BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Yvon (Ivan) Audette
Chairman
Hello everyone! I was born in Elliot Lake, Ontario in 1960, and was raised near Sudbury, Ontario in the bush near Dowling just off of Hwy 144. I then moved to Windsor, Ontario to seek my fame and fortune at the ripe old age of 18. Soon after that I accepted the Lord, on Sept. 11, 1978. A youth group meeting was the greatest influence in my accepting the Lord. The other great thing that happened that Christmas was meeting the love of my life Irene. We were married in 1980, on August 30th and within six short years had my quiver full with four boys. Tragedy struck in 1986, in the month of June, when one of our sons, Jonathan, died from Meningitis (a virus that attacks the spinal and brain fluid); it was a very dark time in our lives, but the Lord kept us. It was only the grace of God that united us together as a family. Fast forward to our motorcycle experience: We started riding five years ago loving everything about it: the freedom, fun, fellowship and ice cream. A short while after buying the bike we were questioning if this is all that God had in store for us. We then started praying and searching for a motorcycle ministry and wondering if one ever existed. We soon met up with our now very good friends and cohorts Mike and his wife Carrie. They introduced us to a group of Christian bikers from another ministry. Irene and I soon joined up with them, but as with all things, the Lord has His ways, and our whole chapter joined with CMA, forming our own chapter of CMA in Windsor. In a short time span I was elected as Vice-President, until this year when I was made President of God Speed CMA Windsor. I was approached by our National Evangelist Carlos Hajen to prayerfully consider moving to a Board position since there had been a couple of vacancies. With much prayer, seeking the council of my pastor, and those that I respect in the Lord, (including our officers and membership of God Speed) have accepted. After almost a year to the month I was asked, the board officially asked me to come on board. It is with great humility and trepidation that I move forward into this position, seeking to do the Lord's will in CMA, and working with men that seek to do the same thing. I am still wondering why they asked me to serve on the Board of CMA Canada, but humbly want to walk in the Lord's ways, seeking to do His will, along with my lifelong partner and the love of my life, Irene. Look forward to meeting all of you in the days, weeks and years to come!
- Yvon Audette -
Chairman
Hello everyone! I was born in Elliot Lake, Ontario in 1960, and was raised near Sudbury, Ontario in the bush near Dowling just off of Hwy 144. I then moved to Windsor, Ontario to seek my fame and fortune at the ripe old age of 18. Soon after that I accepted the Lord, on Sept. 11, 1978. A youth group meeting was the greatest influence in my accepting the Lord. The other great thing that happened that Christmas was meeting the love of my life Irene. We were married in 1980, on August 30th and within six short years had my quiver full with four boys. Tragedy struck in 1986, in the month of June, when one of our sons, Jonathan, died from Meningitis (a virus that attacks the spinal and brain fluid); it was a very dark time in our lives, but the Lord kept us. It was only the grace of God that united us together as a family. Fast forward to our motorcycle experience: We started riding five years ago loving everything about it: the freedom, fun, fellowship and ice cream. A short while after buying the bike we were questioning if this is all that God had in store for us. We then started praying and searching for a motorcycle ministry and wondering if one ever existed. We soon met up with our now very good friends and cohorts Mike and his wife Carrie. They introduced us to a group of Christian bikers from another ministry. Irene and I soon joined up with them, but as with all things, the Lord has His ways, and our whole chapter joined with CMA, forming our own chapter of CMA in Windsor. In a short time span I was elected as Vice-President, until this year when I was made President of God Speed CMA Windsor. I was approached by our National Evangelist Carlos Hajen to prayerfully consider moving to a Board position since there had been a couple of vacancies. With much prayer, seeking the council of my pastor, and those that I respect in the Lord, (including our officers and membership of God Speed) have accepted. After almost a year to the month I was asked, the board officially asked me to come on board. It is with great humility and trepidation that I move forward into this position, seeking to do the Lord's will in CMA, and working with men that seek to do the same thing. I am still wondering why they asked me to serve on the Board of CMA Canada, but humbly want to walk in the Lord's ways, seeking to do His will, along with my lifelong partner and the love of my life, Irene. Look forward to meeting all of you in the days, weeks and years to come!
- Yvon Audette -
Lynne Ross
Vice Chair/Treasurer
I was born in Moncton, NB, raised in a Christian home, accepted Christ at the age of 5 and my life revolved around the church. After high school, I went to Bible school, where I realized I had been well taught in my home church, but going into nursing put me into a new culture and I really started learning how to live out my faith in Christ. In 1974, I was matched with Gary (the old fashioned way) and we were married on May 3, 1975, raised 3 children and are expecting our 8th grandchild this summer. Gary bought a motorcycle in 1981 to ride for work and I rode on the back a few times a year. Around 1985, I told God there had to be more to the Christian life than I was living and I wanted it! In 1986, God answered by moving us to Winnipeg, MB, into another culture with struggles that changed me, again. As our last child finished high school, Gary bought a bigger motorcycle and we started riding together more. Then, in April, 1999, he bought me one. At the very same time, a friend from church invited us to our first CMA meeting. That meeting drastically changed my life, as God put me into the motorcycle culture. When I caught the vision of CMA and moved out to reach the bikers, “one heart at a time”, God and I have been on a fantastic journey that I never expected to be on. I am humbled. Now, as I make another change and become a Director for CMA Canada, I am thankful that God knows my heart and my desire to serve Him. Please pray for wisdom that comes only from God as I move into this position.
- Lynne Ross -
Vice Chair/Treasurer
I was born in Moncton, NB, raised in a Christian home, accepted Christ at the age of 5 and my life revolved around the church. After high school, I went to Bible school, where I realized I had been well taught in my home church, but going into nursing put me into a new culture and I really started learning how to live out my faith in Christ. In 1974, I was matched with Gary (the old fashioned way) and we were married on May 3, 1975, raised 3 children and are expecting our 8th grandchild this summer. Gary bought a motorcycle in 1981 to ride for work and I rode on the back a few times a year. Around 1985, I told God there had to be more to the Christian life than I was living and I wanted it! In 1986, God answered by moving us to Winnipeg, MB, into another culture with struggles that changed me, again. As our last child finished high school, Gary bought a bigger motorcycle and we started riding together more. Then, in April, 1999, he bought me one. At the very same time, a friend from church invited us to our first CMA meeting. That meeting drastically changed my life, as God put me into the motorcycle culture. When I caught the vision of CMA and moved out to reach the bikers, “one heart at a time”, God and I have been on a fantastic journey that I never expected to be on. I am humbled. Now, as I make another change and become a Director for CMA Canada, I am thankful that God knows my heart and my desire to serve Him. Please pray for wisdom that comes only from God as I move into this position.
- Lynne Ross -
Gaius Ricker
Director
I was born and brought up in a small community outside Moncton N.B., and accepted the Lord and was baptized when I was 10. In 1971 I married Janice, my high school sweetheart , and we were blessed with 2 sons and a daughter. Our first motorcycle was a 50 c.c. trail that we rode double for many miles, before we were married and for a couple of years after. With family, work and church our responsibilities took us in a different direction and we sold the bike. In the early 90’s we bought another bike and started riding again.
We were both active in our church but were restless to find a ministry that would see us reaching outside the buildings 4 walls. We were also looking for other Christians to ride with. In 1996 a “chance” meeting with a CMA member started us on a road that changed things completely. We joined CMA for the fellowship, but soon discovered it was the ministry outside the walls we were looking for. Over the years we have been blessed to be a part of a group that attempts to reach the unsaved by, earning the right to speak, and then being able to present the Gospel and point people to Christ. We served in various chapter capacities, as Area Reps, and for 11 years as Regional Co-ordinators. When we finished with that position I thought I was ready to “just ride” , but I guess He had other plans. I was asked to serve on the Board of Directors, and after much prayer and discussion agreed to accept. We are excited to see what God has in store for us next, and ask for your prayers as we seek His leading for us and for CMA Canada.
- Gaius Ricker -
Director
I was born and brought up in a small community outside Moncton N.B., and accepted the Lord and was baptized when I was 10. In 1971 I married Janice, my high school sweetheart , and we were blessed with 2 sons and a daughter. Our first motorcycle was a 50 c.c. trail that we rode double for many miles, before we were married and for a couple of years after. With family, work and church our responsibilities took us in a different direction and we sold the bike. In the early 90’s we bought another bike and started riding again.
We were both active in our church but were restless to find a ministry that would see us reaching outside the buildings 4 walls. We were also looking for other Christians to ride with. In 1996 a “chance” meeting with a CMA member started us on a road that changed things completely. We joined CMA for the fellowship, but soon discovered it was the ministry outside the walls we were looking for. Over the years we have been blessed to be a part of a group that attempts to reach the unsaved by, earning the right to speak, and then being able to present the Gospel and point people to Christ. We served in various chapter capacities, as Area Reps, and for 11 years as Regional Co-ordinators. When we finished with that position I thought I was ready to “just ride” , but I guess He had other plans. I was asked to serve on the Board of Directors, and after much prayer and discussion agreed to accept. We are excited to see what God has in store for us next, and ask for your prayers as we seek His leading for us and for CMA Canada.
- Gaius Ricker -
Frank Amantea
Director
In 1975 Liz and I went to the NWT of Canada as “cross cultural” missionaries to the Inuit (still called “Eskimos” back then). We spent a total of 5 years in Canada’s high arctic on Victoria Island and 1 year in Grande Prairie before moving south to Lethbridge. The next 10 years were spent in Lethbridge before being sent again as “cross cultural” missionaries to the Philippines where we spent the next 5 1/2 years in ministry and church planting. From the Philippines we returned to Calgary in December of 1996. We were one of three couples who worked together to plant the Lighthouse Church. I have been the full time Pastor at the Lighthouse since 2007.
After moving to Calgary in 1996, I was introduced to CMA while shopping for a motorcycle. I notice the patch on the back of another person in the shop. Through that encounter, I joined the CMA in1999 and my wife joined shortly thereafter. For Liz and me, it was “a match made in heaven.” Once again we became involved in our original calling to “cross cultural ministry” as missionaries to the biking community in Canada, a large sub-culture here in our own back yard. Liz and I are excited about the ministry of CMA and are committed to it’s vision of reaching the lost, bikers included, one heart at a time
- Frank Amantea -
Director
In 1975 Liz and I went to the NWT of Canada as “cross cultural” missionaries to the Inuit (still called “Eskimos” back then). We spent a total of 5 years in Canada’s high arctic on Victoria Island and 1 year in Grande Prairie before moving south to Lethbridge. The next 10 years were spent in Lethbridge before being sent again as “cross cultural” missionaries to the Philippines where we spent the next 5 1/2 years in ministry and church planting. From the Philippines we returned to Calgary in December of 1996. We were one of three couples who worked together to plant the Lighthouse Church. I have been the full time Pastor at the Lighthouse since 2007.
After moving to Calgary in 1996, I was introduced to CMA while shopping for a motorcycle. I notice the patch on the back of another person in the shop. Through that encounter, I joined the CMA in1999 and my wife joined shortly thereafter. For Liz and me, it was “a match made in heaven.” Once again we became involved in our original calling to “cross cultural ministry” as missionaries to the biking community in Canada, a large sub-culture here in our own back yard. Liz and I are excited about the ministry of CMA and are committed to it’s vision of reaching the lost, bikers included, one heart at a time
- Frank Amantea -
