On Saturday May 18, Ephesus Baptist Church in Winchester once again hosted the Baptist Bikers of Kentucky for their annual Ride or Drive to the Ranch to benefit Sunrise Children’s Services’ Solid Rock Children’s Ranch.

Twenty-two motorcycles, several trucks and cars (or “cages” as the Baptist Bikers call them!), and two church vans made the trip from the Rockcastle Baptist Association office in Rockcastle County to Liberty Avenue Baptist Church in Berea to pick up more riders, and then finally to Ephesus Baptist Church in Winchester, where they celebrated with a lunch. Churches who participated in the drive were Fairview Baptist Church and Freedom Baptist Church, both in Mt. Vernon.

Dr. Todd Rader, Pastor of Ephesus Baptist Church, welcomed participants in their parking lot. Randy McPheron, Founder and President of Baptist Bikers of Kentucky, received $9,1000 from bikers and churches that will benefit Sunrise’s Solid Rock Children’s Ranch. McPheron, who is also the current Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) President and Associational Mission Strategist for the Rockcastle Association of Kentucky Baptists, handed the money over to Judy Singleton who accepted on behalf of Solid Rock.

(It has been Singleton’s dream for many years for the creation of Solid Rock Children’s Ranch. In 2016, the former teacher from Clark County, generously donated her land of 130 acres in Winchester to Sunrise to be used to establish a new community of care for sibling groups in foster care. Sunrise is excited to share that Singleton’s dream is now becoming reality. Thanks to the generous gifts from community leaders and faithful supporters like Baptist Bikers of Kentucky, the first two Solid Rock houses will be constructed this summer).

As everyone made it into the church building from the parking lot, lunch was served. While they were enjoying their meal, Bob Jeffries, a special guest of McPheron, was invited to speak. Jeffries shared his own foster kid story. As a young boy and part of a large sibling group, he was cared for by Sunrise (known then as Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children). He was eventually adopted and throughout his life encountered several positive role models from the KBC. Jeffries shared his support of Solid Rock, and after lunch, all riders and drivers were invited to visit the land where Solid Rock will be constructed.

Sunrise wishes to thank everyone who made this Ride or Drive to the Ranch such a success, including: Liberty Avenue Baptist Church for providing snacks, Church of the Living God in Winchester for providing lunch, Dr. Todd Rader and Ephesus Baptist Church for hosting, Randy McPheron and the Baptist Bikers of Kentucky for their continued support of Sunrise, and of course to Ms. Judy Singleton for her dream of Solid Rock.

To be a part of this dream, you can sign up to help construct the two houses on the property in Winchester this June. All ages and all skill levels are welcome to participate. Even if you can volunteer one day or a part of a day, it would be greatly appreciated. Go to the following link to sign up to volunteer: Mississippi Nailbenders & Friends: Solid Rock Children’s Ranch Build Winchester, Kentucky (signupgenius.com)

Article written by David Lyninger, Sunrise director of communications.