A local motorcycle ministry is revving up to ride to support charity.

The Christ Community Church-based group is hosting its second annual Biker Blessing and Poker Ride on Sunday at the church at 220 Campground Road in Pinehurst.

The poker run follows the blessing. Proceeds from the event will benefit Sandhills Teen Chal-lenge, a residential faith-based recovery program in Carthage for men battling substance abuse.

Registration is from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The ride starts at 12:45 p.m. Participants are invited to the 11 a.m. church service dressed to ride.

Riders pay a certain amount for cards that will be used to make their best poker hands. Cards are drawn at each stop.

This ride costs $10 per hand and will consist of five cards. The final card will be drawn when riders arrive at Sandhills Teen Challenge.

Riders must arrive at the final stop by 3 p.m. The participant with the best five-card poker hand will win half of the money collected. The other half will go to Sandhills Teen Challenge.

The first card will be presented at the start of the ride. Stops along the ride include Young Life of the Sandhills, Cameron Boy’s Camp and Youth Central.

“We are encouraging them (riders) to stop and spend time at each location to learn about the respective ministries,” event organizer Dave Peterson said.

That aspect of the ride is unique, organizers say.

“I’ve never been on one (poker ride) that stops at charitable organizations and encourages the riders to stop and learn about them,” said Mike Warthen, a member of the church motorcycle ministry and ride organizer.

At the conclusion, lunch will be served and door prizes will be raffled off. There will also be live music.

Prizes include a certificate for the Richard Petty Driving Experience and a 2012 Daytona 500 shirt autographed by Petty, and one hour of time at Gas Chamber Ink, in Southern Pines.

Last year’s biker blessing drew 52 participants on 35 bikes. This year, Warthen hopes to reach 100 bikes.

“Our long-term goal is to fill the (church) parking lot within four years and eventually have to rent the fairgrounds in Carthage,” War-then said.

Christ Community Church started a motorcycle ministry in November 2010. Currently, the group rides after the 9:15 a.m. church service on the first Sunday of each month.

“We ride with purpose,” Warthen said. “We pray for churches and their congregations that we pass on the ride.”

For more information about the blessing or the poker ride, go to www.cccpinehurst.org/motorcycle-ministry.