Why "bikingforbikes?"

Why "bikingforbikes?"

A few years ago, I was talking to Bishop Matt about opportunities globally that our church could be a part of.  One of the things he mentioned was the ability to purchase bikes for pastors in Asia.  Apparently, you can buy a good bike there for $60!!  Though our church ultimately partnered with a different global ministry, my own personal interest perked up! 

I've been an "avid" recreational cyclist for quite some time.  I experience great freedom, peacefulness, and often a filling of my soul when I am on the road, peddling hard.  Some of my best times in prayer are when my body is turning the crank, yet my mind is not in gear.  Believe it or not, I am more rested holistically after a 50+ mile ride than I am before.  Crazy, I know!! 

Recreational riding for the pastors in Asia, according to Bishop Matt, is virtually unheard of.  The pastors there cannot fathom riding a bike "for fun."  For them, riding is about getting from Point A to Point B.  When they have a bike, the territory they can reach out to raises to about a 30 mile radius.  This is a drastic increase from what they are able to reach on foot.  So for them, a bicycle means a very tangible increased spreading of the Gospel.  The equation is simple:  pastor + bike = more people hearing about Jesus!

On one ride a few years back, I had an epiphany.  What if I gave up driving for one year, cycled instead, and raised "pledges/donations" for every mile I rode that year.  Then, all money could be given to buy bikes for the pastors in Asia.  Selfishly, I'd be on my bike more.  Unselfishly, more people would hear the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.  It seemed like a win-win.  This idea was followed up by the name "bikingforbikes."  I nabbed that name as an email address (bikingforbikes@gmail.com), and though the first bike has yet to be purchased, I have great dreams of buying 100+ bikes to pastors I may never meet.    

Combining passions:  cycling and Jesus!  That's why I call this blog "bikingforbikes!"