going as a result of Moto Novo, and 12 people have become followers of Jesus.

Listen to this Novo Called Beyond podcast episode to hear more about Dirt Church from Greg!