by Major Vangie O’Neil
The Salvation Army Motorcycle Ministry Sturgis Mission 2024 team came together from Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota—and Norway. Yes, Hommersåk, Norway. We were privileged to be joined this year by Norwegian Salvationist Kenneth Andersen.
Kenneth was originally part of the Salvation Riders Motorcycle Club in Norway that was dissociated from The Salvation Army in 2011. He was looking for like-minded people to help him start a motorcycle group that would work and be in line with Salvation Army doctrine and mission when he met Major David Dunham of the Eastern Territory. With the approval of territorial headquarters, The Salvation Army Motorcycle Ministry (TSAMM) began in the Eastern Territory in 2012.
Two years later TSAMM was initiated in the Central Territory. Almost immediately, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally became a priority for TSAMM in the Central Territory. With nearly 500,000 attending the rally, it is a vast field ready for harvest. 
This year’s Sturgis Mission 2024 team was composed of 14 soldiers, officers and friends. With the Black Hills Camp as base, the team made its way around the beautiful, winding Black Hills blessing people with 585 bottles of water, 11 Bibles, dozens of promise cards and other items. We prayed with 128 people. Several wanted to bless our team, one of them in the Lakota language of the Sioux tribe.
Asked what he thought about Sturgis Mission 2024, Kenneth said, “I think it is a wonderful group. But it is possible to do more. I feel encouraged that you will have more ideas for the future.”
Indeed, the team does have more ideas. We can’t wait to see what next year holds. But first, it is time to return to own communities and minister in Jesus’ name, to bikers and non-bikers, to neighbors, friends and strangers. That is what The Salvation Army is known for, and what Jesus has called us to do.
