Pastor on the mend from crash

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July 22, 2008

Crossroads’ Harlow crashed motorcycle during church service

By KEN de la BASTIDE The Kokomo Tribune Tue Jul 22, 2008, 10:58 PM EDT

As he was hurtling from the pulpit at Crossroads Community Church on a motorcycle Sunday, Pastor Jeff Harlow was hoping he wouldn’t harm members of the congregation.

Harlow, 53, senior pastor at Crossroads Community Church, was using the motorcycle as part of a sermon on “becoming one” and how a lot could be accomplished by working together.

During the 11 a.m. Sunday service, Harlow lost control of the motorcycle, hurtling off the platform and crashing into the first row of pews. He suffered a broken wrist and laceration to the head.

Harlow used the motorcycle as an example during his sermon on Saturday night and at an earlier service on Sunday.

“The motorcycle was in gear,” Harlow said Tuesday. “I was supposed to idle around the corner. It had a very sensitive throttle and it just lurched on me. I inadvertently gave it more throttle and shot off the platform.”

Harlow said he was in a panic mode when the motorcycle left the platform and headed to a spot where his wife, Becky, normally sits, but she was closer to the aisle on this particular Sunday.

“Our eyes locked as I was coming off the platform,” he said. “She leaned one way and I leaned the other. I was hoping I didn’t hurt anyone but me. It was a scary moment. I was immediately embarrassed.”

Harlow said he felt confident he broke his arm after the crash but was not suffering from any life-threatening injuries.

The idea for the motorcycle illustration came from a trip Harlow made to a motocross race in Michigan it which he was awed at how the riders became one with the motorcycle.

“It was how Jesus taught, using illustrations,” he said.

Harlow said the sermon is that by uniting as one, people can accomplish much more than when working alone.

“Relations don’t come easy,” he said. “It takes time and effort. I proved it with crystal clarity. I was not one with the motorcycle.”

Harlow said Saturday was his first time on a motorcycle and probably won’t get on another one in the future.

Jamey Henderson was attending the service and was seated right behind where Harlow crashed.

“It took a moment to realize that it wasn’t supposed to happen,” she said. “We had watched a video clip of motocross riders, the house lights came up and you could hear the motorcycle and headlight from behind the curtain.

“I expected Jeff [Harlow] to walk it out,” Henderson said. “The next thing I know he is hurtling off the stage. It all happened so fast. It took a moment to realize that wasn’t supposed to take place.”

Henderson said medical personnel attending the service went immediately to assist Harlow while other people stood and began praying.

She said Harlow asked for a microphone and told the congregation it was a good message that he didn’t want them to miss and to get a DVD of the earlier service.

Harlow said he knew members of the congregation would be concerned and wanted to address them following the accident.

“It was meant to break the tension,” he said. “I would rather have people laugh with me.”

When asked about next Sunday’s service, Harlow said the incident would be like the proverbial “elephant in the room” and would be discussed.

Ken de la Bastide can be reached at (765) 454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com

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