:: Launch Liberia Bike Tour
Launch Liberia Bike Tour
Blogging at http://pedal4jesus.wordpress.com/my-team/
Two bicycle road trips are underway
One Week Eastern Ride
and
Two Week Western Ride
Overview
In casting the Launch Liberia vision under the heading ‘Commit to Give’ the Global Ministries Commission challenges the E.C. Church, “To make this project happen, we need to raise $110,000 by the fall of 2009. That seems like a HUGE amount of money! How could we ever come up with those kinds of funds? We’re asking you, the faithful E.C. Church body, to make a commitment to be a part of helping to raise the money necessary to Launch Liberia.”
In an effort to heighten awareness of the needs and to help raise funds to support the Launch Liberia initiative (Launch Liberia information packet), two bicycle road trips are being developed for May, 2008, a one week eastern ride and a two week western ride. Both are scheduled to arrive simultaneously at the seat of National Conference, Messiah College, and greet Rev. Mathew Gueh, Superintendent of the E.C. Church of Liberia who will be visiting the United States during that time.
We are trusting God to raise up at least nine team riders, three from each of our Regions (Great Lakes, Susquehanna, Delaware) for each of the two rides. In addition, for those unable to participate in the full ride, we challenge churches/youth groups to provide day riders who will join in for one leg of a ride. For logistical purposes, all riders (team and day) must sign up prior to March 31st.
Team riders will be provided meals/housing by local churches along the route. Time will be given for personal and group devotions on a daily basis. Participants will be extended opportunities to worship and share in the vision of Launch Liberia with churches along the route. Additionally, some sightseeing opportunities may become available.
Each rider is responsible to provide his/her own bike and riding gear – including helmet. Team riders will be given riding jerseys and day riders will receive T-shirts. Bikes should be checked over by certified mechanics at a local bike shop prior to the ride. Transport for participants when necessary during the ride and help with mechanical difficulties that may arise will be provided. Each rider is responsible for transportation to and from the ride itself. An effort will be made to help arrange car pooling. Team riders must be 18 years of age or older. Day riders must be at least 15 years old (parental permission required).
Begin your training now! May is not far away so be sure to start your physical training immediately. Starting in April, group rides on each Saturday will be arranged for participants (as weather permits.) Clear your calendar now and prepare to join in!
Rev. Ralph Owens, coordinator of the Launch Liberia Bike Tour also encourages you to, “Continue your training in godliness as well, “…train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things…” (1 Tim 4:7-8 NIV) Rev. Owens continues by stating, “And, don’t forget to pray. Pray for God’s sustaining mercy for our brothers and sisters in Liberia as they anticipate the support God will provide for them through you. Pray for them as they train leaders to plant thirty new churches and for hundreds of souls to place their trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for the solidification of our partnership in presenting the Gospel to the glory of God.”
Schedule
Eastern Ride – Lead team rider: Rick Christman, pr@boyertownec.org
Each day will consist of 3 to 4 hours of riding, averaging 40 miles per day at 10 – 13 mph.
May 22nd 7:00 P.M. commissioning service, Rosedale MD
May 23rd Ride to Newark DE
May 24th Ride to Boyertown
May 25th Day off
May 26th Ride to Allentown
May 27th Ride to Sinking Springs
May 28th Ride to Willow Street
May 29th Ride to Messiah College – National Conference
Western Ride – Lead team rider: Ralph Owens, ralphowens@msn.com
Each day will consist of 5 to 6 hours of riding, averaging 70 miles per day at 12 – 14 mph.
May 15th 7:00 P.M. commissioning service, Dakota IL
May 16th Ride to Amboy, IL
May 17th Ride to Joliet, IL
May 18th Day off in Chicago
May 19th Ride to Hamlet, IN
May 20th Ride to Fort Wayne, IN
May 21st Ride to Findlay, OH
May 22nd Ride to Greenwich, OH
May 23rd Ride to Akron, OH
May 24th Ride to Youngstown, PA
May 25th Ride to Transfer, PA – Day off
May 26th Ride to Knox, PA
May 27th Ride to Grampian, PA
May 28th Ride to State College, PA
May 29th Ride to Messiah College – National Conference
Sponsorship
If you commit to participate in the ride, your name will be added to the sponsorship web site which will list all riders from each region. As a guideline: team riders are encouraged to raise $100 per day (total $600 Eastern and $1100 Western) and day riders are encouraged to raise $200 per day. All gifts are tax-deductable.
In addition to the sponsorship obtained by each individual rider, supporters can pledge to sponsor participants of the Eastern Ride by emailing: pr@boyertownec.org or the Western Ride by emailing: ralphowens@msn.com. Donations to Launch Liberia can also be made online at www.ecglobal.org, under the Donate Here tab. (Be sure to specify your contribution as part of the “Launch Liberia Bike Tour.”)
Contact
Rev. Ralph Owens is the primary contact person if you have any questions or need more information regarding the ride.
Trinity E.C. Church
66 South Limerick Road
Royersford, PA 19468
Register
Download the registration form (Word format) and follow the directions on the page. Once we receive your registration, we will provide the proper release forms to be filled out. When all paperwork has been returned, the registration process will be complete.