An Ends of the Earth Cycling Ambassador engages individuals in the Ambassador’s circle of influence to move them one step closer to engagement in global missions through the ministry of Ends of the Earth Cycling.
This December, we are excited to introduce you to the rest of our 2024 Ends of the Earth Cycling Ambassadors. They have been featured on our social media channels, and now have will be featured on the Stories of Impact Blog in two installments. The first installment was posted in August and you can read it here. These are 13 remarkable friends of the ministry who are out serving in unique ways – making much of Jesus on and off the bike – inviting others to #PrayPedalRepeat with us.
“We are ambassadors for Christ!” (1 Corinthians 5:20)
I enjoy Ends Cycling tours for many reasons beyond just my passion for cycling. Since my first tour in the Carolinas in 2018, I’ve grown to deeply love the Ends Cycling organization and the incredible community it brings together. I have made so many amazing, like-minded friends all over the country, and the world, that I met through Ends Cycling.
It’s hard to pick my best day ever on a bike, but one that stands out is the final day of an 18-day ride my son Danny and I shared starting at the hospital in Denver, CO. where Danny was born, to our home in Grand Rapids, MI. My wife organized a surprise finish-line party, and we were welcomed by neighbors, family and friends cheering us on. That day was unforgettable.
While I care about many causes, helping people in impoverished countries is at the top of my list. During our first trip to Cambodia, Beth and I befriended our TukTuk driver, and felt it a “God Thang” to continue our relationship after leaving. I started by buying his kids bicycles, and we are now funding their English language education, giving them a chance for a brighter future in a country where opportunities are scarce. It’s incredible how far just a little generosity can go in a poor country like Cambodia. This type of commitment to making a difference is why I feel so connected to the Ends Cycling family.
My favorite Ends tour was likely Washington in 2021 – it pushed my limits with its challenging climbs, and I loved every minute of it.
I’ve come to love cycling tours. The new friendships grow deep as you often “go deep” mentally and physically on a demanding schedule of many miles, many hours. However, Ends of the Earth Cycling tours are really missions trips. I learned this on my very first tour. Riding and serving for a cause that has limitless potential in what God can do with the funds raised never gets old. In fact, it’s what keeps me coming back.
My very first tour, New England Bike Ride 2018, on day 2 we cycled past my high school bus stop, and then past another house I lived in after school. It was a homecoming. I actually came to know Christ while living in that house. My oldest sister was saved in that house. My youngest sister came to know God over the phone while I was in that house. A day in the French Alps cannot surpass that.
My heart is with the people group of whomever we are cycling for on an Ends tour, Nicaragua, Philippines, Malawi, anywhere and everywhere.
My favorite Ends Cycling tour is the one I’m currently on! Or the next one that I am going on! This is like choosing between your children. After New England, Vermont and Montana are most special because I got to see others experience the routes that I had planned. Alaska was extra special, and of course EVERY Key West fills me to the brim.
It started out with being asked by a friend if I wanted to ride across New England. The motivation was the opportunity to get to know some of the folks I had just started to ride with from a local church and the challenge of a multi-day ride. Now, I’m still motivated to ride with the group, but the End’s tours are more like a family reunion as I’ve gotten to know more of the other great people involved, riders and staff.
My best day was riding up the coast of Maine on that first tour and looking across to the ocean as we cruised along. There was also the joy of completing with our group, praying along the way for the youth of India.
There have been many youth-oriented groups I’ve ridden for, yet I especially connected with Solid Rock Mission to the youth of Ukraine during the Nachez Trace ride. The organization was well represented, and we shared a lot along the way. We were the ones blessed!
Texas was the best. Well organized with an amazing route around the Hill Country. “Come and Ride It” was the theme as we #praypedalrepeated for the youth of Cambodia. I learned a lot from our group dynamics and that helping others along the way gives you more endurance.
My motivation for doing a tour is to see God’s amazing works through this organization. I think every cyclist should participate in a tour and experience the love and support for each other but mostly to see how God works through our fundraising and through our relationships. When you meet the benefactors first hand and hear how God is using us for his good, it’s a feeling you can’t get anywhere. We know that EC is making a big impact on the lives of those in need, those lost and even those who are found. Your heart is completely full when you really look at what is happening with EC. God is working here but he wants us to join him.
My best day on the bike was on the 2017 South Dakota ride cruising up and down big rollers. Also, towards the end of one day, we go down an extremely long hill extremely fast. I look down and see 42 mph and my friend, Brenda, aka The Peregrine Falcon, flies by me laughing. My brakes were actually smoking and I could smell my tires from all of the braking. At the bottom of the hill was..of course…a stop sign. Fortunately, someone from EC was there to tell us and guide us through. There was really no stopping so we cruised through and there in front of us was the hill to climb to Mount Rushmore. Again, another first for me. It was so hard at the time and I look back and laugh at how I amazed myself. When I got to the top, I repeatedly said, “I can’t believe I just did that.” Brenda and I both reminisce about the South Dakota ride. So much fun along the way there, during and on the return drive home. We know that God was with us that day as we were carefree and maybe a bit careless.
I’m very passionate about the underserved, disadvantaged and abused youth. Those who experience these things seem to rise above it all when they seek Christ and honor him. I love being a part of an organization that shines a light on God’s promise
My favorite tour was the South Dakota tour benefitting the youth of Ginea Bisau! Wade, our tour pastor shared so much about the country of Ginea Bisau. It was powerful to hear how he and his small team of men were making a Godly impact in a country so entrenched in evil.
So many firsts for me on this ride. My first long ascent, my first long descent, riding with some friends from our church and traveling together and having a blast. Being confused about my role as navigator for Crystal…long story. Getting to know Crystal Haner and her children in a special way. We were able to ride through Sturgis and pray for victims of human trafficking. I learned that the Sturgis event was the second largest human trafficking event in the US next to the Super Bowl. I witnessed something that was likely a negotiation for victims on this tour and it became more real to me. The reality was this tour provided me with a new education and a continued drive to support victims of human trafficking. I believe that God opened my eyes and I can discern what it looks like close to home now.
1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us to do whatever it is we do for the glory of God. Ends Cycling Tours gave me the opportunity to honor God and serve others through living out my enjoyment of adventure cycling and event planning.
100+ miles from Tupelo, MS to Kosciusko, MS on the Natchez Trace Parkway in the fall of 2019. It was cold and rainy that day. But, despite those minor challenges, I remember feeling a heightened sense of awe, thankfulness, and a full heart which made for a profoundly memorable day!
I believe that one the most important impacts we can have in the lives of our children is by living our lives in a way that correlates with our stated beliefs in a passionate and authentic way. I have found it thrilling to “do life” with my daughter and watch her develop her own sense of enjoyment and fulfillment while engaging in athletic endeavors, adventure, and service!
IABR2019! I signed up for RAGBRAI with a plan to tag along with the worlds largest social bike ride. In addition to seeing A LOT of corn and experiencing rural midwest hospitality, I also found a tribe of like-minded friends and began an ongoing relationship. Our comradery is based on a love for Jesus, a passion for our next generation, prayer, shared adventure and mutual encouragement!
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Because
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We are an active bicycling community impacting youth globally. We give people who want to change the world opportunities to use cycling to bring the hope of the Gospel to global youth through multi-day, Christ-centered bicycling tours.
New International
Attn: Ends of the Earth Cycling
2701 Cleveland Ave. #200
Fort Myers, FL 33901
