In jungle Spanish, the announcer commented on Julio Chiang’s riding expertise and handed him the large first place trophy. Julio proudly thrust it into the air amid applause. To the envy of all the other hard-core motocross racers, Julio’s riding skills far exceeded the competition. Despite the blazing Amazon sun, the Peruvian fans enjoy the races and the culminating fanfare.

The Drive of Competition

Julio’s parents divorced early in his life. His father raised all nine children together. At the age of eight, Julio was given his first motorcycle. This proved an excellent way to gain his busy father’s attention and approval.

By the age of 14, Julio had raced around most of South and Central America; he had won several national titles and was the youngest Latin American champion in his country. Along with the fame, Julio’s life became more complicated each year. Confused, young, and full of fears and doubts, Julio sought to find answers by experimenting with alcohol, drugs, and sex. Without restriction, his life was about pleasure and freedom, not realizing how far he was from the real joy and freedom that come from a relationship with Christ.

Like many youth, Julio assumed that he had years to make changes to the dangerous habits he adopted. Amid his growing success as a respected sports figure, Julio saw his life falling apart around him. Then at the age of 21, Julio and his girlfriend Olga found they were expecting a child.

The Calling of God

Because of the weight of this news, sleep eluded Julio. He lay awake nights recalling times and people who showed Christ to him over the years, including two of his siblings and a youth group in which he had participated. One night Julio got on his knees and asked the Lord if he was indeed real. He asked God to take the mess he had made and make something new with it. Once Julio surrendered to Christ, he changed the course of his life along with his riding career.

Julio was still riding professionally after he accepted Christ as Savior. Over the years, two major accidents occurred. After the second incident in which he broke his leg, Julio sensed the Lord calling him to retire from professional racing. Essentially, Julio was being asked by the Lord to give up his heart’s desire. Motocross had remained somewhat of an idol to him but he obeyed, having earned 10 national titles and two Latin American championships during his career.

The Heart of Ministry

During his hiatus from the motocross world, Julio and Olga joined South American Mission and moved to the lush green Amazon jungle town of Pucallpa. There they started a church plant called “Encuentro Cristiano Mil Palmeras.” This church started with people from the sports world, but now has extended to people throughout the region.

Thinking that motocross was behind him, Julio was amazed at how the Lord slowly brought it back into his life but with a different goal—as a tool for ministry to bring honor and glory to God. It was from this that Julio started Motociclistas por Christo (Motorcyclists for Christ). In this non-traditional ministry, Julio participates in local races in Pucallpa, sharing evangelistic tracts with fans and devotionals with riders, families, and spectators. At every race the gospel is planted in the hearts of approximately 1,500 people who would not normally attend a church.

Motociclistas por Christo is also involved with other community events. Every Saturday Julio holds a free motocross clinic for children ages four to 15. They pray before and after each event. Families have come to know Christ as a result. They also set up exhibitions where riders jump motorcycles over cars and afterward present the gospel. There is great potential to expand the ministry and they look forward to the Lord’s guidance to extend this ministry around Peru.

As a recognized sports figure in Peru, Julio is presented with other avenues in which to work as well. He speaks in schools, universities, and on different media channels to bear witness for Christ. Nancy Mahon, a fellow missionary in Pucallpa, stated that myriads of people come to hear him speak. He has an opportunity few others have to draw vast numbers.

Julio’s passion for motocross, which he once used as a platform for self-advancement and pleasure, has become a vehicle to advance God’s kingdom. |L

Amy Mozombite is a freelance writer in Coshocton, Ohio.

OTHER COLUMNS:
September 30, 2005 - Our mighty God rules over shore and wave