Rock Springs Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Brian Harris hops into the sidecar of Limestone College professor Sammy Karsmizki last week while talking to local bike enthusiasts Alvin Wylie (left) and Mac Wicht. Regardless of the occasion, being able to reach the 50-year mark is quite special, bringing about times of rejoicing and reminiscing how far things have come in that amount of time.

It has already been quite a year for Rock Springs Baptist Church, which is celebrating half a century of existence in northern Cherokee County.

In some circles, the 50th anniversary is referred to as the year of ‘Jubilee,’ one where God showers his blessings upon his people. Rock Springs Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Brian Harris agrees with that assessment in regard to his congregation, seeing many longterm goals finished this year, including the completion of the church’s family life center.

“It’s been quite a year for us as a church,” Harris said. “We’ve been blessed mightily and believe God has more in store for us.”

However, the year is not quite right without the annual gathering of motorcycles and other vehicles for the church’s bike ride.

This year’s “Ride for the Rock” will take place Oct. 24. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., with riders leaving Rock Springs Baptist Church at 11 a.m.

Harris said the church is hoping to attract 100 riders this year.

“This has been quite a ministry and an outreach for us,” Harris said. “Hopefully we can get 100 bikers out here to enjoy the ride and fellowship with us.”

Beginning as a senior project by Rock Springs Baptist member Megan Anderson to help fund the construction of the church’s family life center, the ride has blossomed into a yearly event attracting dozens of bike enthusiasts and others wanting to enjoy the company of fellow believers.

“We’re really pumped for this year’s ride,” Harris said. “Especially with this year being our 50th anniversary as a church and us recently dedicating our new family life building, this is another opportunity for us to celebrate another landmark in our ministry.“

Previously, the event route took riders through portions of both North and South Carolina, a tribute to the church’s congregation which draws residents from the two states. The route will be different this year, however, as Harris said the entire ride will take place in the Palmetto State.

“We’ll be taking a route that will lead us toward Hickory Grove,” Harris said. “It’ll be a little different, but definitely a lot of fun.”

Harris will also have a different view of the route this year, scrapping his “Lance Armstrong” outfit for a leather jacket and jeans — clothes more fit for a biker.

But don’t be fooled, the local pastor will not be the one driving the motorcycle. Limestone College professor Sammy Karsmizki volunteered to take Harris along for the ride — in his sidecar.

“I’ll be in the sidecar,” Harris said. “It’s become something of a gimmick, but I’m glad I was able to find someone with a sidecar hitched to their motorcycle, because there aren’t many in Cherokee County.”

For more information, call the church at (864) 839-3421.