Old School 1%er Talks About Joining a 1% Club: Sam Childers Interview (Part 1)
As someone who has long been interested in the intersection of outlaw culture and personal transformation, I found myself captivated by an interview with Sam Childers, better known as the "Machine Gun Preacher." Childers’ life has been a rollercoaster of extremes—from his time as a violent 1% outlaw biker to becoming a missionary in Africa, saving children from war-torn regions. This interview highlights his journey into the world of the 1% motorcycle clubs, shedding light on what it takes to join such an exclusive and feared group.
For those unfamiliar with the term, a "1%er" refers to a member of an outlaw motorcycle club that operates outside the boundaries of society and the law. The term originates from a 1947 American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) statement that said 99% of motorcyclists are law-abiding citizens, implying that the remaining 1% live outside the law. Sam Childers, before he found his mission in Africa, was one such man—a member of an exclusive, often misunderstood, but tightly knit world.
Joining the 1% Club
In his interview, Sam Childers recalls the initiation process into a 1% motorcycle club as a grueling test of loyalty, endurance, and commitment. "You don’t just walk into a clubhouse and become a member," Childers explains. He describes the multi-step process, beginning with being a “hang-around,” where a person gets to know the members and earn their trust. After this, the aspiring biker may become a “prospect,” where they serve the full members and are expected to prove their loyalty in various ways—many of which are not for the faint-hearted.
This trial period can last months or even years. According to Childers, “The process is designed to break you down and test you, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally." He adds that being part of a 1% club is about brotherhood. Unlike the Hollywood depictions of constant criminal activity, Childers asserts that the clubs operate more as families, with a strict code of conduct that, once broken, has severe consequences.
What makes this world intriguing is the paradox it presents. On one hand, these clubs reject society’s norms and legal boundaries. On the other, they impose an internal system of order, rules, and discipline that members must strictly follow. This structured chaos forms a code of loyalty that binds members for life.
Brotherhood Above All
Sam Childers emphasizes that one of the most important aspects of joining a 1% club is understanding the meaning of brotherhood. “You’re not just joining a club, you’re becoming part of a family,” he notes. This deep connection between members transcends the world of motorcycles and leather jackets—it’s a code of honor. Childers recalls how the members of his club would lay down their lives for one another, a trait that many veterans of military service often find resonates deeply.
In fact, Childers mentions that many of the core values in these outlaw clubs—loyalty, courage, and honor—are similar to those held by conservative veterans and patriots. “These guys take care of each other, and they believe in things like respect for your brothers, protection of your territory, and honoring your word. It’s not as far from conservative values as people might think.”
The Dark Side
However, Childers doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of club life. He recounts stories of brutal fights, violent confrontations, and brushes with the law. “You live a double life,” he says. “On one hand, you have this family, this brotherhood, but on the other hand, you’re constantly looking over your shoulder.” Many members of 1% clubs walk a thin line between camaraderie and self-destruction. Childers speaks openly about how easy it is to get sucked into a cycle of violence, drugs, and reckless behavior.
It was this dark side of the outlaw world that eventually led Childers to a crisis point in his life. “You start asking yourself: what’s all this for? Where does it lead? For me, it led to Africa, to God, and to saving children. But it could’ve just as easily led to my death.”
A Path of Redemption
In part one of this interview, we see Sam Childers reflect on his past with a mix of reverence and regret. His experiences within a 1% motorcycle club shaped the man he became, both in the best and worst ways. However, the interview makes clear that his time in the club taught him life lessons—about loyalty, strength, and community—that he later applied to his work as the "Machine Gun Preacher."
Childers’ transformation from outlaw biker to missionary is a story of redemption. But as he shares in this interview, joining a 1% club was no small feat. The initiation into that world was not just about proving toughness; it was about understanding brotherhood, walking a thin line between chaos and order, and coming out the other side with a hardened sense of self.
Part two of this interview will dive deeper into Childers' departure from the club and how his faith led him on a different, life-altering path.
Citations:
- Barger, R., & Zimmerman, K. (2001). Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club. New York: HarperCollins.
- Veno, A. (2003). The Brotherhoods: Inside the Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
- Hopper, J. (2014). The Biker’s Brotherhood: A History of the Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs. Oxford University Press.
- Childers, S. (2011). Another Man’s War: The True Story of One Man's Battle to Save Children in the Sudan. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
- Buchanan, I. (2008). The 1% Biker: Life and Law in the Outlaw Motorcycle World. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
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