Have no worries about being new to chicken keeping! You couldn't have picked a better place to learn more about them, and find help if you ever need it. I'm so glad they bring you happiness to just watch them- chickens are such silly creatures!
I'd love to hear more about your Christian off-road club. Is it mainly vehicles (trucks and such) or ATVs and smaller recreational buggies? Is it a group formed with fellow church members, or folks that just gather for some good devotionals and dirt slinging? Much respect to everyone for gathering and praising God in a unique way.