Death of Jeremy Lusk and Faith: Metal Mulisha riders, Deegan, Pastor Josh, and Faisst Respond
Posted: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
Hard-core dirt bike riders live in a world all their own--it's a culture, really. These guys are known for loving family, metal music, tattoos, and a challenge. Some are also known for their Christian faith. In a culture where lifestyles can be far from Christ like, these Christians are faced with the daily challenge of walking in obedience and being a light in a dark place.
Leo Cayetano reports, on the San Diego Hall of Champions front-page, that Lusk recently became a Christian and was vocal about his faith. It is also reported that his wife received Christ the evening before his funeral, and during the funeral, many others came forward to receive Christ as their Savior. Skeptics will say these were emotionally driven decisions and may not be real. Only God knows the hearts of each person who went forward, and time will show those around them. The point is the Gospel was presented at a most appropriate time and place.
In response to the overwhelming flood of questions to Metal Mulisha's Brian Deegan, Pastor Josh, and Ron Faisst, a video has been posted on Youtube. Each of these men share a small portion of their testimony and Pastor Josh gives a simple explanation of what it means to be a Christian.
Fellow rider and friend, Brian Deegan, invited Lusk to the group Bible studies, which led to his decision to surrender his life to Christ.
I invite you to take a few more minutes of your time to view these videos. What a powerful testimony of what the grace of God can do in a life of one who surrenders to Him. Be forewarned, Pastor "Josh" is not your typical clean-cut, suit-wearing pastor. Nevertheless, his Spirit-filled presentation of the Message reaches the hearts of those around him.
In response to the overwhelming flood of questions to Metal Mulisha's Brian Deegan, Pastor Josh, and Ron Faisst, a video has been posted on Youtube. Each of these men share a small portion of their testimony and Pastor Josh gives a simple explanation of what it means to be a Christian.
Fellow rider and friend, Brian Deegan, invited Lusk to the group Bible studies, which led to his decision to surrender his life to Christ.
I invite you to take a few more minutes of your time to view these videos. What a powerful testimony of what the grace of God can do in a life of one who surrenders to Him. Be forewarned, Pastor "Josh" is not your typical clean-cut, suit-wearing pastor. Nevertheless, his Spirit-filled presentation of the Message reaches the hearts of those around him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsLOyM5sPSk&feature=channel_page part 2
Many people outside of this world struggle to understand the risk these men take in their chosen profession. "It seems so senseless", they say. This is understandable and it is for this reason I share this story with all who will listen. Jeremy's death has not been in vain for many reasons. Some the public will never know--but as far as the public goes, two reasons stand out. One we already discussed. Secondly, "Lusk Legacy Foundation" has been set up to help improve safety for all riders and to improve availability of medical personnel at race sites--just to name a few of the goals set by the foundation. For more information or to donate to this organization, visit www.lusklegacyfoundation.com
Today, March 18th, 2009, is opening day of the Jeremy Lusk Tribute Exhibit at the San Diego Hall of Champions. An exhibition that will surely bring awareness to the Lusk Foundation, bless the Lusk family, and help save the lives of future riders for years to come.
Teresa Ortiz 2009
Sources: San Diego Hall of Champions, Youtube - kirkbenderdotcom . www.livinit.com
This Article has been viewed 4,499 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Teresa,A very nice article. You are indeed a great writer with varieties if topics.Wonderful. SwapnaHi Swapna, my son lives in the world of dirtbike racing, so we are this kind of family and I just want people to understand that people in extreme sports are normal and don't walk around with a death wish like many people think.Lord bless you!Teresa
Teresa,I am certainly glad to hear that many in this profession have found Christ but it doesn't 'soften the blow' about the dangers. Yes, having medical personnel at the sites and working toward greater safety is wonderful but it doesn't 'soften the blow.'Great article but it still doesn't 'soften the blow' for me. (Am I being too stubborn? I don't know. Keep writing them and maybe I will come around in time.)Hi Nancy, how are you? Bless your sweet heart.My intention is not to soften the blow about death. Nothing will ever do that, nor should death be taken ligthly. My intent is to help others see that just because certain people love extreme sports, does not mean they walk around with a death wish with no regard to life.They have family values, a zeal for life, and are normal people with good and bad times just like people who think Golf is the thrill of a lifetime :-)I guess I take it personal being I come from a family of dirtbikers and those who love to push themselves to their limits. (Mostly my dad's side of the family) My son got it from them. I personally like being on the ground, going target shooting or something. Although, I do love fast boats :-) But how they think is what makes it possible for them do do what they do and they do it well. And I can understand the rush they get, because when I am doing what I love, I feel that same rush.I love this story, because although he will be remembered for his riding abilities, the real legacy is all the souls that came to Christ because of his life as a new Christian. God is indeed good. Jeremy came to Christ because he saw his need for a Savior, he did not know that his life would end fairly soon after, but God did and saw fit to use those in his cirlce to lead him to the Father. Loveit, love it, love it!Teresa,Thank you, thank you. I get it...if Lusk's faith can bring others to Christ, then indeed he did not die in vain.Good and good to hear from you. Missed you,NancyAmen, you got it :-)It is good to be back. I have missed reading your articles and chatting. I am playing catch up all this week. And I just noticed that I plugged in the wrong youtube address. oops! Gotta go fix that asap!Have a blessed day!
Hey Teresa! how r u? hows your family? Anyway good article you have written...Hello Asmita! All is good here. Everyone is well. How about for you? Thank you for reading and taking a moment to say hi.Lord bless you! Teresa
Hi Teresa!I have always seen Christ in more of a down-to-earth, living life kind of light, not the sterile, always clean individual. After all He worked and lived among us and you cannot stay clean doing that, right?Your writing is always so fresh and moving, real and inspiring. Awesome!!!Hi Ken, you are absolutely right. My uncle disappeared from his family for many years, leaving his kids behind. No one heard from him. Once, my dad thought he saw him living in the gutters of L.A., but didn't quite know how to handle it..... One day, years later, he showed up. He told his tale of living on the streets, his drug-addiction and living on the extremely wild side with a bad group of bikers (kinda like Hell's Angels) Anyway, he met up with someone from Set-Free Ministries, who was a biker, but also a Christian. He got saved, was baptized and became a new man. He still deals with the consequences of his choices, but his family has been restored. He is now a traveling Biker Pastor with missing teeth, tattoos, long hair, and rides a harley :-) A clean-cut pastor would never be able to enter the biker world with much affect, but my uncle has been used by God to share the gospel with hardened criminals and lives have been changed. It is kinda funny now, because my dad is the clean-cut, mr. proper, suit wearing pastor and it works well for God's plan for his life. My grandpa's funeral was interesting because both these brothers spoke; one in his leather's and chains and the other in a 3 piece suit!Oops, I rambled again. surprise, surprise :-) Lord bless you always! and keep growing in the faith!TeresaYou never "ramble," Puleeze!! Your uncle sounds like my kind of guy!!ha! Thanks Ken. Yes, he is one of kind :-)
Great article thank you for sharing it with all of us.Hi Connor, thank you! And thanks for reading and commenting. have a blessed day! Teresa
I'm glad that Pastor Josh is not your typical suit wearing pastor. There's a time and place for everything. Plus, it's not the clothes Christ is interested in, it's the soul. Today, we need those who can go into those places that were often shun upon because of the lack of knowledge and help them who don't understand to know there is a Savior, and the kingdom of God is at hand. When you can glance back and see how dreadful it may be that one death caused many to find Christ, then it was never in vain. Missed, but not in vain.DeborahHi Deborah, Amen sister, you said it well and I couldn't agree more.Blessings to you!
Wonderful article. I just love to hear about how Christ works. Thank you for sharing.Hi Linda! Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, I couldn't agree more! How was your weekend away with the gals?Blessings to you!We had a great time. I talked about it in my last article about Grandmamas.I missed that one, I will go hunt it down :-)
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