JEFFERSON CITY- He has one holy Harley. Joe "Bsky" Bonchonsky isn't just a rider, he's a reverend. And when the wind is in his face, he's in hog heaven.
In lieu of a robe, Rev. "Bsky" wears a leather jacket. He's the chapter president of the Jefferson City Tribe of Judah - an evangelical motorcycle ministry that focuses on the outlaw biker. He is also the founder of Motorcycle Ministries Inc.
"It's easy to teach a Christian to ride a motorcycle but not so easy to teach a Biker to be a Christian," said Bonchonsky. "There are so many people out there that we've written off because of their lifestyle maybe or how they look."
As one of the ministers at the Jefferson City Christian Center, Bonchonsky gets his fill of Jesus. However, that was not always the case. Decades ago, he felt empty inside, and believes that many others living dangerous lifestyles feel the same way.
"They're lost on the inside and if they're not filled up on the inside, there's no meaningful way you can feel okay on the outside," said Bonchonsky. "And there are people who do drugs, alcohol, sex whatever. They try to fill that void from the outside in. All those pseudo things that you think will make you happy, you just layer over an empty spot."
As a young man, Bonchonsky found something he thought could fill his emptiness.
"I'd had a fifth of whisky, speed and PCP," said Bonchonsky. "I came to a point in time where I was literally over a man beating the life out of him and I finally came to a conclusion this is not the way a man should live."
So Bonchonsky gave his life to Christ. He was ordained as a minister and started spreading "the word" to outlaw bikers. He even started volunteering in prisons, serving as the chaplain at the Cole County Jail.
"The biggest thing Jesus saved me from was myself," said Bonchonsky.
But in 2004, Bonchonsky lost something that might make an ordinary man fall- he's a double amputee.
"Mostly my own fault and poor life choices that I made. I also have diabetes. Earlier smoking and drinking and doing drugs and just being a dummy. But there's been a lot of blessings even in the loss," said Bonchonsky.
But Bonchonsky didn't fall. He had his motorcycle made into a trike, and went to therapy to re-learn how to put one foot in front of the other.
Recently, technicians fit Bonchonsky with a new set of titanium legs. The steps are harder these days, but this former outlaw and biker believes he is now on the right path. Losing his legs hasn't changed his stance, but rather strengthened his ability to lead others in their own walk.
"We don't thump people over the head with a bible. We just love 'em. Love on them," said Bonchonsky. "They see us at peace, happy, and healthy and with prosperity and they say well, 'I may be interested in some of that.'"
For more information on the Jefferson City chapter of the Tribe of Judah, contact Rev. Bonchonsky at revbsky@hotmail.com.