Pat "Lil Bit" Luther was one of the founding
members of Iron Horse Community Church. She and her husband Perry, moved here from Arizona where they had been members
of CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) and attended a biker church. After settling in on the Gulf Coast, Perry
and Pat joined a local CMA chapter and could be found wherever there was a biker event or benefit. Pat was known
for her generosity and her concern for others - she loved people but bikers and their families were truly her heart.
If Pat knew of someone who needed help she would try to fill their particular need whether it was food, clothing, shelter,
or kind words of encouragement. She was quick to share the message of God's love for all people and His
plan for salvation. Pat reached out to those who are so often thought of as "unreachable". She also understood
the need for a place of worship where bikers would be accepted and embraced unconditionally. Sadly, Pat never saw
the vision of Iron Horse Community Church become a reality. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2004. She
left this earthly home and walked straight into the arms of her Lord and Savior one week before Iron Horse held
its first official worship service in January 2005.
Shortly after Pat's death, another family attending Iron Horse suffered
a near-tragedy when their young daughter fell into a ditch filled with water. As a result of the incident,
the family was faced with tremendous medical bills. Iron Horse decided to hold a poker run to raise money
to help the family offset some of their financial burden. It became the very first memorial run, held in the same
spirit of helping others that Pat was so well known for. The members of Iron Horse felt it a fitting tribute to
carry on the benefit each year, in Pat's name.
