Faith and fellowship can heal even the darkest stories
Some people would guess there was no hope for Ian Duncan.
The former Navy sailor was facing 25 years to life in prison for driving while intoxicated.
“The state of Texas said I would never change, and they wanted to throw me in prison for the rest of my life,” he said.
But because of Ian’s service in the Navy, the state chose to let him out of prison early.
And he found God. For him, becoming a Christian changed everything, he said.
Today, he is a project superintendent for a company that builds churches. He hasn’t had a drink of alcohol in 13 years, and no longer takes post-traumatic stress disorder medications.
“God just continues to work in my life,” Ian said. “He restored my relationship with my wife and with my kids.”
Broken Chains JC (BCJC) is a Christian community of bikers.
At the Appalachian Restoration Motorcycle Rally Saturday, Sept. 20, Ian Duncan was one of many Broken Chains who had stories of recovery from “hurt, habit or hang-up.”
The rally had barbecue, face painting, the roar of rock music, black leather and vibrant tattoos.
It took place at River Park and was sponsored by The Orchard Church. Entry was free.
Those interested in donating to Broken Chains can use the donation page at brokenchainsjc.com.
Rows of gleaming bikes and jeeps caught the sunlight as kids enjoyed bouncy houses.
To those recovering from terrible experiences, the peace and happiness of the event must seem all the more meaningful.
“Some people are obese, some have gone through codependency, some have been in bad relationships,” Chari Duncan, another Broken Chains member, said. “This helped them to find recovery and healing.”
Duncan and her husband, Steve, no relation to Ian Duncan, have a story of freedom too.
Steve married Chari, became a Christian and left behind alcohol and drugs. But later, he fell into addiction again.
“I went back out into the world again. I left Jesus behind,” Steve said.
But Chari prayed, and eventually Steve found he wanted to go back home.
“I’d had enough,” he said. “The Lord’s been tugging on my heart for so long.”
Today, the couple are both members of Broken Chains. Along with other members, they find community, love and understanding for the difficult paths they have walked.
“It’s like family. There’s a unity in the body of Christ with fellow believers,” Chari said.
Although the rally had many amazing sights, the most beautiful thing there were the changed lives of Broken Chains members.